We love all our tours, but this is the one that’s the most anticipated and we’ve been looking forward to for three years!
While the rest of the world shut down to varying degrees from some time in 2020 until some time in 2021, Turkmenistan closed in February 2020 and still remains firmly closed. On the assumption that they will open in time and this tour will be going ahead though, we’ve gone for a really extensive itinerary, for all those who have been waiting for this for three years, just like we have! Whether you’ve been to Turkmenistan before or not, you’re going to love this.
We'll begin in Ashgabat, the white and gold capital city. One big difference since last time we were there of course will be the change in power, and there will now be images of the new President on buildings and billboards.
A highlight for everyone is always the Gates of Hell, but we're also going to do some less famous things outside of Ashgabat. Not only will we spend a night at the Ashgabat-esque glitzy-yet-abandoned resort town of Avaza, and drive out to the desert to see Yangykala Canyon, but we'll also venture into the far east of the country to the Koytendag area where we'll swim in hot springs, climb through a gorge, stand under a freezing cold waterfall, throw cloth onto the walls of the bizarre Kyrk Gyz Cave, get goat massages, and best of all - hike up onto the Dinosaur Plateau.
Next we'll cross the land border into Uzbekistan where we'll explore the ancient city of Khiva before really leaving civilisation again to drive out to what remains of the ever-receding Aral Sea. Next we'll spend a couple of nights in the surprisingly exciting and cosmpolitan city of Tashkent and then a couple of SAIGA favourites - a night at a sanatorium next to a former closed Soviet mining town, and a private tour of the world's second largest Solar Furnace. From here we'll catch trains to Samarkand and Bukhara, before finally ending our epic adventure in Tashkent.
If you'd like to do either country on this tour but don't have time to do the whole thing at once, check out our Turkmenistan Comprehensive Tour and our Uzbekistan Comprehensive Tour .
It can also be done in conjunction with our Kazakhstan Polygon Tour .
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.
INCLUSIONS:
✓ | Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan |
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Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (breakfast included), camping at Gates of Hell, yurt camp at the Aral Sea |
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Transport as per itinerary, beginning in Ashgabat and ending in Tashkent |
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Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary |
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SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $950
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa fee (can be paid on arrival at the airport or land border, or at an embassy beforehand) |
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Meals other than breakfast at hotels |
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Transport to Ashgabat and from Tashkent at the beginning and end of the tour |
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Accommodation and any other services before or after the tour |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
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Any COVID related expenses |
Spend the night mesmerised by the horrendous but exhilirating Gates of Hell
Climb onto the Dinosaur Plateau , in one of the least visited spots in Turkmenistan
Explore the Aral Sea and learn about the atrocities that have led to the disaster
Wonder at the magic of the ancient Silk Road cities of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara