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Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
UNESCO
Destinations
Turkmenistan

It is often said that Turkmenistan is the most mysterious and underrated of all the ‘stans’ that make-up the rarely-visited Central Asian region. With this action-packed tour, you’ll see the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: from the monuments and museums of the capital, Ashgabat, to the ruins of Merv and Mary - not forgetting the spectacular Mausoleums in Kunya-Urgench - once home to the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12th/early 13th century, this eight-day adventure of Turkmenistan will leave a lasting impression. After a final excursion to the stunning yet remote eastern city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, you’ll return to Ashgabat yearning for more.

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.

Highlights

  • Time Travel: Journey back through the centuries with a trip up to the ancient fortress of Old Nisa, situated in the foothills of the atmospheric Kopet-Dag Mountains.
  • Significant Finds: The vast UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv contains some of the most important archaeological ruins in Central Asia.
  • Khorezmshah Legacy: Kunya-Urgench was once the capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire - a Muslim empire that peaked in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Ashgabat

The morning of your first day in Turkmenistan will be spent transferring to your four-star hotel and meeting your friendly driver, who will be with you throughout this eight-day tour. Sightseeing starts in the later part of the morning with a visit to the famous Independence Monument and Neutrality Square. After lunch, there’s time to explore the rest of the fascinating city, including a trip to the popular Carpet Museum.

Hotel Options
About

This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned.

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.

About

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city.  The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.

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.

Day 2

Mary & Merv

Kick-off your second day in Turkmenistan with a trip to the impressive Old Nisa fortress, situated in the foothills of the atmospheric Kopet-Dag Mountains. The site is earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals and is spread over an area of 14 hectares. On the way back to Ashgabat, stop-off at Kipchak village to see the biggest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the first President. Catch an afternoon flight to the historical city of Mary and check in to your three-star hotel.

Hotel Options
About

Recently opened in 2011, the comfortable and modern Dayanch Hotel is easily accessed by car from the airport in Mary, Turkmenistan. The rooms sleep two, four, and eight people and all come with private bathrooms and the usual mod-cons.

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.

About

This three-star hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in the oasis city of Mary, which is situated in the Karakum Desert, on the Murghab River. Close to the ancient and famous ‘Murgab’ site, Margush Hotel offers 28 spacious guestrooms, all of which are relatively modern with this hotel only having opened in 2004.

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.

Mary & Merv
Mary & Merv

Day 3

Mary & Merv

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Mary before journeying 16 miles out of town to Merv, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the most important archaeological ruins in Central Asia. Merv played an important part in the development of the Silk Road, and your guide will take you around the 1200-hectare historical park that is spread across the area. After a full day’s sightseeing, there’s time to visit the local history museum in Mary which presents Museum a wide array of archaeological finds dating back to 3000 BC.

Day 4

Mary & Merv

Depart your hotel on the morning of this fourth day for the northeastern city of Gonur Depe, the former capital of the Margush country. The picturesque drive takes you past fields, through local villages and over the sparse Turkmenistan desert, eventually ending up at an important archaeological site, known to be a center of a Bronze Age civilization in the country. It’s then back to Mary and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Mary & Merv
Mary & Merv

Day 5

Dashoguz

Depart your hotel for a morning flight to Dashoguz and then make the short overland trip to Kunya-Urgench,a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the glorious capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire and home to the biggest Muslim empire of the late 12th/early 13th century. 

Hotel Options
About

Renovated in 2009, the two-star Uzboy Hotel is a basic yet convenient stop-off for tourists travelling through the Dashoguz region of Turkmenistan. Some of the most important historical monuments in the country are located nearby, such as the architecturally-impressive Kunya-Urgench, Butentau and scattered ruins of ancient settlements.

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.

Day 6

Turkmenbashi

Today you’ll be heading to Turkmenbashi, a remote Turkmenistan city situated right on the stunning Caspian Sea. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your four-star hotel and have the rest of the evening to relax or explore the surrounding area.

Hotel Options
About

Charlak Hotel is a modern four-star hotel, popular with business guests and travelers making their way through the Turkmenbashi region of Turkmenistan. Meaning ‘seagull’ in local dialect (a reference to the nearby Caspian Sea), Charlak Hotel features a refreshing blue and white theme throughout, with generous helpings of glass and marble found across the lobby, dining venues and range of 80 guestrooms.

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.

About

This comfortable three-star hotel presents an ideal stop-off for guests travelling to this historic city next to the Caspian Sea. Built in 2001, this was the first luxury hotel to open in the region.

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.

Turkmenbashi
Turkmenbashi

Day 7

Ashgabat

This penultimate day on your tour of Turkmenistan will be spent getting to know this quaint eastern city, as well neighboring Avaza. You’ll visit the coastal region and take a short cruise along the canal through Avaza. In the city of Turkmenbashi, there’s a chance to see the local bazaar, Russian Orthodox Church, visit Local Lore Museum, war memorial and the cemetery of the World War II Japanese prisoners. In the evening, catch a flight back to Ashgabat and check in to your hotel for your last night.

Hotel Options
About

This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned.

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.

About

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city.  The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.

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.

Day 8

Departure

Take one final leisurely breakfast at your hotel, for today you’ll be saying goodbye to Turkmenistan after more than a week of adventure. Check out and transfer to the international airport via private transportation. Catch your onwards flight to your next destination of choice.

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city.  The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.  Yyldyz Hotel's facilities include a fully-fitted spa & beauty salon, sauna, fitness center, 2 indoor swimming pools, 1 outdoor pool with jacuzzi,  tennis courts and a volleyball court.  There are three on-site restaurants offering international fare, spread on the 18th and 19th floors, offering panoramic views of the city. There are also four bars , a tea room, and a disco club.

Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent

Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent


This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned. Constructed in 2010 by the Bouygues Construction Company to offer luxury accommodation, this hotel does not fail to deliver. All suites are well-appointed and boast rain showers and TVs in the bath. With three swimming pools, a tennis court, spa, nightclub and bar, the Sofitel provides a full five-star experience of Tajikistan.


Suggested Hotels For Days 2–4

Dayanch Hotel

Dayanch Hotel


Recently opened in 2011, the comfortable and modern Dayanch Hotel is easily accessed by car from the airport in Mary, Turkmenistan. The rooms sleep two, four, and eight people and all come with private bathrooms and the usual mod-cons. If guests have time to kill, there are enough activities at the Dayanch Hotel to keep everyone occupied for the day, with a sauna, bar, restaurant, and a cute little cafe with tables set inside colorful yurts (traditional tents). The hotel is located in the rural area of Sakarchaga and guests can find plenty of amenities such as local cafes and bars in the nearby area. There’s also several nearby households willing to open their doors for visitors to take a peek into their live craft workshops.


Margush Hotel

Margush Hotel


This three-star hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in the oasis city of Mary, which is situated in the Karakum Desert, on the Murghab River. Close to the ancient and famous ‘Murgab’ site, Margush Hotel offers 28 spacious guestrooms, all of which are relatively modern with this hotel only having opened in 2004. What really makes this hotel special is its interior design, such as the impressive white marble at the entrance and pastel tones featured throughout the rooms giving reference to the surrounding desert terrain of Turkmenistan. The hotel also boasts an excellent swimming pool, an all day restaurant serving local and international food, as well as a bar and fitness center.


Suggested Hotel For Day 5

Uzboy Hotel (Dashoguz)

Uzboy Hotel (Dashoguz)


Renovated in 2009, the two-star Uzboy Hotel is a basic yet convenient stop-off for tourists travelling through the Dashoguz region of Turkmenistan. Some of the most important historical monuments in the country are located nearby, such as the architecturally-impressive Kunya-Urgench, Butentau and scattered ruins of ancient settlements. Uzboy hotel offers a range of comfortable guestrooms, with basic amenities included such as en-suite bathrooms, furniture and air conditioning/heating. Elsewhere, guests can enjoy Uzboy’s on-site bar and restaurant and shop that sells local souvenirs and crafts. There is also an indoor swimming pool and a beauty salon open for all guests. There is Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel at a small extra cost.


Suggested Hotels For Day 6

Charlak Hotel

Charlak Hotel


Charlak Hotel is a modern four-star hotel, popular with business guests and travelers making their way through the Turkmenbashi region of Turkmenistan. Meaning ‘seagull’ in local dialect (a reference to the nearby Caspian Sea), Charlak Hotel features a refreshing blue and white theme throughout, with generous helpings of glass and marble found across the lobby, dining venues and range of 80 guestrooms. All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms with large bathtubs, telephones, satellite TV, writing desk, a fully-stocked mini-bar, a safe, and each comes with its own private balcony overlooking the sea or city. As well as high-standard rooms, the hotel also features an all-day restaurant, bar, disco, gym, swimming pool, fitness room, tennis court, billiard room, gift shop and currency exchange office.  


Turkmenbashy Hotel

Turkmenbashy Hotel


This comfortable three-star hotel presents an ideal stop-off for guests travelling to this historic city next to the Caspian Sea. Built in 2001, this was the first luxury hotel to open in the region. Each of the 90 guestrooms at the Turkmenbashy Hotel come with a whole host of modern conveniences that one would expect with any quality hotel, including ultra-comfy beds, satellite television and air conditioning as standard. Guests have two different outdoor swimming pools and one indoor to choose from, and the hotel also boasts its own restaurant, bar, fitness room, sauna, disco, gift shop, billiards room, beauty salon and massage room. The towering structure has an impressive design from the outside, and is set against a stunning backdrop with mountains in the background and the Caspian Sea just in front of the hotel’s entrance.


Suggested Hotels For Day 7

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city.  The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport.  Yyldyz Hotel's facilities include a fully-fitted spa & beauty salon, sauna, fitness center, 2 indoor swimming pools, 1 outdoor pool with jacuzzi,  tennis courts and a volleyball court.  There are three on-site restaurants offering international fare, spread on the 18th and 19th floors, offering panoramic views of the city. There are also four bars , a tea room, and a disco club.

Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent

Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent


This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned. Constructed in 2010 by the Bouygues Construction Company to offer luxury accommodation, this hotel does not fail to deliver. All suites are well-appointed and boast rain showers and TVs in the bath. With three swimming pools, a tennis court, spa, nightclub and bar, the Sofitel provides a full five-star experience of Tajikistan.


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