Turkmenistan (and the Gates of Hell) in Turkmenistan

John Ward

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Oct 18 - 23, 2023

Group size: 1 - 22

Turkmenistan (and the Gates of Hell)

Turkmenistan

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John Ward

Email address verified
Facebook verified
LinkedIn verified

$NaN

Oct 18 - 23, 2023

Group size: 1 - 22

Join My Turkmenistan Tour, including the GATES OF HELL!

Turkmenistan Tour time! Ever since I first visited Turkmenistan, and made a very shaky youtube video about the Gates of Hell, I've had people email me asking if I could finally organise a onestep4ward trip there, so here it is. Turkmenistan is actually the 10th least visited country in the world, with a tricky visa situation and a government who couldn't care less about tourist dollars. So historically it hasn't been the easiest place to visit. That's where I come in though folks, so jump on board and let's go together.

For hardcore travelers, there are 2 main reasons. It's one of the least visited countries in the world, which is already pretty cool. And then of course, Turkmenistan is famous for their Gates of Hell. And my Turkmenistan tour, of course, focuses on that. But that's not the only reason to visit Turkmenistan. For me there are 3 epic places to visit in this secretive central Asian nation.

The Gates of Hell. Come and see them soon! The rumours are that they're due to close it any time!
Ashgabat, the futuristic capital city. One of the strangest cities in the world. Just wait and see.
Yangy Kala Canyon. Central Asia's answer to the grand canyon, and including a cool overnight train to traverse the country, to the coast of the Caspian Sea, to reach it!

There are some other spots around the country that are historic, and hold cultural significance too. But my trips are more focused on crazy adventures so I've tailored this tour to include the 3 coolest places and try to keep the cost, and time, down. I know a lot of the people who travel with me have the same outlook, so I hope this works for all you guys too!

The Derweze gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell, is a natural gas field in Turkmenistan that collapsed into an underground cavern in 1971, creating a large crater approximately 70 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. In an effort to prevent the release of toxic gases, Soviet scientists set the crater on fire, hoping that the gas would burn off within a few weeks. However, the fire has been burning continuously for over 50 years, creating a spectacular and eerie sight that draws visitors from around the world. The area around the crater is now a popular tourist attraction and has been dubbed the "Gates of Hell" due to the infernal flames that never go out.

You're welcome to land any time on October 18th (or morning of the 19th, with me) and my team will meet you at the airport.

Flights to Turkmenistan are super limited. And the few that do exist arrive at awful times. Most of us will probably fly via Istanbul or Dubai, and land at a god-awful hour, similar to my Mauritania trips.

Don't worry, airport pick-ups are still organised even if it's the middle of the night!

Safe doesn't even come close. I'll avoid getting political as the permits are hard enough to get, but let's just say everyone obeys the law in Turkmenistan, and leave it at that. As we say in Ireland, "safe as houses"

Letter of Invitation
And all help with the visa, so you can get it when you land in the airport
All transport
Includes buses, over night trains, and even a domestic flight!
Local guide
Artem, my buddy from my first time here
Western Guide
Me!
Night train
Ashgabat to Turkmenabashi sleeper train
Domestic flight
The train one-way will be enough, we're cheating on the way back.
All accomodation
It can be a little rough and ready but it's in hotels
Camping
One night by the crater (tents and sleeping bags provided)
Visa fee
Pay on arrival depending on nationality. $50-$100 for most people
COVID costs
Right now, Turkmenistan is requiring testing for flights etc, so we may have to test occasionally.
Video/Photo fees
Officially you need these when asked, you may have to pay a fee (I've never had to though)
Lunches and Dinners
We'll eat in local places, expect maybe $10 a meal or so. Can be less if you're on a budget.

DAY 1 (October 18)
DAY 1 (October 18)
Arrive in Turkmenistan
Strictly speaking the actual tour starts on Day 1, on October 19th.

However, due to the nature of flights, I think everyone will probably arrive late on the evening of the 18th/early AM on on the 19th.

I am flying on the Turkish air flight from Istanbul on the 18th, landing on the 19th at 02.10. I'm sure you will all be on that flight, or the Dubai one landing at 3am. See you at the airport!
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DAY 2
DAY 2
The Gates of Hell!
We'll have a morning briefing, then a quick morning Ashgabat city tour, before we transfer to the main event the Darwaza Crater AKA the Gates of Hell!

250KM through the Turkmeni desert, the Central Karakum Sands, in our private 4WD vehicles. We will arrive at the ancient Unguz line of the desert where we'll explore the various craters. One full of water, one full of mud, then we'll make our way before sunset to the fiery crater.

We'll pitch up, maybe have smuggled a bottle or 2 to share, and enjoy sunset at one of the world's most unique destinations, the Gates to Hell. We'll camp here all night, so bring warm clothes!
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DAY 3
DAY 3
Horses and Nighttrains
Brekkie in the desert. Then we drive back to Ashgabat, but before we reach the city we'll get a chance to experience one of Turkmenistan's oldest professions, horse farming. We'll take a shower here after a night by the crater, have a spot of lunch then hop back in the cars to check out the countries most epic mosque, Turkmenbashi mosque.

We'll then head to the train station for one of my favourite things to do in unique countries, an overnight train across the whole country towards Turkmenbashi.
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DAY 4
DAY 4
Yangy Kala
We'll wake up in Turkmenbashy and have a short sightseeing tour where you'll get a chance to have your first sight of the Caspian Sea.

We'll then hop back in 4WD vehicles and make our way to Central Asia's proud answer to the Grand Canyon, Yangy Kala. This canyon was the former floor of the Tethys sea, and over time, millions of years created the current 'design' of unusual forms and multicolor pictures. We'll chill here for a bit, soak up just where in the world we are, before we head back to Turkmenbashi to overnight in our Caspian Sea resort.
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DAY 5
DAY 5
Ashgabat by night
Back to the airport folks (god it feels like we live in these places!). We fly back to Ashgabat, check out the UNESCO world heritage site of Nisa Fortress, then we check into our hotels once more.

We have a free afternoon to explore the city, or recover from a fast paced few days! Then this evening we'll have an evening tour, Ashgabat by night. Overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 6
DAY 6
Done and dusted. Mali next?
We're out of here. Or more probably, we all left at 2am the day before! We'll be in touch about plans for that.

Now... who's coming to Mali?!
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DAY 1 (October 18)

Arrive in Turkmenistan

Strictly speaking the actual tour starts on Day 1, on October 19th.

However, due to the nature of flights, I think everyone will probably arrive late on the evening of the 18th/early AM on on the 19th.

I am flying on the Turkish air flight from Istanbul on the 18th, landing on the 19th at 02.10. I'm sure you will all be on that flight, or the Dubai one landing at 3am. See you at the airport!

Ariel Kosary

Latifah Al-Hazza