
A Cultural Enigma
Turkmenistan remains one of the least-visited and most mysterious countries in the world, offering a truly unique experience for those seeking the road less travelled.

Step into a world of startling contrasts, from the marble-clad grandeur of Ashgabat to the ancient Silk Road echoes of Merv and the fiery depths of the Darvaza Gas Crater.
To outsiders, this is a land few could place on the map, let alone visit. If anything of Turkmen fame has trickled down to us, it is likely rumours of a dictatorship under the bizarre 'Turkmenbashi' who created ubiquitous giant golden self-images.
And yet, to the intrepid, the former Soviet republic has a wonderful assortment of secrets to share: dramatic mountain ranges, verdant river valleys, fantastical natural and prehistoric wonders and oases which encircle the vast Karakum Desert; snaking its way across the sandy fringes runs the fabled Silk Road, lacing together some of the world's most important archaeological sites that demand joyful hours of exploration.
Turkmenistan will bestow on you an irrepressible sense of having experienced a cultural enigma.


Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
The best times to visit Turkmenistan are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these periods, temperatures are pleasant for exploring both the cities and the desert. The summer months (July and August) can be intensely hot, with temperatures in the Karakum Desert often exceeding 40°C, while winter can be bitterly cold, particularly in the northern regions and mountain areas.
Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Turkmenistan tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
“I travelled with Undiscovered Destinations to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. A superb 15 day experience. I cannot praise this company highly enough.”
Richard theTraveller
Uzbekistan
“We went to Turkmenistan to discover how the people lived. The standards of accommodation and service were superb. To be thoroughly recommended!”
Jackie H
Turkmenistan
“Mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, mountains, markets, museums, monuments, and much more! Good communication and trip design.”
AJHotspur
Uzbekistan
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“I travelled with Undiscovered Destinations to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. A superb 15 day experience. I cannot praise this company highly enough.”
Richard theTraveller
Uzbekistan
“We went to Turkmenistan to discover how the people lived. The standards of accommodation and service were superb. To be thoroughly recommended!”
Jackie H
Turkmenistan
“Mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, mountains, markets, museums, monuments, and much more! Good communication and trip design.”
AJHotspur
Uzbekistan
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
Every one of our Turkmenistan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
Prefer to travel at your own pace? Our tailor-made Turkmenistan holidays allow you to design a journey around your own interests and schedule. Spend more time exploring the archaeological wonders of the Silk Road, embark on an extended desert expedition, or focus on the unique traditions of the mountain communities. Every tailor-made trip includes private transport, dedicated local guides, and flexible accommodation options, from marble hotels in the capital to traditional yurt camps in the desert.
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Costs are generally higher than neighbouring "Stans" due to the requirement for guided travel and specific visa processes.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before booking, please familiarise yourself with the UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Currently, there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Turkmenistan we visit.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Turkmenistan specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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