Overview
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
Asia
10 days
9 nights
12 people
Moderate
History & Culture
On this sweeping, eclectic adventure through Turkmenistan, marvel at the towering white-marble structures of Ashgabat, roam through barren deserts and a world-class canyon, and spend the night camped out beside the flaming Gates of Hell. For 10 action-packed days, we’ll zig-zag around Turkmenistan to experience Soviet relics, and Sufi shrines, and relax in the seaside city of Turkmenbashi, named for the controversial former president. The top highlight: a night in the desert spent sleeping alongside a crater that has been continuously burning for nearly 50 years—the most beautiful accident ever created by well-meaning Soviet geologists.
Hidden Wonders: Journey to the Gates of Hell, a flaming crater in the middle of the desert that few outside visitors get to see.
Special Access: Get welcomed inside a private farm where fabled Akhal-Teke horses are bred.
Travel with Purpose: Support grassroots enterprises during cooking classes, carpet-weaving demonstrations, and more in a country where such local projects rarely get the benefit of tourism dollars.
Please note: The places we visit in Turkmenistan are subject to occasional closure by the government on short notice. Your trip leader and our team on the ground in Turkmenistan will alter plans as needed. Flexibility and a sense of adventure are essential for anyone traveling to Turkmenistan.
Highlights
- Enjoy a traditional Turkmen shashlik dinner beside the flaming Gates of Hell.
- Get special access to a private farm where fabled Akhal-Teke horses are bred.
- Tour the stunningly preserved ancient ruins of Merv, once one of the biggest cities of the ancient world.
- Support grassroots enterprises during cooking classes, carpet-weaving demonstrations, and more in a country where such local projects rarely get the benefit of tourism dollars.
- Explore breathtaking Yangykala Canyon, a rival to North America’s Grand Canyon.
- Uncover the old Soviet charm, narrow alleys, and crumbling 19th century houses of Ashgabat.
Epic city structures, desert landscapes & local tea at nomadic settlements.
Day 1
Welcome to Ashgabat
Arrive in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital that’s been described as ‘Las Vegas meets Pyongyang.’ Catch a private transfer from the airport, and take some time to rest in your hotel after your long journey. Meet with your new travel friends in the late afternoon, and after a short briefing about the region and the route, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner that will serve as a delicious introduction to the traditional cuisine of the region.
Welcome to Ashgabat
Arrive in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital that’s been described as ‘Las Vegas meets Pyongyang.’ Catch a private transfer from the airport, and take some time to rest in your hotel after your long journey. Meet with your new travel friends in the late afternoon, and after a short briefing about the region and the route, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner that will serve as a delicious introduction to the traditional cuisine of the region.
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Welcome Dinner
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Welcome Dinner
Day 2
Exploring Ashgabat
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll spend the day touring Ashgabat, a brave new world of marble skyscrapers and totalitarian monuments. Among the towering shapes, imposing statues, and futuristic environs of the city you'll also uncover old Soviet charm, dusty narrow alleys, crumbling 19th-century Russian houses, and lively bazaars, reminding us that even under the shadow of postmodern totalitarianism, poignant remnants remain of the USSR. There’ll be some free time in the late afternoon to explore on your own before we reconvene for dinner.
Exploring Ashgabat
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll spend the day touring Ashgabat, a brave new world of marble skyscrapers and totalitarian monuments. Among the towering shapes, imposing statues, and futuristic environs of the city you'll also uncover old Soviet charm, dusty narrow alleys, crumbling 19th-century Russian houses, and lively bazaars, reminding us that even under the shadow of postmodern totalitarianism, poignant remnants remain of the USSR. There’ll be some free time in the late afternoon to explore on your own before we reconvene for dinner.
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Mary and Merv
This morning you’ll leave the steel-glass-and-concrete cityscapes of Ashgabat behind and head to Mary, an oasis town located in the Karakum Desert. After a quick visit to Mary’s archetypically Soviet downtown, you’ll tour the stunningly preserved ancient ruins of UNESCO-listed Merv. Once one of the biggest cities in the world, spend the entire day touring the historical sights and hearing the ancient legends of Merv. Marvel at the towering medieval kalas (fortresses), and splendidly preserved Islamic mausoleums, and gaze at the rickety minarets of some of the earliest mosques of the region. In the evening, travel back to Ashgabat, where you’ll enjoy dinner in a traditional local restaurant.
Mary and Merv
This morning you’ll leave the steel-glass-and-concrete cityscapes of Ashgabat behind and head to Mary, an oasis town located in the Karakum Desert. After a quick visit to Mary’s archetypically Soviet downtown, you’ll tour the stunningly preserved ancient ruins of UNESCO-listed Merv. Once one of the biggest cities in the world, spend the entire day touring the historical sights and hearing the ancient legends of Merv. Marvel at the towering medieval kalas (fortresses), and splendidly preserved Islamic mausoleums, and gaze at the rickety minarets of some of the earliest mosques of the region. In the evening, travel back to Ashgabat, where you’ll enjoy dinner in a traditional local restaurant.
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Turkmenbashi
This morning, take a short flight to Turkmenbashi, a lively seaside town on the shores of the Caspian Sea. We spend the day exploring the unique blend of Moresque and soviet-era architecture before taking in the picturesque views of Krasnovodsk Bay. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on the beach, observing local fishermen, visiting the seafood market and finally having dinner at the Pyongyang-meets-Las-Vegas Awaza resort area.
Turkmenbashi
This morning, take a short flight to Turkmenbashi, a lively seaside town on the shores of the Caspian Sea. We spend the day exploring the unique blend of Moresque and soviet-era architecture before taking in the picturesque views of Krasnovodsk Bay. Enjoy a lazy afternoon on the beach, observing local fishermen, visiting the seafood market and finally having dinner at the Pyongyang-meets-Las-Vegas Awaza resort area.
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Basic Hotel, or similar, Turkmenbashi
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Special note
As with other places we visit in Turkmenistan, Awaza is occasionally closed to foreigners by the government.
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Basic Hotel, or similar, Turkmenbashi
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Special note
Day 5
Yangykala
Depart from Turkmenbashi early this morning and head to the Yangykala Canyon, a stunningly wide geological landscape that rivals its more famous American counterpart, the Grand Canyon. With bands of pink, red, and yellow rock searing across the sides of steep walls, Yangykala is a breathtaking sight and one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Central Asia. Continue to Balkanabat, a quintessentially Soviet town in the barren badlands of western Turkmenistan. En route to Balkanabat, we stop to explore the Turkmen outposts of of Ak-Guyy and Olangly to observe some of the traditional back country way of life.
Yangykala
Depart from Turkmenbashi early this morning and head to the Yangykala Canyon, a stunningly wide geological landscape that rivals its more famous American counterpart, the Grand Canyon. With bands of pink, red, and yellow rock searing across the sides of steep walls, Yangykala is a breathtaking sight and one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Central Asia. Continue to Balkanabat, a quintessentially Soviet town in the barren badlands of western Turkmenistan. En route to Balkanabat, we stop to explore the Turkmen outposts of of Ak-Guyy and Olangly to observe some of the traditional back country way of life.
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Nebitchi Hotel, or similar, Balkanabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Nebitchi Hotel, or similar, Balkanabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6
Nokhur and Saparmurat Hajji Mosque
In the morning we begin our overland journey back to Ashgabat as we travel through the remote Nokhur region, famous for its picturesque villages and traditional architecture. You’ll wander around remote Nokhur, a picturesque village famous for its unique culture and the peculiar language of its inhabitants. As we reach Ashgabat, we stop in Gokdepe to visit the spectacular Saparmurat Hajji Mosque. From the mosque you’ll proceed to a private stud farm, to see the fabled Akhal-Teke horses. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, enjoy dinner as a group.
Nokhur and Saparmurat Hajji Mosque
In the morning we begin our overland journey back to Ashgabat as we travel through the remote Nokhur region, famous for its picturesque villages and traditional architecture. You’ll wander around remote Nokhur, a picturesque village famous for its unique culture and the peculiar language of its inhabitants. As we reach Ashgabat, we stop in Gokdepe to visit the spectacular Saparmurat Hajji Mosque. From the mosque you’ll proceed to a private stud farm, to see the fabled Akhal-Teke horses. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, enjoy dinner as a group.
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Dashoguz and Konye-Urgench
Board a flight to Dashoguz this morning, a frontier town with a diverse population and the main gateway to the ancient city of Konye-Urgench. Spend the day exploring this epic Silk Road hub and its Soviet-era architecture and sights.
Dashoguz and Konye-Urgench
Board a flight to Dashoguz this morning, a frontier town with a diverse population and the main gateway to the ancient city of Konye-Urgench. Spend the day exploring this epic Silk Road hub and its Soviet-era architecture and sights.
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Dashoguz Hotel, or similar, Dashoguz
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Breakfast, Lunch
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Dashoguz Hotel, or similar, Dashoguz
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Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Dashoguz & The Gates of Hell
After a quick drive around Dashoguz, stock up on food at the lively central bazaar. You’ll then start your adventure across the mythical sands of the Karakum Desert towards the most famous sight in the country: the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as "The Gates to Hell." While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas, leaving a hole 200 feet wide and 66 feet deep. The geologists decided to burn it off, hoping the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days. The gas is still burning. As night falls, you’ll admire the spectacular view of the glowing gas crater and enjoy a shashlik dinner around its edge.
Dashoguz & The Gates of Hell
After a quick drive around Dashoguz, stock up on food at the lively central bazaar. You’ll then start your adventure across the mythical sands of the Karakum Desert towards the most famous sight in the country: the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as "The Gates to Hell." While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas, leaving a hole 200 feet wide and 66 feet deep. The geologists decided to burn it off, hoping the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days. The gas is still burning. As night falls, you’ll admire the spectacular view of the glowing gas crater and enjoy a shashlik dinner around its edge.
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Darvaza Camping Site
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Special note
Please note that a single supplement is subject to availability and not guaranteed while staying in the Darvaza Yurts.
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Darvaza Camping Site
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Special note
Day 9
Back to Ashgabat
After a picnic-style breakfast at the camp, you’ll slowly head back to Ashgabat, traveling through a classic desert landscape of moving dunes, camel caravans, nomadic settlements, and ramshackle Soviet outposts. After a reinvigorating rest at the hotel pool in Ashgabat, you’ll drive to Kipchak to visit the shining Turkmenbashi Mosque, where the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006, the notorious Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov, rests beside his family. While in office, Niyazov banned lip syncing, exiled all dogs from Ashgabat, and renamed the month of September after a largely nonsensical book he wrote. After wrapping your head around these feats you’ll head back to Ashgabat for your final delicious Turkmen dinner.
Back to Ashgabat
After a picnic-style breakfast at the camp, you’ll slowly head back to Ashgabat, traveling through a classic desert landscape of moving dunes, camel caravans, nomadic settlements, and ramshackle Soviet outposts. After a reinvigorating rest at the hotel pool in Ashgabat, you’ll drive to Kipchak to visit the shining Turkmenbashi Mosque, where the president of Turkmenistan from 1990 to 2006, the notorious Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov, rests beside his family. While in office, Niyazov banned lip syncing, exiled all dogs from Ashgabat, and renamed the month of September after a largely nonsensical book he wrote. After wrapping your head around these feats you’ll head back to Ashgabat for your final delicious Turkmen dinner.
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
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Yyldyz Hotel, or similar, Ashgabat
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Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10
Farewell & Departure
Enjoy one last lavish Turkmen-style breakfast together, then we’ll take care of your transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Depart for home or perhaps set off for another unique destination in the region. Until next time!
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Breakfast
What is included?
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Accommodations throughout the trip.
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Most meals (as described in the itinerary).
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Transportation (as described in the itinerary), including airport transfers.
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Admission/entry to activities (as described in the itinerary).
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AO Trip Leader throughout the trip.
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Special access to AO places and experiences (as described in the itinerary).
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All gratuities (not including AO Trip Leader).
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Special access to unique places and extraordinary experiences
What is not included?
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Flights to and from destination.
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Pre/Post trip accommodations.
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Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
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Visas and passport fees.
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Meals outside of those described (including most alcoholic beverages).
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AO Trip Leader tip.
Additional info
Pricing & Trip Deposit
Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.
Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.
Pricing & Trip Deposit
Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.
Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.
Traveling Solo?
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost:
2024 departures: $750 USD per person
2025 departures: $770 USD per person
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Please note that a single supplement is subject to availability and not guaranteed on Day 8 when staying in the Darvaza Yurts.
Traveling Solo?
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost:
2024 departures: $750 USD per person
2025 departures: $770 USD per person
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Please note that a single supplement is subject to availability and not guaranteed on Day 8 when staying in the Darvaza Yurts.
Arrival & Departure
You should plan to arrive by 2 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 10. Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) connects to a range of flight hubs in Asia and Europe. The best flight connections to Ashgabat are offered by Turkmenistan Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Arrival & Departure
You should plan to arrive by 2 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 10. Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) connects to a range of flight hubs in Asia and Europe. The best flight connections to Ashgabat are offered by Turkmenistan Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Activity Level
Travelers should be reasonably fit and feel comfortable walking three to five miles over the course of each day, and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. We’ll be spending a good amount of time outside and in rural areas, walking up and down stairs, and on dirt paths. We’ll also spend a night camping out in the desert.
Activity Level
Travelers should be reasonably fit and feel comfortable walking three to five miles over the course of each day, and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. We’ll be spending a good amount of time outside and in rural areas, walking up and down stairs, and on dirt paths. We’ll also spend a night camping out in the desert.
Have more questions?
Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip or our general FAQs.
Any questions about this trip? Don't hesitate to reach out
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Call us at +1 833-919-9154
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Send us a
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Have a question for us about Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell? We're here to help!
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Trip inquiry
Have a question for us about Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell? We're here to help!
-
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
-
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.