13 days tour

Desert Ride Through Unknown Nomadic Land

Desert Ride Through Unknown Nomadic Land

This tour includes:

Others

all entrance fees according to the program

Transport

train ride Ashgabat - Turkmenbashi in sleeping car 2nd class all journeys in private vehicles and off-road vehicles

Guide

German speaking tour guide

Accommodation

6 nights: Hotel in double room 5 nights: tent 1 night: train (2nd class sleeping car) 1 night: Guest house in double room (shared bathroom) 1 night: yurt (shared WC/shower)

Meals

Meals: 13ร—F, 4ร—M, 8ร—M (LB), 13ร—A

Flights

Scheduled flight from/to Frankfurt to Ashgabat and back with Turkish Airlines or another airline in Economy Class

Not included:

Others

Meals and drinks not mentioned Visa on arrival (approx. 109 US$) Registration fee on entry (approx. US$ 14) Tourism fee of 2 US$ per hotel night Optional excursions Photo and video permits (12 manat each in Nisa and Merw, 50 manat in museums) tips personal

Insurance

Optional

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Desert Ride Through Unknown Nomadic Land

  • Day 1 Day 1: Arrival
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Arrival

      Flight to Ashgabat. Arrival in the early hours of the next morning. Short transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Ashgabat City Tour - Excursion To Nissa (Unesco)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Ashgabat City Tour - Excursion To Nissa (Unesco)

      Arrival in the early hours of the morning. After the immigration procedure, you will be warmly welcomed by the tour guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center, where you will check into your room. After breakfast, your sightseeing tour of the super-modern metropolis begins, where many of the white buildings have facades made of Italian marble. When it is open, you will first visit the Altyn Asyr Grand Bazaar, where traders travel from all the Central Asian republics especially for this market. 12 km from the capital is Nisa, which was the first capital of the Parthians. The excavation site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2007. You will also see the Arch of Neutrality, the Independence Park and the center of the capital. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Ashgabat - Akhal-Tekkiner - Anau And Overnight Train To Turkmenbashi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Ashgabat - Akhal-Tekkiner - Anau And Overnight Train To Turkmenbashi

      In the morning, you will find out what the Akhal-Tekkin horses are all about. You will visit a stud farm in Ashgabat and inspect these magnificent horses. This breed is one of the oldest in the world. It is adapted to arid desert areas and isolation in oasis landscapes and is designed for extreme hardiness. Long distances in inhospitable regions are the areas of use for this special breed of horse. You can take plenty of photos of these extraordinary horses. There is even the option of a short guided test ride. (Stay at the stud farm for approx. 1 -1.5 hours). After lunch, you will visit the famous carpet museum. Continue to the Russian Bazaar and the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, built in honor of the former ruler who founded the Ottoman dynasty and gave his name to the Ottoman Empire. In the evening, transfer to the train station and travel by comfortable overnight train to Turkmenbashi. Dinner box. Overnight stay in the sleeping car.

  • Day 4 Day 4: From Turkmenbashi To The Yangisuw Canyon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: From Turkmenbashi To The Yangisuw Canyon

      Arrival in Turkmenbashi in the morning. Breakfast in a lovely restaurant with a view of the Caspian Sea. After visiting the Orthodox church, you can buy Turkmen snacks for the coming days in the desert at the lively bazaar. In the tourist town of Awaza, you will see a spruced-up vacation resort on the Caspian Sea beach. You then drive by off-road vehicle to the first large canyon in the region - the Yangisuw. You hike through the magnificent canyon landscape. Set up camp in the evening. Overnight stay in a tent. A toilet tent is set up in the camp. (Travel time approx. 6-7 hours, 250 km).

  • Day 5 Day 5: Magnificent Play Of Colors In The Yangikala Canyon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Magnificent Play Of Colors In The Yangikala Canyon

      Today you drive to the even more impressive Yangikala Canyon. Huge limestone formations rise up out of nowhere, reaching a height of 150 to 200 meters. These are probably the remains of a huge coral reef of the primeval Tetis Sea. Ammonites and shells can be found on the plateaus. The sun contributes to a fantastic color spectacle. In the late afternoon, drive to the pilgrimage site of Gรถzli-Ata. Overnight stay in a tent or in the very simple pilgrim hostel. (Travel time approx. 4 hours, 200 km).

  • Day 6 Day 6: From Gรถzli-Ata To The "Spheres" Of Kemal Ata And On To Balkanabat
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: From Gรถzli-Ata To The "Spheres" Of Kemal Ata And On To Balkanabat

      You reach Kemal Ata on a drive through the desert. Nearby, you will explore a valley with huge round boulders, also known as the "Valley of Balls". If there is still time, a trip to the "Mushroom Rocks" is worthwhile. Continue to Balkanabat. Overnight stay in a hotel. (Travel time approx. 5 hours, 260 km).

  • Day 7 Day 7: Lunar And Martian Landscapes
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Lunar And Martian Landscapes

      You drive south towards the Iranian border. Dehistan is the destination, a former important crossroads on the Silk Road. But first you pay a visit to an ancient volcano. Your hike to the ancient mud volcano Boyadag, with a height of no less than 110 m, begins. And thatโ€™s not all - youโ€™ll feel like youโ€™re on another planet. Itโ€™s like exploring Mars! The ruins of Dehistan stand out from the extremely flat part of the Karakum Desert and can be seen from afar. Two minarets have been preserved from the once extensive city, which was first settled 3000 years ago; an entrance portal (Iwan) is currently being restored. After visiting Dehistan, continue via the Moon Mountains of Karakala to Gyzylarbat. Overnight stay in a simple guesthouse. (Travel time approx. 8 hours, 435 km).

  • Day 8 Day 8: The Crossing Of The Desert Begins - Balishem
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: The Crossing Of The Desert Begins - Balishem

      Now the great crossing of the Karakum Desert begins. From Serdar you drive northwards until the road ends in Garabogaz and turns into an old Karwan trail. Part of the route follows the bed of the Uzboy River to the ruins of the Ygdykala fortress. This complex has its origins in the Parthian Empire. The dayโ€™s destination is a desert camp near Balishem. Overnight stay in a tent. (Travel time approx. 5 hours, 160 km).

  • Day 9 Day 9: From The Balishem Oasis To The Gates Of Hell To Darwaza
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: From The Balishem Oasis To The Gates Of Hell To Darwaza

      We continue eastwards. The landscape of this inhospitable desert changes again and again. Sometimes vast sand dunes, sometimes parched plains intersected by rock formations. You are sure to encounter camels on your journey. Your destination today is the Darwaza oasis. You will spend the night in yurts in the middle of the desert landscape. The camp near the crater was installed not so long ago. The fire crater in particular, which is located just a few kilometers from the former settlement, is the destination of every Turkmenistan traveler. After the long drive, you can now stretch your feet. Natural gas has been flowing out of the collapsed former drilling site since the early 1970s. At some point, the gas was ignited and has been burning ever since. The crater has a diameter of around 200 m and is 50 m deep. Especially in the evening, this is a devilishly infernal spectacle and by then you know where the fire gate to the underworld is located. Overnight stay in a simple yurt. (Travel time approx. 8 hours, 280 km).

  • Day 10 Day 10: Murzachirla - In The Middle Of The Desert
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Murzachirla - In The Middle Of The Desert

      You leave the hellfire and head back into the middle of the desert. Your destination today is the Damla oasis, where around 80 families live all year round. Of course you will visit this village, which is sheltered in a hollow. The women are mainly busy felting carpets, while the men look after the cattle and the enormously important camels. It is truly amazing how people live and survive here in an archaic way. You reach Murzachirla in the evening and set up camp for the night outside the village. Overnight stay in a tent. (Travel time approx. 6 hours, 190 km).

  • Day 11 Day 11: To The Excavation Site Of Gonur Tepe
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: To The Excavation Site Of Gonur Tepe

      The Gonur Tepe archaeological site is the main destination for the day. Gonur is located approx. 60 km north of Merw, where the early culture of the capital of Margiana can be seen in the remains of the walls, the citadel with the stately palace and a necropolis outside. The remains of pottery workshops and kilns can also be seen. The culture of the Margianas and the Bactrians is probably of Mesopotamian origin. You set up camp for the night in front of the historical site. Overnight stay in a tent. (Travel time approx. 6 hours, 230 km).

  • Day 12 Day 12: From The Desert To Mary
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: From The Desert To Mary

      Now it is only a few hours to Mary, the countryโ€™s second largest industrial center. Mary is also the capital of the Welayat (district) of the same name with around 150,000 inhabitants. After the days in the desert, you can finally enjoy a hot shower again today and spend the afternoon at leisure. The city center with its bazaar and historical museum are popular places to visit. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Travel time approx. 3-4 hours, 180 km).

  • Day 13 Day 13: Farewell To Our Beloved Turkmenistan
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Farewell To Our Beloved Turkmenistan

      You will be taken to the airport and start your return journey.

  • Day 14 Day 13: Visit To The Ruined City Of Merw
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Visit To The Ruined City Of Merw

      Today is dedicated to the historic city of Merw (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Alongside Cairo, Damascus and Baghdad, Merw was once one of the largest cities in the Islamic world and an important trading center on the Silk Road. Merw is unique in its layout. First you pass the imposing, domed mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (d. 1157) and Ibn Zaid as well as the medieval castle of Keshk. Equally monumental are the extraordinary ruins of the small and large Kyz Kala. Particularly striking are the goffered walls, whose alignment leaves no blind spots. After an intensive study, you drive back to Mary. There you will visit the historical museum, stroll through the local bazaar and visit a mosque and a Russian Orthodox church. Overnight stay as on the previous day. (Travel time approx. 2-3 hours, 100 km).

  • Day 15 Day 14: Drive From Mary To Ashgabat
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Drive From Mary To Ashgabat

      After breakfast, return to Ashgabat on the new highway. The new route through the desert is about as fast as taking a flight. Free time in the afternoon. Your farewell dinner will take place at a particularly beautiful location. Let us surprise you. As a small final highlight at the end of the trip, you will take a city tour through Ashgabat at night and marvel at the play of light in the oversized illuminated city. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Travel time approx. 4 hours, 420 km).

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 5 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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