Turkmenistan · Geological Wonders

4-Day Koytendag Dinosaur Plateau Tour from Ashgabat with Ashgabat City

4 Days Round trip from Ashgabat Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the Dinosaur Plateau, home to one of the world's largest dinosaur footprint collections
  • 02 Explore Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave, a shrine where pilgrims tie cloths in hope of granted wishes
  • 03 Walk through the narrow Umbar Dere Gorge to its beautiful waterfall
  • 04 See the Astana Baba and Alamberdar Mausoleum Complex in Turkmenistan's far east
  • 05 Tour Ashgabat's landmark sites, including the Spiritual Mosque and National Museum of History

Explore Turkmenistan's far east on a 4-day journey from Ashgabat to the Koytendag Mountains and back. Visit the Astana Baba and Alamberdar Mausoleum Complex, discover the Dinosaur Plateau with its remarkable prehistoric footprints, and explore Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave, Umbar Dere Gorge, and Kainar Baba Lake. The tour also includes an overnight train ride to Ashgabat and a city tour of the capital's iconic landmarks, from major mosques and museums to Independence Park and the Akhalteke horses stables. This itinerary combines archaeology, pilgrimage sites, natural wonders, and urban highlights in one trip.

The Dinosaur Plateau has one of the largest and most important collections of dinosaur footprints in the world.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Ashgabat, Turkmenabat
Languages English, German, Japanese, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Fly to Turkmenabat and Drive to Koytendag

  • In the morning, fly from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat.
  • Upon arrival, transfer to Koyten village in the Kugitang Mountains of Turkmenistan's far east.
  • On the way, visit the Astana Baba and Alamberdar Mausoleum Complex.
  • Please be prepared for a long drive of about 11 hours (450 km).
  • Camp-style dinner and overnight at Koytendag Base Lodge.
2
Day 02

Dinosaur Plateau, Kyrk Gyz and Umbar Dere Gorge

  • After breakfast, explore the Dinosaur Plateau in Koytendag, the Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave, and the Umbar Dere Gorge.
  • The Dinosaur Plateau has one of the largest and most important collections of dinosaur footprints in the world.
  • Picnic lunch on the plateau.
  • Visit Kyrk Gyz, a shrine where many pilgrims have attached pieces of cloth to the ceiling in hopes of having their wishes granted.
  • Then walk along a short trail through the narrow Umbar Dere Gorge to the beautiful waterfall.
  • Return to the base lodge for a camp-style dinner and overnight.
3
Day 03

Kainar Baba Lake and Overnight Train to Ashgabat

  • Breakfast, followed by a visit to Kainar Baba Lake, a small lake with a sulphur spring.
  • Then, transfer to Amyderya station to take the overnight train to Ashgabat, which departs at 15:00.
  • Dinner and overnight on the train.
4
Day 04

Ashgabat City Tour and Airport Transfer

After breakfast, visit the local market, followed by a city tour of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, which has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble on its buildings than any other city in the world.

  • You will visit Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, the National Museum of History, Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the newly built Independence Park.
  • This rich and interesting excursion also includes a stop at the Akhalteke horses stables and Lenin Monument.
  • Free time in the late afternoon.
  • Overnight at the hotel.
  • Transfer to the airport.

End of the tour.

Dinosaur Plateau, Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave, Umbar Dere Gorge

Where this trip takes you

Dinosaur Plateau, Kyrk Gyz pilgrim cave, Umbar Dere Gorge

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Ashgabat 2 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All transfers (by 4x4 vehicle except on Day 4; 1-3 pax sharing one vehicle, 4 pax sharing two vehicles or a minivan)
  • Accommodation with breakfasts included (rooms at the base lodge and the cabin on the train will be shared between up to four people)
  • Sightseeing tour program with an English-speaking local guide
  • Economy class flight ticket from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat
  • Train ticket from Amyderya to Ashgabat (sharing a 4-person sleeper cabin)
  • Lunch on Day 2
  • Dinners on Days 1-3
  • Bottled mineral water (500 ml per person per day)
  • Visa support (invitation letter, registration, travel pass)
  • The tourist fee is $2 per person per night at the hotel

What's Not Included

  • Full board (lunches and dinners)
  • Charges for additional services at the hotel
  • Consular fees for issuing tourist visas in Turkmenistan ($100-120)
  • Tickets for international flights before and after the tour
  • Tips of $5-10 for each driver and guide are not included but will be appreciated

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Ashgabat, Туркменистан
Tour start
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Ashgabat.

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