destination: turkmenistan

DESTINATION: TURKMENISTAN
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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Territory 490,000 km2 or 190,000 sq mi; north-south distance 700
km, east-west distance 1500 km
Approximately 6 million inhabitants
Continental climate (dry hot summers)
80% desert (max. 200 m), 20% mountainous terrain (max. 3000 m)
and riverine oases
Gas, oil, sulphur and mineral deposits on its land and off-shore
territories
Has the 2nd largest natural gas deposit worldwide; only the South
Pars Field is larger
Independent state since 1991 (celebrated annually at 27 October)
Nationality: nearly 90% Turkmen (aka Turkoman)
Culture: desert tribal nomadic origin with Persian, Turkic and Slavic
influences
Economy: energy export, trade, animal husbandry, cotton industry
Language: Turkmen – a Turkic language (lingua franca Russian in the
larger towns)
Values: autonomy and self-sufficiency, neighborly friendship and
hospitality towards guests
Religion: moderate form of Sunni Islam mixed with Persian and local
beliefs and rituals
Safety: recognized as neutral by UN Security Council since 1995; no
political, military or religious affiliations with neighboring countries
or foreign/international military alliances
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE
Ashgabat International Airport is located approximately 10 km northwest
of the capital Ashgabat (Ashkhabad). The airport, with its air traffic
control tower and a 12,000-foot (3,700 m) long precision approach
runway, opened in 1994 and was named after the country's first
president, Saparmyrat Niyazov.
The airport includes passenger waiting rooms, service passport, customs,
border control, a 24-hour reference service, VIP and CIP rooms, a
business club, a ticket office (Turkmenistan Airlines), shops, bars, fastfood outlets, currency exchange, a new baggage handling conveyor
system, international telephone, a mother and child room and the offices
of the airlines (Star Alliance and Turkish Airlines).
Türkmenbaşy International Airport is the second largest international
airport in Turkmenistan, located in city Türkmenbaşy (Krasnovodsk).
Flights depart for Ashgabat (Ashgabat Airport), Daşoguz (Daşoguz Airport)
and Istanbul (Atatürk International Airport). Founded in 1959.
In the immediate vicinity of the main body of the terminal there is a
facility to receive VIP-persons. It is used for VIP charter and business
aviation, as well as to receive special flights and departure of delegations
of the Government of Turkmenistan and guests of city of Turkmenbashi.
The building has all the facilities for meetings and conferences.
Points of arrival with visa offices: Ashgabat International Airport; land
border with Uzbekistan (Farab, Shavat, Khojeyli), Kazakhstan (Bekdash)or
Iran (Bajgiran/Gaudan); seaport Turkmenbashi (only when sailing on a
Turkmen-owned vessel). Points of arrival without visa offices: Talimarjan
(Uzbekistan), Serakhs, Idrolium (Iran), Serhetabat (Aghanistan) land
borders
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
TRANSPORT
Own transport for transfers and excursions
throughout Turkmenistan with professional drivers
and modern vehicles:
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Comfortable touring cars
Minibuses
Minivans
4WD
Cars for 2-3 pax
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
ACCOMMODATION
Turkmenistan does not have hotels that are operated by
international hotel chains: Turkmenistan practices the concept of
inviting a foreign hotel chain brand for an initial 4- or 8-year
operational start-up and staff training period, after which national
management takes over control of the hotel operations.
In the past this has been done by Sheraton (Ak Altyn and Grand
Turkmen hotels) and Sofitel (Oguzkent Hotel)
At present, all hotels in Turkmenistan are state-owned and staterun, with one exception (Yelken Yacht Club at Awaza, which is run
by Turkish management, and part of the Yelken resort chain)
The exterior, interior and room design of all hotels on the
territory of Turkmenistan are similar and can be described as
“reflections of the grandeur of Ashgabat”, with the exception of
Yelken Yacht Club, which has its own style.
Hotel staff are young and learning: they often lack good foreign
language skills, work experience and knowledge of servicemindedness
Hotels rarely have their own websites with good room and
service descriptions; exceptions are Yyldyz Hotel and Yelken Yacht
Club
Hotel room reservations are only accepted from persons,
companies, travel agencies or government institutions residing in,
based in, registered in or otherwise located in Turkmenistan
Hotels are divided in base lodges, motels, 2*, 3*, 4* and 5*
categories; only Ashgabat has hotels of all categories
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
HOTELS AND CAMPING
Ashgabat
Yyldyz
Oguzkent
Nusay
Grand Turkmen
New Ashgabat
Ak Altyn
Baght Koshgi
Mizan
Turkmenbashi / Awaza
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Yelken Yacht Club
*****
Seyrana
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Deniz
****
Serdar
****
Balkanabad
Nebitchi
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Serdar
Chinar
motel
Mary
Mary
Margush
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Dashoguz
Dashoguz
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Uzboy
motel
Turkmenabad
Jeyhun
motel
Darwaza
camping
basic till delux
Karakum Desert
camping
basic, basic plus
Karakum Desert
camping
basic, basic plus
Yangikala Canyons
camping
basic, basic plus
Kopetdag Mountains
camping
basic, basic plus
Balkan Mountains
camping
basic, basic plus
RECOMMENDED HOTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR LUXURY LEISURE OR
BUSINESS TRAVEL
Ashgabat: Hotel Yyldyz *****
Turkmenbashi: Yelken Yacht Club *****
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
DINING / BOARD
National cuisine, mostly consisting of 3 or more of the following
components:
• soups (creamy and clear, with or without meat) – always in conjunction
with fresh bread
• salads with fresh vegetables of the season
• main hot dish composed of meat, side and vegetable combination
• meat: chicken, beef, mutton, fish, minced beef or chicken; pork on
request
• side dishes: rice, pasta, or potato-based
• vegetables: boiled, stir-fried or sautéed mix of fresh vegetables of the
season
• desert: fresh fruit, sweet pastry, ice cream; tea and instant coffee
• Note that national cuisine never includes horse meat, and never
includes camel meat
• Local drinks include: fruit juices, sweet red and white wines, beer,
cognac and vodka)
• Regional cuisine (fresh water and salt water fish from Amu Darya River
and Caspian Sea respectively)
• Turkish cuisine (chicken, lamb, minced meat kebab)
• Asian: Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean cuisine (in Ashgabat only)
• European: Italian cuisine (in Ashgabat only)
Notes
• Possible to provide halal meals, but unfortunately it is unable to offer
kosher meals
• Import food items and import alcoholic drinks are expensive at local
shops, and even more so in hotel bars and restaurants
• Asian and European cuisine are only found in Ashgabat, and at
respectable cost
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
TOURS
Ashgabat City Tour
Rather short but diverse excursion in Ashgabat and its surroundings. You
will see not only old and contemporary monuments of Turkmenistan but
also have an opportunity to get to know the culture of the country better
during this one day tour. The capital city is a business card of the country.
Ashgabat is a city that reflects life of the whole Turkmenistan with its wide
streets comparable to the scope of the country, massive modern
constructions can compared with the economy and its sights of different
epochs are rich history of this land.
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
HIGHLIGHTS
• Country with surprising diversity and contrasts
• Spectacular new capital city with white marble skyline
• UNESCO World Heritage sites (3) on the central “Great Silk
Road” trade caravan route
• Bronze Age Bactrian Ancient Culture excavations at Gonur Depe
(Margush)
• Darwaza huge burning (already more than 45 years) gas crater
(“Door to Hell”)
• Karakum Desert with specific flora and fauna, and sand dunes
up to 200 m
• Spectacular prehistoric Parathetys Sea coastline canyons now
known as “Yangikala”
• World-famous horse breed: the Ahalteke (just watch them, or
ride across the desert)
• 150 million years old dinosaur footprints at Kugitang Mountains
• Desert nomadic cultural heritage: felt yurts, camel herds,
typical cuisine, arts and crafts
• Colorful Navruz (Persian New Year) festival near Ashgabat, on
21 March each year
• Awaza: top resorts at the Caspian Sea coast, for a relaxing end
to your journey
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Bactrian Empire: Gonur Depe (Margush) and the surrounding
archeological sites, Ulug Depe archeological site
Achaemenid Empire: Erk Kala at Merw
Parthian Empire: Gyaur Kala at Merw, Nissa and Ygdy Kala strategicallylocated fortified settlements
Arab Caliphates: graves of ashkhabs (Islamic crusaders) at Merw, oldest
local mosque in Dehistan
Oguzkhan and Turkmen tribes: no major constructions; Turkmen express
themselves through lifestyle, crafts and traditions
Seljuk Empire: Sultan Kala and mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar at Merw;
mausoleum of Talkhatan Baba, Serakhs Baba, Meane Baba
Khorezm Empire: in Kunya Urgench the mausoleums of Sultan Tekesh and
Il Arslan
Mongol Empire: on the territory of Turkmenistan it brought mostly
destruction and neglect, rather than construction
Timurid Empire: in Kunya Urgench the mausoleum of Turabeg Khanym
Uzbek khanates and emirates: on the territory of Turkmenistan there
were no remarkable constructions built
Tsarist Empire: railroad tracks, bridges and train stations from the Caspian
Sea via Ashgabat, Mary and Turkmenabad across the Amu Darya River;
Russian-orthodox churches; Geok Depe Commemoration Mosque
Soviet Union: Lenin Monument in Ashgabat, housing/apartment building
construction style in major towns
Modern history: statues in honor of the first president of independent
Turkmenistan; of the founding father of the Turkmen tribes; and of tribal
warriors and famous Turkmen poets, writers; Independence Park,
Neutrality Arch, Earthquake Memorial, Ahalteke Horses Monument,
Ruhnama Spiritual Book Monument, Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque and
Mausoleum, Ertogrul Ghazi Turkish Friendship Mosque
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
ASHGABAT HIGHLIGHTS
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL: ASHGABAT
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Nicknames “City of Love” and “Las Vegas of Central Asia”
Modern, post-independence white marble architecture
Spectacular parks, fountains and monuments
National History Museum
National Carpet Museum
Weekend Bazaar
Central city bazaar
Hippodrome
Private horse stables
Guinness Book of Records sites:
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Tallest flagpole
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Largest carpet
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Largest fountain complex
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Largest indoors ferris wheel
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Largest marble-clad territory
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
SPECIAL PROGRAM
Corporate incentive tours:
• Special events
o national cuisine tasting
o traditional music performances
o Traditional fashion and bridal wear
show
o Caspian coastline cruises
o private Ahalteke horse stables visit
and ride
o desert experience: yurt visit or dining,
camel encounter, outdoor BBQ or
overnight camp
• Team-building exercises
o cooking classes (traditional bread,
sweets, savory pie, dumpling, rice,
meat or soup)
o yurt building
o handicraft classes (felt making)
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
ENTERTAINMENT
Festivals: Along with the common regional holidays such as
Nowruz, several holidays have been established celebrating
various aspects of Turkmen culture and life. These include
Turkmen Carpet Day, which is observed yearly on the last
Sunday of May throughout the country. Exhibitions feature
local arts and crafts as well as the exquisite handmade
carpets unique to Turkmenistan, showing off the expert
combination of color and design that gives them a special
glow. A different kind of celebration is Turkmen Melon Day,
held in every province on the second Sunday in August.
Festivities include performances by musical groups and
exhibitions of foodstuffs, as well as contests for the largest
and best quality melons and pumpkins.
Music: The songs of Turkmenistan are connected to every
aspect of life. The most vibrant and respected of musicians is
the bakhshi. A musician-storyteller, he travels from town to
town, dressed in special clothing and carrying his own
utensils and water drawn from his own well. The villagers will
have prepared a carpet-covered platform for him and there,
by firelight, up to 2,000 people will gather to listen as the
bakhshi sings, starting before sunset and ending long after
sunrise the next morning. The bakhshi accompanies himself
on the two-stringed dutar and every two hours he will take a
short break, drinking tea and chatting.
Bazaars: In Turkmenistan the bazaar is not the only place to
purchase items. There are colorful fairs and supermarkets
and permanent exhibitions of the national crafts. There’s no
bargaining in these shops, but you will find an international
marketplace that is more attuned to the modern world.
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
SOUVENIERS
Souvenirs from Turkmenistan offer visitors exotic ways to remember their
vacation. Wandering through the desert markets, you will find colorful
scarves, woolen slippers and socks, carved statues and delicate jewelry. In
fact, the memories of shopping for presents will be a vivid souvenir
themselves. Carpets are a specialty of the country, and a practical
memento. They come in an assortment of sizes and styles, perfect for use
as wall décor or to spice up a plain floor. Meters of silks, stunning in quality
and colors, can be purchased to be made into clothing, draperies,
tablecloths and bed linens.
Those who are searching for impressive Turkmen souvenirs should search
for Turkmenbashi memorabilia, such as books and gold statues.
For smaller presents, you should certainly consider picking up Turkmen
calendars, which use regional month names, and postcards of the local
attractions. Key chains, refrigerator magnets, T-shirts shot glasses, and
pins are just a few other items to consider.
Turkmenistan Bazaars
On Sundays, the Tolkuchka bazaar is the best place to view the intricate
and unique Turkmen carpets from all over the country. This is the largest
bazaar in the country, spread out over several acres in the desert offering
every imaginable type of good. Carpets, camels, household goods and
vehicles, beautiful local jewelry, handcrafts of every material and design,
as well as fruits and vegetables, spices and snacks.
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
SERVICES
• Provision of presentations at your own office
• Participation in infotours/famtrips for management
(direction/product)
• Advice in composing optimal and exclusive itineraries
• Support with composition of detailed program descriptions
• Access to database with high-resolution images
• International ticketing for national air carrier Turkmenistan
Airlines (T5)
• Visa support (facilitating Letter of Invitation, arrival
registration, Travel Pass)
• CIP/VIP services at Ashgabat Airport for scheduled and charter
flight arrivals
• Hotel accommodation and board
• Camp accommodation (exclusively with own camp facilities)
• Camp meal preparation and picnics
• Overland transportation (exclusively with own transport fleet)
• Domestic air and train ticketing
• Tour escorting and local guide/interpreter services
• Organization of special events and team-building exercises
• Booking of conference halls and related presentation
equipment and meals/coctails/coffee breaks, etc.
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES
EMG Contacts
Tverskaya ul. 22A, office 44,
Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7 916 988 1265
info@eastmarketinggroup.com
vladimir@eastmarketinggroup.com
www.eastmarketinggroup.com
“We provide a partnership of professional Destination Management Companies
in the undiscovered Eastern European & Central Asia regions and offer travel
specialists, event agencies, incentive houses, corporate companies and meeting
planners worldwide direct link to our trusted and professional “EMG Partners” in
the chosen country.”
LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES