Karakum Adventure Specials
This 12-day adventure is a true joy for those who want to explore the multiple landscapes and life in the Turkmen Karakum Desert. Not like any other tour, it includes a comprehensive visit of Ashgabat and its post-independence architecture; the historical importance of life in the ancient Murgab and Uzboy River oases, and offers an insight into the old nomadic lifestyle of the Turkmens. It includes an overnight at Darwaza as well as in the Yangikala Canyons. Accommodation in towns is in 3* hotels, as well as 6 nights in a tent. Meals are only included on the off-road desert sections of the tour, in order to give maximum freedom to individual preferences when overnights are in town. Transport is mainly by 4-wheel drive vehicles, with minibus transport only in Ashgabat and Mary. Two domestic flights are included where large distances need to be covered. If you are willing to sacrifice the comfort of a bed, and are keen to experience an authentic desert adventure, this tour is our recommendation for you.
| Days | Itinerary | Program | Transports | Accommodation | |
| 1 | Ashghabad | Arrival by flight xxx (depending on airline used). Transfer to hotel. Check-in from 1300h. Rest day at leisure. Overnight in hotel. | Regular | Hotel various categories (3-4-5*) | |
| 2 | Ashghabad - 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 to Turkmenbashi. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel. | Regular | Hotel various categories (3-4-5*) | |
| 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 x 4 | Camping | |
| 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. | 4 x 4 | Camping | |
| 5 | Gozli Ata - Serdar | Drive to Serdar Town via Balkanabad Town and with visit of Parau Bibi pilgrim site on the way. Overnight in motel. | 4 x 4 | Motel | |
| 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. | 4 x 4 | Camping | |
| 7 | Balishem - Darwaza | Drive through Karakum Desert to Darwaza gas crater. Picnic lunch on the way. Camp dinner and overnight in tents at Darwaza. | 4 x 4 | Camping | |
| 8 | 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. | 4 x 4 | Camping | |
| 9 | 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. | 4 x 4 | Camping or pilgrim site | |
| 10 | Gonur Depe - Mary | Drive to Mary town. Afternoon at leisure to visit town center, bazaar, history museum. Overnight in hotel. | 4 x 4 | Hotel various categories (3-4-5*) | |
| 11 | Mary - Ashghabad | Morning visit of Merw (UNESCO) historical Silk Road park. Afternoon flight to Ashgabat. Transfer to city. Overnight in hotel. | Regular | Hotel various categories (3-4-5*) | |
| 12 | Ashghabad | Transfer to airport. Departure by flight xxx (depending on airline used) | Regular | Hotel various categories (3-4-5*) | |
* Also for travelers with special interest in horse riding, walking or biking, archeology, geology or bird watching, we have various samples available.