Turkmenistan Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(8,440 reviews)- Choose from 20 Turkmenistan tours
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The best Turkmenistan tour packages
Compiled by
NinaTurkmenistan travel expert at TourRadar
- Customized Private 6 Days Turkmenistan Trip, Daily Departure
- Turkmenistan Group Trip
- Turkmenistan Group Trip
- Discover Turkmenistan
- Tailor-Made 9 Days Best Turkmenistan Tour, Daily Start & Private Car
- Tashkent to Ashgabat (6 destinations)
- Charming Turkmenistan Tour
- The Whimsical Turkmen Trail
- Central Asia Tour - Turkmenistan Part from and to Uzbekistan
- Customized 7-Day Best Turkmenistan Trip, Daily Start & Private Guide
The fascinating tour stretches from the Sport Hotel in Ashgabat to desert camping at Darvaza's flaming crater. Travelers visit the 2000-year-old Nissa ruins, walk through Ancient Merv Historical Park, and tour Kunya Urgench's medieval monuments. The trip includes domestic flights from Mary and Dashoguz to Ashgabat.
Duration 6 days Destinations Ashgabat, Mary, Darvaza, Dashoguz Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$3,180
Explore Ashgabat's marble wonders including the Wedding Palace and Halk Hakydasy Memorial, before camping at the spectacular Darvaza Gas Crater. Tour the Carpet Museum featuring 2,000 exhibits, visit ancient Akhal-Teke horse stables, and experience local culture at Gulistan Bazaar, all while staying at the 4-star Sport Hotel.
Duration 5 days Destinations Ashgabat, Darvaza Age Range 12 to 60 year olds Operator Stantrips From
- NZ$1,177
Starting from Dashoguz, journey to the iconic Darvaza Gas Crater for desert camping and barbecue under the stars. Explore Ashgabat's Wedding Palace and Olympic Stadium, then visit the Carpet Museum housing the world's largest handmade carpet (301m²). Experience traditional markets at Gulistan Bazaar.
Duration 5 days Destinations Dashoguz, Darvaza, Ashgabat Age Range 5 to 60 year olds Operator Stantrips From
- NZ$1,177
Duration 6 days Destinations Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, Gozli Ata, Nokhur, Darvaza Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in English, Russian Operator Stantours From
- NZ$2,585
Remarkable stops include the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nissa and the eternal flames of Darvaza's Door to Hell. Visitors stay at the 4-star Sport Hotel in Ashgabat and tour five major cities including Mary and Turkmenbashi. A desert yurt camp hosts BBQ under the stars, followed by visits to the thriving Mary Bazaar.
Duration 9 days Destinations Ashgabat, Mary, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Turkmenbashi Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$4,870
Tashkent to Ashgabat (6 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Saw great sights, stayed in very nice hotels (in general), and had great guides.”
Glenn, traveled in September
Turkmenistan unfolds from the eternally burning Darvaza Crater to Ashgabat's white marble architecture. The tour features UNESCO-listed ruins of ancient Nisa, the Russian Bazaar, and traditional life in Nohur Village. Accommodations range from comfortable hotels to authentic yurt camps.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tashkent, Khiva, Darvaza, Ashgabat, Mary Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$4,490
Duration 4 days Destinations Turkmenabat, Mary, Ashgabat, Darvaza Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in English, Russian Operator Stantours From
- NZ$1,574
The remarkable sites of Turkmenistan range from Ashgabat's marble grandeur to the ancient city of Merv. Highlights include UNESCO site Old Nissa, camping at the burning Darvaza crater, and swimming in 33°C Kowata underground lake. Visitors tour Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque and admire Akhalteke horses at local farms, with stays at Sport Hotel and desert camping.
Duration 8 days Destinations Ashgabat, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Urgench, Bukhara, Mary Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Crooked Compass From
- NZ$4,248
Central Asia Tour - Turkmenistan Part from and to Uzbekistan
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The whole experience was so enjoyable.”
Till, traveled in May
Embarking from Turkmenabat, visitors tour Merv's ancient Islamic capitals and Mary's local bazaars. Guests enjoy 4-star hotels while touring Ashgabat's marble wonders and the world's largest handwoven carpet. The fiery Darvaza crater offers BBQ dinner before visits to Kunya Urgench's historical monuments.
Duration 4 days Destinations Turkmenabat, Mary, Ashgabat, Darvaza, Dashoguz, Kunye Urgench Age Range 18 to 65 year olds Operator Stantrips From
- NZ$1,583
Duration 7 days Destinations Ashgabat, Mary, Darvaza, Kunye Urgench, Dashoguz, Nokhur Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$4,125
What people love about Turkmenistan Tours
- Tashkent to Ashgabat (6 destinations)
Some aspects of the trip were exceptional, others were, frankly, problematic. The overarching theme is that Intrepid, frankly, seems to have very little understanding of what is actually happening on the ground with its local operators. Starting with the good: our guide in Turkmenistan (Ali) really went out of his way to provide us with an amazing travel experience and presentation of Turkmenistan, including by filling in many of the inexplicable "free time" periods in the official Intrepid itinerary. Independent travel is not permitted in Turkmenistan; "free time" actually means a group activity at the discretion of the tour leader or else sitting around the hotel drinking beer and playing cards. Ali, in response to requests from us and other group members, revised the itinerary to allow an additional excursion to Gonor Depe from Mary (after visiting Merv) as well as a trip to the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat (after returning from Mary). The transport in Turkmenistan was a full-sized 50-person bus, which was admittedly very comfortable but it did seem a bit much for 9 people. Kudos to our driver for being at our beck and call for very long hours. The tent facilities at Darvaza were, frankly, more comfortable than I expected them to be. That segment of the trip was particularly well done. The Uzbekistan portion of the trip was full of problems, starting with the apparent arrest of the tour leader on Day 1 for not being a properly-licensed guide, which resulted in the orientation being cancelled and the group having to get themselves to the airport for the flight to Khiva without tickets or guide. We are not familiar with the particulars since we only joined the tour in Khiva on Day 2. The hotel in Khiva was, literally, a construction site. We arrived a day early and were its very first guests; the remainder of the group were its second guests. The hotel was not yet finished. Construction workers were hammering, moving around furniture, etc, all day. The dining room was occupied by a seamstress making curtains. In fairness to the hotel, the owner and manager really went out of their way to make us as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, including going above-and-beyond in hospitality. I am sure it will be a very nice hotel when it is actually completed. The last-minute replacement guide (Sasha) was knowledgable and made every effort to be helpful, but inexperienced. He candidly acknowledged that it was was first time guiding a group of more than 2 people and he only started learning English 6 months prior. He gets an A+ for effort and I am sure he will make a very good guide with more experience. The Intrepid itinerary misstates the border crossing into Turkmenistan as Xojeli instead of Shavat. This caused some confusion/consternation on the bus to the border as it appeared we were being taken to the wrong place and we were concerned about whether our Turkmenistan guide would be in the right place. Sasha could not explain the discrepancy. Overall, we enjoyed the tour, although we are forced to wonder whether Intrepid/Tourradar actually added much value and whether we could have a similar experience if we had just visited Khiva independently (as we did the rest of Uzbekistan) and dealt directly with a local Turkmenistan operator for that country.
What our customers ask about Turkmenistan Tours & Trips
What is the best time of year to visit Turkmenistan?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring Turkmenistan. The weather during these months stays mild making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Summer brings intense heat particularly in the Karakum Desert near Darvaza while winter temperatures drop significantly. Tour data shows most travelers choose April-May and September-October for their visits. These quieter shoulder seasons also mean less crowded conditions at popular spots including the Sport Hotel in Ashgabat.
What unique natural attractions can I experience in Turkmenistan?
The Darvaza Gas Crater stands out as Turkmenistan's most remarkable sight with its continuously burning flames earning it the name "Door to Hell." The landscape delivers dramatic variety from the white red and green cliffs of Yangikala Canyon to the subterranean waters of Kow Ata lake. The vast Karakum Desert provides excellent stargazing opportunities while the Kopetdag Mountains showcase stark moonlike terrain. Many visitors opt to enhance their experience by staying in traditional yurt camps using the Sport Hotel in Ashgabat as their main base.
What are the must-visit highlights in Turkmenistan?
Key destinations include the UNESCO heritage site of Merv an ancient Silk Road city the otherworldly Darvaza Gas Crater in the Karakum Desert Ashgabat's distinctive white marble architecture and the historic ruins of Nisa fortress. As one TourRadar traveler noted "Yusup was an excellent guide and his in-depth knowledge of the country history and culture made these sites come alive." Popular itineraries typically combine stays at upscale properties like the Sport Hotel with unique experiences such as desert camping near Darvaza.
How comfortable is the accommodation in Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan's lodging options span from modern 4-star hotels to traditional yurt camps. The Sport Hotel in Ashgabat provides contemporary comfort and amenities while the Yelken Yacht Club Hotel in Turkmenbashi offers quality rooms with water views. Desert areas near Darvaza feature yurt camps that blend basic comfort with authentic experiences. Most tours mix hotel stays with camping experiences and include breakfast at all locations. Tour operators can adjust accommodations based on comfort preferences.
What are some unique experiences I shouldn't miss in Turkmenistan?
Key experiences include an overnight desert camp near the burning Darvaza Gas Crater visits to Akhal-Teke horse farms around Ashgabat to see the prized golden horses time at the Carpet Museum home to record-setting carpets and walks through Ashgabat's distinct marble architecture. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The night at Darvaza crater was absolutely unforgettable - nothing prepares you for seeing this massive burning crater in the desert."
What's the best way to get around in Turkmenistan?
Transportation typically combines air-conditioned vehicles with 4x4s for desert travel. The 276-kilometer route between Ashgabat and Darvaza requires specialized desert-ready vehicles. Domestic flights connect major cities such as Ashgabat and Mary. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "The transport was excellent throughout especially the 4x4 vehicles used for desert exploration."