Before they
close it!
Flames 30% down
One of the least visited countries on earth
Burning craters. Night trains. Cheap Russian cognac.
Turkmenistan is the 10th least visited country in the world, with one of the toughest visas on the planet and a government that couldn’t care less about tourist dollars. That’s where I come in.
I got rejected from Turkmenistan multiple times on my every-country trip, until I met a legend with the right contacts. We’ve run group trips together since 2023, with a 100% visa success rate, and they’ve been some of the best trips of my life.
They’re switching the Gates of Hell off step by step. Last year 30% of the gas was gone. Come before it’s gone for good.
Tour highlights
-
Gates of Hell
Camp overnight by the crater
-
Soviet Night Train
Right across the country
-
Yangy Kala Canyon
Central Asia’s Grand Canyon
-
Caspian Sea
A night at the resort
Trip facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Rooms
- Twin share, single available
- Visa
- We sort it for you
- Guides
- Johnny + local guide
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ashgabat
· Hotel, Ashgabat
Arrive any time on Day 1. My team will pick you up from the airport and you’ll be at the hotel within 15 minutes. Lots of flights land in the middle of the night. That’s fine too.
For anyone already safely in Ashgabat, there’s a group dinner and drinks that night.
Day 2: The Gates of Hell
Camping at the crater
A morning briefing (toilets, health and safety, money: thrilling stuff) and a quick Ashgabat city tour. Then it’s 270km across the Karakum desert in our private 4WDs.
We explore the craters along the ancient Inguz line, one full of water, one full of mud, and reach the fiery Darvaza crater before sunset. We pitch up, maybe share a smuggled bottle or two, and camp by the flames all night. Bring warm clothes!
Day 3: The Soviet Night Train
Overnight sleeper to Turkmenbashi
Breakfast in the desert, then back to Ashgabat for a well-earned shower (the hotel even has an old-school sauna) and lunch in a fancy café.
Then one of my favourite things to do in unique countries: an overnight Soviet sleeper train right across the country to Turkmenbashi. Alcohol is illegal on the trains. (Cough, cough.)
Day 4: Yangy Kala & the Caspian
Caspian Sea resort, Turkmenbashi
Wake up in Turkmenbashi for a short sightseeing tour and your first look at the Caspian Sea. Then it’s back in the 4WDs to Yangy Kala, Central Asia’s proud answer to the Grand Canyon.
Once the floor of the ancient Tethys Sea, it’s been carved over millions of years into wild shapes and colours. We soak up exactly where in the world we are, then head back to our Caspian Sea resort.
Day 5: Back to Ashgabat
Hotel, Ashgabat
A short flight back to Ashgabat, a visit to see the world-famous Akhal-Teke horses, and a city tour of the marble capital.
Then dinner at Ashgabat’s fanciest restaurant, which thanks to the black market costs about $15.
Day 6: We’re Out of Here
· Fly home
Depending on your flight you can sleep in, or (more likely) check out around 2am for an early transfer to the 4am flights.
You’ll leave having seen a country almost nobody gets to see, with a story nobody back home will quite believe.
Your host
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world. When I did that trip, Turkmenistan rejected me multiple times. Eventually I met a legend with the right contacts who got me in, and we’ve worked together ever since. His team has a 100% visa success rate for our groups.
I hadn’t been back since 2016 until I started running these trips in 2023. I thought I’d bring one group to repay my fixer. It turned out to be probably the best group trip of my life. Very little sleep, epic times all day every day.
These kinda cool countries attract epic groups of people.
For hardcore travellers
Why Turkmenistan?
-
The Gates of Hell
In 1971 a gas field collapsed into a 70m-wide crater. Soviet scientists set it alight, expecting it to burn out in weeks. It’s been burning for over 50 years.
-
Almost nobody gets in
The 10th least visited country on earth and one of the hardest visas in the world. It only reopened in late 2023, so you’ll be among the first back in.
-
Ashgabat
White marble, golden statues and the world’s largest indoor ferris wheel. Like nowhere else on the planet.
Before you book
Good to Know
How about the visa?
We’ve got you. It’s one of the toughest visas in the world and is often rejected, but my team registers us, organises the letters of invitation and processes all the documents. You just turn up at the airport and pay the fee. We’ve yet to have a rejection.
Is Turkmenistan safe?
Safe doesn’t come close. One of the safest countries in the world, perhaps the safest. Let’s just say everyone obeys the law and leave it at that. As we say in Ireland, “safe as houses”.
How do I get there?
Easy. You can fly via Istanbul, Dublin, Bangkok, London and plenty more. Land any time on Day 1 and my team will meet you, whatever the hour.
Can I arrive early?
Of course. Let me know in advance and I’ll sort the permits, the hotel and the airport transfer. It’s roughly an extra $100–150.
Can I come solo?
Yes, most people do. Prices are per person sharing and I’ll match you up with a buddy. Or pay the single supplement for your own room.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Never travel without it. I use HeyMondo: instant quotes, they actually pay out, and they cover places most insurers won’t.
Price and what’s included
What’s included
- Letter of invitation, registration and all visa paperwork
- All transport, with A/C (car, minivan or bus)
- 4WD cars for the off-road parts (4 passengers per car)
- Local English-speaking guide
- Western guide (me!)
- Overnight Soviet sleeper train, Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi
- Domestic flight, Turkmenbashi to Ashgabat
- Site tickets at the Akhal-Teke horse farm
- All accommodation and all breakfasts
- Camping at the Gates of Hell crater
- All activities
What’s not included
- Visa fee, paid in cash on arrival at Ashgabat airport (around $140, depending on nationality)
- Any PCR test or other government entry requirements (around $31)
- Additional meals (about $10 each)
- Tips, personal items and anything not listed
- Extra hotel nights if you arrive early
- International flights
- Travel insurance (required)
Tour price
€1,699
Per person sharing · 6 days
- €200 non-refundable deposit secures your spot
- Full payment due June 9, 2027
- Single room supplement €509
- Pay by card through WeTravel
Spots go fast
See you in Ashgabat.
The flames get smaller every year. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather pay by bank transfer? Email johnny@onestep4ward.com
As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand
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