Begin your adventure in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. Arrive after midnight and transfer to your hotel, where you can rest and prepare for the days ahead. Ashgabat, with its gleaming white marble buildings and golden domes, offers a fascinating blend of modernity and tradition.

• Lunch: at local restaurant
• Dinner: at local restaurant
• Accommodation: Hotel Divan ****

Start your journey with a visit to Geok Depe, a site of historical significance where the Turkmen made a last stand against Tsarist Russian forces. Here, visit the impressive Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, distinguished by its sky-blue domes. While in Geokdepe we will also visit the famous “Arkadash” stud-farm where we can ride the purebred Akhal Teke horses. Proceed to the underground lake of Kowata, where you can swim in naturally heated waters at a constant 36°C. Drive up to the Kopet Dag Mountains, bordering Iran, to reach Nokhur. This mountain village is steeped in history and legend, with locals claiming descent from Alexander the Great’s soldiers. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local home and explore unique cultural sites, including a cemetery adorned with mountain goat horns and the Qyz Bibi sanctuary. Overnight in a guesthouse, where accommodations reflect the village’s rustic charm.

• Lunch: at local restaurant in Nokhur
• Dinner: at the guesthouse
• Accommodation: guesthouse, basic facilities

Travel westward from Nokhur along the arid Kopet Dag range to the village of Karakala, surrounded by a stark, lunar-like landscape. Navigate through military checkpoints that highlight the region’s strategic importance and pass through the lush Sumbar Valley, a green oasis amidst arid mountains. Continue into the surreal Moon Mountains, characterized by their eerie, otherworldly rock formations. As you proceed, enter a semi-arid region populated by friendly shepherds and their Alabay dogs, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch amidst this rugged scenery. Arrive at Dehistan, an ancient Silk Road caravan town abandoned in the 15th century, and explore its haunting ruins, including two imposing minarets and the portal of an ancient mosque. Set up camp nearby and dine under the stars, experiencing the serene beauty of the desert night.

• Lunch: at local restaurant
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

After breakfast, visit the Mashat cemetery, known for its ancient mausoleums, including the Shir-Kabir, the oldest in Turkmenistan. Journey to Turkmenbashi, a port city on the Caspian Sea. Once known as Krasnovodsk, this city boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a mix of Russian, Turkmen, and Azeri cultures. Explore the Moorish-style railway station and the vibrant central market, where you might find the famed Caspian caviar. Overnight in a comfortable hotel with a view to Caspian Sea.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at local restaurant in Turkmenbashi
• Accommodation: Hotel Charlak ***

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your journey from Turkmenbashi and head east into the scenic Balkan Mountains, where you might spot herds of dromedaries. Descend into a vast natural depression, once part of the ancient Caspian Sea, to visit the remote Gozli Ata mausoleum. This important Sufi pilgrimage site is located in a serene rocky desert. The nearby cemetery has unique tombstones that collect rainwater, believed to symbolically quench the souls of the deceased.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before ascending to the plateau and exploring Yangysuw Canyon. Here, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful sandstone formations in shades of white, yellow, and red. As evening approaches, continue to Yangykala Canyon, known for its breathtaking rock formations often called the “Flaming Fortress.” Set up camp amidst these stunning cliffs and enjoy the peacefulness of this unique landscape.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

Begin the day with breakfast at the camp in the stunning Yangykala Canyon, known for its vibrant rock formations and dramatic landscapes. After exploring the canyon’s breathtaking scenery, travel to the Kemal Ata mausoleum, a sacred site isolated in the steppe. Here, you’ll observe unique spherical rock formations in a nearby riverbed, a fascinating geological feature of the area.

From Kemal Ata, journey onward to Gokdere Village, where you’ll encounter semi-nomadic shepherds and their camel herds, experiencing the traditional pastoral lifestyle of the region. Finally, reach the picturesque village of Koymat, situated beneath a striking milk-white cliff. Set up camp for the night and engage with the local community, enjoying their warm hospitality and traditional lifestyle.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

Continue your journey east to Melegoch, a village known for camel breeding and the practice of falconry. Interact with locals who belong to one of Turkmenistan’s proudest tribes. Traverse the dry bed of the Uzboy River to Ygdykala, a Parthian fortress offering panoramic views of the surrounding desert. Explore the ruins and set up camp near this ancient site, enjoying another night under the vast desert sky.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

Travel through a landscape of small sand dunes and visit the village of Balishem. Continue towards the infamous Darvaza gas crater, a fiery spectacle known as the “Door to Hell.” This massive burning crater, the result of a Soviet-era drilling accident, offers a mesmerizing and unforgettable sight, especially at night. Camp nearby and witness the surreal glow of the flames under the night sky.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: Yurts (basic facilities but reasonable)

After breakfast at the camp in Darvaza, we will drive south to the village of Yerbent. Here, we will fill up the tanks and stock up on groceries for the days ahead. Afterward, we’ll head northeast, venturing deeper into the Karakum Desert towards the small settlement of Damla. Surrounded by endless dunes, Damla offers a unique glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the desert’s semi-nomadic inhabitants. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with locals and learn about their customs, including traditional crafts and camel herding. Spend the night in Damla, staying in a yurt or a local home, and experience the simplicity and hospitality of desert life.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

Depart from Damla and journey deeper into the central Karakum Desert, traversing a landscape of low dunes and sparse vegetation. Arrive at the remote settlement of Ak Molla, where traditional Turkmen ways of life are still practiced. After a lunch stop in Ak Molla, we will continue driving east towards Kerpichli. As the day concludes, we will set up camp in the middle of nowhere, experiencing the tranquil beauty of the desert night under a clear, star-filled sky.

Continuing towards the southeast, we cross the central part of the vast Karakum Desert, which occupies about 70% of Turkmenistan’s territory. The name “Karakum” means “black sands,” although the sand here is not actually black. Rainfall is extremely scarce, and water only comes from the Tejen and Murgab rivers, as well as the Amu Darya River. Vegetation is limited to sparse shrubs like saxaul and sand acacia. However, the fauna is diverse: iguanas, turtles, birds of prey, beetles, and even wolves. Traveling along remote paths among low sand dunes, you may encounter rare settlements inhabited by semi-nomadic shepherds who live according to ancient traditions in clay houses or yurts. These people are known for their incredible hospitality.

Heading further south, we reach the archaeological site of Gonur Depe. This region, known as the Margiana Oasis, was a prosperous center in Central Asia. Gonur Depe is one of the oldest fire cult centers and possibly the homeland of Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism. The first settlements date back to 7000 BC, and artifacts found here date to 3000 BC. Research shows that the area was abandoned when the Murgab River changed its course.

• Lunch: picnic lunch
• Dinner: at the camp
• Accommodation: mobile camp (basic facilities but reasonable)

Breakfast at the camp and we continue to ancient Merv, one of the most important cities along the Silk Road from the time of Alexander the Great to the 13th century AD. The most interesting ruins are those of the royal palace. At the height of its glory (11th-12th century), when the Seljuk Turks made it their capital, Merv was known by the name of Marv-i-shahjahan, “Queen of the World”, and together with Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo was considered one of the major centers of Islam. The role that Merv played in the trade and civilization process of Central Asia should not be underestimated. Before the Mongols razed it, Merv was a melting pot of religious faiths and ethnic groups. The brick buildings stood out against the verdant oases and housed palaces, mosques, caravanserais and thousands of private homes. The few scattered ruins remaining today include sections of the fortified city wall, brick foundations, and myriad pieces of broken pottery. The site became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Lunch at local guesthouse “Ancient Turkmen Hearth” where you can taste Turkmen cuisine and watch traditional activities, ride a camel or Akhal Teke horses and see Turkmen Alabai dogs.

Finally we reach Mary, the capital of the region of the same name, the hub of the country’s cotton industry. Overnight in Mary.

• Lunch: at the guesthouse
• Dinner: at local restaurant
• Accommodation: Hotel Margush ***

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Drive to Ashgabat. Today is our last day on 4×4 and drive to Ashgabat via newly build Mary-Ashgabat highway. Arrive in Ashgabat by lunch time and transfer to hotel for check-in. After lunch we go out on a bus tour to explore the modern and historic facets of Ashgabat. The highlights of the tour will be: Memorial Complex of Ashgabat, Bagty Koshgi “Wedding Palace”, the Monument of Neutrality, the State Museum of History and Ethnography, Independence Square and it Monument, and the Monument to the book of Ruhnama (translated as “the book of soul”, written by the first president of Turkmenistan). End the day with a stroll through the lively Russian Bazaar, perfect for last-minute shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

• Lunch: at local restaurant
• Dinner: at local restaurant
• Accommodation: Hotel Divan *****

After a memorable journey, transfer to Ashgabat International Airport or Gaudan/Bajgiran border for your departure. This epic expedition across Turkmenistan leaves you with a deep appreciation for the country’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and warm-hearted people.

This comprehensive itinerary offers a rare and immersive exploration of Turkmenistan, from its stunning natural wonders and ancient historical sites to the vibrant culture of its people. Whether you’re fascinated by archaeology, enjoy unique cultural experiences, or seek adventure in remote landscapes, this journey promises an unforgettable adventure.

Travel Tips & Recommendations

1. Transportation and drivers: A minibus or minivan will be provided for transfers and city tours (depending on the group size) and 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers or Mitsubishi Pajero for the rest of the journey, 3 passengers per 1 vehicle. Our professional drivers, experts in navigating mountain and desert routes, will lead the group. With over 25 years of experience, they have contributed significantly to mapping off-road tours, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.
   Leading vehicle: For overlanders traveling in their own vehicles, a leading vehicle with a driver will guide the route and transport all necessary supplies for camp nights, including groceries and gear. This ensures a smooth and well-supported off-road 4×4 adventure.
2. Accommodation: 5**** hotel in Ashgabat, 3*** hotels in Turkmenbashi and Mary, a guesthouse in Nokhur and the rest of the nights in a mobile camp. Tables and chairs will be provided while camping. While the itinerary includes diverse accommodation options, from hotels in cities to camping in the desert, it’s good to carry a sleeping bag liner for comfort. Headlamps and insect repellent are useful when camping.
   Tents: MIN Mimir Outdoor, X-ART1501 (210x180x60 size)
3. Meals: While in the cities meals will be provided in local restaurants. During the off-road journey and camp overnights, our staff/drivers will prepare breakfasts, picnic lunches, and dinners, offering a variety of different meals.
4. Season and climate: Turkmenistan’s best travel times are April-May and September-October, with moderate temperatures. The Kopetdag Mountains see daytime highs of 15° to 25°C and cooler nights, perfect for hiking amid spring blooms and autumn colors. In the Karakum Desert, daytime temperatures range from 20° to 30°C, cooling to 10° to 15°C at night. These conditions are ideal for exploring the desert’s landscapes, with occasional spring blooms and strong winds. These seasons offer the best weather for enjoying Turkmenistan’s natural and cultural sites.
5. Tour Guide Accompany: We provide skilled and qualified tour guides throughout the itinerary who can provide deeper insights into the history and culture, especially at historical sites like Gonur Depe and Merv.
6. Cultural Respect: Turkmenistan has a rich cultural heritage and traditional values. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites and rural areas. Always ask permission before photographing people.
7. Travel Essentials: Given the remote nature of many locations, bring essentials like a good camera, a power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A first aid kit and any necessary medications (bringing prescriptions is recommended) are also advisable, as medical facilities can be limited in rural areas.
8. Respect for Traditions: Turkmenistan is known for its unique customs and traditions. Respect local practices, especially in smaller villages and when participating in local ceremonies or visiting religious sites.

This trip offers a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most isolated and culturally rich destinations. By being prepared and respectful, you’ll have an unforgettable adventure.