A 12 Day Karakum Desert Exped Turkmenistan Tour – Expeds UK
Expeds International Turkmenistan83
Expeds International Turkmenistan32
Expeds International Turkmenistan81
Expeds International Turkmenistan125

Karakum Desert Exped Turkmenistan

from
£3,259

A culturally immersive road trip expedition through one of Asia’s hottest and spectacular terrains, the Karakum Desert Turkmenistan.

We’ll come across villages where we’ll stop for a glimpse of rural Turkmen life. Not only that, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn traditional local cooking methods. You will also enjoy tea inside a local family’s yurt.

We’ve specifically mixed this expedition styled package up with hotels and camping, enabling you to get the most out of your trip. The midnight clear skies are a spectacle in their own right. We will also have plenty of time to marvel at them over a few drinks by the fire!!

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  • Style Type
    4x4, Discovery
  • Level Moderate
    3/8
  • Group Size Medium Group
    2-8
All about the Karakum Desert Exped Turkmenistan.

A culturally immersive road trip expedition through one of Asias hottest and spectacular terrains … the Karakum Desert Turkmenistan.

We’ll come across villages where we’ll stop for a glimpse of rural Turkmen life. Not only that, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn traditional local cooking methods and sit down for tea inside a families yurt.

We’ve specifically mixed this expedition styled package up with hotels and camping, enabling you to get the most out of your trip. The midnight clear skies are a spectacle in their own right and we’ll have plenty of time to marvel at them over a few drinks by the fire!!

[route-map id=46863]


The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass)
  • All transfers and all other overland transport as per program per AC vehicles as in the table under “itinerary”
  • Domestic airline tickets (economy seats, Boeing 717 aircraft) as in the table under “itinerary”, 2 flights Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi and Mary – Ashgabat
  • Accommodation based on a twin-shared hotel room, including breakfast
  • Accommodation in private trekking tents, including breakfast 
  • Full board: Fixed meals (lunch and/or dinner)
  • English-speaking local guide-interpreter services as mentioned in the table under “guide” and cook for the days camping
  • Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the table under “program”
  • Bottled drinking water en route 1.5L  PPPD
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Turkmenistan tourist visa, from 120+2 USD per person, when obtained at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change)
  • Turkmenistan migration tax 10+2 USD per person, to be paid at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change)
  • Camera usage fees to historical parks and museums
  • Tips for local guides and drivers
  • Souvenirs and other personal items
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Included”
  1. Day 1 Arrival Ashgabat

    Arrival by evening flight xxx (depending on airline used). Transfer to hotel.

    Overnight in hotel.

  2. Day 2 Ashgabat Turkmenbashi

    0900h Departure from hotel lobby for city tour, including visits of Sunday Bazaar, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, Ferris Wheel, Wedding Palace Viewpoint and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. Transfer to airport for evening flight ETD 1920h-ETA 2020h to Turkmenbashi. Lunch and dinner in local café/restaurant.

    Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.

  3. Day 3 Turkmenbashi - Yangisuw

    Drive to Yangisuw Canyon. Rest day to explore Yangisuw area on foot. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents in Yangisuw area. 

  4. Day 4 Yangisuw - Gozli Ata

    Drive from Yangisuw to Yangikala Canyon. Time to explore the canyon area. Picnic lunch on the way. Late afternoon transfer to Gozli Ata pilgrim site. Dinner and overnight in common gender-shared rooms at pilgrim house.

  5. Day 5 Gozli Ata-Serdar

    Drive to Serdar Town via Balkanabad Town and with visit of Parau Bibi pilgrim site on the way. Picnic lunch and dinner in café/restaurant. Overnight in motel.

  6. Day 6 Serdar-Balishem

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Balishem desert village, partly along the ancient Uzboy River bed, and with visit of Ygdykala Parthian fortress remains on the way. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Balishem.

  7. Day 7 Balishem-Darwaza

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Darwaza gas crater.

    Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents at Darwaza.

  8. Day 8 Balishem-Darwaza

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Darwaza gas crater.

    Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents at Darwaza.

  9. Day 9 Darwaza-Murzachirla

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Murzachirla desert village, with visit of Damla village on the way. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Murzachirla.

  10. Day 10 Darwaza-Murzachirla

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Murzachirla desert village, with visit of Damla village on the way. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents near Murzachirla.

  11. Day 11 Murzachirla-Gonur Depe

    Drive through Karakum Desert to Gonur Depe archeological site. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents just outside the archeological park area.

  12. Day 12 Gonur Depe-Mary

    Drive to Mary town. Afternoon at leisure to visit town centre, bazaar, history museum. Lunch in local café, dinner in restaurant. Overnight in hotel.

  13. Day 13 MaryQ Ashgabat

    Morning visit of Merw (UNESCO) historical Silk Road park.

    Lunch in local café.

    Afternoon flight ETD 1700h-ETA 1740h to Ashgabat. Transfer to city. Overnight in hotel. Farewell dinner in local restaurant. City by night tour.

  14. Day 14 Departure Ashgabat

    Transfer to airport. Departure by flight xxx (depending on airline used).

JANSSEN REPRO Turkmenistan Route PLanner map NEW 230215 in JPEG (1)
Accommodation

A combination of Hotels rooms, Tents and Yurts enables you to fully immerse yourself in the rich culture that is of Turkmenistan.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance.
  • Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass)
  • All transfers and all other overland transport as per program per AC vehicles as in the table under “itinerary”
  • Domestic airline tickets (economy seats, Boeing 717 aircraft) as in the table under “itinerary”, 2 flights Ashgabat – Turkmenbashi and Mary – Ashgabat
  • Accommodation based on twin-shared hotel room, including breakfast as in the table under “accommodation”
  • Accommodation in private trekking tents, including breakfast as in the table under “accommodation”
  • Full board : Fixed meals (lunch and/or dinner) where indicated in table under “meals”
  • English-speaking local guide-interpreter services as mentioned in the table under “guide” and cook for the days camping
  • Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the table under “program”
  • Bottled drinking water en route 1,5l pppd
  • Turkmenistan tourist visa, from 120+2 USD per person, when obtained at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change)
  • Turkmenistan migration tax 10+2 USD per person, to be paid at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change)
  • Meals not indicated in above table
  • Camera usage fees to historical parks and museums
  • Tips for local guides and drivers
  • Souvenirs and other personal items
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Included”

Visas

The following information is subject to change. You should consult the Turkmen Embassy in London well in advance of your intended travel date. All visa applications made at Turkmen Embassies in the UK and overseas are referred to Ashgabat for a decision. This can take 20 days or more. There is an accelerated 24 hour service, but a supplementary fee of approximately US$150 will be charged.

British nationals need a visa to enter Turkmenistan. You will need a letter of invitation, certified by the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan, from a private individual or company to support your application. For tourists, these can be obtained from authorised travel agents. A list is available from the British Embassy in Ashgabat. Those travelling on business for the first time must obtain letters from relevant ministries, departments or companies they wish to co-operate with, unless the visit is made to attend an exhibition or other event, in which case the organiser normally provides visa support.

Without prior approval from the Turkmen authorities, it is not possible to enter Turkmenistan. It is possible to buy a visa on arrival at either Ashgabat airport or the ferry port at Turkmenbashi but only if you have approval from the Turkmenistan Migration Service before arrival. If you break your journey or try to enter Turkmenistan without the right visa you will face a long and uncomfortable wait in the offices of the Immigration Service at the airport or ferry port.

In addition to a visa fee, there are charges of up to US$150 for vehicles entering Turkmenistan by either land or sea. These can include elements for disinfection, an entry permit, insurance and a compensatory amount for fuel subsidies operating in Turkmenistan. The rate is changeable and varies depending on the entry point, the type of vehicle, its engine capacity and distance you intend to travel. All are payable in cash in US Dollars on entry.

If you are staying for more than 3 days you should register with the State Service of Turkmenistan for the Registration of Foreign Nationals.

Don’t overstay your visa.

All foreign nationals need a visa to transit Turkmenistan. You can be registered at entry and exit points if your stay is not longer than five days and you hold a valid transit visa. But you won’t be able to change your transit visa in-country, and you must notify the authorities if you intend to vary your route through the country.

If you intend to travel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan across the Caspian Sea you should be aware that it is not possible to buy a visa on arrival at Baku seaport. Make sure you have a valid visa to enter Azerbaijan if you take the ferry.

Dual nationality

Dual nationality isn’t recognised in Turkmenistan. If you enter Turkmenistan on a Turkmen passport and also hold British nationality the British Embassy can only provide very limited consular assistance. In cases of arrest or detention, consular access is unlikely to be granted.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa.

Registration

On arrival, you must pay a US$14 migration fee ($10 fee plus $4 Admin charge).

You must register within three days of arrival with the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan at their office at 57 Azadi Street, Ashgabat. Registration is for the period of the visa and may be carried out on your behalf. If you are not staying in Ashgabat, you should register at the local department of Migration Service instead.  You should bring two passport size photos. The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan will need a letter confirming your departure from Turkmenistan. A de-registration stamp in your passport is no longer required.

Non-compliance with these requirements could lead to prosecution and possible detention.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should contact the Turkmen Embassy in London for advice about the documents that will be required at immigration.

Travelling with medication

If you intend to enter Turkmenistan with medicines, whether prescription or non-prescription, you should check in advance the list of prohibited medicines and the legal quantities of medicines that are allowed into the country. If you’re in any doubt, check this with the Turkmen Embassy in London before you travel (telephone 020 7610 5239).

Substances of concern to the Turkmen authorities include but are not limited to tramadol, morphine, opiates or any other constituent competent that may be considered as a narcotic drug or psychotropic agent. Possession of these items can lead to administrative or criminal proceedings if you don’t have a prescription, or if you’re carrying more than you need for your visit and don’t declare them on arrival.

If you’re travelling with prescription medicines, you should carry a doctor’s prescription and declare the items on your customs declaration form. Some medicines that are non-prescription in the UK, including codeine, can cause problems on entry into Turkmenistan. Issues have been reported at both the international airport and land borders.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

You won’t be able to enter or transit Turkmenistan using a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD). If your ETD has been issued in Turkmenistan, you will need an exit visa from the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan or Department of Visa and Registration before you can travel out of Turkmenistan. This process can take up to 5 working days.

Turkmen border crossings can be subject to occasional and unannounced closures.

Please follow the link for the latest health advice

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