Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
As soon as you set your eyes on the brilliant flame-colored canyons of Yangykala, you’ll realize why this deep valley region is considered to be one of the most spectacular sights – not just in Turkmenistan – but the whole of Central Asia. This mini-three day excursion will take you from the white-marble capital of Ashgabat overland via 4X4, stopping off at treasured shrines and mosques, before reaching the stunning Yangykala Canyons on the second day. Along the way, you’ll bed down under the stars in tents, as well as experience a full tour of the valleys, which boast stunning pink, orange, red and yellow shades and cut deep into the Turkmenistan landscape. Make your way back on the third day and spend your final night in the capital of Ashgabat.
This excursion to the Yangykala Canyons must be conducted in conjunction with longer itineraries to Turkemenistan.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
The first day of this mini-tour of Turkmenistan will take you from the capital, Ashgabat, to the western stopover city of Balkanabat. The stunning overland 6-7 hour journey is made via a private and comfortable 4X4 car, and there will opportunities along the way to see the Spirituality Mosque in Kipchak (the biggest of its type in Turkmenistan), as well as the atmospheric holy shrine of Paraw-Bibi. After you have arrived in Balkanabat, transfer to Nebitchi Hotel and relax for the evening.
The Nebitchi hotel in Balkanabat is one of the few hotels in this isolated western Turkmenistan city. Guests staying here can enjoy all the comforts of home, including temperature controls in the room, large comfy beds, television sets, a mini-bar, WiFi, en-suite bathrooms and hot water.
This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.
Hit the road again early in the morning of this second day, making your way 4 hours north to the flame-colored canyons of Yangykala, one of the most spectacular attractions in the entire country. You’ll reach the first ‘Grand Canyon’ by lunch, which is where you’ll eat before continuing further north in the afternoon to the precipice of Kara-Bogaz-Gol, where you’ll discover the sparkling canyons of Yangysuw. After dinner, bed down for the night under the stars in the tents supplied.
The Yangykala Canyon is one of Turkmenistan’s most stunning natural phenomena; incredibly isolated and without a hotel in miles, it would be a shame to come all this way without spending the night. Therefore, the best – and only way to stay here is by pitching a tent and spending the night under the stars in a comfy sleeping bag.
This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.
After breakfast, there’s further chance to explore the stunning canyons of Yangykala, rich in natural beauty and oozing a certain atmospheric and peaceful charm that all visitors can enjoy. After some final visits, set off back to the white-marble capital, Ashgabat, and take time to rest in your quality hotel or explore the city, all whilst winding down what has been an action-packed three-day excursion in Turkmenistan.
The Nebitchi hotel in Balkanabat is one of the few hotels in this isolated western Turkmenistan city. Guests staying here can enjoy all the comforts of home, including temperature controls in the room, large comfy beds, television sets, a mini-bar, WiFi, en-suite bathrooms and hot water. Elsewhere at this popular hotel there is an on-site tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, a conference room and a sauna. Whilst the immediate area outside the hotel does have a few local dining options, guests looking to stay closeby can enjoy the hotel’s own restaurant, which serves a breakfast spread every morning as well as local and international dishes throughout the rest of the day.
The Yangykala Canyon is one of Turkmenistan’s most stunning natural phenomena; incredibly isolated and without a hotel in miles, it would be a shame to come all this way without spending the night. Therefore, the best – and only way to stay here is by pitching a tent and spending the night under the stars in a comfy sleeping bag. The best place to stay is on one of the high ridges above the flame-colored canyons; although it can get a little windy up here, the views of the surrounding landscape are simply awe-inspiring. Watch as the red sun sinks slowly below the horizon in the evening and wake up as it rises over the eastern edge of the rugged desert terrain.
This five-day journey is your chance to uncover Turkmenistan, an off-the-beaten path destination and one of the most mysterious regions of Central Asia. From a perpetually burning crater, an eerily quiet capital clad in white marble, and ancient UNESCO ruins, this guarantees to be a journey like no other.
This short and sweet four-day tour of Turkmenistan takes you to all the must-see sites in what is one of the most mysterious countries in Central Asia. After sightseeing in the capital, Ashgabat, make your way to the stunning ancient at Kunya-Urgench and Mary, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Turn back time on this two-week tour of two amazing countries. Explore historical wonders of Tashkent and Khiva and uncover the crumbling cities of Merv and Mary and the fortress of Nissa. Camp by burning gas craters, get up close to the famous Akhal Teke horses of Turkmenistan and discover the palaces and mausoleums of mighty Emirs.
Get to grips with the fascinating Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat, over three action-packed days, before embarking on an epic overland journey. Your guide will take you to the World Heritage Site of Merv and Mary before you make your way back to the capital via the quaint local village of Bokurdak.
Discover the best of Turkmenistan with this nine-night, eight-day adventure tour of both cultural and natural phenomenons. From the white-marbled capital city of Ashgabat to overnight camping in the desert and everything in between, this trip will provide you with a cross-section of this unique Central Asian country.
This tour of the Silk Road “Stans” takes you through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in just two short weeks. Designed specifically for those looking to dip toes into each destination rather than explore in depth, this itinerary ensures luxury and comfort in a part of the world that can be tricky to country-hop without expert guidance.
This tour around the mysterious Central Asian country of Turkmenistan offers you the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: glistening mausoleums, ancient fortress remains, desolate deserts and majestic mountains, all wrapped up into an unforgettable eight-day adventure.
Take a quick dip into the history and culture of exciting Turkmenistan with this four-day, three-night adventure. In this short amount of time, you’ll visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous mausoleums, countless forts and monuments and learn more about this fascinating Central Asian country.
This eight-day tour of Turkmenistan opens up one of Central Asia’s most mysterious lands: Turkmenistan. Passing over the desolate, yet utterly spectacular Karakum Desert, you’ll explore ancient ruins, dazzling mausoleums, and fiery caves, all before ending up in the fascinating capital of Ashgabat.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
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Our guide in Uzbekistan seemed to know everyone wherever we went which made us feel like locals.
Also unforgettable was our experience driving through Beijing in an old fashioned motorcycle side car followed by lunch with a local family in their traditional hutong house.
