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Extreme & Expedition
Unforgettable Adventure
The deserts and mountains
of Turkmenistan are full of challenges for the adventurous
and active.
Be it a canter on the beautiful
Akhal Teke horses through the gorges of the Sekizyap
or Firuza valleys or a gallop across the grassland of
the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, the country
is almost too vast to cover. Join us on a 4WD Off-Road
adventure crossing Karakum Desert where few have ever
ventured before or come out on a real Camel Caravan
through endless steppes of the Akkyr and Kaplankyr Plateaus.
Come snorkelling and fishing on the islands off the
Caspian shore and swim with Caspian Seals. Set records
soaring the blue skies of a paragliding paradise and
cycle & climb along the amazing mountain routes
of the Kopetdag Mountains. |
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The Northwest Trek - Off Road
This unique off-road adventure connecting Khorezm to the Caspian
Sea along time-honoured salt caravan trails is a challenging
route for the adventurous traveller. With no settlements along
the first 300 km of the difficult trek, guided by GPS systems
we start from Kunya-Urgench's southernmost monument, the Shasenem
fortress. Here we enter the Sarakamysh depression passing around
the large lake with its unique wildlife, which due to its inaccessibility
makes it the "Serengeti of Turkmenistan". We further
journey along the edge of the Karakum desert into the vicinity
of the remote Kaplankyr Reserve, the 'Plateau of the Tiger'.
The dazzling Karashor Salt Marsh borders this vast area of white
ravines, cliffs and endless steppe with its 250 m white rock
face stretching far into the horizon. Crossing the challenging
Kumsepishen desert we reach the first remote Yomud tribe village
with its large camel herds. The trek further continues across
the fascinating red and orange-coloured Yangysu canyon on the
shore of the Karabogaz Basin, a large gulf of the Caspian before
we reach our destination and the cool waters of the Sea.
Starting from the port Turkmenbashi or Kunya
Urgench, to make this exciting crossing and to see some of the
beautiful landscape you need a minimum of 4 days by 4WD.
Kaplankyr - Camel Caravan & Trekking
Kaplankyr, or the Tiger Plateau, has the most beautiful canyoning
and trekking opportunities in Turkmenistan. The spectacular
ravines of Yangykala and Yangusu are relatively easy to access,
while further canyons inhabited by populations of Urial mountain
sheep must be visited on longer off-road treks with professional
guides across the amazing plateaus and canyons of this immense
area. The Karabogaz Gulf - an enormous sea basin, stretches
to the north and west of the region. Join a Camel Caravan crossing
the green steppes of the plateau populated with its huge dromedary
herds, or go wildlife watching in the gorges where Saiga antilopes
and gazelles come to drink. Come and feel the thrill of driving
through the dunes of the Black Desert.
The Canyons of Kaplankyr and Akkyr Plateaus are
a one-day drive from Ashgabat or ½ day drive from Turkmenbashi.
You need at least 2-3 days to see some of this striking countryside
and wildlife on off-road trips covering serious distances. Only
Yangykala canyon can be visited by non-4WD year-round, road
conditions permitting.
Damla Oasis
The Damla Oasis is one of the furthest Yomud and Teke tribe
oases in the heart of the Karakum desert. Far off the main road,
flat roof villages and yurts found in almost every household
characterize this breathtaking place. You can witness simple
and beautiful nomadic traditions, throwing the rare visitor
back in time. In order to reach the small settlement one has
to cross into the Northern Karakum and traverse the Uzboy -
the former riverbed of the Amudarya River. The demanding track
across the dunes and salt marshes is a challenge for even the
most experienced driver with a refreshing stop at the Bekuri
Oasis halfway. This venture gives the Silk Road explorer a genuine
impression of what travel and life in the desert has always
meant its nomadic inhabitants.
Damla is some 4 hours off-road from the main
Ashgabat-Dashogus highway and can be visited on a two-day trek
from Ashgabat spending the night in tents or with the nomad
families. |
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