After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to Turkmenbashi airport for the 1-hour flight on Turkmenistan Airlines to Ashgabat. The views of the airplane gives you an idea of how much of a desert Turkmenistan is made of (80% of the country)!
Ashgabat
After reaching Ashgabat at 1pm, we headed to National Museum of Turkmenistan (the Carpet museum was closed!). Some of the displays in the seven galleries of the museum include famous carpets, artifacts from ‘Ancient World’ (archaeological excavations in Altyn-Depe), trophies given to the dictatorial Presidential family over the years, paintings, musical instruments, sculptures, etc. English-speaking guides are included in the entrance fees.
The massive compound of the museum building also has the tallest flagpole in Turkmenistan standing at 133m (436ft).
After the National Museum, we had lunch at a Yurt restaurant serving delicious Turkmen food.
Post lunch was a tour of the capital city and all its ‘weird’ structures! Ashgabat is known for its white marble buildings, and by law all vehicles must be white, light grey or silver in color only. No other color of vehicles are allowed in the city. Your vehicle must be clean and washed at all times or pay hefty fines!
We retired to our hotel after a full day of sightseeing, and started packing for a late night flight out of Turkmenistan.
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = TMM 3.50 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. Note that the expenses do not include international flights to and from Turkmenistan.
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Snacks | $3.43 | TMM 12 for water and chips at Turkmenbashi airport. |
| Total Costs | $3.43 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,219.83 | Per person |
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Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenbashi
Visit Yangykala Canyon and sights of Turkmenbashi.
Day 5
Ashgabat
Sights of capital city.