GROUP ENROLLMENT OPEN · ASHGABAT TOUR
Turkmenistan Motorcycle Expedition
12 days / 11 nights
Bring your own motorcycle for the Caspian coast, Yangykala canyons, Nokhur, Darvaza and an eastern extension to Ancient Merv and Koytendag. Motorcycle stages combine with sightseeing by vehicle and two overnight train journeys.
From US$1,250 per person with 12 participants.
Departure dates are agreed as the group forms.
Route at a glance
Bekdash → Garabogaz → Turkmenbashi → Yangykala → Balkanabat → Serdar → Moon Mountains → Nokhur → Kow-Ata → Ashgabat → Darvaza → Ashgabat → Merv → Mary → Kerki → Koytendag → Kerki → Ashgabat → Serdar → Turkmenbashi → Bekdash → Kazakhstan.
Price by final group size
All prices are in US dollars per person. The price depends on the final number of participants.
| Participants | USD per person |
|---|---|
| 1 | US$3,770 |
| 2 | US$2,412 |
| 3 | US$1,910 |
| 4 | US$1,560 |
| 5 | US$1,787 |
| 6 | US$1,697 |
| 7 | US$1,610 |
| 8 | US$1,530 |
| 9 | US$1,455 |
| 10 | US$1,380 |
| 11 | US$1,310 |
| 12 | US$1,250 |
Day-by-day itinerary
Open each day for the route, transport and overnight stay. Distances are approximate. Train schedules and local access are confirmed for your dates.
Day 1 · Bekdash — Garabogaz — Turkmenbashi
Own motorcycles · approximately 200–230 km. Meet our representative on the Turkmen side of the Kazakhstan border. Assistance with entry formalities and temporary motorcycle import. Ride via Garabogaz along the Caspian coast, with rest and photo stops. Overnight in a Turkmenbashi hotel.
Day 2 · Turkmenbashi — Yangykala — Balkanabat
Motorcycles / 4WD · approximately 330–410 km. Ride to the colourful Yangykala canyons, visit panoramic viewpoints and stop for a picnic lunch. Asphalt, gravel and dirt approaches. The approach is selected for the motorcycles and riders’ abilities; some sections may use 4WD transport. Overnight in a Balkanabat hotel.
Day 3 · Balkanabat — Serdar — Moon Mountains — Serdar
Motorcycles · approximately 270–340 km. Travel towards the Kopetdag foothills and the Moon Mountains. Panoramic stops, short walks and time for photography. Asphalt with dirt-road detours. Overnight in a Serdar hotel.
Day 4 · Serdar — Nokhur — Kow-Ata — Ashgabat
Motorcycles + vehicle · approximately 220–280 km. Explore Nokhur village and its traditional cemetery, then visit Kow-Ata underground thermal lake. Swimming is optional and subject to suitability and site conditions. Leave the motorcycles at an agreed guarded parking area and enter Ashgabat by car for a short evening introduction. Overnight in an Ashgabat hotel.
Day 5 · Ashgabat — Darvaza
Motorcycles / 4WD · approximately 270–300 km. Transfer to the motorcycles and ride north through the Karakum. Water and mud crater stops depend on time and access. A 4WD is arranged for the sandy approach to camp; riding this section depends on motorcycle type and ground conditions. Evening crater viewing from a permitted safe distance, BBQ dinner and overnight in a yurt camp.
Day 6 · Darvaza — Ashgabat
Motorcycles + vehicle · approximately 270–300 km. Breakfast at camp, then ride back to the agreed parking area near Ashgabat. The motorcycles remain there during the eastern part of the journey. City sightseeing by vehicle may include the Independence and Neutrality monuments, Gypjak Mosque and Russian Bazaar, according to available time. Overnight in an Ashgabat hotel.
Day 7 · Ashgabat — Ancient Merv — Mary — night train to Kerki
Vehicle + train · approximately 400–440 km by road. Early departure for Ancient Merv, including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, fortresses and city remains. Continue to Mary, dinner and station transfer. Board a sleeper train towards Kerki. Departure time and sleeper availability are confirmed for the travel dates. Overnight on the train.
Day 8 · Kerki — Koytendag
Vehicle / 4WD · approximately 220–270 km. Meet the team after the train journey, breakfast and travel to the Koytendag mountains. Visit the dinosaur footprint plateau, Kyrk-Gyz cave and, depending on the season, Umbar-Dere waterfall. Overnight in a local guesthouse or tourist accommodation in the Koytendag area.
Day 9 · Koytendag — Kerki — night train to Ashgabat
Vehicle + train · approximately 220–270 km by road. Early breakfast and return to Kerki, with short scenic stops as time allows. Board the train to Ashgabat and rest in the sleeper carriage. Overnight on the train.
Day 10 · Ashgabat — Serdar
Vehicle + motorcycles · approximately 220–240 km by motorcycle. Meet at the railway station, breakfast and transfer to the guarded parking area. Time to inspect tyres, oil, luggage and general motorcycle condition. Resume the motorcycle journey west along the Kopetdag foothills. Overnight in a Serdar hotel.
Day 11 · Serdar — Balkanabat — Turkmenbashi
Motorcycles · approximately 350–370 km. Ride towards the Caspian coast, with lunch and rest stops in Balkanabat. Arrive in Turkmenbashi, hotel check-in and free time in the evening. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 12 · Turkmenbashi — Garabogaz — Bekdash — Kazakhstan
Motorcycles · approximately 200–230 km. Early departure via Garabogaz to the Kazakhstan border. Assistance with exit formalities and closure of temporary motorcycle import. Our services finish on the Turkmen side; continue independently in Kazakhstan.
Included
- Professional local guide throughout the programme.
- Support vehicle with driver on the agreed sections.
- Border meeting and assistance.
- Hotels, guesthouse and yurt camp accommodation.
- Breakfasts; BBQ dinner and breakfast at Darvaza.
- Transfers and vehicle sightseeing in Ashgabat, Merv and Koytendag.
- Train tickets Mary–Kerki and Kerki–Ashgabat.
- Organisation of guarded motorcycle parking during the vehicle section.
- Entrance tickets according to the programme and drinking water.
- Travel insurance.
- Turkmenistan electronic visa (e-Visa) — included in the tour price
- Photo and video permissions within the programme.
Not included
- Fuel, oils and maintenance for personal motorcycles.
- Spare parts, repairs and recovery of a broken-down motorcycle.
- Migration fee — approximately $50 USD per person, not included in the tour price; paid separately
- Temporary motorcycle import charges or security deposits, if applicable.
- Lunches and dinners except those explicitly included.
- Personal expenses and tips.
- Medical evacuation and additional specialist motorcycle travel insurance where not covered by the basic policy.
Before you book
Can I join as a solo rider?
Yes. Send your preferred dates so we can discuss forming a group. The full table also shows the individual option. The final group size determines the per-person price.
Do we ride every stage?
No. Ashgabat city visits and the eastern section use vehicles and trains. Your motorcycles remain at the agreed guarded parking area during the eastern extension. Some canyon and sandy approaches may use 4WD transport.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Your preferred dates, nationality, number of riders, motorcycle model and riding experience. We agree the motorcycle documents, temporary import arrangements, accommodation, timetable and insurance coverage before booking.
