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Turkmenistan Holidays

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Conquered by Alexander the Great, part of the wider Parthian Empire, then ruled by the Seljuk Turks it was not until the 11th century that the nomadic Turkmen tribes, from which Turkmenistan derives its name, first settled in the region. Fiercely independent and proud of its heritage, Turkmenistan is today an eccentric desert land of ancient ruins and lunar landscapes. Close to the southern border is capital Ashgabat, built by the Russians at the end of the 19th century and now a city of grand palaces and government buildings. For the adventurous, head north from Ashgabat into the vast dunes of the Karakum Desert to visit the extraordinary gas craters of Darvaza, visit Turkmenbashi on the shores of the Caspian Sea or travel east to Merv, a Silk Road city and, in its day, a major Islamic centre. With our knowledge and experience we can help to create a unique holiday to Turkmenistan that is tailored exactly to your requirements.

Places to visit in Turkmenistan

A desert land that has been at the crossroads of empires and civilisations for well over a thousand years, Turkmenistan shares a long land border with Uzbekistan and Iran and also faces the shores of the Caspian Sea. Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, the main gateway into the nation and by far the largest city in the country. A modern metropolis that has undergone a major renewal in recent years, visit Lenin Square and the colourful Sunday Market before heading out to the ancient remains of Nisa which was once the capital of the Parthian Empire. Aside from Ashgabat, other places of interest include the Putlog Timur Minaret in Kunya Urgench, located just across the Uzbek border, and the significant archaeological remains at Merv. Turkmenistan is easily combined with Uzbekistan and, if flying via Turkey, Istanbul.

MAP OF TURKMENISTAN

When to Visit turkmenistan

Land-locked Turkmenistan is a largely arid desert nation with a continental climate. Summers are generally very hot and dry with occasional bursts of rain that can be short but quite heavy. Winter can be mild but, more often than not, can become very cold. Although it rains frequently over the winter months it very rarely snows. In winter you can expect temperatures between -6°C and 4°C whereas in the summer temperatures can reach over 40°C. In contrast, from April to June and August to October see more comfortable temperatures and minimal risk of rain making the spring and autumn the best times to visit the country.

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This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Turkmenistan Capital: Ashgabat

Main Language: Turkmen

Time Zone: GMT + 5

Currency: Manat (TMT)

China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Holiday Review

We have returned from our epic journey and we had an excellent time. The journey delivered far more than we had anticipated on a number of dimensions. The mountain scenery was stunning and the desert scenery was awesome and not a bit like we expected. Despite our research, the history of the “Stans” both pre and post Soviet was a revelation. Of course, linking all of this together was the Silk Road and although it wasn’t a central aspect of a lot of the tourism, it cropped up enough times for us to get a really good understanding of it and provided a link between all the countries and sites we visited, which did add something extra.

SH & DH - China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - October 2019

Accommodation in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the least explored and little-known countries in the world and has little in the way of a tourist infrastructure. Ashgabat is home to Turkmenistan’s only luxury hotel and away from the capital accommodation is simple and occasionally rustic. Virtually all hotels in Turkmenistan are modern and locally owned and run.

Common Turkmenistan Travel Questions

A1 - Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Turkmenistan when the weather is mild, skies clear and risk of rainfall low although there may be the occasional shower. Temperatures drop considerably over winter, particularly at night and in the mountains where it can be extremely cold, whilst summers can be very hot especially in desert regions.
A2 - A pre-arranged visa is required for all British citizens travelling to Turkmenistan.
A3 - There are non-stop flights from Ashgabat to both London and Birmingham. Direct flights have a duration of approximately 6 hours with flights that stop en-route taking closer to 10 hours.
A4 - It is recommended that you speak to a medical professional prior to travel as they will be the best person to advise you on any medical requirements, however, you should ensure that all of your primary vaccinations are up to date and you may also wish to consider being vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria.
A5 - Turkmenistani Manat is the official currency of Turkmenistan. Predominately a cash-based society, there are few ATM machines outside of Ashgabat and foreign credit cards are rarely accepted. Currency exchanges are ubiquitous with US Dollars and Euros preferred.
A6 - Turkmen is the main language of Turkmenistan, however, Uzbek and Russian are also spoken throughout the country. English, French and Turkish, which bears many similarities to Turkmen, are increasingly spoken especially by the younger generation.

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS WITH PETTITTS TRAVEL

With over 30 years’ experience, Pettitts Travel specialises in creating memorable holidays around the globe. As an independent tour operator and travel agency, we can help to both craft or source your perfect holiday and pride ourselves in providing the very highest level of service and advice.

Whether you are looking to travel closer to home or further afield, on a short break or a longer adventure, looking to simply relax beside the beach or undertake a once in a lifetime cultural tour, our experienced team will be delighted to assist you.
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