Turkmenistan Tours
Tours in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan tours focus on the rich ancient history in all parts of the country where you can see the remains of several civilizations that have ceased to exist already a long time ago. Ashgabat itself is a sight with the overwhelming amount of monuments and white marble buildings. Turkmenistan is also rich in geological sights such as caves, fossils and dinosaur footprints and of course the Darvaza burning gas crater.
Turkmen culture is not often mentioned but it has its own unique features and differences from the other Central Asian countries. Turkmenistan is also a peculiar place to visit due to its rare leader centered regime and society of which the country is known of and therefore also shrouded in mystery for most foreigners.
If the tours offered below do not meet your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a tailored tour in Turkmenistan or to combine your Turkmen tour with the neighboring Central Asian Stan countries.
Turkmenistan Tour Information
Turkmenistan is the most closed country in Central Asia and one of the top worldvide as well. Nevertheless, it is perfectly safe and more and more common to visit Turkmenistan via organized tours. It is not possible to solo travel in Turkmenistan as you will need to be accompanied by a guide most of the time. Turkmenistan can be reached through Ashgabat airport but also through few land borders from Uzbekistan.
Visa requirements for Turkmenistan Tour
Turkmenistan has one of the most restrictive visa policies in the world, requiring visitors to obtain a visa in advance. We will help you in obtaining the a Letter of Invitation (LOI) and you will receive your Turkmenistan visa or upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport. In addition to visa, tourists arriving to Turkmenistan are still required to take and pay for a covid test at arrival. This practice is still expected to continue until further notice.
Photographing in Turkmenistan
Photography in Turkmenistan is heavily restricted. It is not allowed to photograph military installations or government buildings such as ministries or other government offices. This includes also the Presidential Palace and many other structures in Ashgabat. It is also best to keep your cameras in bag during possible check points. Locals might also not always like their photos being taken so it is polite to ask if you wish to photograph people in their daily lives and for example in bazaars. Especially women might be shy of photographing.
When visiting touristic sites, photographing is allowed but sometimes an additional fee might be required, especially if you wish to use a larger system camera in addition to your mobile phone. Please consult your guide about possible fees and if they are already included in your tour. It is in practice forbidden to use drones in Turkmenistan as the official permits are almost impossible to obtain. If you are caught photographing in a sensitive location, guards or police might ask you to remove the photos after a review.
Best time to visit Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan has an arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are moderate and ideal for sightseeing. Summer temperatures can soar above 40°C (104°F), making outdoor exploration difficult. Visiting Turkmenistan during the winter season is also possible but the outside temperatures are not always enjoyable. This being said, Turkmenistan winter weather is nothing that proper clothing could not solve.
Traveling during Turkmenistan Tours
Turkmenistan has strict regulations for foreign travel inside the country. It is allowed to explore Ashgabat without a guide for a day or two but outside the capital tourists must be always accompanied by a local guide. Domestic flights connect major cities, while car transportation is common for short distances as there is in practice no train service available. Renting a car is also not an option for a foreigner.
Safety during Turkmenistan Tour
Turkmenistan is generally considered a safe country for tourists. It has very low crime rate and violent crimes against tourists are extremely rare also due to strong police presence. One should still maintain normal caution while pickpocketing and scams are uncommon but can happen in crowded areas, such as bazaars.
Travel insurance with medical evacuation is highly recommended for a Turkmenistan tour as the local medical facilities are basic and medical supplies may be limited. Drink only bottled water and avoid street food to prevent stomach issues during your Turkmenistan tour. The desert climate can be harsh, with extremely high temperatures in summer and cold winters making proper clothing and hydration essential.
Roads outside Ashgabat can be in poor condition but when on Turkmenistan tour through Central Asia Guide you will always be transported with a car that is adapted to the local conditions.
Internet in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan has one of the most restricted and slowest internet services in the world. The government strictly controls online access, blocks many websites, and heavily monitors digital communications. Fixed broadband speeds are extremely slow, averaging around 1–2 Mbps, while mobile data speeds can be even lower rendering streaming or video calls often impossible.
Internet access is mostly available in major cities like Ashgabat, and even there, connectivity is poor. Rural areas have little to no internet access. Western social media and news sites are mostly blocked but can be often accessed via VPN. The hotels during your Turkmenistan tour will have mostly internet access but speeds are slow and connections may be monitored. It is very difficult to obtain a local sim card for a tourist.
Page updated 2.2.2025
