Turkmenistan Nature and Culture Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport, a flight included.
Turkmenistan Nature and Culture Tour Highlights
Six days of Turkmenistan's contrasts, from white-marble Ashgabat to the colorful Yangykala Canyons and the burning Darvaza Gas Crater. In Ashgabat you see iconic landmarks like the Arch of Neutrality and the Wedding Palace, and at the Turkmen Carpet Museum you discover the intricate art of Turkmen carpet weaving, a craft passed down for generations.
A short flight takes you to Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea and on to the Yangykala Canyons, the "fire fortress" whose white, ochre, purple and red cliffs look like stone castles. After a night in Balkanabat you cross the lunar landscapes of Moon Mountain in the Syunt-Khasardag Nature Reserve and visit the remote mountain village of Nokhur, steeped in tradition, with its sacred wish tree and a cemetery of graves topped with mountain goat horns. A night in a yurt camp at the Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert is followed by the Parthian fortress of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a horse farm with the legendary Akhal-Teke horses.
Difficulty: Moderate Easy walking at the sights, but long road days: about 365 km on day 2 after an early-morning flight, about 564 km on day 3 (Balkanabat – Moon Mountain – Nokhur – Ashgabat) and about 276 km each way between Ashgabat and the Darvaza Gas Crater, partly by 4x4 where the terrain requires. One night in a yurt or tent camp in the desert.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport, where our representative meets you and takes you to your hotel for an early check-in. Enjoy some free time to rest and settle in. In the afternoon, set out on a comprehensive city tour of Ashgabat and its most iconic landmarks: the elegant Wedding Palace, the modern Yyldyz Hotel, the Ashgabat Ferris Wheel, the Constitution Monument, the Arch of Neutrality, the Independence Monument and Park, the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, the Olympic Stadium and the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex. Discover the blend of modern white-marble architecture and cultural heritage that makes Ashgabat unique. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.
Ashgabat, Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque
- Ashgabat International Airport → Ashgabat (15 km)
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Early in the morning, transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for the flight to Turkmenbashi (scheduled at 06:20; flight times may change), with a breakfast box for the early start. On arrival, meet your driver for a short city tour of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, then drive to the Yangykala Canyons (180 km, about 3 hours), one of Turkmenistan's most striking natural wonders. The name Yangykala means "fire fortress" in Turkmen: the dramatic cliffs, in shades of white, yellow, ochre, purple and red, have been sculpted by wind and rain into shapes that look like fantastic stone castles. Explore the canyons and their unusual formations, then continue to Balkanabat (185 km, about 3 hours). Overnight at the hotel in Balkanabat.
Turkmenbashi, Yangykala Canyon, Balkanabat
- Ashgabat → Ashgabat International Airport (15 km)
- Ashgabat International Airport → Turkmenbashi (515 km)
- Turkmenbashi → Yangykala Canyon (180 km)
- Yangykala Canyon → Balkanabat (185 km)
Overnight: Balkanabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, drive to Karakala (Magtymguly) (278 km, about 4 hours), passing through the Syunt-Khasardag Nature Reserve to visit Moon Mountain, where the landscapes look like the surface of the Moon. Afterwards, continue to Nokhur (129 km, about 2 hours), a mountain village in a small valley of the Kopet Dag range. Its narrow streets, flanked by high stone retaining walls, barely fit a car. The Nokhurli people who live here are distinct from other Turkmen tribes, and local legend says that Noah's Ark came to rest here, releasing the animals and planting the seeds that gave the area its unique character. Explore the village's highlights: a majestic old tree, the wish tree Kyz Bibi, where visitors make sacred wishes, and an unusual, isolated cemetery where nearly every grave is marked with a wooden post topped with mountain goat horns. After sightseeing, drive back to Ashgabat (157 km, about 2 hours). Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.
Magtymguly (Karakala), Nokhur
- Balkanabat → Magtymguly (Karakala) (278 km)
- Magtymguly (Karakala) → Nokhur (129 km)
- Nokhur → Ashgabat (157 km)
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum in Ashgabat, one of the finest carpet museums in Central Asia. Its around 2,000 exhibits show the designs of the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes, including rare historic carpets, the smallest carpet – made to hold keys – and the world's largest hand-woven carpet, covering 301 m², which entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2003. In the afternoon, set off on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater, which has been burning continuously for more than 50 years and fills the desert night with its glow. Explore the nearby water and mud craters, enjoy the fresh desert air and get a taste of traditional nomadic life. Dinner is a barbecue under the light of the burning crater – a truly unique experience. Overnight in a Turkmen yurt or a private tent at the camp near the crater.
Ashgabat, Karakum Desert, Darvaza Gas Crater
- Ashgabat → Darvaza Gas Crater (276 km)
Overnight: Darvaza Gas Crater (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Start the day with a picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza before driving back to Ashgabat (about 5 hours). In the afternoon, visit the historic Nisa Fortress, also known as the Sanctuary of the Parthian Kings, 18 km from Ashgabat near Bagyr village. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, Nisa is considered one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire. Founded by Arsaces I (c. 250–211 BC), it is believed to have served either as a royal residence or as a necropolis for the Parthian kings. Next, visit a Turkmen horse farm to see the legendary Akhal-Teke horses, the national pride of Turkmenistan. Bred for more than 5,000 years, they remain a pure and unique breed admired worldwide – famous figures such as Alexander the Great and Darius I coveted them. The farm is home to more than 35 Akhal-Teke horses, and local tradition holds that anyone who touches one of them will recover from illness. Return to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.
Nisa, Ashgabat
- Darvaza Gas Crater → Ashgabat (276 km)
- Ashgabat → Nisa (18 km)
- Nisa → Ashgabat (18 km)
Overnight: Ashgabat (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight.
- Ashgabat → Ashgabat International Airport (15 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $1,955 | $2,145 |
| 2 travelers | $1,363 | $1,489 |
| 3 travelers | $1,334 | $1,461 |
| 4 travelers | $1,139 | $1,236 |
| 5 travelers | $1,081 | $1,190 |
| 6–7 travelers | $1,046 | $1,139 |
| 8–9 travelers | $1,018 | $1,109 |
| 10 travelers | $1,012 | $1,104 |
Single room supplement — ★★★ $98, ★★★★ $190
Share this tour privately
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What's included
Included
- Letter of invitation for the Turkmen visa (state registration and travel pass)
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms with breakfast in 3* or 4* hotels (as per the chosen option) – 4 nights: 3 in Ashgabat, 1 in Balkanabat
- Yurt camp at Darvaza – 1 night (Turkmen yurt or private tent, with sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows and light)
- English-speaking escort guide
- Transport as per the program in air-conditioned vehicles, with 4x4 vehicles where the terrain requires
- Flight ticket Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi
- Entrance fees as per the program
- Meals: breakfast at the hotels (a breakfast box for very early departures), barbecue dinner and picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza
- 5 litres of drinking water per person per day
- Travel tax
Not included
- International flights
- Turkmen visa and border fees (70 – 100 USD)
- PCR test
- Fees for taking photos and videos
- Lunches and dinners (except the barbecue dinner at Darvaza)
- Single room supplement (98 USD with 3* hotels, 190 USD with 4* hotels)
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Medical insurance
- Services not shown in the program
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Ashgabat
AkAltyn Hotel or Sport Hotel or similar
-
Night 2
Balkanabat
Nebitchi Hotel or similar
-
Night 3
Ashgabat
AkAltyn Hotel or Sport Hotel or similar
-
Night 4
Darvaza Gas Crater
Darvaza yurt camp or similar
-
Night 5
Ashgabat
AkAltyn Hotel or Sport Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Hotels: Option 1 (3*): AkAltyn Hotel in Ashgabat and Nebitchi Hotel in Balkanabat. Option 2 (4*): Sport Hotel in Ashgabat and Nebitchi Hotel (3*) in Balkanabat. Breakfast is included at the hotels; one night is spent in a yurt or tent camp at the Darvaza Gas Crater.
- Driving times: Road and traffic conditions change, so the actual driving times may be slightly longer or shorter than the estimates in the program. The driving times do not include stops.
- Flight to Turkmenbashi: Flight times are subject to change by Turkmenistan Airlines. Hand luggage up to 5 kg and checked baggage up to 20 kg per person are allowed; overweight baggage costs about 2–3 USD per kg. A breakfast box is provided for very early departures.
- Registration: If you stay more than 3 working days in Turkmenistan, your passport is registered and stamped at the local tourist board for you.
- PCR test: An express PCR test for COVID-19 is taken on arrival; it costs about 33 USD.
- Cash: Most places accept only cash, and credit cards often do not work. Bring spare change in small US dollar notes (1, 5 and 10 USD) to speed up the visa and other procedures at the airport – the notes must be new or in good condition, not damaged or torn, and issued no earlier than 2009.
- Staying in touch: To keep in touch with family, friends or colleagues during your stay, we recommend installing the IMO messaging app on your phone before you travel and asking the people you will contact to install it too.
Turkmenistan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Turkmenistan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Turkmenistan before booking. For Turkmenistan most tourists require a letter of invitation and a visa based on it.
The official currency is the manat. Most shops and restaurants take cash only, so carry your money in cash, preferably new US dollar notes.
Cards and ATMs
A Visa card works for payments or cash withdrawals in some hotels and banks, but most ATMs only accept local Turkmen cards.
Exchanging money
US dollars are easy to exchange throughout the country, but euros only in Ashgabat, and euro notes are not widely accepted. Exchange money legally at banks, and only as much as you expect to spend: manat cannot be changed back into dollars. The official rate is fixed at 3.50 manat to the US dollar; there is no fixed rate for euros.
Keep a reserve
A cash reserve for unexpected situations is wise anywhere in Central Asia, and especially in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a safe country as long as you stay within the law; overstepping it can have unpleasant consequences.
Staying safe
- Carry identification with you at all times while travelling around the country.
- Wear a money belt, keep an eye on your belongings, avoid poorly lit streets at night and do not use unofficial taxis when travelling alone.
Photography and internet
- Photographing military zones, transport hubs and government buildings is prohibited by law. People may also be sensitive about being photographed without consent.
- Several social media apps and websites are blocked and cannot be used without a VPN.
- Drones are in practice banned.
Laws and customs
- Avoid public displays of affection. Homosexuality is illegal. Relationships with Turkmen women are best avoided, as they can lead to fines and deportation.
- Avoid talking about politics, human rights, religion, or criticising the president, the country or its people.
- During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month whose dates move each year, eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public are forbidden in daylight hours, as are loud music, dancing, revealing clothing and swearing in public.
- Smoking is banned in all public places except designated smoking areas. Possessing or using illegal drugs can mean a long prison sentence.
Earthquakes
Turkmenistan is prone to earthquakes, mostly tremors, though stronger ones occasionally occur.
All international visitors need a visa for Turkmenistan.
Letter of invitation
A tourist visa requires a letter of invitation (LOI) approved by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, applied for by a licensed tour operator in the country.
Booking with us
When you book a tour with Central Asia Guide, we always arrange the letters of invitation, and the visa is issued on arrival at the land borders or Ashgabat airport.
The best times to visit Turkmenistan are March to June, when the sun shines and temperatures are pleasant, and September to November. Spring is especially lovely, with a short burst of delicate flowers and green landscapes.
Summer
Turkmenistan's dry continental climate makes it one of the hottest places in Central Asia. July and August are the least favourable months, with temperatures in Ashgabat reaching 50°C. Most of the main sights are in the treeless desert, but the Caspian coast is usually milder than inland and suits summer travel.
Winter
Cold weather arrives in December, with temperatures below 0°C, occasional frosts down to −20°C and snow in parts of the country.
Medical services in Turkmenistan are rudimentary at best. Make sure your insurance covers unforeseen medical situations, including repatriation.
Food and water
To avoid traveller's diarrhoea, drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water, and do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or for ice. Avoid ice cream. Choose meat and fish that are thoroughly cooked and served hot, cook vegetables and peel fruit.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against diphtheria, hepatitis A and tetanus are advisable.
Medical care
If you need urgent medical care, contact your travel insurer straight away. Check the rules for travelling with medicines before you go.
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