Classic Turkmenistan tour

Turkmenistan Highlights Tour: Main Cities, Grandiose Must-see Objects and Best Places to Visit

Turkmenistan is the least accessible of the former USSR republics and a very specific oriental country with rich history. The stone ruins found all across the country keep memory of old and new Nissa – the capital of the Parthian Empire, majestic ancient Merv – the capital of Persian satrapy Margiana, Kunya-Urgench – the capital of Ancient Khorezm and many other historically remarkable places.

However, apart from world-famous historical monuments, Turkmenistan boasts some other interesting locations of an absolutely different kind. Among them is the Door to Hell – the burning Darwaza gas crater in the Karakum desert. Thousands of torches of various sizes have been burning inside the crater for almost 50 years, attracting people from all over the globe.

Many sights of Turkmenistan can be referred to only with superlatives: Ashgabat – the world’s most white-marbled city; the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque (Mosque of the Turkmenbashi’s Spirituality) – the biggest mosque in Central Asia and the biggest one-dome mosque in the world; Merv – the oldest extant city in Central Asia. If we keep in mind the most beautiful Turkmen carpets and the famous Akhal Teke horses, innumerable ancient artefacts, we realize Turkmenistan is and has always been a very intriguing place to visit.

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Tour Program:
Day 1.	Arrival in Ashgabat. Arrival in Ashgabat early in the morning. Meet at the International airport and transfer to the hotel. Early check-in and rest. After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Ashgabat. Visit Nissa (UNESCO), National Museum (excluding guided museum tour), Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace panoramic viewpoint, Earthquake Monument, Soviet War Memorial complex, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch and Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque. Transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast.
Day 2.	Ashgabat, day trip to Merv ancient city by morning flight. Transfer to the airport for flight to Mary (Turkmenistan airways, 09:50-10:30). Upon arrival drive to Ancient city of Merv (UNESCO), discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortresses, Muhammed ibn Zaid Mausoleum and others. Return to Mary, visit of City center, Central bazaar and Russian orthodox church. After that transfer to the airport for flight back to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan Airways, 19:00–19:40). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast.
Day 3.	Ashgabat – Darwaza gas crater by road, 280 km. Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning. In the afternoon we will drive to Darwaza via visits of mud and water crater en route. Arrival in Darwaza before sunset (~1800h). BBQ dinner, discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime. Overnight in double trekking tent or shared yurts (4 pax in each yurt). Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Day 4.	Darwaza – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz by road, 400 km. Dashguz – Ashgabat by eveving flight. After camp breakfast we will have a transfer to Kunya-Urgench ancient clity (UNESCO), explore historical park with Kutlug Timur Minaret, Mausoleum Turabek Khanum, Mausoleum Tekesh, Mausoleum Il Arslan, Caravansaray gateway and etc. Further transfer to Dashoguz for further flight to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan Airways, 18:40-19:30). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast.
Day 5.	Ashgabat, day trip to Kov Ata and Nohur by road, 320 km. Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi by evening flight After breakfast we will have a transfer to the Nohur village in Kopetdag Mountains, explore Nohur with visits tribal cemetery, waterfall, big tree and Gyz Bibi Mausoleum. Picnic lunch on the way. Return to Ashgabat via visits Kov Ata underground lake (opportunely to swim, water temperature is from +33 to +38 °C all year round), Geokdepe Mosque and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum on the way. Upon arrival transfer to the airport for flight to Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan Airways, 19:30-20:30). Transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Day 6.	Turkmenbashi, day trip to Yangikala by road, 340 km. After breakfast we make a day trip to the Yangikala prehistorical canyon region, which we reach after some 3.5 hours’ drive. Picnic lunch at spectacular viewpoint or at nearby Gozli Ata pilgrim site. Return to Turkmenbashi in the evening, overnight at the hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Day 7.	Turkmenbashi – Ashgabat by morning flight . Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight back to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan Airways, 10:30-11:30). Upon arrival transfer to the bazaar or mall for some shopping. Transfer to the hotel, overnight. Meals: breakfast.
Day 8.	Departure from Ashgabat. Breakfast at the hotel. Check out before 12:00. Transfer to the International airport for departure. Meals: breakfast.

Cost of the tour in USD per person, season 2024:

Group 1 pax 2-3 pax 4-5 pax 6-7 pax 8-9 pax 10-11 pax Supplement for single accommodation Hotel 3* 2565 USD 1970 USD 1730 USD 1665 USD 1580 USD 1540 USD +280 USD Hotel 4* 2920 USD 2025 USD 1785 USD 1720 USD 1635 USD 1595 USD +355 USD

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Tour price includes: Accommodation at the hotels, mentioned above, or in similar, but of the same category in double/twin rooms with breakfasts, including early check in on day 1 in Ashgabat; check-in at other hotels - at 14:00; check-out - at 12:00; Meals - breakfasts at the hotels, 1 dinner and 2 lunches according to the program;  Entrance fees to the monuments and museums listed above (except for the guided museum tour); Services of English-speaking guide for sightseeing; Comfortable air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour, including ‘airport-hotel-airport” transfers as per program per AC vehicles as in the transportation table below; 1-3 passengers per regular sedan car; 4-10 passengers per regular minibus; 1-4 passengers per jeep; Domestic flight tickets of Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat; Dashoguz-Ashgabat destinations and Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat destinations (economy class); Turkmenistan visa invitation; Bottled mineral water per day/per person.

Tour price does not include: The cost of international flights; Visa fee (100-120 USD per person including a migration tax); COVID-19 PCR test on arrival - 33 USD per person; Tourist fee per night, charged in the hotels on departure - 2 USD per person per night; Meals not mentioned above; Medical expenses and insurance; Porters at the hotels, railway stations and airports; Tips.

Hotels
The tour comes with the following accommodation:

Location	Hotels 4*	Hotels 5*
Ashgabat	Sport Hotel 4* or similar	Archabil 5* or similar
Darwaza	Yurt camp
Turkmenbashi	Charlak 3* or similar

Transportation

Pax (FIT)	Regular road vehicles (2WD)	4x4 vehicles
1-2	"Toyota Avalon, 3-seater, Sedan"	"1 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"
3-4	"Toyota Sienna, 5-seater, Minivan"	"2 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"
5	"Toyota Hiace, 14-seater, Minibus"	"2 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"
6-7	"Toyota Hiace, 14-seater, Minibus"	"3 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"
8	"Toyota Hiace, 14-seater, Minibus"	"3 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"
9-10	"Toyota Hiace, 14-seater, Minibus"	"4 Toyota Land Cruiser or similar, 3-seater"

 

Useful Information on Traveling in Turkmenistan:

General Information Climate in Turkmenistan How to Dress in Turkmenistan Cuisine in Turkmenistan Cost of Food in Turkmenistan Visa, Permits and Safety Recommendations Clearing Customs in Turkmenistan

Currencies in Turkmenistan Internet in Turkmenistan Photographing in Turkmenistan Souvenirs of Turkmenistan National holidays in Turkmenistan Telephone codes in Turkmenistan

Photos of the tour:

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