Geok Tepe horse riding tour
A quiet paradise in Turkmenistan offers an extraordinary opportunity to join a great adventure. Beautiful landscapes, exotic culture, and exceptional hospitality are all here in the Karakum Desert with its unique vastness.
Only short drive from Ashgabat, we start our trip, which takes us through the villages in the desert where shepherds tend their flocks on spring and summer pastures. The purebred Ahalteke and Yomud Horses – valued for their endurance and adaptation to the harsh climate in the region.
These horses are striking in their beauty, and are easy to handle even for an unprofessional rider.
Program Highlights
- Ancient wonders of Turkmenistan
- The purebred horses
- White-marbled city Ashgabat
- Travel into the heart of Central Asia
Tour Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Port of entry and exit: Ashgabat International Airport
Route: Ashgabat – Geokdepe – Desert Camp – Geokdepe – Baharden – Ashgabat
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat, city tour
Arrival in Ashgabat International Airport. Complete the formalities (visa, payment for a PCR test, migration fee). Transfer to the hotel. Time for rest and acclimation.
In the afternoon, visit the lively Gulistan Bazaar (Russian Bazaar), a Soviet-era landmark, where you can experience local life and browse stalls of dried fruits, famous Turkmen melons, carpets, and traditional souvenirs. After lunch, explore the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, honoring national heroes and historic tragedies, before enjoying panoramic city views from the Palace of Happiness. Continue along Archabil Highway to see the Magtymguly monument, ending at Independence Park and the monumental buildings. Conclude the day with a welcome dinner overlooking the illuminated city skyline.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals: D
Day 2: Ashgabat – Geokdepe stud-farm
Morning is free at leisure. Check out from hotel around 12:00 PM. Drive to a horse farm in Geokdepe. Accommodate in the base camp exploring local area and getting familiar with horses, area and first desert safety precautions, which we MUST follow. Time at leisure at the farm.
Distance: 45 km | Drive: ~1 hour
Accommodation: guesthouse in Geokdepe
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Riding day
Morning: ride up into the Geokdepe water reservoir.
Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, ride in the Karakum Desert.
Distance: 10-15 km | Ride: ~4 hrs.
Accommodation: guesthouse in Geokdepe
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Riding day – Desert camp
Morning: ride up into the Karakum Desert.
Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, ride in the Karakum Desert.
Distance: ~20 km | Ride: ~5 hrs.
Accommodation: tent in the desert camp (wild camping)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Riding day
In the morning, ride back to the Geokdepe stud-farm.
Picnic lunch en-route. Continue riding and arrive to the farm.
Distance: ~20 km | Drive: ~5 hrs.
Accommodation: guesthouse in Geokdepe
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Geokdepe – Baharden – Ashgabat
After breakfast in the farm, drive to the Kov-Ata underground lake, with the hot mineral waters (+ 35-37C all year round). Then drive back to Ashgabat.
Transfer to hotel on arrival. Time at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
Distance: ~150 km | Drive: ~3 hrs.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Ashgabat
After breakfast, visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography to explore ancient artifacts, then travel to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Old Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian Empire, set against the scenic Kopetdag Mountains.
After lunch, explore the sites which you did not have a chance to visit on previous day.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals: B
Day 8: Ashgabat/Departure
After midnight/breakfast, transfer to airport for your international flight.
Meals: B
NOTE: B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner.
Tour price information
- Comfort A/C transportation (depending on the group size and route)
- Hotel accommodation (B&B) – 3 nights
- Guesthouse – 3 nights
- Wild camping – 1 night
- Visa support letter
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites and museums
- English-speaking tour guide
- Registration of tourists staying over 3 days
- Meals, mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa cost $55-$165 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $31 upon arrival
- Migration duty charge $14
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Alcohol
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
ACCOMMODATION
| City | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 | ||
| Day 1. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ | ||
| Day 2. Geokdepe | Guesthouse | |||||
| Day 3. Geokdepe | Guesthouse | |||||
| Day 4. Geokdepe | Yurts | |||||
| Day 5. Geokdepe | Guesthouse | |||||
| Day 6. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ | ||
| Day 7. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ | ||
Important Accommodation Policy
In the event of government-level events or official delegations requiring priority accommodation, our company reserves the right to substitute the originally confirmed hotel with an alternative property of the same category and comparable standard.
