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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. As of March 2022, the current president is Serdar Berdimuhamedow, son of 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 three 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.
More Information
Tours
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!
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Tour
If you thought Turkmenistan was an exciting destination, imagine seeing it on Carpet Day!
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Comprehensive Carpet Day Tour
From the ever-so Turkmen Carpet Day festivities, to the flaming Gates of Hell, the desolation of the Aral Sea, to the beauty of the Registan, this tour is for those who really want to delve into these two countries.
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Budget Tour
A great way to see a unique and very Turkmen event - who else has a National Carpet Day?!
Turkmenistan Extension
Continues on to the 5 Stans Tour, for anyone who wants to see more of Turkmenistan while you're already there.
Turkmenistan Summer Tour
A week in Turkmenistan, why not? You'll get everything from a crazy marble city, to a cemetery adorned with the horns of mountain goats, and everything in between.
5 Stans Summer Tour
Designed to be done in either one big tour, or in smaller sections, this tour is for anyone who wants to experience all the variety that Central Asia has to offer.
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.
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.
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.
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
The tour for anyone who loves to see a spectacle!
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
Some epic special events, the Gates of Hell, and Turkmenistan's favourite beach resort.
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.
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.
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Tour
If you thought Turkmenistan was an exciting destination, imagine seeing it on Carpet Day!
Turkmenistan Carpet Day Comprehensive Tour
We'll do everything you've heard of, plus some really wacky places that you've never heard of!
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.
Turkmenistan Summer Tour
Where better to spend your summer holidays than in Turkmenistan?
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.