Central Asia Marathon Tour

Name: Central Asia Marathon Tour
Start: 2023-10-07
End: 2023-10-15
Location: Ashgabat

Start

Oct 7, 2023
Ashgabat

End

Oct 15, 2023
Tashkent

Duration

9 days

Price

US$2895.00

Is Turkmenistan Open for Tourism?

YES!

TOUR OVERVIEW

5 marathons in 5 countries, over 9 days - what an epic and exciting challenge!

This tour is for anyone who wants to embark on a wild journey filled with unique running challenges, interspersed with the chance to experience the wonderful countries they're taking place in.

You can choose to take part in just one of our running challenges, a combination or 2/3/4 of them, or of course, the ultimate challenge - all 5! The events are designed to accommodate any type of walker/runner, so each one can be done as 5km, 10km, half marathon, or full marathon. So no matter your ability, you can take part.

Extensions and optional activities are available in each destination, so your trip can be customised so that you can see as much or as little of these countries as you like.

View the full itinerary

If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.

Group	Start	Price	Single Sup.
All 5 Marathons	Oct 7-15	$2895	$510
Pre-tour Extensions
Merv Day Trip	Oct 7 or 8	$400	N/A
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour	Sep 26-Oct 8	$2040	$600
Turkmenistan Only Marathon	Oct 7-Oct 9	$1000	$160
Day 1 Optional Activities
Ashgabat sight-seeing	Oct 7	$50*	N/A
Nisa, Turkmenbashy Mosque, Kow Ata	Oct 7	$50*	N/A
Horse Farm	Oct 7	$65*	N/A
Day 4 Optional Activities
Almaty sight-seeing	Oct 10	$45*	N/A
Day 6 Optional Activities
Bishkek half-day sight-seeing	Oct 12	$25*	N/A
Ala-Archa National Park day trip	Oct 12	$40*	N/A
Post-tour Extensions

*Prices are dependant on at least 4 people joining, if fewer than price may change.

All day tours include transport and English speaking guide. Entrance fees and extra accommodation not included. Exceptions listed in descriptions in itinerary.

$INCLUSIONS:

✓	Entrance to the marathon running events
✓	Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan
✓	Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels
✓	Breakfast at hotels each morning
✓	Lunches and dinners as per itinerary
✓	Land transport as per itinerary
✓	English speaking guides on Days 3, 5, 7 & 8

EXCLUSIONS:

⨯	Visa fees if necessary (everyone will need for Turkmenistan)
⨯	Visa support if necessary, other than Turkmenistan
⨯	Flights Ashgabat-Almaty, and Almaty-Tashkent
⨯	Meals other than those stipulated
⨯	Transport to and from the start and end of tour
⨯	Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities
⨯	Any COVID related expenses
⨯	Travel/medical insurance

Itinerary

Day 1Sat Oct 7

Arrive in Ashgabat, Optional Activities

Arrive in Ashgabat, transfer to the hotel.
Optional activities:
- Sight-seeing tour around Ashgabat.
- Trip to visit Nisa, Turkmenbashy Mosque and Kow Ata.
- Day trip to horse farm outside of Ashgabat (entrance fee to horse farm included, horse riding not included - $25 per hour, paid directly on site)
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

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Day 2Sun Oct 8

Turkmenistan Marathon, Fly to Almaty

Complete the marathon around the Ak Altyn Hotel, where you'll be staying.
Return to the hotel to freshen up. Check out 15:30-16:00.
Early dinner after check-out.
Transfer to the airport. Fly to Almaty 21:00-00:50 (flights not included).
Arrive in Almaty at 00:50 Sunday night/Monday morning.
Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Almaty.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
Those doing the Turkmenistan Only section will stay in Ashgabat tonight and be transferred to the airport the following day.

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Day 3Mon Oct 9

Kazakhstan Marathon

Meet your guide and transfer to the marathon starting point at President’s Park in the outskirts of Almaty.
After the marathon transfer back to the hotel.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Almaty.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

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Day 4Tue Oct 10

Optional Activities in Almaty, Drive to Bishkek

Free morning in Almaty.
Optional activity:
- City tour of Almaty, inclduing Panfilov Park, Zhenkov Cathedral, the Green Bazaar, Old Square and Republic Square. Visit the State Museum, see the Presidential Palace and ride one of Central Asia's only two metros.
Drive to Bishkek in the afternoon.
Packed lunch en-route to Bishkek.
Cross the border to Kyrgyzstan at Ak-Zhol in the afternoon and transfer to Bishkek.
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Bishkek.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 5Wed Oct 11

Kyrgyzstan Marathon

Transfer to the marathon starting point, around one hour from Bishkek.
After the marathon transfer back to the hotel.
Optional activity:
- Massage therapy treatment at the local spa (pay directly for your specific treatment).
Dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Bishkek.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

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Day 6Thu Oct 12

Optional Activities in Bishkek, Fly to Tashkent

Check out of the hotel in the morning. Free time.
Optional activities:
- Half-day city tour visiting Ala-Too square and Independence Square, where you can watch the changing of the guard in front of the huge Kyrgyz flag. Walking through the city center, you'll go through small parks offering shady walkways and pass Parliament house, Statue of Lenin, Kyrgyz and Russian Drama Theaters, Ballet and Opera house, State Art Museum and Victory Square.
- Transfer to Ala-Archa National Park, 45 km from Bishkek. The park was created in 1976 and occupies about 2 280 hectares just 45km from the capital. Ala-Archa is translated from Kyrgyz language as “motley (or bright) juniper”. Walk in the gorge. Picnic lunch en route. Drive to Ata Beyit Memorial Complex dedicated to the victims of Revolt against Tsarist Empire in 1916, victims of Stalin’s Repressions 1934-1938, and victims of 2010 Revolution. (Entrance fee to the National Park, and picnic lunch included.)
Transfer to the airport at 16:00 (flights not included).
Arrive at Tashkent airport at 19:00. Transfer to hotel.
Dinner in Tashkent.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

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Day 7Fri Oct 13

Uzbekistan Marathon, Drive to Khujand

Run the marathon near Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent.
Packed lunch after the marathon.
Transfer to the Tajik border.
Dinner and overnight in Khujand.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 8Sat Oct 14

Tajikistan Marathon, Drive to Tashkent

Run the marathon near Khujand.
Cross the border back into Uzbekistan.
Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Tashkent.

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Day 9Sun Oct 15

Tashkent, End of Tour

Transfers to the airport according to flight times.

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Extensions

Merv Day Trip

For those history buffs who want to see a bit more of the ancient stuff whilst in Turkmenistan.

1 day

US$400.00

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5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour

Bishkek to Bukhara, Almaty to Ashgabat, and everything in between. This epic tour will take you right across Central Asia through canyons and gorges, cosmopolitan cities, across land borders, and even to a fiery crater.

Sept. 6, 2023

33 days

US$4945.00

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Completed

The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour

We were the very first to ever have foreigners attend the Independence Day events in Ashgabat, and we're still super excited by it every year!

Sept. 26, 2023

8 days

US$1495.00

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The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour

Completed

Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour

Exclusive access to the epic Independence Day events, plus all the must-sees such as the Gates of Hell and Yangykala Canyon. But that's not all! This mega version of the tour also ventures into the far east to some of the least visited parts of the world.

Sept. 26, 2023

13 days

US$2115.00

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Completed

Other Extensions for Merv Day Trip

Horse Farm Day Trip

Turkmenistan is known for their unique Akhal Teke horses, this is your opportunity to experience them up close and even take a ride if you fancy.

1 day

US$180.00

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Turkmenistan Easter Tour

From a fiery crater to a colourful canyon, a beach resort to a mountain village, and a glistening capital to an ancient city. This tour gives a glimpse of all our favourite spots in Turkmenistan.

April 8, 2023

8 days

US$1395.00

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Completed

Turkmenistan Extension

For those who want to see more of Turkmenistan while you're already there for the 5 Stans Highlights Tour.

June 17, 2023

5 days

US$820.00

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Completed

Turkmenistan Summer Tour

Where better to spend your summer holidays than in Turkmenistan?

June 17, 2023

7 days

US$1440.00

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Completed

5 Stans Tour

This is the tour for anyone who wants to get a great snapshot of what Central Asia has to offer. Can be done all in one whack, or in smaller sections, whatever you like!

June 21, 2023

18 days

US$2680.00

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Completed

5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour

A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.

Sept. 6, 2023

24 days

US$3825.00

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Completed

5 Stans Autumn Original Tour

Taking the scenic route from Bishkek to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special.

Sept. 6, 2023

28 days

US$4325.00

VIEW DETAILS

Completed