Classic Turkmenistan

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

One of Central Asia’s most unusual destinations, Turkmenistan is still held in the surreal grip of the personality cult that its former president, Niyazov (or Turkmenbashi as he preferred to be known), created. Home to some of the region’s friendliest people, and one of its least visited destinations, it is a country that offers a fascinating mix of tradition, culture and historical pedigree.

Beginning in Ashgabat you will have a chance to explore the ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

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Day 1 Arrive Ashgabat: City Tour

Day 1 Arrive Ashgabat: City Tour

Upon your arrival in Ashgabat in the very early hours of the morning, your local guide and driver will be waiting to receive you at the airport and take to you directly to your hotel, where you’ll be able to head straight to your room to catch up on some sleep. After a leisurely breakfast and morning, your guide will return to collect you in the afternoon for an introductory tour of the city. Discover the Turkmen capital’s curious sites including the vibrant Tolkucha Bazaar for a glimpse into local life, and perhaps a spot of shopping, and the various overly grand constructions such as the Mosque of Spirituality, the Orthodox Church of Alexander and the statue of Lenin.

Divan Hotel
Breakfast

Day 2 Ashgabat: Old Nisa & Underground Lake Kow Ata

Day 2 Ashgabat: Old Nisa & Underground Lake Kow Ata

Venture west of Ashgabat this morning to visit the ancient Parthian fortress of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, you’ll continue to the underground Lake of Kow Ata where you have the chance to swim in the waters (if you wish) that are constantly between 33°C and 37°C and said to have therapeutic properties. End the day’s activities with a visit to the mosque and ancient fortress at Geok Depe before returning to the capital.

Divan Hotel
Breakfast

Day 3 Ashgabat - Anau – Mary

Day 3 Ashgabat - Anau – Mary

Departing Ashgabat this morning, your journey eastward begins to the town of Mary, stopping en route at the ancient settlement of Anau which has yielded some of the earliest evidence of farming in the world. After half a day’s driving, the rest of the afternoon is left at leisure for some downtime.

Mary Hotel
Breakfast

Day 4 Mary: Gonur Depe Bronze Age Fortress

Day 4 Mary: Gonur Depe Bronze Age Fortress

Today’s full day excursion today takes you three hours north of Mary to the impressive Bronze Age fortress, palace, administrative centre and temple complex of Gonur Depe. As well as its age, the site is impressive in its location, built atop a large natural plateau. It is thought that this may have been the capital of the ancient Margiana civilisation which flourished throughout Turkmenistan from the 16th to 13th centuries BC. Return to Mary later this afternoon.

Mary Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Mary - Merv – Dashoguz: UNESCO World Heritage

Day 5 Mary - Merv – Dashoguz: UNESCO World Heritage

Not far from the town of Mary is the immensely important archaeological site of Merv, which covers an area of 125 square kilometres and contains the ruins of five ancient cities once believed to have been the largest city in the world. Today has been set aside to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Merv with your guide, visiting all of its main areas including Sultan Sanjar's Mausoleum and Kys Kala, an unusual windowless castle nicknamed "The House of Maidens Tears”. Then, later this evening, you’ll fly to the city of Dashoguz.

Dashoguz Hotel
Breakfast

Day 6 Dashoguz - Konye Urgench – Darvaza: Ancient Capital & Desert Camping

Day 6 Dashoguz - Konye Urgench – Darvaza: Ancient Capital & Desert Camping

Undoubtedly one of Turkmenistan’s highlights, Dashoguz serves as the gateway to Konye Urgench (Old Urgench), the ancient capital of Khorezm which covered vast territory into neighbouring Uzbekistan. At your guide’s side, here you can admire Central Asia's tallest minaret, measuring 62 metres in height, and the Turanbeg Khanum Mausoleum. Other noteworthy ruins include Tash Kala Caravanserai, the Ak Kala Fortress and the holy Forty Mullahs Hill. In the afternoon, drive through the desert to your wild camping spot near the peculiar Darvaza Gas Crater where you’ll spend the night.

Darvaza Wild Camping
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Darvaza – Ashgabat: Gas Craters & Local Villagers

Day 7 Darvaza – Ashgabat: Gas Craters & Local Villagers

The flaming gas craters here are the result of Soviet gas exploration, which you will have the opportunity to witness up close. After breakfast at your camp, begin the drive through the desert back to Ashgabat, stopping to see two more craters filled with bubbling mud along the way. There will also be time for a stop at a small village to meet a local family in their house made of unfired brick, before continuing on to the capital.

Divan Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 Depart Ashgabat

Day 8 Depart Ashgabat

Depending on your departure flight time, you may have a morning at leisure for some last-minute shopping or relaxation before being taken to the international airport for your onward flight, where your tour in Turkmenistan ends.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

8 days from £2,295

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 5882 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Natalie

Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Wild camping under the stars and alongside the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater, aka the ‘Gate to Hell’, is a truly surreal but must do experience when visiting Turkmenistan.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN TURKMENISTAN