Forget the typical tourist traps; we are heading to Turkmenistan, one of the most mysterious and fascinating countries on the planet. Imagine a place where ancient Silk Road history meets futuristic white marble cities. Where a giant flaming crater in the middle of the desert serves as your evening entertainment. This isn't just a vacation.. it’s a "did that actually just happen?" kind of adventure! From exploring ruins that saw the rise and fall of empires to swimming in a thermal lake hidden deep inside a mountain cave - this trip is designed for the bold, the curious, and those who want a travel story that no one else in the group chat can top! HIGHLIGHTS: 🇹🇲 Explore Ashgabat; Old Nisa fortress and the Turkmen Carpet Museum 🇹🇲 UNESCO world heritage sites 'Ancient Merv' 🇹🇲 Meet the Nohkuri Turkmen tribe in Nokhur village 🇹🇲 Descend into Kow-Ata cave to experience the underground thermal pool 🇹🇲 Witness 'the gate to hell' - Darvaza Gas Crater at dusk 🇹🇲 Sleep in traditional yurts 🇹🇲 Haggle at Eastern Bazaar 🇹🇲 Visit Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque Disclaimer: As much as Tripleaders try to stick to our plans, itineraries can be subject to change due to weather, travel logistics, safety or other unexpected reasons. 👥 OUR GROUP: We will be a group of 10 people (including myself). I am looking for TripMates similar to myself - laid back in character but organised enough to get ready to leave on time by themselves! Happy to have good conversation whilst spending time in our group but also independent enough to be able to make their own choices and explore themselves as well. People who as I would describe are 'all-rounders' - you love a mixture of chilling on a beach, the adventure of a hike, the want to learn and explore culture and at the same time have downtime for a wine or to read a book/watch a movie/enjoy the sunset. If you request to travel as part of the group, I will set up a call with you prior to accepting the request. This was I can ensure we have the right fit for the most pleasurable experience for all of us. 📍 MEETING POINT: Ashgabat 📝 VISAS: Please check BEFORE booking that you are eligible for a visa & you have a valid passport – these essentials are down to yourself to check & ensure validity. You will also need to check if Turkmenstein has any alternative entry requirement forms or documents essential to be granted entry to the country for your nationality. Most nationalities can obtain a visa prior to arrival. 💉 VACCINATIONS: Vaccinations and medications should be discussed with your healthcare professional. Currently, you don't need a covid vaccination to access Turkmenstein, but you do need to pay $31 for a covid test upon arrival - don't ask why they're still doing this, as I have no clue! haha. ❤️🩹 INSURANCE: Travel insurance is included if you are a resident of Germany or Austria. You can view all the inclusions & exclusions of this insurance here: www.joinmytrip.com/en/t/travel-insurance. For any other TripMates, you will need to purchase your own Travel Insurance, which also covers you for Medical expenses should you need it whilst we are away. 📱WHATSAPP GROUP: I will be making a 'Turkmenstein’ specific group WhatsApp before we depart for us to start these conversations where I can answer any questions you may have about the trip.
🙋🏽♀️ ABOUT ME: I'm Jemima! 🍰 34 🇬🇧 British 🇶🇦 Living in Doha, Qatar 🌍 Just finished travelling to my 80'th country 💸 After 12 years working in the travel industry, I am now an independent travel agent I LOVE a hobby: 🏐🏇🏻⛷️🏄♀️🛥️🛼🎨✝️🥾🧳🐚🥢🏋️♀️🎥 🔧 I design my trips with the following in mind: Keeping costs minimal but with comfort. Maximising time on ground but allowing for flexibility and independent exploring. Experiencing as many different sides of a country as possible - if a country has beach, forest, mountains AND cities to experience... you best believe I will be allocating the appropriate number of days there to get to see a bit of it all! Ensuring a range of activities that suit my multiple personalities! To find out more about me, please head to my profile 😌
🛖 WHERE YOU'LL STAY: 4x nights: Hotel Ak Altyn (2x people in 1 room with twin beds) with early check in 1x night: Traditional yurt 💸 KEEPING IT FAIR: To keep things affordable and stress free whilst travelling together, we’ll use Splitwise to track all shared costs - although there shouldn't be many of these!
What's included?
All accommodation
Local guide 24/7
Transport & driver(s)
Activities as per itinerary
Whatsapp group/Pre-departure guidance
Experienced & knowledgeable trip leader
Breakfasts
Dinner during yurt stay
Fee for using camera at activity sights
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations. Learn More
You can chat with Jemima once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1
Ashgabat
Day 1-2
DAY 1: Welcome to Ashgabat! After you land, you’ll kick things off with a very specific souvenir: a $35 Covid test receipt 😆 (payable only in crisp US dollars, please). Once your luggage is secured and you’ve settled into the hotel, we hit the ground running... We’ll visit the Old Nissa fortress, a UNESCO-protected site that served as the powerhouse of the Parthian Empire 🕌 After, we’ll see the Turkmen Carpet Museum and take a spin on a Ferris wheel so grand it actually made it into the Guinness World Records! 🎡 Evenings in Ashgabat can be sept visiting the tourist-meets-local type hang out spots: 🍻British Pub: A favourite for expats and groups; It has a classic pub atmosphere, a pool table, and is located directly below the Florida nightclub. It’s great for a more relaxed, social evening. 🍻Yunus Club: This is one of the more "high energy" spots. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere, great music, and a balcony with fantastic views of the city's white-marble skyline. 🍻Saray Pub: Often lively with a good selection of drinks and a more energetic social scene than the hotel bars. Common interactions between locals and tourists alike. 🍻Florida Nightclub: If you want a more traditional club experience (dance floor, loud music), this is the go-to. It usually closes right at 11:00 PM, so it’s best to head there earlier in the evening. 🍻Zip Bar: Known as a popular hangout with outdoor seating, cheap beer, and a casual "shashlyk" (kebab) and pizza menu.
2
Mary
Day 2-3
🚘🛕🔱 Today, we drive three hours back in time to Mary - and just outside the town is Ancient Merv where you can channel your inner Indiana Jones (minus the boulders). This wasn't just a city - for 2,000 years, it was one of the most important hubs on the entire Silk Road. You’ll stand before the Sultan Sanjar and Muhammed ibn-Zeyd mausoleums, where the 12th-century brickwork is so intricate it puts modern architecture to shame. We’ll explore the dust and glory of Central Asia’s archaeological crown jewel before heading back to the marble comforts of Ashgabat.
3
Nokhur
Day 3-4
Be prepared for some rustic mountain charm followed by the world’s coolest (or warmest) underground pool party! 💦🕺🏻 We’re heading into the Kopet Dag mountains to visit Nokhur, a village where houses are built from local boulders and the streets are so narrow you’ll wonder how our car fits (it just barely does!). The Nohkuri people have a culture unlike any other Turkmen tribe 🏹🪭, and we’ll get a glimpse into their remote mountain life. ⛰️Afterward, we descend into Kow-Ata, the "Father of Caves". Imagine a massive underground auditorium where a naturally heated (33-37°C), emerald-colored thermal lake waits for you to take a soak. Return to Ashgabat for an evening of teaching locals how to play Monopoly deal (maybe).
4
Darvaza Gas Crater
Day 4-5
This is the one even experienced travellers will be jealous of... We drive four hours north into the heart of the desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater. It’s a massive, flaming pit that has been burning for decades 🔥. We arrive as the sun sets because that’s when the "Gate to Hell" really begins to glow against the dark desert sky. We’ll have a picnic-style dinner and spend the night in traditional yurts 🛖 Raise a toast to the end of the world in a traditional Yurt in the wilderness of Tajikistan!! Fall asleep to the low roar of the "giant oven" nearby.
5
Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque
Day 5-6
We emerge from the desert and head back to civilization, stopping at an Eastern Bazaar to haggle for handmade souvenirs. The afternoon features a visit to the Seyit Jamal-ad-Din Mosque ruins. 🕌 Built in 1456, its most famous feature is a pair of massive mosaic dragons guarding the portal—a rare and striking sight in Islamic art. It’s a beautiful, spiritual end to our journey. 🐉 Head back to our hotel that now feels like a home in Ashgabat for one final evening in the city together.
6
Ashgabat
Day 6
One last breakfast before the final farewell! 👋🏼 After a final breakfast, head back to Ashgabat International Airport. You’ll head home with a phone full of photos that look like they’re from another planet and a story that starts with, "So, I was standing at the edge of this flaming pit..." 🔥😆
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hotel & Other
6 days trip
Ashgabat, Mary & 4 more
Transportation
Car
What's excluded?
Flights
Visas & vaccinations
Souvenirs & Tips
Lunch, dinner & drinks
Covid test ($35)
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Turkmenistan
Authentic Turkmen tribe & yurt stay 
All accommodation 
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