Turkmenistan is a very safe country for locals and foreigners alike. Violent crime is almost non-existent in Turkmenistan, especially towards foreigners.

As with all places, there is a low risk of petty crime. Take care when visiting busy public places and especially markets.

Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan although some older generations are likely to speak some Russian due to the long history that exists between Russia, formerly the USSR, and Turkmenistan.

In many cities, you may find some people who are able to speak English, although do not assume people will be able to converse with you easily. Outside the cities, it is unlikely you’ll find any English speakers.

Turkmen Manat is the official currency of Turkmenistan.

Take care of exchange rates, talk to your Tour Manager about the best way to exchange currency upon arrival in the country. We recommend bringing US Dollars or Euros to exchange when you get to Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan has a desert climate. Therefore, Spring and Autumn are the best times to travel to Turkmenistan.

Winter is quite cold in the country which limits our ability to move around the country and means we are unable to guarantee certain sites will be open.

The Summer is prohibitively hot and not an enjoyable time to visit Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan is a very conservative country, so dress appropriately.

In the cities, don’t wear shorts, vest-tops or any other extremely informal clothing. Despite being a Muslim-majority country, women are not required to wear headscarves, although in Mosques, Islamic regulations will apply and headscarves will be provided.

In the countryside, dress according to the environment and the weather. Clothing recommendations are much more lax in the countryside, although keep some smart clothes on hand in case we visit a local family.

There are bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, some restaurants and gathering places will not.

Due to Turkmenistan being Muslim-majority, whilst alcohol is available, there are large portions of society who will not partake in drinking.

Whilst it is possible to get a SIM card upon arrival in Turkmenistan, many social media websites are limited or blocked. We recommend downloading an up-to-date VPN before travelling.

Internet will be available in most hotels and public places around the cities in Turkmenistan. However, in the countryside, service is limited.

Photography is relatively restricted in Turkmenistan, but, as a general guide; natural sites and geological features are fine, such as the Darvaza Gas Crater and Yangykala Canyon.

Some public buildings are allowed to be photographed – these usually include the most ornate and beautiful constructions.

Government & military buildings must not be photographed.

Typically, local people commonly don’t like having their photo taken by foreigners so permission MUST be sought before photos are taken.

During your free time, if you’re in a city, you’ll be free to walk around on your own and explore your new surroundings.

If we find ourselves outside the city limits exploring the countryside, you must be part of an organised group with a guide.

Ashgabat is the hub for medical care in Turkmenistan. There are a few modern facilities in the capital offering a western standard of medical care. However, outside the capital, medical care is limited to basic first aid and simple treatment.

For this reason, we require all travellers to have comprehensive travel insurance.

Applying for a Turkmen visa is notoriously difficult; group visas are slightly easier. For this reason, we will handle the application process for you and collect all the information we need during your booking.

We must apply for all visas one month before the start of the tour, so if you’re planning to join us on tour, make sure you book sooner rather than later.

Do not drink tap water in Turkmenistan, it’s not good quality. Kettles will be provided in almost all hotel rooms around the country and bottled water will also be available.

Outside cities, Absolute Nomads will supply clean drinking water for all travellers.

The following vaccinations are recommended, although not required:

• Chickenpox
• Diptheria
• Tetanus
• Flu
• MMR
• Polio
• Shingles
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Typhoid

This information may change depending on the COVID situation. Contact your Tour Manager for up-to-date information before travelling.

All travellers require a double vaccination against COVID-19 along with vaccine certification. You will need to present a negative PCR test upon arrival, taken less than 48 hours before you arrive in the country with the certificate in English. There may be additional COVID testing upon arrival.