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.
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About this journey
The story behind the route
On the edge of the Silk Road and with a rich history stretching back millennia, Turkmenistan is a land of which few have knowledge. Dominated by forbidding desert and once the abode of fierce tribesmen renowned for their slave trading, the country today is characterised by sharp contrasts, from the futuristic building projects of the capital to remote communities living among the sands.
This two week trip is a comprehensive journey through one of the most mysterious places in Asia. Starting in Ashgabat we combine both ancient and modern, visiting monuments built by the previous ruler Turkmenbashi as well as the Parthian fortress of Nisa, before leaving the city behind and embarking on our journey to the mountains. We visit a local community in Nohur, reputed to be descended from the armies of Alexander, and then travel through the remarkable canyon landscapes of Yangikala to the pilgrimage site of Gozli Ata. From here we head to the Caspian Sea before flying to Dashoguz and visiting the UNESCO listed site of Konye-Urgench, evidence of former glories of this fascinating region. Perhaps the most exciting part of our trip is a three-day excursion into the Karakum desert, camping at a flaming gas crater and stopping in isolated settlements to meet people who rarely see tourists. After a brief stop in Turkmenabat we then drive to the Kugitang Mountains, with dinosaur footprints, caves and rare species to discover. Turkmenistan is one of the most exciting countries in Central Asia and this pioneering trip takes you to all corners of the country, doing more than just scratching the surface but allowing you a detailed insight into its culture and history. We think this is one of our most exciting trips – join us and we’re sure you will agree.
The journey
Turkmenistan Encompassed
The moments that define this trip
Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.
The Darvaza Gas Crater — The Door to Hell
Camp beside Turkmenistan's most spectacular sight: a 60-metre-wide crater that has blazed continuously since geologists accidentally ignited underground gas in 1971. Watch the flames rise up to 15 metres as darkness falls across the Karakum Desert — one of the most surreal and memorable experiences in Central Asia.
Ancient Merv and the Silk Road
Explore Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread across 100 square kilometres and 2,500 years of history. Zoroastrian citadels, Timurid mausoleums and Sufi shrines stand as testament to the city's extraordinary role as a crossroads of empires, from Alexander the Great to the Mongols and Timur.
Yangikala Canyon
Marvel at the striking red, orange and white limestone formations of Yangikala Canyon, remnants of a prehistoric sea reef rising dramatically from the desert. The canyon is accessible only by 4WD, adding to its sense of remoteness, and the colours at sunrise and sunset are among the most vivid in Turkmenistan.
Key moments for Turkmenistan Encompassed
Full itinerary · 15 days
Free — no sign-up
Dates & prices
Pick your departure
Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.
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.
What's included
Everything covered — and what's not
Included in the price
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Overland transport throughout with professional driver
- Domestic flights
- All accommodation
- Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
- Meals as listed
- Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Budget separately for
- International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
- Any airport taxes (except when included with domestic airfares)
- Travel Insurance
- Visa – when required
- Drinks
- Items of personal nature
- Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go
Essential information
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Voices from the road
What travellers say about us
Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Turkmenistan Encompassed. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.
“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
Want to customise this tour?
Make Turkmenistan Encompassed your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.
More to explore
More tours in Turkmenistan
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Ready when you areStart planning your
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.
Common questions
Things travellers usually ask
How many travellers will be in my group?
Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.
Can I travel solo?
Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.
How fit do I need to be?
Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.
When are the next departures?
The next available departures are 6 September 2026; 24 April 2027; 5 September 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.
What's included in the tour price?
Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flights; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
Where exactly does this trip go?
This tour visits Turkmenistan. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.
