From the Capital to the Caspian
Modern monuments dot Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, yet tribal culture remains strong in the villages. Crisscross this rarely visited country, connecting with tribal people in the mountains, admiring sweeping landscapes and UNESCO-listed ruins populated by wild camels, and enjoying the cool breezes of the Caspian seashore. Camp at the “Door to Hell,” the burning Darvaza gas crater.
12 Day Trip
- Private Journey
Minimum of 2 Travelers - Travels to:
Central Asia, Turkmenistan - Flexible Essential:
Forays from the hub of Ashgabat
MIR Signature Why end mights on this Tour
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Pay a visit to a family of weavers in Nohur VillageRead More
Explore the mountain village of Nohur and pay a visit to the home of a family that has been weaving the special patterns of the Nohur people for generations... -
Explore Turkmenistan’s only seaport on the CaspianRead More
Explore Turkmenistan’s only seaport, which Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan’s first president, renamed in honor of his self-declared title, Turkmenbashi... -
Overnight at the burning Darvaza Gas CraterRead More
Overnight in tents on the glowing rim of the eerie Darvaza Gas Crater, with an al fresco barbecue-style dinner.... -
Appreciate the heirloom Akhal-Tekke horseRead More
Venture outside Ashgabat to visit a horse-breeding farm devoted to the renowned Akhal-Tekke horse, arguably the oldest cultured breed of horse in the world....
Why Travel with MIR on this Tour

- Over 30 years of Central Asia travel experience
- The first American travel company to open an accredited office in Central Asia
- Travel programs such as Vassar, Dartmouth and the Harvard Museum of Natural History have chosen MIR to guide them to Central Asia
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance
Days 1-3: Ashgabat, Nisa, Nohur, Serdar
Explore the marble and gold monuments of Ashgabat and the UNESCO-listed ruins of Parthian Nisa. Head into the mountains to visit a silk-weaver in a tribal village home in Nohur, and overnight in the small city of Serdar.
Highlights
- Capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, with marble and gold monuments
- Museum of History and Ethnography, telling the story of Turkmenistan
Days 4-6: Turkmenbashi, Yangykala, Gozli Ata
Admire the beautiful Sumbar River Valley dotted with traditional tribal villages on the way to the country’s only seaport, Turkmenbashi. Drive through glorious striated Yangykala Canyon and visit the shrine of Sufi holy man Gozli Ata before heading back to Turkmenbashi and flying back to Ashgabat.
Highlights
- Rich Sumbar River Valley with pomegranate orchards and small farms
- Drive through the bizarre and beautiful moonscape of Yangykala Canyon
Days 7-8: Mary, Merv
Explore UNESCO-listed Merv’s five ancient cities and the ethnological and archaeological exhibits at the excellent Mary Museum.
Highlights
- Ruins of Marghiana and Archaeological Museum in UNESCO-listed ancient Merv
Days 9-12: Darvaza, Kunya Urgench, Ashgabat
Camp at the “Door to Hell,” the burning Darvaza gas crater, and survey Turkmenistan’s third UNESCO Site, Kunya Urgench, ancient capital of Khorezm. Back in the capital, take a private tour of a farm where Akhal-Teke horses, the pride of Turkmenistan, are raised.
Highlights
- Tent camping on the lip of the flaming gas crater of Darvaza
- UNESCO-listed Kunya Urgench, with 11th century Kutlug-Timur Minaret
See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.
Tour Dates & Prices
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 2 Traveler Minimum $3,595
- Plus Internal Air $275
- Partial Single Supplement $575
2019 Dates
Your Choice of Dates
Recommended months of travel:
- March,
- April,
- May,
- June,
- July,
- August,
- September,
- October,
- November,
- FROM
- $3,595
- Min 2 Travelers
Group Size
Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 travelers on this trip. Call for solo trip pricing.
Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates. Hotel upgrades, additional nights and solo traveler prices are available on request.
What’s Included
On Your Tour
- Shared accommodations in hotels as listed in the itinerary. Accommodations are rustic, and WC facilities are outhouse-style. Note that the accommodations in Gozli Ata are very basic, and private rooms will not be available. In addition, one night near the Darvaza gas crater is spent in tented camps with outhouse-style facilities and no showers.
- 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners per the itinerary. Some lunches and dinners are left free so you may enjoy dining on your own.
- One arrival and one departure transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers available at additional cost.) MIR will arrange for travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure, whether we make your air arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private vehicle.
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking local guides, drivers and other staff.
Before Your Tour
- Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
- Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list and reading list.
- Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Customized visa application instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international and internal airfares are not included in the land tour cost).
Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare
MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.
More Info
Reading List
MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.
More Info
Visas
Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
More InfoTravel Insurance
Stay a Little Longer…
MIR can arrange for an extended program in the South Caucasus countries, Iran, Western Russia, or Eastern Europe. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.
Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:
Is this Trip Right for You?
The accommodations vary from superior tourist class to more basic hotels. It is important to keep in mind that the country of Turkmenistan may not be up to the standards North American travelers expect.
A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
Read our Travel Journals
MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.
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Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: A Tour Leader’s Blog
Follow along with seasoned MIR Tour Manager, Michel Behar, as he blogs his way through MIR's Ancient Persia - Modern Iran small group tour. Spend each day with him as he recounts his favorite traditional Persian foods, his discoveries at the outdoor markets, and his impressions of the gardens, art and architecture of Iran.... Read More
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