How to Find Cheap Hotels in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

In the heart of the Middle East, Ashgabat Turkmenistan lies north of Iran and Afghanistan. It is not a very big country and consists of mostly desert. It was once a part of the Persian empire and the USSR.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Go see the Akhal-Teke, the golden race horses that represent the national emblem.

2. Bring an appetite so you can try the shashlik dinners, which traditionally consist of shish-kabobs, bread, tomato and cucumber salad, potatoes and cherry wine.

3. Peruse the Russian Bazaar and Tekke Bazaar for everything under the sun, from fruits and nuts to clothing and rugs. Remember to haggle.

4. Visit the Moment of Neutrality, which is a glittering gold statue, with an elevator up the middle that gives you tremendous views of the city and Kopet Dag.

5. Visit Tolkuchka to see how the prized deep red tekke carpets are made by teams of women who weave complex patterns.

6. Take a dip in one of the many underground lakes, such as Kow Ata, which has water the temperature of bath water and sulphurous water that is believed to cure arthritis, eczema and rheumatism.

Select Your Accommodations

7. To book accommodations, contact the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Tourism and Sport at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). It's a good idea to book a room at one of the larger hotels. While you may not consider it a cheap accommodation, you will get a better room that is somewhat civilized.

8. Be prepared to spend some money. Generally speaking, decent accommodations cost at least $100 per night.

9. Follow the Silk Road to Ancient Merv, which was once a hub of Islamic art, culture and learning similar to Baghdad. Book your accommodations in the modern city of Mary.

10. Contact a professional. Due to the shortage of hotel accommodations, you will have a better chance finding a cheap room through a reputable tour company.

11. Bring a tent. Campsites are available outside of Ashgabat, along the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Organize Your Transportation

12. Book a cheap flight to Europe or the Middle East and then schedule a connecting flight to reach Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. There are no direct flights from the U.S.

13. Hire a driver at the airport to take you to your hotel or to visit sights within the country.

14. Get the necessary documents. You will need a visa to travel around in Turkmenistan, which can be purchased at your hotel or through a travel agent or tour director.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Never point at anything with your arm as it sends the wrong signals and is considered threatening in the Turkmenistan culture.
• If you can communicate with the locals, do not talk about politics as it is an extremely sensitive topic.
• Bring scarves or face coverings to protect yourself while in Ashgabat from the extreme dust that blows from the nearby Kara Kum Desert.