Turkmenistan
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Tour Highlights
Ashgabat
Derweze Gas Crater
Yangikala Canyon
Falconry Tradition
Akhal-Teke Horses
Kow-Ata
Underground Lake
In 2013, Turkmenistan's capital city Ashgabat entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest number of white marble buildings in the city. As per the record, the city has 543 white marble buildings covering an area of 4.5 million square metres
(with no one living in them, by the way).
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Ashgabat
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Arrive in Ashgabat very early in the morning and transfer to the hotel for some rest. 4* Hotel
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After breakfast, departure from hotel lobby for city tour, including visits of City center, Independence Monument, Neutrality Arch, Alem Ferris Wheel, Earthquake Monument, Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum, Nissa (UNESCO), Russian bazaar. Transfer to train station for night train, departure 1900h to Turkmenbashi.
Overnight in a sleepier train
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Day 2:
Yangisuw Canyon
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Arrival in Turkmenbashi at 0900h. We will leave the main road 1 hour after leaving Turkmenbashi. We drive through the Balkan Mountains and then for some 2 hours across flat highlands. Camels and sheep graze on the highlands, and in springtime, turtles as well. The white, pink and orange limestone formations are astonishing, and when you take your eyes off the landscape to look at the bottom beneath you, you can find seashells from the time that the seashore reached here. Picnic lunch on site. Discover the Canyons by jeep and on foot. On clear days, you can see the Garabogaz Gulf and the Caspian Sea in the distance. It is impossible to drive up there due to the swampy salty soil between us and the shore. We find ourselves a good spot for the camp and set up our base for the night. Dinner at campsite.
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Day 3:
Kemal Ata-Yangikala-Koymat
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In the morning, we drive on the same poor and bumpy tracks to the pilgrim site and mausoleum of Kemal Ata, which is located at the source of a local spring that has carved out a nice green patch, lined with hard rock concretions, a geological phenomenon seen only in a few places worldwide. After our visit to Kemal Ata we carry on deeper into the area, to reach Yangikala Viewpoint, another spectacularly shaped and colored phenomenon. While there is time for walks along the cliffs. Continue to Koymat in the afternoon. When we reach Koymat, we stretch our legs again to observe the crystal white cliff lines. We stay for the night at this semi-nomadic settlement, where we can see yurts, camels, of course meet the friendly people and get to know more about their lifestyle.
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Day 4:
Ygdykala Fortress
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After home breakfast we drive in eastern direction, come closer to Melegoch village, the track starts to curve more, forcing us to follow the shape of the dry riverbed of the Uzboy River. We stay for the lunch in Melegoch village and learn the falconry traditions of Turkmen tribe living in the desert. Later we carry on an early Parthian Ygdykala fortress. After having visited the fortress remains that were located at a high cliff carved out by the river in ancient times, we carry on over softer sand dunes in eastern direction, until we find a good spot to put up camp. We camp in the sand dunes near the fortress and have dinner at the campsite.
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Day 5:
Darwaza - 'Door to Hell'
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From our campsite, we carry on in eastern direction, with another few heavy sand slopes to cross. After 70 kms we reach Balishem village and stop there for lunch. In the afternoon, we reach the tarmac after some more sand dunes, and find ourselves on the main road that connects Ashgabat in the south with Dashoguz in the north. A spectacular night in yurts, after a good meal of shashlyk with a cold drink near the burning Darwaza gas crater will stay in your memory.
Day 6:
Kow-Ata underground Lake
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After breakfast we'll return to Ashgabat. On arrival, check-in to the hotel have a short rest. Afternoon drive to Kow Ata underground lake where we can swim in the warm waters (107 km from Ashgabat). En route visit to Geok Depe mosque and fortress. Evening city-by-night tour, including visit to Wedding’s Palace viewpoint.
Overnight in a 4* hotel
Day 7:
Ashgabat and home
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Transfer to Ashgabat international airport for your flight back home.
What's included ?
Excluded
Airport pick-up and drop-off
All meals on the trip
All transportation
All 4* Hotel accommodation
Sleeper train to Turkmenbashi
All entrance fee
English-speaking local guide.
Bottled water
Visa support
All Camping equipments
International flights
Personal expenses
Tips for local guides
Travel Insurance
Visa fee
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Is it safe to travel to Turkmenistan?
Yes it is safe to travel to Turkmenistan, you will be with our group the whole time where we have experienced local crew that takes care of us and guides us around the country
2
How does the booking process work?
Your spot will be secured as soon as we receive your deposit payment. This deposit is refundable up to 10 days after your booking.
You will receive an invoice for the balance payment 9 weeks before the trip starts.
To know more about our booking policy, please check our
3
How do I get visa?
We will arrange a Letter Of Invitation for you and with that letter you can get Visa on arrival at Ashgabat airport.
You only need to fill in an application form that we will send you and send us a copy of your passport.
Visa cost will be charged on arrival: $89 and then there is a migration tax of $14
4
What is the minimum/maximum number of participants on this trip?
We do have a guarantee of departure for this trip.
And we take a maximum of 12 people + crew for each tour.
5
How do I fly to Ashgabat?
There are not many options but you can either come through Turkey with Turkish airlines or through Dubai with Emirates/Fly Dubai.
Both flights are arriving very early in the morning at 02:45 and 03:25
6
Do I need to bring cash?
Yes, bring USD, there will be no ATMs available so bring enough cash for the trip. Our crew can assist you to exchange it into the local currency.
7
Can I travel there as a female?
Yes, you will have no problem traveling to turkmenistan as a female, and though the country's Islamic roots are several centuries old, Turkmen women never were and are not required to wear a face covering.
8
Can I come as a solo traveler
That’s absolutely not a problem! You will be paired with another like-minded solo traveler and share the room with him/her. Or you can get a single supplement for an additional fee. With single supplement you will get your own hotel room.
