Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport.

Follow the “VISA” sign. Inside the customs area, next to the visa desk, your guide will be meeting you with a sign. He will assist you with getting your visa issued and doing the covid test. The total cost per person for all the visa related fees and including covid test, is around 130-140 USD. The money has to be paid in cash in USD (bank notes have to be in good condition). Please note: All formalities may take around a couple of hours. After passport control, collect your luggage and transfer to the hotel in the city center (c. 20-30 min), where you can check in immediately. Have some well-deserved rest after your long flight.

After a restful arrival in Ashgabat, our journey into the heart of Turkmenistan’s ancient legacy begins just outside the capital.

We drive east to the ruins of Anau, a once-glorious Silk Road settlement. Here stand the remnants of the Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque, a 15th-century structure once known as the House of Beauty. Though partially destroyed by the 1948 earthquake, its famed turquoise faience fragments and decorative calligraphy still hint at the mosque’s poetic grandeur. Archaeological finds from the site also indicate the region’s importance long before the mosque was built, dating back to Neolithic settlements.

We return to Ashgabat to visit the National Museum of History, home to some of the country’s most valuable archaeological treasures. We’ll explore galleries that reveal the many layers of Turkmenistan’s history, from Bronze Age settlements to the Parthian Empire and the Silk Road era.

A special highlight will be the collection of goddess figurines discovered across Southern Turkmenistan — delicate terracotta icons of fertility and devotion, including rare pieces from the Hellenistic period and the famed statuette of Rodogune, the Parthian princess immortalized by classical historians. In the ethnographic section, we’ll dive into the details of traditional Turkmen women’s attire, learning how symbolism and craft are interwoven into every thread of these richly embroidered garments.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive west to the ruins of Old Nisa, the once-thriving capital of the Parthian Empire. This windswept archaeological site reveals traces of fortified walls, ceremonial halls, and the remains of monumental architecture, offering a tangible connection to a time when Parthia stood as a bridge between East and West.

We end the day immersed in contemporary creativity with ancient roots. At the Ashgabat Art Bazaar, we join a local ceramicist for a hands-on goddess figurine workshop, where we’ll shape our own clay effigies inspired by the iconic forms seen earlier in the museum. This experience connects us to the timeless female symbols of strength, fertility, and artistry that have endured in this land for millennia.

Enjoy a welcome dinner with a panoramic view of the city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before exploring two of Turkmenistan’s most treasured symbols—Akhal Teke horses and Turkmen carpets.

Drive to Gokdepe village (40 km, 50 min) to visit the Geokdepe stud-farm to see the magnificent Ahal Teke horses. Ride, feed, and photograph these unique creatures, known for their exceptional speed and ancient heritage. Geokdepe was also the site of a fierce battle between the Russian Empire and the Teke tribe during Russia’s conquest of Central Asia.

In Gokdepe we’ll have cooking master class – bake bread in traditional clay oven, make pishme and somsa, and pilaf.
Lunch in Gokdepe.

On the way to Ashgabat, we will make a stop at an impressive complex in Kipchak town to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.

Afternoon, visit the Carpet Museum showcasing the biggest handmade carpet in the world recorded in the Book of Guinnes World Records in 2003 and the smallest ever carpet intended to carry keys.

Later, we are invited into a local family’s home, the family that supports female artisans across Turkmenistan by preserving traditional crafts. You will see the unique process of producing fabric made from camel wool and silk on antique wooden looms, followed by a cozy homemade lunch.

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast at the hotel check out.

We hop into our trusty 4×4 SUVs and make our way north to the Central Karakum desert. Today, we’re off to see the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as “the Gates of Hell.”

Experience village life in Bokurdak (90 km, 1.5 hr), You’ll be welcomed by a local family who has preserved traditional ways of life and supports the transmission of ancestral crafts across generations. Step into their world as we observe the rhythms of daily life — from the distinct attire of village women, rich with tribal patterns and amulets, to their mastery of hand embroidery, felt-making, and spinning.

One of the highlights is a rare opportunity to witness the making of Ishlekli, a traditional meat pie baked in hot sand beneath the embers — a practice passed down through centuries.

We’ll also visit a working camel enclosure, where those who wish may try milking a camel — a time-honored task that remains central to desert livelihoods. Alongside this, we’ll learn about the many ways camel products are used, from milk to wool.

“Gates of Hell”: Next, we head to Darvaza, stopping to see bubbling water and sulfur-mud craters on the way.

Arriving at Darvaza, marvel at the crater before enjoying a special dinner with nomad-style kebabs. Watch the sunset over the desert as you sip traditional tea.

At our yurt camp near Darvaza, gather around the fire to listen to a Bakshi — a traditional Turkmen bard who preserves ancient oral epics through song and storytelling. Their performance offers a rare glimpse into the heart of Turkmen nomadic heritage.

Later, at the edge of the crater, we’ll hold a hands-on workshop on the Gopuz (jaw harp), a traditional instrument known for its hypnotic sound. After learning the basics, we’ll play together in the dark — our music resonating with the fire from the earth itself.

Overnight in traditional yurts (600 m away from the crater, we can walk or drive on our cars).

Accommodation: yurts

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Wake up early in the calm of our yurt camp and join a gentle sunrise meditation — a peaceful way to connect with the desert and reflect on the journey. After breakfast under the open sky, we drive back to Ashgabat, where you’ll check into the hotel and enjoy some rest.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore local markets and shops — a chance to find unique Turkmen souvenirs and traditional handicrafts.

In the evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner followed by a dance workshop where we learn Kushtdepdi — an ancient Turkmen group dance. Originally performed in sacred rituals, Kushtdepdi has become a symbol of joy, unity, and shared energy. Through rhythmic clapping, singing, and movement, we’ll celebrate the spirit of the tour and say goodbye the Turkmen way — with music, motion, and a circle of connection.

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Early in the morning meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport (c. 15-20 minutes) to catch your flight. End of services.

Tour price information

Tour price per 1 pax on the bases of TWN/DBL room accommodation + breakfast – from $799 per person in group of 20 pax.