10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS TURKMENISTAN EXPLORER TOUR
About tour
Tour Highlights Ashgabat: Explore the Guinness World Record-holding, white-marble capital, visiting its grand monuments, museums, and the nearby UNESCO site of Old Nisa. Merv: Step back in time at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, once the largest city in the world and a crucial hub on the ancient Silk Road. Koytendag: Discover the remote, mountainous region of Eastern Turkmenistan, home to the awe-inspiring Dinosaur Plateau with thousands of fossilized footprints. Yangykala Canyon: Witness the spectacular, multi-hued rock formations of the "Fire Fortress" canyons, offering Martian-like landscapes perfect for dramatic sunset viewing. Turkmenbashy: Visit the main port city on the Caspian Sea and the nearby coastal resort area of Awaza. Kunya Urgench: Explore the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage ruins of this former Silk Road capital, including the towering Kutlug-Timur Minaret. Darvaza Gas Crater (Optional): Many tours that include this route also incorporate an overnight visit to the legendary "Door to Hell," the perpetually burning gas crater (a highly recommended addition for a truly otherworldly experience).
Itinerary
-
Arrival to Ashgabat international airport. Driver will meet you with “Ak yol travel” signboard at meeting area and transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival check in and overnight is at the hotel. Rest time. City tour in Ashgabat with visits of ErtogrulGazi Mosque it honors Ertogrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Independence Park, this Park is one of the city’s attractions, embodying the spirit of modern Turkmenistan. Arch of Neutrality is a viewing platform. National Museum - Opened in 1998, the museum's 9 history halls houses the Turkmenistan’s major collection of artifacts discovered at various excavation sites in Turkmenistan. Nissa Historical Park - located on a natural high platform at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, Nissa owes its importance to the early Parthian rulers who took over control of the area in III c. BC. Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque and Mausoleum in Kipchak. Night at the hotel
-
Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat airport, first morning flight to Mary. Upon arrival excursion to Ancient Merw – Merw, located at the former banks of the Murghab River, was the most important Silk Road hub in the region, and particularly thriving as regional capital under Seljuk governor Sanjar. Merw is the collective name of five urban centers that existed under various different names in different periods from the VI c BC up to the XVIII c AD. Returning to Mary, visiting History Museum. Visiting GonurDepe sight - from 1971 onwards archeological teams did discoveries that reveal the importance of this area as a possible fifth center of ancient civilization, next to Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. Afterwards transfer to Mary airport, flight for Ashgabat, arrival and transfer to your hotel. Night is at the hotel.
-
Breakfast is at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat airport for morning flight to Turkmenbashi. Upon arrival transfer and check in to the hotel. Free day at Caspian Sea. Overnight is at the hotel.
-
Early departure for day trip to Yangikala Canyons via Balkan Mountains impressive white, green and red limestone formations rise up from the desert sands. These cliffs are the remains of massive coastline and seabed of the pre-historical Parathetys Sea. This surreal landscape is impressive at any time of day, but sunset and sunrise offer particularly spectacular views. The area is reachable only by 4-wheel drive, passing through the Balkan Mountains and a vast highland area where camels, sheep and horses graze. Picnic lunch box in canyons.Discover the canyons by jeep and on foot. Returning to Turkmenbashi. Evening flight to Ashgabat, upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Night is at the hotel.
-
Breakfast is at the hotel. Half-day city tour including visits to Anau mosque ruins - Just outside Ashgabat to the east, Anau is the site of an urban settlement that existed since the Bronze Ages, but flourished particularly under Parthian and Timurid rule. Ahalteke horse stables - A variety of Ahalteke private horse farms and stables can be visited for those that want to observe these gorgeous horses from a safe distance. Carpet museum opened in 1994. It has a rich collection of Turkmen carpets from the medieval through to the 20th century, including over 1000 carpets from the 18th and 19th centuries and one of the biggest hand -made carpets in the world. Transfer to Darwaza in the Karakum desert, with visit of Erbent desert community on the way. Darwaza - The center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum desert attracts travelers from all over the world because of its unique burning crater that offers a particularly spectacular view in the dark. BBQ dinner. Return to Ashgabat after dark (slow driving). Night is at the hotel.
-
Transfer to airport for morning flight to Dashoguz. Excursion to Kunya Urgench – Kunya Urgench owes its Unescoworld heritage status to the fact that it was an important Silk Road hub on the Oxus River, and capital of the Khorezm Empire (12th c AD), until its destruction by the armies of Dzhengis Khan. Several mausoleums, town wall remains, the tallest minaret in Central Asia and the KyrkMolla pilgrim mount reflect the various roles of this historical city, which was praised by historical figures such as Biruni and Avicenna, Al-Farabi and Al-Khorezmi. Transfer to Dashouz airport for evening flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Night is at the hotel.
-
Breakfast is at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat airport for flight for Kerki. Upon arrival full day tour to Koyten. Koyten Dag is well known for its’ "dinosaur plateau" with 438 well-preserved fossilized dinosaur footprints, as well as for its caves, considered the most beautiful and interesting caves . Overnight is at base lodge in Koyten.
-
Breakfast is at base camp. Full day tour in Koyten area. The Koytendag region is located close to the border with Uzbekistan in the east of Turkmenistan. In this area one can see the Koytendag mountains, and peak Ayry Baba, the highest point in Turkmenistan at 3,137 m above sea level; the grandiose "UmbarDere" canyon, with 28 m waterfalls; the unique, hydrogen sulphate hot spring, "Gainar Baba"; "Kyrkgyz" canyon; and karst caves. The flora and fauna of Koytendag are both unique: on the foothills of the Kopetdag mountains one can spot the spiral horned goat, a rare Buldiara species of mountainous ram. Overnight is at base lodge in Koyten.
-
Breakfast is at base camp. Early departure for Turkmenabad. Visit to Astana Baba and Alamberdar mausoleums - the mausoleum of Astana-baba is a 11th - 12th-century monument of architecture. It is the place of "Zyuarat" - a regular ritual of worshipping of holy men observed by visiting pilgrims. No one knows for sure who Astana-baba was. However, the place where the mausoleum stands is considered sacred and healing. Thousands of sick people gather there annually to receive long-awaited healing. The number of pilgrims grows with each day. Evening flight to Ashgabat, upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Night is at the hotel.
-
Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination.
Included
- Accommodation in mentioned hotels on DBL/TWIN sharing
- Ashgabat - Ak Altyn Hotel 3* / Sport Hotel 4 *- 6 nights
- Turkmenbashy - Charlak Hotel 4* - 1 night
- Koytendag - camp - 2 nights
- Breakfasts at the hotels
- Services of A/C comfortable transport with professional driver as per the program
- o 1-2 pax - Sedan car up to 4 seats “Toyota Camry, Kia, Hundai”
- o 3-7 pax – Minivan up to 7 seats “Toyota Siena, Toyota Haice”
- o 8-19 pax – Minibus “Toyota Coaster”
- 5 Day Yangykala tour 4WD car
- 6 Day Darvaza tour 4 WD car
- 8-10 Days Koytendag tour 4 WD car
- English speaking local guide
- Domestic air tickets: Ashgabat-Mary-Ashgabat, Ashgabat-Turkmenbashy-Ashgabat, Ashgabat-Dashoguz-Ashgabat, Ashgabat-Kerki, Turkmenabat-Ashgabat
- Daily two bottles of 0.5l water per person
- Full Board meals: 9 Lunches / 9 Dinners
- BBQ style dinner at Darvaza crater
- Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, chairs)
- Folklore show
- Entrance fees to mentioned sights per program (excluding photo and video charges at sights)
- Visa support to Turkmenistan, registration and travel pass
- Porter services
- Handmade souvenir per person
Excluded
- Visa consular fees and processing expenses 80+15 USD per person, when obtained at land border (subject to change, nationality dependent)
- Turkmenistan migration tax 14 USD per person
- PCR nose test 33 USD (subject to change)
- Photo and video charges at sights
- An early check-in hotel
- A tax of 2 USD per night paid to the hotel upon check out
- Beverages
- International air tickets to / out of Ashgabat
- Travel Insurance
- Extras, not indicated in inclusions
Additional info
PRICING: 2026
Hotel 3*
1 pax - 3570 USD
2 pax - 2570 USD
4 pax - 2360 USD
6 pax - 2234 USD
8 pax - 2068 USD
10 pax - 2082 USD
Single Supplement: 270 USD
Hotel 4*
1 pax - 4140 USD
2 pax - 3140 USD
4 pax - 2930 USD
6 pax - 2804 USD
8 pax - 2638 USD
10 pax - 2652 USD
Single Supplement: 360 USD
NOTE:
Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00
Set menu includes salad, soup, main course, bread, tea, coffee & water
We offer at Darvaza Gas Crater BBQ style menu
Dinner is a highlight of the camping experience and is typically a hot, freshly prepared meal
Barbecue (BBQ) or Shashlik: This is the most common and traditional offering. Our guide and driver will prepare "nomad-style kebabs" or grilled skewers (shashlik) over an open fire. Meats are usually lamb or chicken.
Meals are universally accompanied by fresh bread, salads, and sometimes roasted vegetables like potatoes or eggplant.
Dessert in the Desert: Turkmen Melons and watermelons: If traveling during the harvest season (late summer/early autumn), the famous, incredibly sweet Turkmen melon and watermelon is the country's most beloved natural dessert and is often served.
We also offer our customers our national Turkmen drinks: green tea, kefir/ayran, and fermented Camel Milk (Chal)
Vegetarian/Dietary Needs: Because meals are prepared in advance, you must inform our tour operator well ahead of time of any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies). They can usually accommodate with things like simple vegetable plov or grilled vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, sweet pepper).
Child policy:
Child 0-2 years old -No extra bed, free charge
Child 3-6 years old- with bed, 50 % charge of the tour cost
Child 7 years old and above -with bed 100 % charge of the tour cost
Payment:
Tour payment should be made not less than 10 days prior to tourist group arrival to our bank account as per sent invoice
Cansellation prior to 30 days - no charges apply
Cansellation prior to 29-20 days 50% charge of the tour price
Cansellation prior to 19-10 days - 100 % charge of the tour price
Notes:
If the traveler stays more than 3 working days in Turkmenistan, the travel agency will register and stamp your passport on a local Tourist Board
An express PCR test for Covid-19 will be taken upon arrival. It costs 33 USD (subject to change)
Breakfast box in case of very early morning departures
Customer Support
We have a professional customer support team and always accompany you on every trip.