LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

DESTINATION: TURKMENISTAN

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

• 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

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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, fast-food 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

ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

Own transport for transfers and excursions throughout Turkmenistan with professional drivers and modern vehicles:

• Comfortable touring cars

• Minibuses

• Minivans

• 4WD

• Cars for 2-3 pax

TRANSPORT

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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 state-run, 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 service-mindedness

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

ACCOMMODATION

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

RECOMMENDED HOTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR LUXURY LEISURE OR BUSINESS TRAVEL

Ashgabat: Hotel Yyldyz *****

Turkmenbashi: Yelken Yacht Club *****

HOTELS AND CAMPING

Mary Karakum Desert

Mary **** camping basic, basic plus

Margush *** Karakum Desert

Dashoguz camping basic, basic plus

Dashoguz **** Yangikala Canyons

Uzboy motel camping basic, basic plus

Turkmenabad Kopetdag Mountains

Jeyhun motel camping basic, basic plus

Darwaza Balkan Mountains

camping basic till delux camping basic, basic plus

Ashgabat Turkmenbashi / Awaza

Yyldyz ***** Yelken Yacht Club *****

Oguzkent ***** Seyrana ****

Nusay ***** Deniz ****

Grand Turkmen **** Serdar ****

New Ashgabat **** Balkanabad

Ak Altyn *** Nebitchi ****

Baght Koshgi *** Serdar

Mizan ** Chinar motel

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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

DINING / BOARD

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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.

TOURS

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

• 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

HIGHLIGHTS

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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 strategically-located 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

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL: ASHGABAT

• 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:

• Tallest flagpole

• Largest carpet

• Largest fountain complex

• Largest indoors ferris wheel

• Largest marble-clad territory

ASHGABAT HIGHLIGHTS

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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)

SPECIAL PROGRAM

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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.

ENTERTAINMENT

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

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.

SOUVENIERS

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

• 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.

SERVICES

LEADING PARTNERSHIP OF DMC’S IN EASTERN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA COUNTRIES

EMG Contacts

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