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Turkmenistan V

Apr 30th, 2025 May 4th, 2025

5 days · 4 nights

Wander Expeditions

Wander Expeditions

Verified Organization

5+ years group traveling

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?

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.

What this expedition offers

Hotels. Last 2 nights: Hotel Yyldyz: Best hotel in Ashgabat (5 stars) with fast unblocked wifi. Shared rooms in 3star & 4star hotels. Camping/Yurts in Darvaza crater.
Transport. Private van, or 4WD and driver.
Domestic Flights. All local 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 and Picnic lunch at Yangy Kala Canyon.

Things to know

5.0·123 reviews
L
Lucas
🇵🇹Portugal·1 expedition
·Stans VIII·2 days ago

This was my first time joining a group trip, and it turned out to be an unforgetable experience! The group was fantastic, which made the journey even better. The itinerary offered a perfect mix of adventure, culture and relaxation. Looking forward to repeat the experience in other destinations.

M
Mar "Cali"
🇪🇸Spain·2 expeditions
·Ghana, Togo & Benin IV·4 days ago

I think it is one of the best expeditions that you can do !

J
Jasmin
🇩🇪Germany·1 expedition
·Pakistan IV·6 days ago

Joined the Pakistan WE and it was awesome! The itinerary and of course the group made it to an incredible experience

T
Tahlia "Ouadane"
🇦🇺Australia·10 expeditions
·Antarctica I·11 days ago

I never imagined my Antarctica experience to be anything like this. I wouldn’t change a thing! Great itinerary, great boat and AMAZING group! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

S
Stef
🇳🇱Netherlands·1 expedition
·Socotra II·17 days ago

Incredible expedition! The itinerary was excellent, gorgeous hikes, incredible beaches, local experiences, you name it! We had a wonderful group which elevated the experience even further. Not a day goes by where I don't think about our time in Socotra. I'm really looking forward to joining another expedition in the future

C
Cristina
🇮🇹Italy·2 expeditions
·Eritrea & Djibouti I·18 days ago

My first expedition...great people, lot of fun and Alvaro was an amazing leader. Can't wait for the next expedition!

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