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Along with Eritrea and North Korea, Turkmenistan might possibly be one of the most hermetic countries in the world.
This is our classic itinerary in Turkmenistan that our travelers love it, since it covers pretty much the entire country, plus we get to catch a domestic flight, which is always kind of cool.
This time, in addition to our usual route, we’re adding a day to enjoy one of Turkmenistan’s most unique celebrations: Carpet Day, a celebration that honors the centuries-old tradition of handmade carpet weaving, a craft passed down by nomadic tribes.
Join us in discovering one of the least-visited countries in Asia.
May 31st to June 7th, 2026
$1875 US dollars (or equivalent in Euros)
8 days, 8 nights
Tour leader to be confirmed
Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.
1 – May 31st: Arrival in Ashgabat & Carpet Day
2 – June 1st: Mary & Gonur Depe & Merv
3 – June 2nd: Flight to Dashoguz & Kunya Urgench
4 – June 3rd: Dashoguz & Darwaza
5 – June 4th: Darwaza & Turkmenbashi
6 – June 5th Yangy Kala-Yanguy Suw-Balkanabat
7 – June 6th: Balkanabat-Ashgabat
8 – June 7th: Departure
Flights to Ashgabat tend to arrive in the middle of the night but remember that the night in the hotel will still be included.
Then, in the morning, we’ll visit some of Ashgabat’s most iconic landmarks, including the Monument of Neutrality, Independence Square, and the Alem Cultural Center.
After lunch, we’ll visit the remaining sites of Ashgabat and have free time for shopping and walking around the bazaar.
Ashgabat will come alive with Carpet Day celebrations, a unique moment to explore the capital, filled with vibrant music and exhibitions.
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Early in the morning, we’ll take a bus to Mary.
Once there, we’ll set out in 4×4 vehicles to visit the remarkable ruins of Gonur Depe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At noon, we’ll return to Mary to visit an intriguing propaganda museum mostly dedicated to Turkmenistan’s Presidents.
Free time in the afternoon/evening to explore Mary’s wide avenues and bazaar.
Overnight in Mary.
Early start to visit Sultan Kala and the palace of Erk, two archaeological sites just outside of Mary.
Then, at 1 pm, we’ll catch a domestic flight to Dashoguz, from where we’ll drive to the Silk Road city of Kunya Urgench, located at the border with Uzbekistan, and popularly known for its minarets and mausoleums.
Overnight in Dashoguz.
We will spare the first few hours of the day to explore Dashoguz, including its lively bazaar, considered the best in the country.
After lunch, we’ll journey south to one of the tour’s most unforgettable highlights: Darvaza Crater, aka “Door to Hell”.
Full evening around the crater.
Overnight in a yurt camp next to Darwaza Crater.
In the morning, we’ll start the day by watching the sunrise over Darvaza, followed by breakfast at the camp. Then, we’ll return to Ashgabat to catch the night train to Turkmenbashi. One of the tour’s highlights, offering a chance to travel through the scenic countryside along with locals.
Overnight on the train.
We will arrive in Turkmenbashi at 8 am and from there, the journey will take us to jaw-dropping Yangykala and Yangysuw Canyons, a set of breathtaking rock formations, the finest in Central Asia.
After spending the day wandering around the canyon, we’ll hit the road to Balkabanat.
Overnight in Balkanabat.
Day 7 of the tour is the most cultural day of the expedition, which will begin with visiting Akhal Teke horse farm, where they raise what is considered some of the best horses in the world.
From there, we’ll head to Nohur, a picturesque mountain village where you can experience the rural, traditional life of Turkmenistan.
In Nohur, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant, explore the village market, and visit its fascinating cemetery, renowned for its unique tombs adorned with animal skulls and horns.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore Ata Cave before heading for Ashgabat.
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Most probably, your departure flights will be very early in the morning.
In case you have a flight in the evening, we will arrange an activity before taking you to the airport.
End of the tour.
Letter of Invitation + visa processing
Domestic flight
8 nights of accommodation in secured hotels
Camera permits (see FAQ)
Private transportation: minibus, 4WD or local train when needed
Breakfast
English-speaking Turkmenistan guide
International tour leader
Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary
International flights to Ashgabat
Visa fees ($115-$125)
Lunch & dinner
Single supplement ($185)
Travel insurance
May 31st to June 7th, 2026
$1875 US dollars (or equivalent in Euros)
8 days, 8 nights
Tour leader to be confirmed
For security reasons, the name of the hotels we stay will only be shared upon booking your spot.
The price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. Please note: we always try to group people of same gender and age but this can’t be always the case.
If you want a single room, you will have to pay an additional $185.
We will apply for a letter of invitation (LOI) with which you’ll be able to purchase your visa at the border.
For the LOI, all we’ll need is a passport copy, a passport photo and a filled-out form.
Since March 2025, the visa costs $115-$125, depending on nationality, to be paid at the airport to the respective authorities.
Additionally, upon arrival you’ll also have to pay $33 for a COVID Test, $10 for local tax and $4 for airport bank fees.
Total: $162-$172.
All nationalities are welcome to apply for a Turkmenistan visa.
Most common routes to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) are via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines and Turkmenistan Airlines), Dubai (Emirates and Fly Dubai) and also Milano (Turkmenistan Airlines).
Taking photos is absolutely restricted in Turkmenistan.
In this tour, we will include camera tickets for Nisa, Gonur Depe, Merv, Kunya Urgench, Kow Ata lake, and the horse farm.
Any extra tickets you may want/need will be at your own cost.
We will limit it to a maximum of 12-13 people.
To secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit.
We accept payments in both Euros and US dollars. All details will be shared upon booking your spot.
Yes, if you want to join any of our expeditions, you must purchase travel insurance, this is non-negotiable, and it must be with IATI.
Why do we have to book it with IATI?
Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for a very long time. We know their CEO, the marketing team and we do a lot of collaborations together so in the unlikely case something happened, we’d know what to do.
Moreover, IATI Insurance covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel.
You may also benefit from a 5% discount if purchasing it from the below link.
Get a quote here to claim your discount
Please check our General Conditions.
However, specific conditions might apply depending on the destination. Example: when the trip includes airfare.
Full details will be shared upon booking your spot.