POST-SOVIET PHANTASMAGORIA
March 20 ⇾ March 30
OCTOBER 01 ⇾ October 11
In addition to our regular group departures to Turkmenistan, we also offer tailored services for private travel parties and lone wolves alike. Get in touch for more info on our customised Turkmenistan Tours!
DAY 1 to DAY 2 – Ashgabat
Meet-and-greet at Ashgabat International Airport, transfer to our hotel of choice in Ashgabat and introductory briefing about the region, the route, and the set of rules to observe while travelling in Turkmenistan.
We'll spend the next two days touring Ashgabat, the surreal capital of the country, a brave new world made of marble skyscrapers and tacky monuments.
Among the towering shapes, imposing statues, and futuristic atmospheres of the city, we'll be able to find some good old Soviet charm too: dusty narrow alleys, crumbling XIX-century Russian houses and lively bazaars, reminding us that even in the shadow of postmodernist totalitarian follies we still are in the good old Soviet Central Asia.
Since our March departure is planned to coincide with Nowruz (Persian New Year, widely observed all across Central Asia), we will be able to enjoy a full program of events and celebrations, including concerts, cooking demonstrations, horse races, pompous parades, yurt building contests, fire performances, and swinging shows.
Overnights in Ashgabat.
DAY 3 – Mary and Merv
In the morning we'll leave the bizarre cityscape of Ashgabat and head for Mary, an oasis town located on the edges of the Karakum Desert along the road to Bukhara.
After a short heritage tour around the sleepy and archetypically Soviet centres of Mary and neighbouring Bayramaly, we'll inspect the ruins of ancient Merv, formerly known as Alexandria Margiana, or the Queen of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Evening flight back to and overnight in Ashgabat.
DAY 4 – TuRKMENBASHI
Domestic flight to Turkmenbashi, formerly known as Krasnovodsk back in the heydays of Soviet Turkmenistan, a gritty Caspian port town full of USSR-era monumental gems and late Russian Empire architectural grace.
We’ll spend the day leisurely gallivanting in and around Turkmenbashi, the Caspian Sea shores, and the picturesque Krasnovodsk Bay, before eventually hitting our favourite seafood restaurant in town.
Overnight in Turkmenbashi.
DAY 5 – YANGYKALA
We'll depart from Turkmenbashi early in the morning and head for the Yangykala Canyon: bands of pink, red and yellow rocks searing across the sides of steep walls make Yangykala one of the most spectacular natural attractions in former Soviet Central Asia.
With the views of the canyon still sparkling in our eyes, we'll then continue further south towards Balkanabat, a quintessentially Soviet city lost at the foot of the Balkan Daglary mountain range.
En route to Balkanabat, we’ll call at the off-the-map hamlets of Ak-Guyy and Oglanly to observe and absorb the slow-paced rhythms of backcountry life in these rarely visited Turkmen outposts.
Overnight in Balkanabat.
DAY 6 – OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Today we'll start our long overland journey back to the country’s capital Ashgabat, allowing ourselves a quick detour to Nokhur, a picturesque village famous for the unique culture and peculiar language of its inhabitants.
Before approaching Ashgabat, we’ll also stop stop at the village of Geokdepe to visit the incongruously large Saparmurat Haji Mosque and the nearby stud farm, where we’ll admire the much-praised Akhal-teke horses, renowned for their speed, endurance, intelligence, and distinctive metallic sheen.
Overnight in Ashgabat.
DAY 7 – Konye-Urgench
In the morning we'll board our domestic flight to Dashoguz, a sleepy frontier town inhabited by a mixed demography of Turkmens, Uzbeks, Koreans, and Tatars and the main gateway to access the ancient city of Konye-Urgench.
We'll devote the rest of the day to the exploration of this epic Silk Road hub, visiting its many architectural wonders as well as hunting for some truly offbeat Soviet-era sights quietly fading away along the bumpy route connecting Konye-Urgench with Dashoguz.
Overnight in Dashoguz.
DAY 8 to DAY 9 – Karakum Desert and Gates of Hell
After a quick Soviet-themed tour around Dashoguz downtown, we'll stock on food at the lively Uzbek bazaar near the train station and start our adventure across the mythical sands of the Karakum Desert, heading towards the most famous natural sight in the country: the Darwaza Gas Crater, also known as "The Gates of Hell".
While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas; the ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large and deep hole behind: to avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off; geologists had hoped for the fire to consume all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today.
We'll reach Darwaza in the late afternoon and spend the evening and the entire following day exploring the natural wonders and the isolated traditional hamlets dotting the area, including the end-of-the-world roadside townlets of Yerbent and Bokurdak.
Meals and overnights in traditional Turkmen yurts.
Bespoke Experiences • Traditional govurdak (fried meat strips served in their own fat) and çorek (Turkmen bread) cooking class and carpet weaving workshop in a remote Karakum desert hamlet.
DAY 10/11– BACK TO ASHGABAT AND FAREWELL TO TURKMENISTAN
Today, we will take our leave of the vast and eternal Karakum sands and head back southward for Ashgabat, where we will spend our last delightful afternoon: you have the option to either relax and unwind at our hotel’s inviting pool or engage in further exploration of the city’s intriguing outskirts in our perennial quest for fascinating Soviet heirlooms.
Late-night (day 10) or early morning (day 11) transfer to Ashgabat International Airport (depending on the exact departing time of your homeward connection; most international flights out of the country leave before dawn) and farewell to Turkmenistan!
Possible tour extensions to this itinerary include: Sovietistan and/or Pamir Highway.
End of the tour.
2495 €
INCLUSIONS
Double/twin-room accommodation (breakfast included), private transport in Turkmenistan (car/minivan), domestic flights in Turkmenistan, all entrance fees, English-speaking guiding service, 24/7 on-site and remote assistance.
EXCLUSIONS
Single supplement, international flights, main meals (lunches and dinners), extra drinks, visa fees, tips, personal travel insurance.
The published itinerary is subject to minor alterations and logistical rearrangements depending on the current schedule of the domestic flights as provided by Turkmenistan Airlines.
Turkmenistan ToursUnveiling the Hidden Gem: Turkmenistan
Embark on a mesmerizing journey to Turkmenistan, a country that awaits intrepid travelers with a treasure trove of enchanting landscapes and cultural wonders. Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, this hidden gem remains relatively unexplored, promising a unique and authentic experience. Wander through the ancient cities of Ashgabat and Merv, where towering monuments and intricately adorned mosques narrate tales of a rich history. Lose yourself in the surreal beauty of the Karakum Desert, with its ever-shifting dunes and expansive horizons. Explore the mystical underground city of Kow Ata, where hot springs offer rejuvenation for body and soul. Be captivated by the flaming gas crater known as "The Gates of Hell," an otherworldly sight that defies expectations. Whether it's delving into the ancient Silk Road or delving into the warm hospitality of the Turkmen people, a visit to Turkmenistan promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with discovery, beauty, and charm.