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Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, hailed as the weirdest country in the world, is once again welcoming visitors after several years of closed borders. We have the privilege of being among the first to set foot in this fascinating land, and we are eager to explore its capital, Ashgabat, with its lavish buildings of gold and marble, exuberant landmarks, and bizarre monuments. With 80% of the country covered by desert, we look forward to savoring the beauty of its vast and arid landscapes. And, of course, the highlight of our trip is spending a night at the Gates of Hell! Rumors say that Darvaza Crater, the fiery crater of natural gas, may be closed to visitors soon, making this a rare opportunity to witness its blazing spectacle up close. Would we really want to miss such a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
Take your adventure to the next level by combining this expedition with our STANs Expedition (June 1st-8th, 2025). Don’t miss the chance to explore the heart of Central Asia!
- Trip dates: May 27th - 31st 2025
- 5 days
- 4 nights
itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Mary & Merv
- The expedition starts after our arrival flight in Ashgabat and we’ll drive to Mary. Here, history comes alive amidst ancient ruins and storied sites as we explore its historical treasures, culminating in an unforgettable visit to the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Overnight: Mary
Day 2: Old Nisa & Darwaza Gas Crater
- We will fly (or drive) back to Ashgabat and from there visit the Nisa archaeological site, which was the third capital of the Parthians. We will explore the Old Nisa Fortress and continue to the Turkmenbashy Mosque. In the afternoon, we will switch to 4WD vehicles and depart for the Karakum Desert, where we will explore the Central Karakum sands and stop for photos. We will then arrive at the ancient Unguz line of the desert and visit the old gas craters. Afterward, we will enter the sands of the desert, follow the tracks, and arrive at the Fiery Gas Crater, where we will see the gas crater at sunset and nighttime. We will camp in the area and have a picnic dinner.
- Overnight: Camp/Yurts at Darwaza Gas Crater
Day 3: Return to Ashgabat
- We will return to Ashgabat and, in the afternoon, start our visit to this unique marble city. We will visit the Wedding Palace for amazing sunset views of the city.
- Overnight: Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat
Day 4: City Tour in Ashgabat
- After breakfast, we will explore the unique charm of Ashgabat by visiting its main landmarks, including the Ruhnama Monument, the Constitution Monument, the Neutrality Monument, and the Alem Center, which features the largest indoor Ferris wheel offering stunning panoramic views of the city. This will allow us to fully experience the city’s distinctive character and attractions.
- Overnight: Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat
Day 5: Fly Out
- We end the expedition and fly out very early in the morning on flights to Istanbul or Dubai. And you can combine this Expedition with our STANS Expedition too,
Included
Not included
Hotels
Shared rooms in: Last 2 nights: Hotel Yyldyz: Best hotel in Ashgabat (5 stars) with fast unblocked wifi. 3star & 4star hotel in Mary. Camping/Yurts in Darvaza crater.Transport
Private van, or 4WD and driver.Domestic Flights
All local/domestic transportation is included.Entrance Fees
All entrance fees to sites on your itinerary.Permits, Clearances and Visa Approval
We'll apply for your tourist visa so you can pick it up on arrival, as well as all the necessary permits and clearances for your visit.Meals
All breakfasts are included. Some meals where we don't have any other options will be included for our ease: dinner in Darvaza.
May 27th – 31st 2025
Our Selection Process takes only 10 minutes and it helps us create the best travel family!
FAQ
HOW DO I GET A VISA FOR TURKMENISTAN?
We will arrange your letter of invitation and registration so you can easily pick up your visa on arrival at the airport in Ashgabat.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET THERE?
Wander Expedition doesn’t book flights for you and is ultimately not responsible for your flight connection, but we can offer guidance and support when you research the best options for you.
You will be flying to and from Ashgabat.
IS TURKMENISTAN SAFE?
Turkmenistan is one of the safest destinations we’ve traveled to in Wander Expedition! It’s a fantastic first experience in Central Asia for those of you that want to explore the most secluded side of this region.
WHO IS THIS EXPEDITION FOR?
This Expedition is for everyone looking to have a fun time, explore an off the beaten path country, make new travel friends and memorable travel stories. Turkmenistan is the perfect combination of stunning raw outdoors, weird modern monuments and cities and rich Central Asian culture. It’s also one of our most affordable Expeditions and a great opportunity to experience this closed off land!
WHAT IS THE PRICE?
Wander Expeditions is not a traditional travel agency where the first to pay is the first to go. We take you to stunning destinations, but we know the people you share it with is even more important when you travel. That’s why we have a refined selection process where we filter and vet candidates to ensure that groups are fun, balanced, diverse and interesting! We make sure candidates are on the same page and share our values of being fun, flexible and fearless, so we can guarantee everyone will have an amazing experience. We create travel families, so #trusttheprocess. Halfway through our process, we share the price with all pre-selected applicants. It only takes 15 min to apply, so you literally have nothing to lose! What are you waiting for to join the Wander Fam?
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