Turkmenistan tours & holidays

Most travellers need a Letter of Invitation (LOI) and a visa before entering Turkmenistan. For more information, please visit the Government of Turkmenistan's website or the Essential Trip Information.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

Tipping is appreciated and reflects good service when travelling through Turkmenistan. However, avoid tipping with coins, very small denominations, or ripped or dirty notes, as this can be taken as an insult.

Turkmenistan is known for very hot summers and very cold winters. Lightweight, light-coloured and long-sleeved clothing is recommended for summer, especially if travelling in the desert. Nights can get cold, even during the warmer months, so pack at least one warm layer.

If travelling in winter, you’ll need warm clothes and a windproof and waterproof jacket.

If you plan on visiting religious sites, ensure you have clothing covering your arms, shoulders and legs. Women are required to wear headscarves in places of worship, but packing a headscarf will come in handy for everyone if travelling in the desert.

Tap water isn't safe to drink in Turkmenistan. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Your local leader will help you find filtered water. You may also like to bring water purification tablets.

It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Internet access is available in all large towns at state-run internet cafes.

All internet access is via the state-run domain, so emails may be monitored and many websites (including social media like Facebook and Twitter) are blocked.

Roaming agreements are in place with some international phone companies. However, mobile phone coverage is mainly limited to Ashgabat. Remember to activate global roaming with your service provider before leaving home.

Turkmenistan has a mix of squat toilets and flushable toilets. Travellers should carry their own toilet paper and hand sanitiser, as these are rarely provided.

In Turkmenistan, same-sex activity is illegal and in general, attitudes are not accepting. It is advised that travellers be discreet and avoid displays of affection.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.