Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent Call us
Turkmenistan
TurkmenistanFrom £2,9953 tours

Turkmenistan tours & holidays

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.

  • Best timeApr–Jun & Sep–Oct
  • Time zoneUTC+5
  • CurrencyTMT
  • LanguageTurkmen & Russian; English (limited)
Overview

An introduction to Turkmenistan

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.Destination
Turkmenistan.Destination
Explore

Turkmenistan

Our journeys

Tours in Turkmenistan

Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.

Why visit

What makes Turkmenistan worth the journey

Turkmenistan.Destination
A place apart

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.

01

Silk Road Heritage

Home to legendary sites like Merv and Konye-Urgench, the country provides a deep and evocative insight into the history of ancient trade and empire.

Turkmenistan.Destination
02

Unearthly Landscapes

From the burning craters of the desert to the multicoloured cliffs of Yangikala, the natural scenery is as surreal as it is spectacular.

Turkmenistan.Destination
03

Fascinating Modern History

The transition from Soviet republic to a fiercely independent nation has created a modern culture and architecture that is unlike anything else in Central Asia.

See itineraries
Highlights

The moments that make Turkmenistan unforgettable

Ashgabat’s Marble Architecture

Marvel at the dazzling capital, a city of grandiose monuments and record-breaking white marble buildings that bear testimony to the nation’s unique modern history.

Darvaza Gas Crater

Witness the "Gates of Hell", a fiery pit in the heart of the Karakum Desert that has been burning continuously for decades, lighting up the night sky.

Ancient Merv

Explore the crumbling mausoleums and vast mud-brick fortresses of one of the Silk Road’s most significant and oldest cities, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Yangikala Canyon

Discover the striking pink, red, and yellow rock formations of this remote "Grand Canyon of Central Asia", offering some of the most dramatic landscapes in the region.

Konye-Urgench

Visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmshahs, home to towering 12th-century minarets and mausoleums that survived the Mongol invasions.

Nohur Mountain Village

Experience the unique traditions of the Kopetdag Mountains in a village where locals believe they are descended from the armies of Alexander the Great.

Turkmenistan rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

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.

Live weather
Turkmenistan

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Turkmenistan tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All Turkmenistan stories
Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

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

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Turkmenistan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your perfect Turkmenistan trip?

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.

Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

Turkmenistan tailor-made
How it works
  1. 1Tell us what you have in mind
  2. 2We build an itinerary + quote
  3. 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Turkmenistan?

  • Costs are generally higher than neighbouring "Stans" due to the requirement for guided travel and specific visa processes.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

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.

Ready when you are

Start planning your Turkmenistan adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Turkmenistan specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Trusted partners & accreditations