Classic Turkmenistan
Suggested Itinerary
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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 ...
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 Turkmen capital and take a dip in the underground Lake Kow before continuing to the town of Mary, your gateway on to the Bronze Age wonders of Gonur Depe and the ancient ruins of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once believed to be the largest city in the world.
Flying on to the northern city of Dashoguz, you then have a chance to visit one of the country’s cultural highlights, the ancient capital of Khorezm at Konye Urgench, once one of the greatest of the Silk Road cities. Upon returning to Ashgabat, a drive through the Karakum Desert provides the opportunity to spend the night wild camping under the stars near the peculiar Darvaza Gas Crater.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Divan Hotel, Ashgabat
The decadent Divan Hotel, built in 1996, was renovated over the pandemic and is one of the few hotels located within near the Independence Monument and government buildings in the city centre. It has 128 rooms, all with air-conditioning, colour TV and ensuite bathrooms. There is also a restaurant on site, a lobby bar, a business centre and other leisure and fitness facilities including a health club with sauna, swimming pool and tennis courts. Other restaurants and cafes can also be found within a 20-minute walk.
Darvaza Wild Camping, Darvaza
Staying overnight in the Karakum Desert is a one-of-a-kind experience that requires special camping permits. Tents, mattresses and sleeping bags are provided to make your camping stay comfortable and hassle-free. The camping team are fully qualified, well acquainted with the area and have been taking care of our clients for years so you will be well looked after, with a typical Turkmen breakfast and dinner served at camp. Travellers should be aware that the wild campsite is very basic with no real toilet or washing facilities.
Mary Hotel, Mary
Mary Hotel is a large, three-star hotel located in the heart of Mary, ideally situated opposite the town's bazaar. The hotel is made up of 175 spacious, ensuite rooms decorated in opulent colours of beige, cream and gold. Each room is fitted with air conditioning and comes with standard amenities. The six-floor building has a restaurant offering a variety of traditional dishes, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool and a sauna for guests to enjoy at their leisure. Additionally, the hotel has a hairdresser and chemist located on site. The pool is only open during the height of the peak season and services become limited towards the end. Although services and facilities at the Mary hotel are not what they once were, it remains the best option in the city.
Dashoguz Hotel, Dashoguz
A new hotel near the centre of Dashoguz clad in the obligatory Turkmen white marble with decadent fountains and alleys of trees within the grounds. The hotel is modern and spacious with a contemporary ornate look inside. Rooms are comfortable with the usual amenities including an en suite, telephone, hair dryer and air conditioning decorated in calming cream and coffee colours. The large restaurant and bar serve a menu intertwining national and Eastern European cuisine. When not exploring the nearby monuments and historical sights, make use of the indoor pool and fitness centre. The on-site souvenir shop is ideal for any last-minute gift shopping for loved ones at home.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
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
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WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
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.
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Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
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