Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP¨TIP
Spending time in Ash-
gabat means you don't
have to be with a guide,
and is a good way to
cut cots. The other
way to avoid travelling
with a guide is to get
a transit visa (p405),
although they tend to
only be valid for three
to ive days, depending
on your route across
the country.
Visas & Permits
Everyone requires a visa for Turkmenistan (p405), and un-
less you're on a transit visa, you will need to be accompa-
nied by a guide for the entire length of your stay in order
to obtain one, which makes a trip here quite expensive by
regional standards. Permits are required to visit national
parks (p403) and visas need to be endorsed to permit travel
in various border zones, so it's important to know your itin-
erary before you begin the visa application process.
COSTS
Relative¨Cot
The mot expensive country in Central Asia.
Daily¨Expenses
¨
Basic hotel double US$30; comfortable hotel double
US$60
¨
Street snack 2-10M; good restaurant meal 50M
¨
Marshrutka from Ashgabat to Konye-Urgench 35M
¨
Train from Ashgabat to Dashogus 9.58M (
kupe
class),
flight 58M (book well in advance)
Price¨Ranges
¨
Sleeping
(per two people): $ <US$25, $$ US$25-70,
$$$ >US$70
¨
Eating
(main course): $ <20M, $$ 20-50M,
$$$ >50M
Fast Facts
¨
Area
488,100 sq km
¨
Capital
Ashgabat
¨
Country¨code
%
993
¨
Languages
Turkmen,
Russian, Uzbek
¨
Population
5.1 million
¨
Famous¨for
multiple
personality cults, gas
reserves, Akhal-Teke
horses, carpets
Exchange Rates
Itineraries
¨
Three¨days
Arriving on a transit visa, spend a day in
fascinatingly weird Ashgabat, cross the Karakum desert and
spend the night camping by the Darvaza Gas Craters and
then wrap things up with a visit to historic Konye-Urgench.
¨
One¨week
Spend at least three days in and around
Ashgabat before heading east to visit the ancient sites
of Merv and Gonur. From here, return to Ashgabat and
travel north to Konye-Urgench, camping en route at the
unforgettable Darvaza Gas Craters.
¨
Two¨weeks
Along with the sights mentioned above, take
the time for some activities, such as horseback riding in
Geok-Dere, a visit the the Köw Ata underground lake and a
trip to the Yangykala Canyon and Turkmenbashi.
COUNTRY UNIT MANAT
Australia
A$1
2.76M
Canada
C$1
2.75M
Euro zone €1
3.71M
NZ
NZ$1 2.29M
UK
£1
4.36M
USA
US$1 2.85
Resources
¨
www.chaihana.com
¨
www.gundogar.org
¨
www.stantours.com
¨
www.turkmenistan.gov.tm
