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Turkmenistan



Turkmenistan is one of the former-Soviet “Stans” of Central Asia. It was once the border between the Soviet Union and the Middle East, and the Soviet Union and the Sub-Continent, with borders with Iran and Afghanistan to the south.

Part of the USSR until 1991, Turkmenistan is now an independent state with a “democratically elected” president. The current president is Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow whose predecessor was Saparmurat Niyazov, more commonly known as “Turkmenbashy” which translates literally to “The Father of All Turkmens”. Whilst in Turkmenistan you’ll become very familiar with these two men from the numerous posters, billboards, tv screens, carpets and of course gold statues, depicting them.

Ashgabat is the capital city, located in the Ahal region, one of the five regions of Turkmenistan. Although there was a large Russian population until the collapse of the Soviet Union, most since then have left, and it is now a majority Turkmen population, making up around 70%. Uzbeks make up the largest minority with about 10% of the total population, followed by Russians, Kazakhs, Balochi and plenty of other ethnicities from the region.

Turkmenistan is very closed-off to the rest of the world, with only around 6,000 foreigners per year gaining access, making it one of the 10 least visited countries in the world, alongside places like Somalia and Nauru. (North Korea comes in at number 16 to put that in context.) With a difficult and complicated visa process, and heavy restrictions when you’re there, it’s arguably one of the hardest countries to visit.

If you do make it to this truly unique country, you'll no doubt spend your entire time in total awe of something. There's the shimmering white marble of Ashgabat, dotted with pictures, statues and busts of the President and former President, the eternally flaming gas crater called the “Gates of Hell”, the absurd beach resort town of Avaza, which is somehow both futuristic and overly glitzy and glammy, yet is still dated and almost completely unused and of course the spectacular natural phenomena of the Karakum Desert, such as Yangykala Canyon and the mud volcanoes on the Cheleken Peninsula.

Although there is an obvious shared history and culture with its surrounding countries, Turkmenistan has in the last 30 years, really gone their own way, and there’s really nowhere else like it in the world.

If our group tour dates don't work for you, we also organise customised independent tours to Turkmenistan, so why not get in touch!



Tours

5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.

Sept. 7, 2024
23 days
US$3825.00
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
In Progress
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Astana to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special, including the World Nomad Games and Turkmenistan Independence Day.

Sept. 7, 2024
27 days
US$4325.00
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
In Progress
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Bishkek to Bukhara, Astana 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. 7, 2024
32 days
US$4945.00
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
In Progress
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
The tour for anyone who loves to see a spectacle!

Sept. 26, 2024
4 days
US$995.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
Bookings closed!
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
Some epic special events, the Gates of Hell, and Turkmenistan's favourite beach resort.

Sept. 26, 2024
8 days
US$1495.00
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
Bookings closed!
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour
Starting with the spectacular Independence Day events, we'll visit the Gates of Hell, Yangykala Canyon, and loads of other places you've never heard of in this mega version of the tour.

Sept. 26, 2024
13 days
US$2195.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour
Bookings closed!
Turkmenistan Nowruz Tour
Originally Persian New Year, Nowruz has been well adopted by Central Asia, and in true Turkmen style they have really made it their own.

March 17, 2025
8 days
US$1495.00
Turkmenistan Nowruz Tour
Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Tour
Ashgabat, the Gates of Hell and Nowruz.

March 20, 2025
5 days
US$1095.00
Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Tour
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 19, 2025
8 days
US$1495.00
Turkmenistan Easter Tour
5 Stans Spring 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!

April 19, 2025
24 days
US$3895.00
5 Stans Spring Tour
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Tour
If you thought Turkmenistan was an exciting destination, imagine seeing it on Carpet Day!

May 19, 2025
8 days
US$1495.00
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Tour
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Comprehensive Tour
We'll do everything you've heard of, plus some really wacky places that you've never heard of!

May 19, 2025
12 days
US$2195.00
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Comprehensive Tour
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Budget Tour
A great way to see a unique and very Turkmen event - who else has a National Carpet Day?!

May 23, 2025
4 days
US$995.00
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Budget Tour
Turkmenistan Extension
For those who want to see more of Turkmenistan while you're already there for the 5 Stans Summer Tour, exploring the west of the country, as well as Ashgabat and the Gates of Hell.

June 15, 2025
5 days
US$820.00
Turkmenistan Extension
Turkmenistan Summer Tour
Where better to spend your summer holidays than in Turkmenistan?

June 15, 2025
7 days
US$1440.00
Turkmenistan Summer Tour
5 Stans Summer 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 19, 2025
18 days
US$2680.00
5 Stans Summer Tour
Turkmenistan Melon Day Tour
Turkmenistan's calendar is full of events and holidays, but this has to be one of the most unique national holidays in the world. Come join us in Turkmenistan to celebrate their melons!

Aug. 9, 2025
8 days
US$1495.00
Turkmenistan Melon Day Tour
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.

Sept. 6, 2025
24 days
US$3825.00
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Astana to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special, including the World Nomad Games and Turkmenistan Independence Day.

Sept. 6, 2025
28 days
US$4325.00
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
An in-depth expedition through all of Central Asia, from Almaty to Ashgabat, through five of the most fascinating countries in the world.

Sept. 6, 2025
32 days
US$4945.00
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
For those who want to see the coolest Independence Day in the world, but only have a couple of days to do it in.

Sept. 26, 2025
4 days
US$995.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
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, 2025
8 days
US$1495.00
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
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, 2025
12 days
US$2195.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
For those who want to see the coolest Independence Day in the world, but only have a couple of days to do it in.

Sept. 26, 2026
4 days
US$1095.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
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, 2026
8 days
US$1595.00
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
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, 2026
12 days
US$2295.00
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour

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