SCHEDULE & COST:
Dates: March 16 – 23, 2025
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
Cost of participation per person:
– $2 190 USD for 11 - 12 participants,
– $2 340 USD for 9 - 10 participants,
– $2 490 USD for 6 - 8 participants.
Everything is included (including domestic flight and 3 meals a day), except for:
- International flights to and from Ashgabat,
- Medical insurance,
- Turkmenistan visa.
(Cost of visa organization for Russian citizens: $210 USD, including: Visa fee ($160 USD), Migration tax ($15 USD), PCR test ($30 USD), and Bank fee ($5 USD). This amount is to be paid in cash in US dollars at Ashgabat airport. To obtain a visa, it is necessary to submit a completed application, a copy of the passport, and a 5x6 photo in electronic form at least 3 weeks before departure. Based on these documents, an invitation letter will be issued, upon which we will obtain a visa upon arrival.
Estimate cost of the Moscow - Ashgabat - Moscow flight: from 500 USD.
Single supplement: $400 USD (provided throughout the entire route).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Turkmenistan
Day 0: March 16, 2025 (Sunday). ASHGABAT
Arrival in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan is better in the afternoon of March 16. Accommodation will be provided at Sport Hotel, allowing for rest. The overnight stay from March 16 to 17 is included in the package.
Meals included: no
Accommodation included: Sport Hotel in Ashgabat
*Recommended flights:
– S7, flight S7-3235, departure from Moscow on March 16 at 22:50, arrival in Ashgabat on March 17 at 04:50 AM.
– Any other flight from any city arriving in Ashgabat no later than 07:00 AM on March 17.
Alternatively, you may arrive in the evening of March 16 — the night at Sport Hotel from March 16 to 17 is included in the price.
Day 1. March 17, 2025 (Monday). ASHGABAT – NISA – ASHGABAT (60 km)
Arrival by a morning flight to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Accommodation at the Sport Hotel (early check-in is possible, as this night has been fully paid for).
We will begin our acquaintance with Turkmenistan by visiting Nisa, which was once the capital of the Parthian Empire. In 2007, the ancient fortresses of Nisa were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as outstanding universal values. The fortresses of Nisa were recognized by UNESCO not only as cultural monuments but also as objects of the "cultural landscapes" category.
After lunch, we visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan, housing unique collections of paintings, graphics, and sculptures, including not only Turkmen visual arts but also masterpieces by some Russian and Western European artists. Following lunch, we embark on a city tour of Ashgabat: Independence Park, Arch of Neutrality, and the observation platform. We continue our visit to the Ashgabat Ferris wheel known as "Alem," which translates to "Universe." The Guinness World Records has recognized "Alem" as the world's tallest indoor Ferris wheel. An evening tour of the main streets of Ashgabat will conclude our journey.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Sport Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 2. March 18, 2025 (Tuesday). ASHGABAT – TURKMENBASHI – YANGIKALA CANYON – BALKANABAT (NEBITDAG) (330 km)
In the morning, we transfer to the airport for a local flight from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi at 6:20 (the flight duration is 1 hour).
Upon arrival in Turkmenbashi, we head to a fascinating lake that was once a bay of the Caspian Sea. Translated as "Kara Bogaz," the name means "black throat" or "black trap." This name stems from the phenomenon where waters from the Caspian Sea flowed through a narrow strait, between 200 to 1,000 meters wide, at tremendous speeds of up to 1 meter per second, into Kara Bogaz. Where the water disappeared was a mystery, which gave rise to fears surrounding this place.
Now it is clear that the lake is surrounded by a scorching desert, and the water simply evaporates. Depending on the water level, the lake today resembles either the Dead Sea or the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia.
We head to witness the astonishing natural wonder – Yangikala Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia." It is an incredibly beautiful place with formations of pink, white, and yellow sandstone, stunning views, and the captivating rock formation known as the "Crocodile's Jaws."
The canyon is located in the Northwest of Turkmenistan in the Balkan velayat (province). In Turkmen, Yangi-kala means "fire fortresses," named so because of the prevailing red color of the rocks that make up the mountain ranges and cliffs. The canyons offer an incredibly beautiful spectacle, especially during sunset when everything around is painted in fiery tones.
Then, we drive 130 km to Balkanabad and check into a hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Yupek Yoly in Balkanabad
Day 3. March 19, 2025 (Wednesday). BALKANABAT (NEBITDAG) – DURUN – NOKHUR – KOV-ATA – ASHGABAT (450 km)
After breakfast, we depart towards Ashgabat. Balkanabat or Nebit-Dag (Oil Mountain) is the capital of Turkmenistan's oil and gas industry. The city's symbol is a monument resembling an oil derrick against the backdrop of a mountain. A brief tour of the city's main attractions is followed by a transfer to the village of Durun (a journey of approximately 4–5 hours). In this village, we will visit a local resident whose family has been engaged in carpet weaving for generations. Here, you can observe Turkmen women weaving carpets by hand and learn in detail about this ancient craft.
We then head to the village of Nokhur. Nokhur has been listed among the "1000 Most Romantic Places in the World." The journey to this "heavenly corner" is long and challenging – uphill climbs, descents, and mountainous switchbacks. However, all the road hardships are forgotten when you witness this exceptionally beautiful place surrounded by high mountains. In Nokhur, an old plane tree grows, large enough to accommodate several people in its hollow. On the outskirts of the village, there is a special place for making wishes – Gyz-bibi, a narrow crack in the rock that locals believe is one of the heaven-gates. Make a wish, and it will come true. There is also an unusual cemetery here, where all tombstones are adorned with the horns of aoudads.
We visit the underground lake Kov-Ata, located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kov-Ata means "Father of Caves." At first glance, this underground space looks like a magnificent auditorium. The cave's floor is covered with clusters of dissolved limestone (stalagmites) and filled with warm flowing water of emerald color. The water maintains a constant temperature of 33-37°C, and swimming is allowed for no more than 30-40 minutes.
Afterward, we return to Ashgabat, check into our Sport Hotel, and relax.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Sport Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 4. March 20, 2025 (Thursday). DARVAZA – HORSE FARM – BAKHARDOK VILLAGE – DARVAZA CRATER (280 km)
After breakfast, we head to the Altyn Asyr Bazaar, Ashgabat's largest market, sprawling like a vibrant carpet over an immense 154-hectare area. At the center of the bazaar stands a tall clock tower, serving as the main landmark. The market features 2,155 shops, offering an opportunity to admire the beauty of Turkmen carpets and silverware.
Next, we visit a horse farm to get acquainted with the pride of the Turkmen people – Akhal-Teke horses. The visit includes a traditional tea break, a brief show program featuring Akhal-Teke horses, opportunities for photography, and a tour of the stables to see the horses up close.
Then we will head north to visit the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Hell - Gates". You will have the opportunity to admire the fantastic view of the crater, feel the heat, listen to the wind, and experience the sounds created by this giant furnace. Nearby, we will visit two more craters—one filled with mud and the other with turquoise-colored water.
On the way, we will make stops in the villages of Bahardok and Yerbent to get acquainted with the life of people in Turkmen villages.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: yurt camp
Day 5. March 21, 2025 (Friday). DARVAZA – ASHGABAT (270 km)
In the morning, enjoy observing and photographing the crater.
After breakfast, return to Ashgabat and check into the hotel.
After lunch, visit the Carpet Museum to explore the history of Central Asian carpet production. The museum boasts the largest collection of Turkmen carpets, ranging from the medieval era to the 20th century. Its rich collection includes more than 1,000 carpets from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Next, visit the Russian Bazaar. The market offers an extensive variety of goods, including a wide selection of products from the Ashgabat Textile Complex.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Sport Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 6. March 22, 2025 (Saturday). ASHGABAT – NOVRUZ BAYRAM CELEBRATION IN AK-OY – ASHGABAT (100 kм)
After breakfast, we start driving to Ak-Oy, a spot where celebrations for the main spring festival, Novruz Bayram, will be taking place. Here, we can participate in mass festivities, taste traditional dishes, and enjoy the sweet "semeni" prepared in honor of Novruz Bayram. Additionally, festive swings will be available for a joyful experience.
Novruz (Navruz) is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the New Year in the astronomical solar calendar observed by Iranian and Turkic peoples. Novruz is an international tradition unrelated to Islamic customs. It gained official status in the Achaemenid Empire as a religious holiday of Zoroastrianism. Novruz has continued to be celebrated universally even after Arab conquests, up to the present day. In modern times, it is observed on the days corresponding to the spring equinox. On September 30, 2009, Novruz was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and March 21 has since been declared International Novruz Day.
Afterwards, we will visit the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, named after Ertugrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
If time permits, we will also stop by the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honor those who perished in the Geoktepe Battle, the 1941-1945 war, and the victims of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake.
Alternatively, we may visit the Makhtumkuli Fragi Monument, a 60-meter sculpture erected at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the renowned Turkmen poet. This monument is part of a new cultural park complex that features 24 statues of famous writers and poets from various countries and eras.
Return to Ashgabat and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: Sport Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 7. March 23, 2025 (Sunday). ASHGABAT – RETURN FLIGHT
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport. International flight back home.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: none
*Recommended flights:
– S7, Flight S7-3236, departure from Ashgabat on March 23 at 05:50 AM, or
– Turkish Airlines, Flight TK 323, departure from Ashgabat on March 23 at 03:20 AM, or
– Another flight from Ashgabat to any city, departing at any time on March 23.
*The schedule of the program may be adjusted for the benefit of the expedition based on weather conditions, road conditions, or safety considerations.