Turkmenistan Tours & Packages
Turkmenistan Tours
With Turkmenistan Tours you will discover Turkmenistan an an unprecedented region, with vast deserts, large avenues, and historical and natural sights unrivaled anywhere else. From Darvaza Gas Crater to the breathtaking architecture of Ashgabat, our best Turkmenistan tours take you everywhere.
Turkmenistan has a long tradition on the Silk Road, when caravans crossing the vast Karakum Desert will stop at oasis cities like Merv. However, most of the local population led a nomadic life, wandering through the desert (the famed Akhal-Teke horses were admired for their speed and stamina in the desert) (the famous Akhal-Teke horses were prized for their speed and endurance in the desert). After being the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, Turkmenistan became independent in 1991, and with plenty of natural gas reserves, the country soon grew (the Darvaza Gas Crater is one such gas field) (the Darvaza Gas Crater is one such gas field).
Whether you start with the modern streets of Ashgabat, or the ruins of ancient Merv, or the prehistoric and unchanging Karakum Desert, booking the best Turkmenistan tour is an option you won’t regret. Samarkand Tours Operator’s years of experience with the best guides, restaurants, and hotels means that your journey to Turkmenistan is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
Compare our service prices from multiple suppliers and book your low-cost tour deal today! Samarkand Tours Operator guarantees the best rates for all Turkmenistan tours and services!
Top selling Turkmenistan Tour Packages:
Turkmenistan Tour Packages
Turkmenistan tour packages provides you to visit Turkmenistan, an eclectic nation that oozes tradition and quirkiness, with warm people who enjoying offering a friendly hand to tourists (even though the government is much less effusive) (even if the government is somewhat less effusive). Visit this peculiar nation to forge a route through windswept deserts and jagged mountains, through aromatic spice bazaars, along the ancient Silk Road, all the while witnessing the distinctive faces of Central Asia.
Turkmenistan Cultural Tours
Turkmenistan Classic Tours
Turkmenistan Day Tours
Testimonials about trip to Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan Holiday Information
Turkmenistan at a glance
Capital city: | Ashgabat (population 695,000) |
Population: | 5.1 million |
Language: | Turkmen, Russian, Uzbek |
Currency: | TMT |
Time zone: | (GMT+05:00) Ekaterinburg |
Electricity: | Type B (American 3-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth) |
Dialing code: | +993 |
Geography and environment
Over 80% of Turkmenistan’s land mass is covered by the Karakum Desert, which stretches from west to east for 880 km. Consequently, the landscape is dominated by undulating sandy desert dunes, with low mountains to the south and south-east, and the Caspian Sea running the length of the western fringe. Turkmenistan shares borders with Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the east, Afghanistan to the southeast and Iran to the south.
Further reading
Title | Author |
Love me Turkmenistan | Nicolas Righetti |
Turkmenistan Bradt Travel Guide | Paul Brummell |
Chai Budesh? Anyone for Tea?: A Peace Corps Memoir of Turkmenistan | Joan Heron |
Unknown Sands | John Kropf |
Ghost Wars | Steve Coll |
Best time to visit Turkmenistan

With a dry, subtropical desert climate, Turkmenistan earns the rank as Central Asia’s hottest country. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) are the ideal times to visit, as this is when weather conditions are the most comfortable. During summer – particularly July and August – the mercury can tip up to 50 degrees Celsius on a regular basis, while winters can get very cold, down to freezing in some parts of the north.
Top 5 top things banned by president
1. Music
Listening to car radios, lip-synching and recorded music were all prohibited as he believed they stifled the natural creative talents of Turkmen.
2. TV Newswomen Wearing Make-up
Banned in 2004, because he believed Turkmen women were beautiful enough already without make-up. (Although, some reports claim this was actually because he was struggling to tell the difference between the male and female newsreaders!)
3. Gold Teeth
Banned in April 2004 – instead Niyazov decreed the youth of Turkmenistan should chew on bones to preserve their teeth, in the same way dogs do.
4. Opera, Ballet and the Circus
Banned in 2001 for being unnecessary and ‘decidedly un-Turkmen-like’.
5. Dogs in Ashgabat
Banished from the streets of the capital as a result of their ‘unappealing odour’.
Health and Safety
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
From Canada?
Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/
From UK?
Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
From New Zealand?
Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
From US?
Go to: http://travel.state.gov/
The World Health Organisation
also provides useful health information. Go to: http://www.who.int/en/
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Turkmenistan Travel FAQs
Do I need a visa to travel to Turkmenistan?
TURKMENISTAN
All travellers to Turkmenistan require a visa. A Letter of Invitation (LOI) is also required before you can apply for the visa. We recommend all travellers plan to receive a Visa on Arrival at either the airport or land border, depending on your itinerary. Please follow the instructions below to have your LOI for visa on arrival issued before you travel.To apply for your LOI we require the following:
– clear, colour scan of the photo page of your passport
– digital copy of a colour passport photo (not a scan of a printed photo)
– Turkmen LOI Application form (please contact your booking agent)After submitting these documents to your booking agent our local partners will process your LOI. This service is included in your trip cost. We advise that you apply for your LOI no later than 3 months before your trip to allow time for processing. Turkmenistan LOIs are processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkmenistan and usually take around 4 weeks to be processed, with up to 6 weeks in peak travel season not uncommon. We strongly suggest submitting all documents no later than 2 months before arrival in order to allow sufficient time for processing.
NOTES:
– Independent travel in Turkmenistan is not permitted and your visa will only be valid for as long as tour services (including accommodation, guides, transport etc) are provided.
– Make sure you have a print out of your LOI before boarding your flight or leaving for your trip.
– You will need to complete a migration card and pay a US$12 migration fee ($10 fee plus $2 admin charge) on arrival in Turkmenistan.
– You will need 2 printed passport photos for your leader to submit to the migration office after your arrival in country.CUSTOMS:
– A number of medications containing tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other similar constituent component are banned in Turkmenistan and are considered narcotic drugs. Do not bring any medications containing these drugs into the country.
Is tipping customary in Turkmenistan?
Tipping isn’t customary in Turkmenistan.
What is the internet access like in Turkmenistan?
Internet access is available in all large towns at state-run internet cafes. Free wi-fi is sometimes available, although may be also be charged in some places. All internet access is via the state-run domain so emails may be monitored and many websites (including social media like Facebook and Twitter) are blocked.
Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in Turkmenistan?
Roaming agreements are in place with some international phone companies, however mobile phone coverage is mostly limited to Ashgabat. Remember to activate global roaming with your service provider before leaving home.
What are the toilets like in Turkmenistan?
Turkmenistan has a mix of squat toilets and flushable toilets. As a developing nation, expect to adjust to different levels of sanitation. Always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser as these are rarely provided.
What will it cost for a…?
Soft drink = 3-4 TMT
Bottle of imported beer = 5-6 TMT
Simple lunch = 15-20 TMT
Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = 35-45 TMT
Can I drink the water in Turkmenistan?
Tap water isn’t considered safe for tourists to drink and you should also be careful when eating salads and other uncooked foods that may have been washed in water, avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Ask your leader and accommodation provider for local advice on where drinking water can be accessed.
Are credit cards accepted widely in Turkmenistan?
Credit card usage – including cash advances – is only available in Ashgabat, and even then, mostly in hotels. Large hotels, restaurants and tourist service providers generally accept credit cards, but expect smaller operators and shops to accept cash only.
What is ATM access like in Turkmenistan?
ATMs are difficult to find, even in Ashgabat. If travelling through rural and remote areas, be aware that there will be no ATM access. Most ATMs are only of use to locals and do not accept foreign cards.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling in Turkmenistan?
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Samarkand Tours Operator are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
What public holidays are celebrated in Turkmenistan?
- 1 Jan New Year
- 12 Jan Memorial Day
- 19 Feb National Flag Day
- 8 Mar International Women’s Day
- 21 Mar National Spring Holiday
- 22 Mar National Spring Holiday
- 9 May Victory Day
- 18 May Constitution Day
- 26 Jun Eid al-Fitr
- 2 Sep Eid al-Adha
- 3 Sep Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 4 Sep Eid al-Adha Holiday
- 6 Oct Day of Remembrance of the victims of the earthquake in 1948
- 27 Oct Independence Day
- 28 Oct Independence Day
- 12 Dec Neutrality Day
Please note these dates are for 2017. For a current list of public holidays in Turkmenistan go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/turkmenistan/public-holidays
Articles on Turkmenistan Travel
What to expect on a trip to Turkmenistan?
What to expect on a trip to Turkmenistan? The gateway to the Silk Road from the Middle East is distinct from the other ‘Stans’ in