Our Turkmenistan vacations & tours
Desert camping, dinosaur footprints and colourful canyons that lead to the fabled shores of the Caspian Sea – our adventurous Turkmenistan vacations explore one of the lesser-visited ‘Stans, where ancient cultural traditions blend with awe-inspiring natural landscapes. You can spend a few days in key locations such as Ashgabat, Nisa and Dashoguz on one of our Silk Road epics, or take two weeks to enjoy Turkmenistan in detail. And there’s no better way to get to know this land of flaming gas craters and fortified citadels than with a local guide by your side. Our tours here will often feature a night in a welcoming Turkmen homestay, a fantastic opportunity to experience genuine family life while also benefiting a local community project.
Our top trips
Turkmenistan cultural tour, mysteries of the desert
From
£2995
15 days
ex flights
Deserts, dinosaur footprints and mysteries of the Silk Road
Small group2027: 24 Apr, 5 Sep, 2028: 22 Apr, 3 Sep
Turkmenistan small group vacation
From
£3099 to £3199
13 days
ex flights
Desert camping, bronze age sites and traditional culture
Small group2027: 5 Sep, 2028: 30 Apr, 3 Sep
Turkmenistan to Kyrgyzstan overland tour
From
£2291
30 days
ex flights
Overland camping adventure following ancient trading routes
Small group2027: 19 May
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan vacation, Silk Road explorer
From
£3565 to £3649
17 days
ex flights
Discover the fascinating ancient history of the Silk Road
Small group2027: 17 Apr, 4 Sep, 2028: 22 Apr, 2 Sep
Five Stans adventure tour, Silk Road odyssey
From
US $9949
4 weeks
ex flights
Epic Silk Road journey through Central Asia’s Five Stans.
Small group2027: 5 Jun, 3 Jul
Silk Road vacation, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
From
US $3290 to US $3400
13 days
ex flights
Discover the rich culture of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Small group2027: 1 May, 12 Jun, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 2 Oct
Silk Road vacation, five Stans of Central Asia
From
US $10964 to US $11385
29 days
ex flights
Journey through the 5 stans of Central Asia
Small group2027: 30 May, 6 Jun, 25 Jul, 12 Sep, 2028: 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 18 Jun, 9 Jul, 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep
Silk Road tour, cities of the Silk Road
From
US $5996 to US $6279
15 days
ex flights
Discover important cities of the old Silk Road
Small group2027: 21 Feb, 18 Mar, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 6 Jun, 5 Sep, 26 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 21 Nov, 21 Dec, 2028: 18 Mar, 9 Apr, 23 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 3 Sep, 25 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 19 Nov, 21 Dec
Hong Kong to Istanbul by train vacation
From
£8035 to £8395
22 days
ex flights
Journey from Hong Kong to Istanbul in 3 weeks by rail
Small group2027: 28 Apr, 11 Aug, 2028: 26 Apr, 9 Aug
See all our Turkmenistan vacationsContact Us
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Turkmenistan map & highlights
If you’re exploring Turkmenistan in depth, expect long drives. A two-week tour might include a few internal flights, but there will still be several road journeys of over 200km. Key roads between major centers are good, but step off these and roads are typically horribly potholed, requiring a 4x4. Border crossings can be painfully slow, too, so pack some patience. Organised tours, often in small groups, are the easiest way to explore the country. They include a private driver and vehicle, plus a guide, which all visitors on standard tourist visas have to be accompanied by. Most Turkmenistan trips include other countries, too. Allow a month to see all the other ’stans – Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – while a fortnight reveals some of the Silk Road’s highlights, adding cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan into a Turkmenistan itinerary.
Ashgabat
1. Ashgabat
Often described as bizarre, Ashgabat was rebuilt in the 1990s after the earthquake of 1948 which killed 110,000 people. White marble buildings, boulevards and fountains give it a Vegas feel, while its numerous monuments are futuristic. Visit the excellent National Museum, the Carpet Museum – see the world’s biggest carpet! – and the open-air Tolkuchka bazaar, which sells red Turkmen rugs and camels.
Darvaza gas crater
2. Darvaza gas crater
In the midst of the magically bleak Karakam desert, the Darvaza gas crater has been nicknamed ‘the door to hell’. The origin of this 30m-deep pit of flaming methane is shrouded in mystery, but it’s been burning for some 40 years. Camp here to appreciate its bizarre glowing beauty and heat at night, when passing birds circle above, attracted by its searchlight beam.
Konye-Urgench
3. Konye-Urgench
This ancient capital of the land of Khorezm was once the center of the Islamic world. The old town contains incredible architecture, with a series of monuments from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60m minaret. The city’s influence spread into Iran and Afghanistan, even shaping the architecture of the Mughal Empire of 16th century India.
Kugitang Mountains
4. Kugitang Mountains
Near the border with Uzbekistan, the western slopes of the Kugitang Mountains are a nature reserve with a unique ecosystem. Deep canyons and mountains with walnut, maple and juniper forests are home to rare mountain sheep and markhour, an endangered mountain goat, while the Dinosaur Plateau contains more than 400 dinosaur footprints. Hike to the Umbar Dere waterfall and the Kyrk Kyz pilgrim cave.
Merv
5. Merv
Near the city of Mary, the Silk Road metropolis of Merv dates back 2,500 years. In the 12th century, at its height, it was a place of palaces, irrigation channels and fertile gardens. By the 1220s, though, it had been destroyed by the Mongols, with an estimated 700,000 deaths. Today its windswept ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site, consisting of five walled cities from different periods.
Nisa
6. Nisa
Nisa, 18km southwest of Ashgabat, was capital of the Parthian Empire, one of the most powerful and influential civilisations of the ancient world, from the 3rd century BCE to 3rd century AD. A city of fortresses, palaces and temples, it formed a barrier to Roman expansion and was a crucial trading center at the crossroads of north and south, east and west.
Latest reviews
4.2
38Turkmenistan vacations reviews
Sally Williams19 Oct 2026
5 Stars at least. The 3 week trip to the '5 Stans' was amazing! We couldn't point to any single highlight as the 5 countries were completely different and unexpected new experiences every day.read more
Michael Whitehouse14 Oct 2026
This was a terrific experience and one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys the journey as much as the destination.read more
Vaughan Wilton23 Sep 2026
An excellent vacation, adventuring into new places. Seeing a variety of different countries and lifestyles. Our yurt stay was particularly a highlight due to the location.read more
Carol Lukins26 May 2026
Amazing, fantastic, epic. Would I recommend it. Yes, definitely. Would I recommend the operator. Yes, definitely.read more
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