Kalpak Travel would like to introduce you to Turkmenistan – a fascinating country like no other. In one week we take you to the country’s most interesting historical, natural and architectural highlights: You will visit the marble city of Ashgabat, the ancient ruins at Merv, camp next to the burning gas crater known as “Gate of Hell”, visit Yangykala Canyon and go swimming in the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan is a country full of amazing contrasts and on this tour, you will see them all.
Early morning arrival in Ashgabat via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). Complete arrival formalities. Private transfer to the hotel. Immediate check-in at the hotel on arrival. Rest and breakfast at hotel.
In the afternoon we will have the orientation tour of the city. We will explore most striking structures of the city. We will stop at such impressive buildings as the Monument of Independence (resembling a white-marble “Eiffel Tower” located in a beautiful park), a rocket-like Arch of Neutrality, “Palace of Happiness” (the official name for the wedding registration office) shaped like a 3D octagon star, the National Memory complex consisting of an eternal fire rising up to the skies and the Earthquake Memorial (topped by a sculpture of a large bull holding the Earth on its horns). As the sun sets in the evening, we will drive past numerous impressive monuments to enjoy unrealistic views of the “white city” and its extraordinary buildings, shining brightly in the dark.
Hotel Divan 5* or similar.
Breakfast at hotel. We start our touring today with the visit of the ruins of Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals. Erected on the top an irregular pentagon hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, in atmospheric outskirts of the city, Old Nisa is a beautiful landmark. 14 ha in size, the fort accommodates two semi-excavated complexes of the Parthian period (III c. BC – III c. AD), designated as royal residence and temple complex. Abandoned at the end of the Parthian period, Old Nisa conveyed its functions to New Nisa, another archaeological site located a couple of kilometres to the west, an important medieval Silk Road city. After sightseeing at Old Nisa we proceed to Kipchak village to visit a complex of the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President, Turkmenbashi. Then we return to Ashgabat to visit the National Museum of History (more than 327.000 objects on a display) and observe an exclusive collection of ancient artifacts from different historical and archeological sites of Turkmenistan, such as Old Nisa, Ancient Merv and others.
Hotel Divan 5* or similar.
After breakfast, departing from Ashgabat and drive on the new highway to Mary (360 km, c. 3-5h). We will then drive towards Bayram-Ali, the contemporary re-incarnation of and humble suburb of the glorious Ancient Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the major archaeological sites of Central Asia, Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road for more than 2 000 years. Within the limits of the archaeological park, which is 1200 ha, we will have a chance to observe all constituent parts of the “wandering city”. A series of adjacent cities, which can be roughly divided into the ancient (Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala), the medieval (Sultan Kala with its suburbs), and post-medieval (Abdulla-Khan Kala and Bayram-Ali-Khan Kala), appeared over time as a token of the natural progress of the city from initial stages of its existence to a more advanced level. Besides remnants of the cities of Merv, we will visit the VI-IX cc. AD forts of Big and Little Kyz-Kalas, excellent examples of the so-called corrugated Koshks; the splendid XII c. mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd, demonstrating exquisite Seljuk period brickwork and architectural décor. After sightseeing, we head back to Mary to visit the local History Museum, presenting a wide array of archaeological finds (dating back to the III mill. BC through the late XIX century) from both Ancient Merv and Bronze Age sites of the Margush country as well as interesting ethnographic displays reconstructing the scenes of daily life of the Turkmen population and other minorities of the Murghab oasis. In the evening, we fly back to Ashgabat (7:35 pm – 8:15 pm).
Hotel Divan 5* or similar
After leisurely breakfast, check out from the hotel and we will depart from Ashgabat. Our first stop is Sunday bazaar, also called Tolkuchka, a but outside of the city. This large and vibrant market is most active on Sundays, when there is also a livestock section with camels. We will have a look at different sections of the bazaar.
In the afternoon, we will travel inland through the Kara Kum desert (280 km/4-5 hrs) with its moving sands and sparse vegetation of saksaul, acacia and kandym bushes. Arriving at the border between the northern and southern regions of Turkmenistan we turn off the main road for an exciting eight-kilometre desert drive. The drive over, we find ourselves a couple of hundred metres away from the Darvaza flaming crater. At daylight, it seems more of an ordinary whole in the ground slightly smoked by fire. We go for a walk around the crater, while our barbecue dinner is being prepared. By the time we notice the smell of a fire-cooked dinner, the simple whole of the crater turns into what may seem a front door of hell, a fire temple or any other mysteriously spectacular place that a romantic’s imagination may associate with fire. We finish the day tasting delicious nomadic food, pondering over the meaning of life in the serene atmosphere of beautiful evening sky and flickering lights of the “eternal” fire. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
Yurt Camp with shared bathroom facilities
After breakfast, we continue our northward trip towards Konye-Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah empire (230 km/4-5 hrs). On arrival in Konye-Urgench we will have a chance to take a close look at outstanding monuments of the medieval Khorezm. We will visit the 14 century mausoleum of Turabek Hanum, one of the best living examples of the architecture of its period; minaret of Kutlug Timur, a former highest minaret of Central Asia that used to form a part of the main cathedral mosque of the city; mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, a beautiful 12 century mausoleum with one of the earliest portals of the east and a unique cone of a dome; Kyrk-Mollah mound, the fabled al-Mamun’s Academy of Sciences; and mausoleum of Il-Arslan, a tiny precursor of unique Khorezmian mausoleums with a pyramidal cone as its dome. Having finished sightseeing, we drive to Dashoguz (100 km/1.5 hrs).
Hotel Dashoguz 4* or similar
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Turkmenbashi (11:40 am – 12:50 pm). We will visit the modern beach resort of Avaza. Then we go back to Turkmenbashi for dinner and overnight at hotel.
Hotel Yupek Yoli or similar
After breakfast, drive east to the so-called Yangikala canyons (180 km/4 hrs). We will spend about an hour here to explore the land of the red canyons, enjoying the “Martian” scenery around. Then we continue further north (30 km/1 hr) and, diving into the precipice of the Kara-Bogaz gulf, discover the sparkling Yangysuw canyons. Picnic lunch. Having travelled from the fiery red of the Mars to the blinding snow-white of the moon we take a farewell glance at the canyons and set back off towards the Caspian shore, crossing boundless empty steppes of this region. Return back to Turkmenbashi and take the evening flight to Ashgabat (9:20 pm – 10:20 pm).
Hotel Divan 5*
Today morning we have some more time in Ashgabat. We will visit the Central Asquare, Lenin and Pushkin Monumnets, and the Carpet Museum. We will also see the National Memory complex consisting of an eternal fire rising up to the skies and the Earthquake Memorial (topped by a sculpture of a large bull holding the Earth on its horns). We will also visit the State Hippodrome Bedev to see the famous Akhal Teke horses and talk to local horse breeders. Farewell dinner.
Hotel Divan 5* or similar
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure home by Turkish airlines via Istanbul or by FlyDubai/ Emirates via Dubai.
The Turkmen currency is called the Manat. In Ashgabat, you may find ATMs that accept international payment cards. VneshEkonomBank for example accepts Visa credit cards. However, most ATMs accept only local cards issued by Turkmen banks. Credit cards may be accepted in a few high-end hotels, but most stores and restaurants do not accept any cards. We recommend bringing all money in cash, in new USD banknotes of denominations of at least 20 USD. They will be easy to exchange. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.
Turkmenistan is a safe country and most trips are trouble-free. There is a visible police presence and most citizens are law-abiding. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, steer clear of dark streets at night and avoid taking rides in unofficial taxis alone. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Turkmen partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of every country in the world need a visa to enter Turkmenistan. As soon as you book a tour, we will ask you to provide some additional information to apply on your behalf for a letter of invitation. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves your application, we will send you a letter of invitation. With this letter, you will be able to purchase the visa on arrival at Ashgabat Airport or at the land border.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Turkmenistan.
The climate of Turkmenistan is continental and dry and the best seasons to visit are Spring and Autumn, from mid-April until early June and then again from September until early November. Autumn is drier than Spring, but even in Spring chances are high you can enjoy the bluest sky you have ever seen. Autumn is also the time when the country goes to harvest, meaning markets are full of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you don’t mind the dry heat of 40° Celsius, sometimes more, summer is the best time to go. There are few tourists and the sun is shining every single day. If you are considering visiting Turkmenistan in winter you will practically have the country all to yourself. We recommend you go in November or December when daytime temperatures are still around 10° Celsius and the often chilly winds of January & February have not yet begun to make their presence felt.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered, or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Turkmenistan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Turkmenistan are basic at best.
