Turkmenistan-8-days: offbeat-adventure

Welcome to Ashgabat, easily one of the strangest and most fascinating capitals on the planet. Think Las Vegas meets a marble palace, but with almost no people on the streets. Fun fact: Ashgabat actually holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white-marble buildings — and trust us, your eyes will need a minute to adjust.

After checking in, we head out to explore this shiny fever dream of a city. Gold statues everywhere, spotless boulevards, streetlights and bus stops all colour-coordinated — it’s extra in the best possible way. By night, it’s so quiet that locals jokingly call it the “City of the Dead.” (You’ll see what they mean!)

Then we switch gears and dive into some ancient magic at the Nissa Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the powerhouse of the Parthian Empire. These guys ruled huge chunks of Central Asia, so wandering through the ruins feels like stepping into a history book with better lighting.

We wrap up at the National Museum, checking out everything from Silk Route treasures to quirky archaeological finds that explain the madness and brilliance of this region.

It’s the perfect first day — a mix of weird, wow, ancient, modern, and totally MonkeyInc-approved chaos.

Today we dive deeper into Ashgabat, the world’s unofficial capital of extra. First stop: the shiny Palace of Happiness, perched on a hill with sweeping desert views. Fun fact — Turkmen couples come here to get married, and honestly, the place looks like a wedding cake made of white marble and ambition.

We wander through Independence Park, home to massive monuments that look like they were designed with the brief: “make it dramatic.” Then comes Archabil Street, Ashgabat’s futuristic runway of geometric buildings and spotless pavements — everything glinting under that intense Turkmen sun. Keep an eye out for the giant indoor Ferris wheel, because yes, Ashgabat has the largest indoor Ferris wheel in the world (because of course it does). A stroll through Serdar Yolly Park brings a rare quiet moment, and the entrance to the Way of Health — a 36km walking path built by the former president — adds another layer of “only in Turkmenistan” energy.

Next, we hit the Memorial Complex, a striking tribute to the Civil War, WWII and the devastating 1948 earthquake that flattened the city and remains one of the deadliest quakes ever recorded. Heavy history, powerful storytelling, and architecture that makes you pause.

Then it’s time to shift into local mode at the lively Russian Market — fresh produce, colourful stalls, friendly chaos, and a couple of Soviet-era statues (hello, Lenin and Pushkin) hiding between modern boulevards. It’s the perfect crash course in Turkmen everyday life.

We wrap up the day at Geok Depe Stable, where the legendary Akhal-Teke horses — the “golden horses” of Turkmenistan — show off their metallic coats. These beauties are one of the oldest and rarest horse breeds in the world, prized for their endurance and shimmering glow.

A day of sparkle, Soviet nostalgia, marble overload, and magic — classic MonkeyInc territory.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Start the morning with a smooth transfer to the airport for your flight to Turkmenbashi. Touch down on the Caspian coast and set out towards the striking Yangykala Canyons. Let the landscape unfold in vivid layers of red, pink, and cream as the cliffs rise dramatically around you. Wander along the viewpoints, take in the silence of the desert, and feel the scale of this ancient natural wonder. Admire the wind-carved formations that shimmer under the sun, each ridge revealing the canyon’s deep geological history.

Continue the journey across wide, open plains towards Balkanabat, stopping en route at the revered Gozeli Ata shrine. Step into a place of spiritual calm, where pilgrims come to offer prayers and reflect. Take a quiet moment to absorb the atmosphere, surrounded by hills and gentle desert breezes. As the road carries you onward, watch the scenery shift from rugged cliffs to soft sands and small settlements, each adding to the day’s sense of discovery. Settle into Balkanabat for the night, carrying the colours and contours of Yangykala with you.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Begin a scenic drive from Balkanabat to the secluded mountain village of Nokhur, tucked within the rugged folds of the Kopetdag range. Arrive to a landscape shaped by tradition, where stone-built homes blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Wander through narrow lanes and admire the distinctive ayvan terraces, supported by carved wooden columns decorated with iconic mountain goat horns — a symbol deeply rooted in local belief and craftsmanship. As you explore, notice how everyday life in this village preserves age-old customs, offering a rare glimpse into an enduring mountain culture.

Make your way to the unique local cemetery, where each grave carries symbolic horn motifs that honour the spirit of the mountain goat. The quiet atmosphere and striking markers create a powerful connection to Nokhur’s ancestral past. Allow the serenity of this remote village, its traditions, and its dramatic mountain backdrop to shape a thoughtful and memorable day in the Kopetdag highlands.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Set out from Nokhur and make your way towards Mary, watching the landscapes shift as the road opens into the vast Turkmen plains. Arrive and step into the ancient world of Merv, once a glittering oasis on the Silk Road and now a UNESCO treasure steeped in legend. Explore the Ibn Zeid Mausoleum before wandering through the striking silhouettes of Big and Little Kiz Kala, their monumental mud-brick walls echoing centuries of history. Discover the Mausoleums of the two Askhab — Buraida Al Islami and Al Jafari — places of deep spiritual significance.

Continue to the grand Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture that rises proudly against the open sky. Roam through the remains of the Shakhriar Ark complex and trace the outlines of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, ancient fortresses that once guarded this thriving city. Pause at the sardoba of Beni Makhan Mosque, admire the southwestern cut wall of Gyaur Kala, and step into the cool depths of the Big Ice House. End the day at the weathered walls of Abdulla Khan Kala, feeling the echoes of an empire that shaped this vast desert landscape.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Set out from Mary and journey towards the ancient settlement of Gonur Depe, crossing remote desert landscapes along a rugged off-road track. As you arrive, step into the heart of the Bronze Age Margiana civilisation and explore the excavated temples, fortresses, and burial complexes that reveal a world shaped by early urban life. Trace the outlines of once-great structures, imagine rituals unfolding within these walls, and take in the raw, untouched beauty of the surrounding desert that frames this extraordinary archaeological site.

Return to Mary and unwind after the adventure. If time permits, delve into the Mary Museum, where artefacts from Gonur Depe and the wider region bring history to life with exquisite pottery, delicate jewellery, and well-preserved relics. Wander through its curated halls as you deepen your understanding of this cradle of civilisation.

Settle back in Mary for the night, carrying with you impressions of an ancient world etched into the sands.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Begin a long, open-road journey from Mary towards the stark beauty of Darvaza, passing through the remote village of Erbent where desert life unfolds quietly against endless dunes. Settle into the rhythm of the Karakum as the landscape stretches wide and uninterrupted, its shifting sands creating a sense of vast, mesmerising calm. Take in glimpses of nomadic tents, roaming camels, and the soft mirage-like glow that dances across the horizon. As you approach Darvaza, the desert deepens into an otherworldly expanse, preparing you for its most dramatic sight.

After nightfall, head out to witness the burning Gas Crater, a surreal phenomenon known for its fiery glow that lights up the surrounding desert. Stand at the edge and feel the heat rise as flames roar from the earth, creating an unforgettable spectacle against the dark sky. Spend time soaking in the eerie, captivating atmosphere before settling in for the night beneath the vast canopy of stars, carrying the sense of stepping into one of the world’s most extraordinary natural scenes.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Begin with a steady drive across the stark, shifting desert landscapes as you return from Darvaza to Ashgabat. Watch the scenery transform from open wilderness to the marble grandeur of Turkmenistan’s capital. Arrive and take in Ashgabat’s striking skyline, where gleaming monuments rise against the vast horizon. Use the time to unwind, reflect on your journey, or savour a final taste of local flavours before heading towards the airport. Keep your schedule easy as departures from Ashgabat International Airport start after 14:00, giving you space to prepare without rush.

As the trip draws to a close, let the memories of flaming craters, desert nights, and vibrant cities settle in. Carry the spirit of Central Asia with you as this remarkable journey comes to an end.

Meals Included: Breakfast