From Dinosaurs to the Caspian Sea

Day 1: Arrival & Golden Ashgabat

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Meet the Aviara Tours team at Ashgabat International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After lunch and some time to relax, begin discovering the capital with a family-friendly city drive. Admire Ashgabat’s white-marble architecture, Independence Monument, monumental avenues and fountains. Enjoy a golden-hour family photo session before dinner and an evening drive through the illuminated city. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 2: Akhal-Teke Horses, Crafts & Countryside

Travel into the Ahal countryside and meet Turkmenistan’s legendary Akhal-Teke horses. Learn about this treasured breed, meet the horses up close and, where suitable, enjoy a gentle riding or feeding experience. After a traditional lunch, take part in family games and a hands-on craft activity. Discover the traditional art of baking chörek in a tamdyr oven and enjoy scenic views towards the Kopetdag mountains. Return to Ashgabat. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 3: Karakum Desert & Darvaza

Leave Ashgabat behind and journey deep into the Karakum Desert. Meet Bactrian camels and enjoy a family desert experience among the dunes. Continue towards the Darvaza area, with time for photographs and exploration. As the sun sets, watch the desert landscape change colour and see the glow of the Darvaza Gas Crater emerge against the horizon. Enjoy dinner, traditional music, family games and storytelling under the stars. Overnight in a desert camp.

Day 4: Desert Morning & Ashgabat

Enjoy a relaxed morning in the Karakum Desert, with an optional camel experience and time for family photography before returning to Ashgabat. After lunch, relax at the hotel and enjoy some free family time. In the evening, visit Gala restaurant surrounded by mountains, offering entertainment for children and adults, including a swimming pool and family-friendly activities. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 5: Koytendag & Dinosaur Footprints

Fly from Ashgabat to Kerki and continue towards the spectacular Koytendag Mountains. After lunch, discover the famous Dinosaur Plateau and its ancient footprints preserved in the rock. Turn the visit into a family dinosaur expedition, searching for tracks and exploring the surrounding mountain landscape. For younger travellers, the experience becomes a real-life prehistoric treasure hunt. Transfer to accommodation and overnight in the Koytendag area.

Day 6: Koytendag to Ashgabat

Return towards Ashgabat, watching the landscape transform from rugged mountains to the vast Central Asian plains. After lunch, visit the Turkmen Carpet Museum and discover the country’s traditional weaving heritage. Continue to the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center and enjoy a ride on its famous indoor Ferris wheel for panoramic views of Ashgabat. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 7: Caspian Sea Family Escape

Fly from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and continue to the Caspian coast. Enjoy a relaxed family afternoon with beach time, seaside walks, games and photography, depending on the season and local conditions. Take a boat ride along the coast and enjoy the sea breeze and panoramic views. Finish the day with a Caspian sunset and dinner. Overnight in Turkmenbashi.

Day 8: Yangykala Canyon & Farewell Ashgabat

Travel to the spectacular Yangykala Canyon, famous for its dramatic red, pink, white and golden cliffs. Explore panoramic viewpoints and enjoy easy walks suitable for different generations, followed by a scenic picnic-style lunch. Return to Ashgabat and enjoy a final evening drive through the illuminated White City, followed by a farewell dinner. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Day 9: Farewell Turkmenistan

Enjoy a final breakfast and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for departure, taking home memories of Akhal-Teke horses, desert stars, dinosaur footprints, Caspian waves and the colourful landscapes of Turkmenistan.

Included services:

Letter of invitation
8 nights’ accommodation in selected hotels and desert camp
Daily breakfast
Lunches and dinners as specified in the itinerary
Domestic flights: Ashgabat–Kerki–Ashgabat and Ashgabat–Turkmenbashi
Airport and intercity transfers
Private transportation throughout the tour
English-speaking local guide
Entrance fees to museums and attractions mentioned in the itinerary
Akhal-Teke horse experience
Traditional craft and tamdyr bread-making experiences
Bactrian camel experience
Family activities and traditional games
Darvaza Gas Crater visit
Koytendag Dinosaur Plateau excursion
Caspian Sea boat experience
Yangykala Canyon excursion
Assistance and support from Aviara Tours throughout the journey

Recommended travel period:

March to May, September to November

Excluded services:

Turkmenistan visa on arrival at the point of entry
Immigration tax at the point of entry
COVID-19 testing at the point of entry
International flights to and from Turkmenistan
Personal expenses and services not mentioned in the itinerary

Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours
Image source: LCC Aviara Tours