English 
NederlandsDiscover Central Asia’s secretive country
Join us on our Grand Turkmenistan Tour. During this trip you will visit all the famous places of Turkmenistan, such as Ashgabat, the Gates of Hell and the Yangykala Canyon. The tour is the ideal mix of nature and culture. You will see the ancient culture of Turkmenistan, but also recent developments in the country.
General info
| Start date | Friday 16 September 2021 |
| End date | Friday 23 September 2021 |
| Days | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Price | € 1,550 |
| Including | Accommodation (shared) Transportation on the ground Entry fees Breakfast, lunch & dinner LOI for the visa Registration in the country Western & local guide |
| Excluding | International flights Single room (€ 50 per night) Insurance Visa Immigration Tax Drinks Photo/video ticket (if needed) Tips for the guide Personal expenses |
Itinerary
Friday 16 September – Ashgabat
- Arrival early by Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul.
- Get to know your guide after which you can have some rest in the hotel.
- At 11:00 a.m. we start the city tour, including:
- Highlight: Independence Park, the symbol of modern Turkmenistan.
- Independence monument, an impressive monument inspired by the old Turkmen tents.
- Gate of Neutrality, an absurd monument with a golden statue of former President Niyazov.
- Alem Centre with the largest indoor ferris wheel in the world.
- Drive to Nisa, a UNESCO world heritage site and the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire .
- Turkmenbashi Mosque / Mausoleum, here lies the former president of Turkmenistan.
- Evening tour of Ashgabat, a city that is beautifully illuminated.
- Overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Saturday 17 September – Ashgabat
- Highlight: Visit the famous horse races at the State Hippodrome of Ashgabat. Horses have a very important role in Turkmen culture.
- Tolkuchka Bazaar, a large outdoor market. The perfect place for photos.
- Ride the Asma Yoly cable car.
- At 7:30 p.m. we take the night train to Turkmenbashi.
Sunday 18 September – Turkmenbashi – Yangykala Canyon
- Highlight: After arrival in Turkmenbashi we drive by 4×4 to the Yangykala Canyon. This place is also known as the Grand Canyon of Central Asia.
- We visit the famous viewpoint of the canyon.
- If you wish you can take a short walk.
- Visit to the Gozli Ata Pilgrim House.
- Drive to Turkmenbashi.
- Overnight stay in Turkmenbashi.
Monday 19 September – Turkmenbashi – Nokhur – Ashgabat
- Today we drive the long way back to Ashgabat across the desert.
- Highlight: Visit the traditional mountain village of Nokhur. Here we get to know life outside the big city.
- Nokhur Cemetery, learn more about the impressive graves here.
- Explanation about the silk weaving mill.
- Drive to Kow Ata.
- Swimming in a natural hot spring, deep in a cave.
- Geok Depe Mosque, one of the famous mosques of Ashgabat.
- Overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Tuesday 20 September – Ashgabat
- Visit to the Akhal Teke horse farm. Learn more about Turkmenistan’s most important animal.
- Anau Fort, the history of this place goes back 7,000 years.
- Monument of the Constitution, a 185m high tower.
- Lenin Park, here you will find another statue of Lenin.
- Highlight: Palace of Happiness for a panoramic view of the city.
- Overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Wednesday 21 September – Ashgabat – Darvaza
- Visit the Stairs of Health Park, if open we will actually walk the stairs here (8km).
- Drive to Darvaza.
- Highlight: Arrival at the fire crater (Gates of Hell). A place that started to burn in the seventies and has never stopped since.
- Walk through the sand dunes around the crater.
- Sunset at the crater.
- Barbecue and overnight stay in tents near the Gates of Hell.
Thursday 22 September – Darvaza – Ashgabat
- Visit to the water crater and mud crater.
- Drive back to Ashgabat.
- Free afternoon in Ashgabat.
- Last group meal.
- Overnight stay in Ashgabat.
Friday 23 September – Ashgabat
- End of tour, everyone will be returned to the airport.