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Things to do in Damla

Damla, a small and secluded village in Turkmenistan, offers a unique glimpse into the traditional desert lifestyle of the Turkmen people. Located in the heart of the Karakum Desert, it's known for its authentic yurt settlements and a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The village is surrounded by the stark yet beautiful desert landscape, with rolling sand dunes and clear night skies. Visitors to Damla can experience traditional Turkmen hospitality, learn about their customs, and witness daily activities like camel herding. It's a place where time slows down, allowing for a profound connection with nature and culture.

EXPERIENCES

A range of thrilling experiences handpicked by our experts. Don’t see one that’s just right for you? No problem. Our local insiders will create precisely what you want.

Experience Desert Lifestyle

Tucked away amidst vast desert expanses, Damla offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Turkmen desert life. Stay with local families in their traditional yurts and be a part of their daily rituals – from tending to camels to preparing local dishes. The warmth and hospitality of the Turkmen people provide a genuine, unforgettable immersion into their rich cultural tapestry.

Camel Riding Golden Sand Dunes

Experience the timeless beauty of Damla's desert landscapes by embarking on a camel trek. As you gently sway on these majestic creatures, absorb the serene beauty of the undulating sand dunes, shimmering mirages, and the vastness of the Karakum Desert. Local guides enhance the journey with tales of ancient caravans and nomadic tribes that once roamed these sands.

Experience Desert Stargazing

Far from city lights, Damla's nighttime sky offers an unparalleled stargazing experience. As the sun sets, painting the dunes in hues of gold and crimson, a blanket of stars emerges overhead. Lay back and let local astronomers guide you through constellations, planets, and the Milky Way, making it a mesmerizing and educational nocturnal adventure.

Desert Springs and Oases

Despite its arid surroundings, Damla surprises visitors with its hidden springs and oases. Venture out to discover these pockets of life, where palm trees provide shade and fresh springs quench your thirst. The contrast of lush greenery against golden sands is a sight to behold and offers a moment of reflection on nature's resilience and wonders.

Ancient Ruins and Petroglyphs

Scattered around Damla are remnants of ancient civilizations that once thrived in this desert oasis. With local guides, uncover these archaeological treasures, from ruins of old settlements to fascinating petroglyphs etched onto rocks. These relics, offering glimpses into Damla's bygone era, emphasize the area's historical significance and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants.

Traditional Turkmen Music and Dance

Evenings in Damla are often marked by local gatherings where traditional Turkmen music and dance come alive. Participate in or simply enjoy these performances, where heartfelt melodies resonate with the dombra (a stringed instrument), and spirited dances narrate tales of love, courage, and desert life. This cultural celebration encapsulates the soul of Damla, making it an experience not to be missed.

CENTRAL ASIA DISCOVERY EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day group tour. Explore Silk Road cities, mountain valleys, and desert landscapes. Stay in yurts, meet local families, and discover ancient monuments with expert guides—an immersive Central Asia expedition blending culture, history, and nature in one unforgettable journey.

Interest

Hiking/Trekking, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

GRAND TOUR OF CENTRAL ASIA: FROM STEPPES TO CITIES

Embark on a 20-day odyssey through Central Asia, exploring ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, and stunning natural landscapes from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan. Experience the rich tapestry of history, culture, and nature that defines this enchanting region.

Interest

Heritage, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

20 days

Price For Person

From £17,870

SILK ROAD FIVE-STANS EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day Silk Road group tour. Explore ancient cities, scenic valleys, mountain landscapes, and vibrant bazaars with expert guides. Enjoy cultural immersion, comfortable stays, and unforgettable experiences throughout Central Asia’s Five Stans with Asian Geographical.

Interest

People & Culture, Off Grid, AONB

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

TREASURES OF CENTRAL ASIA TOUR

Explore Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on a cultural journey through Silk Road cities, ancient ruins, and desert wonders. From Tashkent to Samarkand, Khiva to Merv, experience rich history, traditional crafts, and dramatic landscapes on a multi-centre tour designed for curious travellers seeking depth, beauty, and discovery.

Interest

People & Culture, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

14 days

Price For Person

From £6,430

TURKMENISTAN HERITAGE TOUR

Uncover Turkmenistan’s cultural treasures on this 8-day heritage tour. From Ashgabat’s grand monuments to ancient Merv, Bronze Age Gonur Depe, and coastal Turkmenbashi, experience a fascinating blend of history, landscapes, and tradition, guided by Asian Geographical’s expert local team.

Interest

Art & Architecture, Off Grid, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

8 days

Price For Person

From £3,650

TURKMENISTAN SILK ROAD TOUR

This 8-day Turkmenistan Silk Road tour explores ancient cities, desert wonders, and cultural heritage. Visit UNESCO sites like Kunya-Urgench and Merv, camp by the Darvaza gas crater, experience village life in Damla, and discover Ashgabat’s marble splendour—an unforgettable journey through the heart of Central Asia’s Silk Road history and landscapes.

Interest

Heritage, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

8 days

Price For Person

From £3,250

TURKMENISTAN'S CULTURAL TAPESTRY: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Discover Turkmenistan's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes on a 6-day tour, from the modern marvels of Ashgabat to the ancient ruins of Merv and the traditional life in Bokurdak.

Interest

Heritage, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

6 days

Price For Person

From £3,170

TURKMENISTAN'S DESERT WONDERS: AN EPIC JOURNEY

Turkmenistan's Desert Wonders is a 9-day adventure through ancient cities, vast deserts, and modern marvels. Discover UNESCO sites, the flaming Gates of Hell, and remote desert villages. From archaeological ruins to white-marble Ashgabat, this tour reveals the rich history, culture, and surreal beauty of Turkmenistan with expert guidance throughout.

Interest

Heritage, Off Grid, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

9 days

Price For Person

From £3,090

CENTRAL ASIA DISCOVERY EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day group tour. Explore Silk Road cities, mountain valleys, and desert landscapes. Stay in yurts, meet local families, and discover ancient monuments with expert guides—an immersive Central Asia expedition blending culture, history, and nature in one unforgettable journey.

Interest

Hiking/Trekking, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

GRAND TOUR OF CENTRAL ASIA: FROM STEPPES TO CITIES

Embark on a 20-day odyssey through Central Asia, exploring ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, and stunning natural landscapes from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan. Experience the rich tapestry of history, culture, and nature that defines this enchanting region.

Interest

Heritage, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

20 days

Price For Person

From £17,870

SILK ROAD FIVE-STANS EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day Silk Road group tour. Explore ancient cities, scenic valleys, mountain landscapes, and vibrant bazaars with expert guides. Enjoy cultural immersion, comfortable stays, and unforgettable experiences throughout Central Asia’s Five Stans with Asian Geographical.

Interest

People & Culture, Off Grid, AONB

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

TREASURES OF CENTRAL ASIA TOUR

Explore Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on a cultural journey through Silk Road cities, ancient ruins, and desert wonders. From Tashkent to Samarkand, Khiva to Merv, experience rich history, traditional crafts, and dramatic landscapes on a multi-centre tour designed for curious travellers seeking depth, beauty, and discovery.

Interest

People & Culture, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

14 days

Price For Person

From £6,430

GRAND TOUR OF CENTRAL ASIA: FROM STEPPES TO CITIES

Embark on a 20-day odyssey through Central Asia, exploring ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, and stunning natural landscapes from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan. Experience the rich tapestry of history, culture, and nature that defines this enchanting region.

Interest

Heritage, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

20 days

Price For Person

From £17,870

TREASURES OF CENTRAL ASIA TOUR

Explore Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on a cultural journey through Silk Road cities, ancient ruins, and desert wonders. From Tashkent to Samarkand, Khiva to Merv, experience rich history, traditional crafts, and dramatic landscapes on a multi-centre tour designed for curious travellers seeking depth, beauty, and discovery.

Interest

People & Culture, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

14 days

Price For Person

From £6,430

TURKMENISTAN HERITAGE TOUR

Uncover Turkmenistan’s cultural treasures on this 8-day heritage tour. From Ashgabat’s grand monuments to ancient Merv, Bronze Age Gonur Depe, and coastal Turkmenbashi, experience a fascinating blend of history, landscapes, and tradition, guided by Asian Geographical’s expert local team.

Interest

Art & Architecture, Off Grid, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

8 days

Price For Person

From £3,650

TURKMENISTAN SILK ROAD TOUR

This 8-day Turkmenistan Silk Road tour explores ancient cities, desert wonders, and cultural heritage. Visit UNESCO sites like Kunya-Urgench and Merv, camp by the Darvaza gas crater, experience village life in Damla, and discover Ashgabat’s marble splendour—an unforgettable journey through the heart of Central Asia’s Silk Road history and landscapes.

Interest

Heritage, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

8 days

Price For Person

From £3,250

TURKMENISTAN'S CULTURAL TAPESTRY: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Discover Turkmenistan's rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes on a 6-day tour, from the modern marvels of Ashgabat to the ancient ruins of Merv and the traditional life in Bokurdak.

Interest

Heritage, Art & Architecture, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

6 days

Price For Person

From £3,170

TURKMENISTAN'S DESERT WONDERS: AN EPIC JOURNEY

Turkmenistan's Desert Wonders is a 9-day adventure through ancient cities, vast deserts, and modern marvels. Discover UNESCO sites, the flaming Gates of Hell, and remote desert villages. From archaeological ruins to white-marble Ashgabat, this tour reveals the rich history, culture, and surreal beauty of Turkmenistan with expert guidance throughout.

Interest

Heritage, Off Grid, History & Archaeology

Destination

Turkmenistan

Tour Style

PRIVATE

Duration

9 days

Price For Person

From £3,090

CENTRAL ASIA DISCOVERY EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day group tour. Explore Silk Road cities, mountain valleys, and desert landscapes. Stay in yurts, meet local families, and discover ancient monuments with expert guides—an immersive Central Asia expedition blending culture, history, and nature in one unforgettable journey.

Interest

Hiking/Trekking, History & Archaeology

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

SILK ROAD FIVE-STANS EXPEDITION

Travel across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan on this 17-day Silk Road group tour. Explore ancient cities, scenic valleys, mountain landscapes, and vibrant bazaars with expert guides. Enjoy cultural immersion, comfortable stays, and unforgettable experiences throughout Central Asia’s Five Stans with Asian Geographical.

Interest

People & Culture, Off Grid, AONB

Destination

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Tour Style

GROUP

Duration

17 days

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what other says

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"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
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