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Hot-Blooded Turkmen Horses- Akhalteke Superstars
Turkmen Akhalteke Horse Ride
These horse tours in Turkmenistan are simply & unique. They take place in Akhal region. This is an area of extraordinary historical interest: in 334 BC. Alexander the Great swept the area in search of its legendary horses for his conquering armies on their way to India. It was the centre of the mighty Parthian Empire (Old Nissa), which crushed a Roman army in 53 B.C., its archers mounted on Turkmen horses (hence the «Parthian Shot»). The Turkmen nomadic tribes raided the rich cities of their Persian neighbours for centuries, trading their slaves and booty into Central Asia.
The area is still famous for its horses. Your riding would be based on a stud farm and you would be using original hot-blooded Turkmen horses - Akhalteke. Partners or friends who do not want to ride can take where it is possible same or a different route in a 4WD vehicle and meet up with the riders for some of the breaks or at the end of the day. They will be able to visit local nomads and perhaps spend a little time seeing how the Turkmens live. Photographers and painters would find plenty to keep them busy. These horse tours are a unique opportunity to ride the world’s original hot-blooded Turkmen horses - Akhalteke, the rootstock of both the Thoroughbred and the Arab - through a part of Turkmenistan seldom visited by outsiders.
The Turkmen horse is the key to hot-blooded horses the world over. Valued above all other possessions by the kings, emperors and aristocrats of three continents throughout three millennia of history, the Turkmen horse was famed for its mythical speed, endurance and beauty. The Han Chinese risked armies to get hold of just a few of the breed, the guards of the Caliphs of Baghdad were mounted on them, Alexander the Great captured hundreds if not thousands of the horses to return to Europe after his Parthian campaigns, and the modern Thoroughbred owes everything to Turkmen blood bred directly and indirectly through the great lines. The Turkmen Tribesmen have used their horses for generations to wage warfare across the steppes and mountains of Central Asia. At peace now, the tribesmen still race their horses, training them in the traditional way, and keeping them under felts to sweat them to the lithe lines of catwalk models. The Turkmen horse is the product of millennia of evolution, built to survive heat, drought, the cold winter storms, predations by wolves and leopards, and capable of impressive feats of endurance and great speed.
These Horse Tours are for adventurous and capable riders. Our horse trips are broken into some long rides to cover distance at paces best suited to the Turkmen horses, alternating with relaxed days of riding. Turkmenistan’s position at the cross-roads between the Central Asian Steppes and Iran gives the region a huge range of flora and fauna. Asiatic cheetah, wolves, deer, rabbits and some other some kinds of wild cat inhabit these lands and ornithologists will have frequent sighting of pheasants, partridges, ducks, several types of eagles and even rarer birds. Most parts of rides are at the typical desert dunes with sunny days and sometimes giving cool nights (even with possible rainstorms). The nights are spent under canvas and in Turkmen yurts. Supper, lunch and breakfast are cooked Turkmen style on open fires. There are, of course, plenty of tea and snacks.
Each trip is led by an experienced guide and has two local men along as horseman/groom and camp manager/cook. Though guests are welcome to help with their own horses and in setting up camp, there is always somebody on hand to assist with the horses, to make camp life comfortable and to do the hard work. Each group is supplied by an off-road vehicle, which is there for the setting up of each camp. This is also a safety vehicle, and can be used to transport anybody having a hard time in the saddle. Essential daily kit is carried in our saddlebags, making us independent for lunch breaks.
The length of rides, the quality of the horses and the challenge of the country we cross make these trips for capable riders and adventurous travellers. Firm in the saddle at all paces and with enough grit for long days of 5-6 hours riding, (though there is a half day for recovery in between) is the basic requirement. Trips are run between 20th of March to 01st of June and 20th of August to 20st of November annually, each season having it’s own particular highlights.
Group sizes are up to a maximum of eight riding guests and weight restriction is max. 95 kilograms. Horses are mainly well schooled, sure-footed but spirited hot-blooded Turkmen - Akhalteke. Saddles are English styled saddles. Each guest gets a pair of saddlebags to carry personal kit for each day. Pace on the trail is extended walk, jog and gait, though there are chances to canter and gallop on the relaxed days when we are not carrying saddlebags. We supply all camp equipment - tents, cutlery, medical kit, cooking materials etc. Guests must bring a warm sleeping sheet, sleeping bag, water bottle as well as personal requisites.
Rare but sudden and fierce rainstorms make a full length, fully waterproof riding coat imperative. Camera and film, sun cream, change of clothing, wash kit, personal effects, penknife etc. are carried in guests’ saddlebags. Sleeping bags and spare clothing are carried by support vehicle. There are opportunities to buy locally made rugs, carpets and various traditional souvenirs. Photography, even of village people, is not a problem.
CONTACTS:
Bava Chariyev
Inbound Department Manager
DN Tours Culture & Adventure Travel
Turkmenistan 744000 Ashgabat
Magtumguly Avenue 48/1
Tel: (99312) 270438, 270449
Fax: (99312) 270420
Web site: www.dntours.com
E-mail: dntours@dntours.com
bvch2000@yahoo.com
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Have a nice trekking!
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HRP01-12D. Wonders of Garagum Desert
Duration: 12 days/11 nights
Your Itinerary
1st day. Thursday. Arrival in Ashgabat International Airport
Departure for Ashgabat from Frankfurt by LH. Flight LH 612. Departure at 13.40 PM. Arrival at 23.10 PM. Early arrival in Ashgabat International Airport from Frankfurt. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel Nissa 4*. Accommodation and rest.
2nd day. Friday. Full Day SS in Ashgabat
Breakfast. After rest full day SS in Ashgabat: Park dedicated to Turkmen Horses, Presidential Square, Arch of Neutrality, Gulistan Bazar, Monument of Lenin (1927).
After lunch visit Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, New Hippodrome and horses kept there where there will be Horse Show (different tricks with horses & on horseback), Monument of Independence and Ruhnama.
Lunch & dinner is free.
3rd day. Saturday. Transfer to the Farm Stud “Geokdepe”
The first day of horse trekking. The itinerary begins from the farm - horse stable of vil. Geokdepe which is located 58 km to the west of Ashgabat. Transfer to Geokdepe village - base horse farm. En route you will stop to visit “Turkmenbashynyn Ruhy Metjidi” – a new mosque which is the biggest in Central Asia and “Geokdepe” mosque. After arrival at the farm, you will be familiarized with the stud-farm, private carpet factory of the farm and have showing and choosing horses to riders, check and adjust tack and to learn about Turkmen horses - Akhalteke. Lunch at the farm. After lunch small nature excursion around the village on horses. Traditional Turkmen kebab supper and overnight at the base in the yurtas.
4th day. Sunday. Ride Geokdepe village - Tummekli
( 34 kms riding, six hours aprox. in the saddle)
Early start, breakfast, saddle up. On the first day of our trekking, we take a route to the east-north of Garagum desert. Our route takes us across the sand-dunes of Garagum desert from well to well. We stay for a lunch on the way then continue riding to Tummekli – it is a name of one of the hills of desert where there is a possibility to stop for camping next to it. There we will have a chance to meet face to face with a wild life of Garagum desert. Dinner and overnight under canvas.
5th day. Monday. Proceed to Chyrla Nomadic Village
( 32 kms riding, five hours approx.in the saddle)
Early start. After breakfast we continue our trekking through desert dunes to one of nomadic villages of Garagum - Chyrla. Lunch is on the way at one of the takyr. During our ride we should see the tribal herds of camel and huge frocks of sheep that range across the typical desert pastures. Night at the camp with a campfire supper under canvas.
6th day. Tuesday. Ride to Gurrukly-small village
( 35 km riding, six hours approx in the saddle)
After breakfast we ride to one of small nomadic villages of Carakum desert - Gurrukly. Lunch near Gutlyayak village – one of the biggest villages in the desert. After lunch you can go to the village and familiarise with a life of nomadic people. After a small siesta we will continue our ride to our todays destination. Campfire supper and drinking “Gok Chay”-green tea with villagers (Of course it depends on tourists will ). Overnight under canvas.
7th day. Wednesday. Ride to Hakysh. Half Day Relax
( 17 kms riding, 3 hours aprox. in the saddle)
Today we will have a half day ride and after lunch we will have a rest and look after our horses. However, you can be busy wondering with the life of the shepherds and walking around watching the wild life in the desert. After lunch we will organise a shower booth where you can have a shower.
(Half day relaxed day is essential after each 3 days of ride)
8th day. Thursday. Proceed to Gongurajy
( 29 kms riding, four hours aprox. in the saddle)
Early start, breakfast, saddle up. Today we ride to Gongurajy nomadic village and lunch we will have on the way at one of the “takyr”. Dinner and overnight under canvas.
9th day. Friday. Ride to Orazsahet village
( 28 kms riding, five hours approx. in the saddle)
Early start, breakfast, saddle up. On the eighth day of our trekking we take a route to the west-south of Carakum desert - small nomadic village «Orazsahet». We stay for a lunch near Sardob - also has very unique way of nomadic life. Then continue riding to the nomadic village «Orazsahet» where live only one family’s members for a long period of time. There we familiarise with a life of those people. Dinner and overnight under canvas.
10th day. Saturday. Proceed to Geokdepe water reservoir
( 38 kms riding, six hours approx in the saddle).
Early start. After breakfast we continue our trekking through desert dunes to the lake - Geokdepe water reservoir which is famous with its various kinds of
fish, wild birds and clean water for swimming. On route we have a chance to watch some kinds of desert wild animals and reptiles. For a lunch we stop at the shepherd’s well «Arap Ghuy». After lunch we continue our route. Upon arrival, we will have a swim in the fresh waters of the lake. We will also wash our horses in the lake (or swim together). After our horses get dried we will ride them to the farm which is located in around 10km from the lake. Upon arrival we will have a farewell dinner (fresh fish meals from the lake) with our friends. After dinner we will farewell our horses and friends and leave for Ashgabat. Arrival & accommodation.
11th day. Sunday. Transfer to Ashgabat
After breakfast we will visit the Ashgabat’s famous Oriental Bazar- Jygyldyk (Tolkuchka in Russian) where it is sold almost everything: camels, carpets, cars and etc. There you will find plenty of souvenirs such as carpets, aladjas, handcrafts, felts, embroideries, jewellers and etc. After Bazar we will drive to the Old Hippodrome of Ashgabat to watch the Sunday Horse Race which gives a chance to see the best horses of Turkmenistan in motion and “horse crazy” people rooting for their favourite horses without any betting. After the race we will have a lunch and go to the hotel. Free time.
Dinner at one of the local restaurants or Traditional dinner with a folklore show (it costs 120 Euros)
12th day. Monday. Departure for Frankfurt.
Check out. Transfer to the airport of Ashgabat. Flight LH 613. Departure at 01.25 AM. Arrival in Frankfurt at 05.35 AM. (However, you are kindly advised to check departure and arrival times in advance)
DN TOURS Price in EURO for 2008
In increasing the number of tourists in group prices for our services will be gone down
For Ak Altyn 4* OR Nissa 4* Hotel Accommodation
Group Size Per Person
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2 PAX
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3 PAX
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4 PAX
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5 PAX
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6 PAX
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7 PAX
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8 PAX
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S / S
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Total Price Per person
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1261
EURO
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1136
EURO
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920
EURO
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884
EURO
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854
EURO
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833
EURO
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817
EURO
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92
EURO
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*Note: All programs are calculated without AIR FARE FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.
DN Tours has a right to change destination places for lunch and overnight in the horse ride part of
the program without inform in advance at any forms in case of unavailability reaching those
destinations by any case replacing them with other destinations with the same distances in the
route.
IMPORTANT: (*)
These programs are changeable. By order of clients we can prolong or shorten days. We can also organize combination customized tours for larger groups as well as for individual travelers to have their trip along the Great Silk Road (Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Kirgizstan).
All tourists must know horse-riding skills. Route takes in various places (deserts, lakes) so all tourist must be ready to meet face-to-face with nature’s exams.
TOUR INCLUDES:
-Accommodation DBL/TWIN per program
-Visa support
-Registration at CTB
-All breakfasts
-Lunch & dinner at days 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
-English Speaking Escort-Guide
-Transport for transfers
-Serving mineral water, local sweets or season fruit, tea or coffee as a refreshments during the trip
-Lorry from Day 2 till 10
-Horse as per program
-Tents, yourts, guide service
-Excursions according to program
-Medical kit, cutlery, ground sheets
-Tasting of local wines at the traditional dinner
-Equipment for horses (saddles, reins, stirrups...)
-All Transfers
-Horseman/groom, camp manager/cook.
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TOUR EXCLUDES:
-Visa fee
-Tips to the Tour guide, local guides & drivers
-Immigration Fee paid upon arrival – 10$
-Airport tax paid on departure---$25 p/p
-Lunch & dinner at day 1
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Tour dates for 2008 based on the arrival date
Code:
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Start:
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HRP01.12D08-2003
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20.03.2008
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HRP01.12D08-0304
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03.04.2008
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HRP01.12D08-1704
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17.04.2008
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HRP01.12D08-0105
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01.05.2008
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HRP01.12D08-2808
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28.08.2008
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HRP01.12D08-1109
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11.09.2008
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HRP01.12D08-2509
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25.09.2008
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HRP01.12D08-0910
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09.10.2008
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Note: Max number of participants in the group is 8 pax.
INFORMATION:
Season: March-May and August-November
Conditions: Each member of group must have his own outfit, raincoat, sleeping bag,
medical and accident insurance.
Services: DN TOURS provides with transportation (bus, work vehicles, horses),
tents, full board, lodging in hotels, guide service, interpreters, stable-
men, formalities.
Size of the group: Optimal size is 6-8 persons.
Airline connections: Turkmenistan Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines
Dear Traveller
Thank you for having chosen our tour. Please find here some valuable tips for your flight arrangement to Ashgabat.
If you fly with Lufthansa and you have connection flight in Frankfurt please make sure you have at least 2 hours transfer time there. If your connection is too short your luggage will not be loaded on the flight with you and as you certainly know there are not everyday flights to our country with LH. Please insist heavily with your travel agency for long enough connecting time, because once you are here without your luggage it will not be possible to send it after you in the desert. Therefore you will be better off if you pack your things in that way you can carry it as hand luggage or you make sure you have long enough transit time in Frankfurt at least 2 hours not counting any delay on incoming flights to Frankfurt.