I am interested in booking a tour to Turkmenistan in May 2024. There is only one qualifying detail: I am travelling around the world without flying. I would like to join the tour from either the Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan border and leave from one or the other also. Is this possible?

I am open to joining the tour if it is in German, as your itinerary looks ideal to me. As I mentioned, because I am travelling without flying I am planning on entering and leaving the country overland. Is this something you can accommodate? I realise Turkmenistan has strict requirements concerning foreigners movements within the country, so I would be looking at doing this with your company, if possible. I defer to your experience and advice, of course.

Round Trip to a Desert Land Full of Secrets

15 days

•

Start and end in Ashgabat

4.0

21 traveler reviews

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Operator: DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen
Explorer: Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in German
Group Size 4 - 12
All Ages Welcome

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Ashgabat
Day 2
Ashgabat
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Sightseeing tour of Ashgabat
- Visit Altyn Asyr Grand Bazaar
- Visit Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- View Arch of Neutrality
- Visit Independence Park
Optional Activities
- Photo permit at Nisa (12 manat)
- Video permit at Nisa (12 manat)
Landmarks
Altyn Asyr Grand Bazaar
Nisa
Arch of Neutrality
Independence Park
Day 3
Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi
Meals
Dinner (Dinner box)
Included Activities
- Visit Akhal-Tekkin stud farm
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Russian Bazaar
- Visit Ertogrul Gazi Mosque
- Overnight train journey Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi in sleeping car
Optional Activities
- Short guided test ride on Akhal-Tekkin horses
- Photo permit at museum (50 manat)
- Video permit at museum (50 manat)
Landmarks
National Museum
Russian Bazaar
Ertogrul Gazi Mosque
Day 4
Turkmenbashi to Yangisuw Canyon
Meals
Breakfast (Breakfast in a lovely restaurant with a view of the Caspian Sea)
Included Activities
- Breakfast with Caspian Sea view
- Visit Orthodox church
- Visit local bazaar
- Visit Awaza tourist resort
- Off-road vehicle drive to Yangisuw Canyon
- Hike through Yangisuw Canyon (approximately 1 hour, 3 km)
Optional Activities
- Purchase Turkmen snacks at bazaar
Landmarks
Yangisuw Canyon
Awaza
Day 5
Yangisuw Canyon to Gözli-Ata
Included Activities
- Visit Yangikala Canyon
- Hike through Yangikala Canyon (approximately 1-2 hours, 4-5 km)
- Drive to Gözli-Ata pilgrimage site
Landmarks
Yangikala Canyon
Gözli-Ata
Day 6
Gözli-Ata to Balkanabat
Included Activities
- Visit Kemal Ata pilgrimage site
- Explore Valley of Balls (approximately 1 hour, 2 km hike)
Optional Activities
- Visit Mushroom Rocks
Landmarks
Kemal Ata
Valley of Balls
Mushroom Rocks
Day 7
Balkanabat to Gyzylarbat
Included Activities
- Visit ancient mud volcano Boyadag
- Hike to Boyadag (approximately 2-3 hours, 5 km, 130 m elevation change)
- Visit Dehistan ruins
Optional Activities
- Visit Moon Mountains of Karakala
Landmarks
Boyadag
Dehistan
Karakala Moon Mountains
Day 8
Serdar to Balishem
Included Activities
- Drive through Karakum Desert from Serdar to Garabogaz
- Travel along Uzboy River bed to Ygdykala fortress ruins
- Stroll through oasis at sunset near Balishem
Optional Activities
- Accept invitation to a yurt and try fermented camel milk
Landmarks
Ygdykala Fortress
Uzboy River
Karakum Desert
Day 9
Balishem Oasis to Darwaza
Included Activities
- Drive through Karakum Desert
- Visit Darvaza gas crater (Crater of Fire)
Optional Activities
- View fire crater from mountain at sunset
Landmarks
Darvaza Gas Crater
Day 10
Darwaza to Murzachirla
Included Activities
- Visit Damla oasis and village
Landmarks
Damla Oasis
Day 11
Murzachirla to Gonur Tepe
Included Activities
- Visit Gonur Tepe archaeological site
- Free evening exploration of excavation site at sunset (approximately 2.5 hours, 2 km)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of excavation site
- Photo permit at Merw (12 manat)
- Video permit at Merw (12 manat)
Landmarks
Gonur Tepe
Merw
Day 12
Gonur Tepe to Mary
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gonur Tepe excavation site
- Drive to Mary
Optional Activities
- Visit city center bazaar
- Commission traditional dress tailoring
Landmarks
Gonur Tepe
Day 13
Merw
Included Activities
- Visit mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
- Visit Ibn Zaid mausoleum
- Visit medieval castle of Keshk
- Visit Kyz Kala ruins (small and large)
- Visit Mary historical museum
- Visit mosque in Mary
- Visit Russian Orthodox church in Mary
Landmarks
Merw (Margiana)
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Ibn Zaid Mausoleum
Keshk Castle
Kyz Kala
Day 14
Mary to Ashgabat
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a particularly beautiful location)
Included Activities
- Drive to Ashgabat
- Farewell dinner at special location
- Evening city tour of Ashgabat at night
Day 15
Ashgabat
Included Activities
- Airport transfer

Landmarks
Altyn Asyr Grand Bazaar
Nisa
Arch of Neutrality
Independence Park

Landmarks
National Museum
Russian Bazaar
Ertogrul Gazi Mosque

Landmarks
Yangisuw Canyon
Awaza

Landmarks
Yangikala Canyon
Gözli-Ata

Landmarks
Kemal Ata
Valley of Balls
Mushroom Rocks

Landmarks
Boyadag
Dehistan
Karakala Moon Mountains

Landmarks
Ygdykala Fortress
Uzboy River
Karakum Desert

Landmarks
Darvaza Gas Crater

Landmarks
Damla Oasis

Landmarks
Gonur Tepe
Merw

Landmarks
Gonur Tepe

Landmarks
Merw (Margiana)
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Ibn Zaid Mausoleum
Keshk Castle
Kyz Kala

What's Included

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Accommodation
Flights
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Additional Services

Operated by

DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen

Response time: within 2 days
Response rate: 50%
Cancellation policy

Reviews About This Operator

Tour Operator
4.0

Dates & Availability

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Saturday
9 May, 2026
To Saturday
23 May, 2026
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23 May, 2026
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19 Sep, 2026
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3 Oct, 2026
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17 Oct, 2026
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31 Oct, 2026
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27 Mar, 2027
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10 Apr, 2027
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24 Apr, 2027
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8 May, 2027
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22 May, 2027
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22 May, 2027
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5 Jun, 2027
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18 Sep, 2027
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2 Oct, 2027
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16 Oct, 2027
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16 Oct, 2027
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30 Oct, 2027
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From Saturday
25 Mar, 2028
To Saturday
8 Apr, 2028
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8 Apr, 2028
To Saturday
22 Apr, 2028
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From Saturday
22 Apr, 2028
To Saturday
6 May, 2028
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From Saturday
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To Saturday
20 May, 2028
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From Saturday
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To Saturday
3 Jun, 2028
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17 Other Unavailable Departures

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J
Jan
Asked on September 24th, 2023
I am interested in booking a tour to Turkmenistan in May 2024. There is only one qualifying detail: I am travelling around the world without flying. I would like to join the tour from either the Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan border and leave from one or the other also. Is this possible?
Tour Details
Travel Support
- J
  Jan
  Traveler•Written September 2023
  I am open to joining the tour if it is in German, as your itinerary looks ideal to me. As I mentioned, because I am travelling without flying I am planning on entering and leaving the country overland. Is this something you can accommodate? I realise Turkmenistan has strict requirements concerning foreigners movements within the country, so I would be looking at doing this with your company, if possible. I defer to your experience and advice, of course.
- DIAMIR ErlebnisreisenOperator•Written September 2023
  Unfortunately, as the tour already begins in less than two weeks, we will not be able to get the letter of invitation (LOI) on such short notice, which is necessary to enter Turkmenistan. Anyway, we have planned a lot of tour dates in 2024 and would be very pleased, if one of these dates would suit you.
- J
  Jan
  Traveler•Written September 2023
  Would this be possible?
- DIAMIR ErlebnisreisenOperator•Written October 2023
  I can offer you the additional parts from Border to join the group and back to border. Actually the only me know open border for foreigners between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is between Urgench and Dashoguz. Visa you need then to apply before; we give the necessary support, but granting of Visa is not in our hands.

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 237841

Currency
$
US Dollar
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Turkmenistan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Turkmenistan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Turkmenistan. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Turkmenistan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for Turkmenistan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before June 29th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 29th, 2026, a minimum payment of 25% is required to confirm your booking with DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen. Please familiarize yourself with the DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Round Trip to a Desert Land Full of Secrets

No departure dates available

Itinerary

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

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What's Included

What's Not Included

Reviews About This Operator

Dates & Availability

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Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

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Good to Know

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