Name: Turkmenistan (and the Gates of Hell) 2026
Start: 2026-10-05
End: 2026-10-10
Location: Turkmenistan

John Ward

Email address verified

30 reviews

Oct 5 - 10, 2026

Group size: 1 - 16

Turkmenistan (and the Gates of Hell) 2026

Turkmenistan

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John Ward

Email address verified

30 reviews

$NaN

Oct 5 - 10, 2026

Group size: 1 - 16

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
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)

Single Supplement

$349

DAY 1 (August 16)
DAY 1 (August 16)
Arrive in Turkmenistan
Strictly speaking the actual tour starts on Day 1, on August 16th

However, due to the nature of flights, I think everyone will probably arrive late on the evening of the early on the 17th morning (around 3am, THAT IS COMPLETELY FINE).

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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
Recovery and Night trains
Brekkie in the desert. Then we drive back to Ashgabat.

Our friends at our Ashgabat hotel from the day before kindly allow us to use their facilities to clean up after a night of camping. Hot showers, a gym/pool if you want, even a sauna. Manage your expectations here though, the hotel hasn't been upgraded since about 1950!

Then we have a civilised lunch spot (with real coffee!), before 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 another city tour to properly explore the city, including the iconic Ferris Wheel.

Then this evening we'll have an dinner at the cities best restaurant, where we'll have a chance to see Ashgabat by night. Overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 6
DAY 6
Done and dusted. Mauritania in December anyone?
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... Mauritania in December anyone?
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DAY 1 (August 16)

Arrive in Turkmenistan

Muktadeer H.

Maria Q.

The Eye of the Sahara Ultra was so well organized! The friendships formed with the other runners, the shared suffering and ultimate shared successes were only a part of what made this race so incredible. The team did an excellent job of caring for us all, our camps were some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced, the food was unbelievably good, especially being made out in the middle of the open Sahara Desert, and the team members at each aide station were all smiles and cheers! Having the course marked every 1km alleviated any stress of potentially getting “lost” in the desert.. plus I knew the staff was aware of my location at all times. This ultra should definitely be on your list, even if before it you were considered an ultra novice, like me. Also: the stars at night were stunning enough to book this trip just to witness that raw beauty alone. You won’t regret it.

By Courtney J for Eye of the Sahara Ultra Marathon 2025 - 2nd Edition on Dec 17, 2025

An utterly unique perspective on Madagascar. A rare chance to visit small, rural villages; take hikes to waterfalls in secluded areas; see lemurs in the wild and boabab trees beyond the Avenue; and top it off by helping to renovate a school!

By Dave M for Magic in Madagascar on Nov 01, 2025

What an amazing trip! After seeing the Eagle Huntress documentary 9 years ago , I was so excited to see this trip come up. The logistics of getting there are so difficult to arrange, but I knew from previous trips with Johnny and Josh it would be well organised.. which of course it was. I loved every second. The people who come on these journeys are fun and interesting. It was a great group. The Golden Eagle festival was breathtaking. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Amazing!!!

By Janice B for Mongolia Golden Eagle Fesitval Charity Trip on Oct 19, 2025

I’m not usually a fan of group travel but necessary for a country like Turkmenistan! The tour was really well organized and I liked the style of travel. Good mix of hotels and roughing it. Our local tour guide was excellent and always on hand. Group was a fun bunch of like minded travelers up for adventure. Would recommend Johnnys tours!

By Geraldine C for Turkmenistan (and the Gates of Hell) on Aug 30, 2025

Fantastic experience in a truly unique location. Would travel again without any reservations or hesitation. Came for the stories which I received in spades and met fantastic people along the way. Loved every bit of the experience.