Tours and itineraries

We have created the best possible itineraries to maximise your stay in Turkmenistan, covering a wide variety of places such as the stunning city of Ashgabat, the deep Karakum desert ancient city of Merv, the far Northern Dashoguz area with its Uzbek peoples and culture, the flaming gas crater of Darvaza as well as much more. The price includes all guide and transport services including internal flights, coach rides through the desert, full guide service, meals, hotels in the cities (4 star hotel in Ashgabat), nights away such as at a Stud farm in the countryside sleeping in a traditional Turkmen yurt as well as visits to attractions such as the tallest Minaret in central Asia, the regions largest Mosque, the world's largest Bazaar and so much more, an unforgettable experience is absolutely guaranteed!

Return flights from Beijing to Ashgabat cost approximately 6900 Chinese RMB
Return flights from London to Ashgabat cost approximately £400
(Prices subject to change, we can get these tickets for you or you can buy them yourself)
You will also have to pay the visa issuing fee, at Ashgabat airport this is US$91 cash only.

ITINERARY

We have designed itineraries that will show you the very best Turkmenistan has to offer, also allowing free time to wander around and soak up as much of Turkmenistan's unique atmosphere as possible. The tours enter the country from either London or Beijing. Flights from both destinations arrive on the same day so the group will assemble in Ashgabat after being met by our local guides at Ashgabat Airport. Unlike our tours to North Korea there are no restrictions on what nationalities can join the trip. However as in North Korea journalists are not permitted to travel on tourist visas.

May Tour Itinerary

Tuesday	PM: Flight T5-604 from Beijing arrives (16:40), meet local guide at airport, transfer to hotel. Free time in the evening overnight in Nissa Hotel Ashgabat.
Wednesday	AM: Flight T5-424 from London arrives (07:40), Group assembles. Ashgabat city tour including Arch of Neutrality, rotating gold statue of the Turkmenbashi, Independence Park, etc Lunch in the city
	PM: Old Nisa fortress (Ancient ruined capital of the Parthians), Geoke Depe fortress, On to Kow Ata underground sulphur lake for a swim in the year-round warm and medicinal waters (60m below the ground, in darkness and with bats flying in the cave!) return to Ashgabat via Gypjak Mosque, the region’s largest, and the family Mausoleum of the Turkmenbashi
Thursday	AM: Flight to Turkmenbashi city on the Caspian sea coast. Lunch in city restaurant
	PM: city tour including local Russian orthodox church, local museum, bazaar (best place to buy caviar) free time to wander the city (it is small and easy to get around), Overnight in Turkmenbashi resort hotel.
Friday	AM: Trip around the bay on a Soviet-era cruiser, see some sights of the Caspian sea, travel to airport via Japanese POW cemetery, return flight to Ashgabatt
	PM: National Museum, Carpet Museum, free time in Ashgabat Overnight in Nissa Hotel, Ashgabat
Saturday	AM: Blue Mosque, Hippodrome to see the famed Ahal-Teke horses, indigenous to Turkmenistan
	PM: Free time for shopping or relaxing in Ashgabat, the city has restaurants and bars for a night out as well as easy to find bazaars and souvenir outlets. Overnight in Nissa Hotel Ashgabat
Sunday	AM: Tolkuchka Bazaar, the largest Bazaar in the world, truly massive in scale and the main focal point for weekends in the capital. Anything from snacks to carpets can be bought here, an unforgettable shopping experience! Don’t miss the famous ‘Camel Winch’
	PM: Drive out into the desert to the flaming Gas crater at Darvaza; site of an industrial accident more than 30 years ago where gas prospecting caused an enormous crater to open up and ignite, burning ever since this pit is also known as the ‘mouth of hell’, you’ve never seen anything like this before. Journey out to the crater in 4x4s and enjoy a barbeque there before camping on site overnight
Monday	AM: Return to Ashgabat via the sites of two other accidents that formed a mud crater, and a water crater, both bizarre and stunning, not quickly forgotten!
	PM: Any events associated with the ‘Day of National Revival’ all to be confirmed as this is only the second year that this holiday has been considered the biggest day on the Turkmen calendar, events are expected in Independence Park and at other site around the city
Tuesday	AM: 01:00 flight departs from Ashgabat Sapamurat Turkmenbashi the Great Airport to Beijing. PM: 17:15 flight departs to London

November Tour Itinerary

Tuesday	PM: Flight T5-604 from Beijing arrives (16:40), meet local guide at airport, transfer to hotel,. Free time in the evening overnight in Nissa Hotel Ashgabat. Dinner provided
Wednesday	AM: Flight T5-424 from London arrives (07:40), Group assembles. Ashgabat city tour including Blue Mosque, Arch of Neutrality, rotating gold statue of the Turkmenbashi, Independence Park, etc Lunch in the city
	PM: Old Nisa fortress (Ancient ruined capital of the Parthians), Geoke Depe fortress, On to Kow Ata underground sulphur lake for a swim in the year-round warm and medicinal waters (60m below the ground, in darkness and with bats flying in the cave!) return to Ashgabat via Gypjak Mosque, the region’s largest, and the family Mausoleum of the Turkmenbashi
Thursday	AM: National Museum including the world’s biggest flagpole (!), Carpet Museum
	PM:
Friday	AM: Flight to Mary in the centre of the country, drive to the ancient silk road site of Merv; one of the most significant sites in the region and a fascinating window into the past, a UNESCO world heritage site
	PM: the modern city of Mary, local bazaar, free time to wander around and take in the sights and sounds of a regional centre, parks and funfair are worth visiting in this oasis city, evening train to Ashgabat, overnight on the train
Saturday	AM: early arrival back in the capital, check in hotel to freshen up and then visit the Blue Mosque and other sites of the city
	PM: Free time for shopping or relaxing in Ashgabat, the city has restaurants and bars for a night out as well as easy to find bazaars and souvenir outlets. Overnight in Nissa Hotel Ashgabat
Sunday	AM: Tolkuchka Bazaar, the largest Bazaar in the world, truly massive in scale and the main focal point for weekends in the capital. Anything from snacks to carpets can be bought here, an unforgettable shopping experience! Don’t miss the famous ‘Camel Winch’
	PM: Flight to Dashoguz, brief tour of this city in the far North of Turkmenistan, right on the Uzbek border, very different to Ashgabat this place mixes Turkmen, Uzbeks, and also a large amount of Koreans! Overnight in Uzboy Hotel Dashoguz.
Monday	AM: Konye Urgench, once a major silk route stopping point, successive ravaging by Genghis Khan and Tamerlane have left a collection of fascinating ruins here, an enormous Minaret towers over the several mosques and ancient Mausoleums in the area, a bleak and evocative site.
	PM: Brief stop at local Bazaar then flight back to Ashgabat, last chance for souvenir shopping, photos etc. Overnight in Nissa Hotel
Tuesday	AM: 01:00 flight departs from Ashgabat Sapamurat Turkmenbashi the Great Airport to Beijing. PM: 17:15 flight departs to London