Turkmenistan is like all hidden treasure - hard to access and a little dusty, yet worth every ounce of effort and more. Turkmenistan travel will take you through the mysterious Karakum Desert, replete with Silk Road secrets and half-buried ruins. Just when you think you’ve left civilization behind, age-old traditions preserved by long-robed desert villagers will leave you stunned and impressed. On the desert’s sandy cusp, the Caspian Sea materializes like a long-awaited mirage almost too good to be true.
Capital city Ashgabat is an experience in itself, a trophy of grandeur clad in marble that embodies the definition of extravagant. Meanwhile, the mummified cities of Merv, Kunya-Urgench and Gonur Depe sprawl their sleepy foundations beneath the sun’s enduring glint. Akhal-Teke horses, the pride of all Turkmen, are a living link to the nation’s warring, nomadic past, a history barely detected in the poised, courteous manner of its citizens today who welcome curious visitors with a reserved yet distinct air of hospitality.
Embark on Your Dream Journey in Turkmenistan
We realize that few people have ever placed ‘Turkmenistan’ and ‘dream vacation’ in the same sentence, which is a pity considering all that’s packed into this destination.
History buffs can spend days roaming archaeological sites and clambering through archaic city remains, while outdoor adventurers camp, trek and off-road their way through Turkmenistan’s wild terrain. Animal lovers will be delighted to come face-to-face with more camels than they’ve seen in a lifetime and meet true horse whisperers caring for Turkmen’s finest steeds. Cultural enthusiasts can lose themselves in the museums, bazaars and quirky monuments in the cities before brushing shoulders with desert and mountain dwellers in places you likely won’t find on a map. All will return home with stories to recount, memories to last a lifetime and a new land etched on their hearts.
Our Turkmenistan tourism packages vary in length from day trips around major cities to extended cross-country expeditions and tours that spill over into neighboring Uzbekistan and beyond. Each guide and driver is experienced, knowledgeable and up-to-date on all regulations pertaining to foreigners, and every tour has been constructed with your safety and optimal experience in mind.
Delights Traveling Through Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s desert temps may have earned it the title of ‘Hottest Country in Central Asia’, yet there is far more to its climate and terrain than just sand and heat. When booking your Turkmenistan tour, consider the unique qualities of each season:
Winter: Turkmenistan’s winters can be surprisingly cold in the mountains and the northern regions which brush Uzbekistan’s border. The country also welcomes most of its precipitation during this season, so come prepared to weather the snowfall, especially in the desert.
Summer: July and August in the Karakum Desert are not for the faint of heart, yet for those willing to brave the heat, Turkmenistan’s summers are the ideal time to relax at Awaza’s Caspian Sea coast, camp in the Kopet Dag Mountains and have wide city boulevards all to yourself.
Spring: Central Asia is most glorious in spring, and Turkmenistan is no exception. Mild weather, festive holidays, budding landscapes and fresh produce paint the nation in an irresistible array of colors from March – June.
Autumn: A short-lived but pleasant season squeezed in between the scorch of summer and chilly precipitation of winter, autumns are filled with delicious fruits and temperate weather in Turkmenistan. Hiking and other outdoor activities are at their best in autumn and spring.
Your Travel Map Guide
Use the Turkmenistan map to locate the country’s major sites and find out what each one has to offer:
Determining the Ideal Destination for Turkmenistan
Every trip to Turkmenistan will be uniquely patterned after the interests, dreams and schedules of each individual traveler. If you’re looking for a general blueprint to follow, however, these guidelines are based on the experiences of numerous tourists before you and can be a helpful starting point for planning your Turkmenistan Travels:
Ashgabat – Eccentric capital known for its outlandish monuments, marble-coated buildings and creature comforts
How long should I stay? 1 day
Major sites: Carpet Museum, Arch of Neutrality, Independence Park
How to get off the beaten path: Roam the ruins of Anau and Old Nisa Archaeological Site just outside of Ashgabat or relive history at Geok-Tepe Fortress and Mosque
Kunya-Urgench (near Dashoguz) – Renowned medieval capital city and current UNESCO World Heritage Site
How long should I stay? Half a day
Major sites: Kutlug Timur Minaret, Kyrk Molla Hill, Fakhreddin Razi Mausoleum
How to get off the beaten path: Overnight in Dashoguz, often overlooked by travelers rushing to Kunya-Urgench, or spend time respectfully observing the traditions of local pilgrims at the religious sites.
Merv (near Mary) – One of the world’s largest cities during its Silk Road heyday and current UNESCO World Heritage Site
How long should I stay? 2 days, if planning to visit Merv, Mary and nearby Gonur Depe
Major sites: Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Askhab Mausoleums, Erk and Gyaur Kala
How to get off the beaten path: Explore the ruins of Gonur Depe, or relax in Mary with a walk around Mary Historical Museum and the small downtown park.
Nokhur – Mountain villages whose residents are known for their unusual dialect and distinct customs
How long should I stay? Half a day, unless you plan to sleep overnight
Major sites: Gyz-Bibi Cave, Nokhur Cemetery, peak of the Kopet Dag Mountains
How to get off the beaten path: Sleep under the stars or stay overnight at the guesthouse; Tour Geok Depe Horse Farm on the return trip to Ashgabat.
Balkanabat Vicinity – Launching point to the Caspian Sea and remote, gorgeous nature
How long should I stay? 2-4 days in the region
Major sites: Awaza Caspian Sea Resort (2 days), Yangikala Canyon (half to full day), Trailblazers Monument
How to get off the beaten path: visit Dekhistan city ruins or Tasharvat Caravanserai (both day trips).
Turkmenabat Vicinity – Turkmenistan’s eastern gateway and second-largest city
How long should I stay? 1-1.5 days
Major sites: Amul Settlement, Astana-baba Mausoleum, Lebap Regional Museum
How to get off the beaten path: Explore Dinosaur Plateau in Koytendag Reserve or Dayakhatyn Caravanserai (both day trips).
Darvaza – Yawning gas crater near the village of Darvaza in the Karakum Desert
How long should I stay? Camp overnight, as the crater is at its finest after dark
Major sites: Darvaza Gas Crater, nearby mud and water craters
How to get off the beaten path: Stop for photos among the sand dunes or continue heading north to Kunya-Urgench.
Where Culture Comes Alive
Although popular regional holidays such as New Year, Women’s Day (8th March), Persian New Year (21st March) and Independence Day (27th September) are celebrated in Turkmenistan, if you wish to align your visit with a less conventional holiday , we recommend you aim for one of the country’s more unusual observances:
A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold Day (1st Sunday in April) –The scarce and precious commodity of water, and those who preserve it in this desert land, are given special focus with outdoor festivals, feasting, sports competitions and an unveiling of the latest hydraulic equipment.
Best place to celebrate: parks in Ashgabat
Turkmen Horse Day (last Sunday in April) – Turkmenistan’s national Akhal-Teke horse is commemorated with equestrian games, an International Fair, plenty of song and dance and a beauty contest for the horses.
Best place to celebrate: Equestrian Sports Complex near Ashgabat
Turkmen Carpet Day (last Sunday in May) – Since 1992, the country’s prized carpets have received special recognition on this day through exhibitions, conferences, craft fairs and awards ceremonies for the nation’s most outstanding carpet weavers
Best place to celebrate: Turkmen Carpet Museum in Ashgabat
Day of the Turkmen Melon (2nd Sunday in August) – A melon with its own holiday should not be taken lightly. The day is commemorated with concerts, competitions and, of course, plenty of melon-tasting.
Best place to celebrate: Ashgabat, where the largest celebrations are held
Neutrality Day (12th December) – Turkmenistan’s international status as a nation of permanent neutrality is recalled on this day with solemn ceremonies, parades and concerts.
Best place to celebrate: Ashgabat
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