Horseback Riding at the Akhal-Teke Festival
Duration: 8 days/7 nights | Destination: Turkmenistan
This trip offers horseback riding enthusiasts a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the Akhal-Teke horses in the Turkmen desert. Those passionate about legendary horses know that the Akhal-Teke breed is even more legendary than the purebred Arabian.
You will visit small nomadic camps, ride along sandy dunes and dried riverbeds, discovering this wonderful world where you will be amazed by the beauty of spring landscapes when the desert turns green and flowers bloom abundantly, covering the land as far as the eye can see.
Your stay will include participation in the annual celebration of the National Horse Races at the racetrack in the Turkmen capital on the last Sunday of April in Ashgabat. Many events will be held, including the race, with a prize for the best Akhal-Teke of the year, showcasing the most beautiful specimens.
Your stay will primarily be at the hotel, except for overnight stays at a bivouac during the horseback trekking.
Day 1: Ashgabat
Flight to Ashgabat. TCK ETA Arrival and meeting with a French-speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast and rest. Panoramic tour of the Turkmen capital: Neutrality Arch, Independence Park, Akhal-Teke Horse Monument, Earthquake Memorial, National Museum, Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, and Nisa (UNESCO). Welcome dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Ashgabat – Camp 1
Transfer to the horse breeding farm. Establish contact with the local team and approach the horses before selecting your mount based on individual skill levels. Horseback ride to our base camp #1 (24 km).
Day 3: Camp 1 – Camp 2
Horseback ride to Camp 2. Distance: 32 km.
Day 4: Camp 2 – Camp 3
Horseback ride to Camp 3. Distance: 29 km.
Day 5: Camp 3 – Camp 4
Horseback ride to Camp 4. Distance: 27 km.
Day 6: Camp 4 – Camp 5
Horseback ride to Camp 5. Distance: 24 km.
Day 7: Camp 5 – Ashgabat
Return to the stable. Distance: 17 km. Transfer to Ashgabat.
Day 8: Ashgabat
Akhal-Teke Festival. Numerous festivities await, including races, competitions, and awards for the best Akhal-Tekes selected from the finest horses in the country. After lunch, free time. Farewell dinner.
Day 9: Ashgabat – Europe
Transfer to the airport. Flight. End of our services.
Notes:
This horseback riding trip is designed for people with solid outdoor riding experience. The horseback tour is technically not difficult and will take you across mostly flat desert terrain. The tour requires a good level of endurance.
On the first day, a local staff member will help you adapt to the Akhal-Teke horses and assist you in choosing a horse that best matches your actual skills. This choice will ensure you have an enjoyable experience.
During this trek, you will always be accompanied by a local equestrian professional who knows the horses well and will solve any issues related to the Akhal-Teke breed.
The group will also be accompanied by an English- or French-speaking guide. Support vehicles will transport your personal belongings, gear, food, and drinks needed for the trek.
You will need to bring your own riding gear, including a hat, boots, gloves, helmet, and sleeping bag.
Please provide special insurance (extreme sports) that covers your stay and inform us of this before your arrival, especially the emergency assistance number.
The group will consist of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 people to ensure the highest quality, as required by our agency, for the success of your stay.
The price includes:
Invitation for visa processing, registration
All transfers by air-conditioned vehicles adapted to the local terrain
Accommodation in a double room with breakfast
Welcome dinner in the evening followed by a traditional concert (for groups of more than 10 people)
Camping equipment, 2-person tent, sleeping bag, mattress for the toilet tent, dining tent
Meals according to the program (see BLD)
Services of a guide throughout the trip
Horse rental in Akhal-Teke
Specialized instructor-guide
Chef and support team
Entrance tickets to museums
1.5L bottle of water per person per day
The price does not include:
International flights – Europe to Ashgabat, Ashgabat to Europe
Visa for 10 days, from 85+2 USD per person when obtained at Ashgabat airport (please note the price may vary depending on the traveler’s nationality)
Migration tax of 10 USD +2 USD, to be paid individually at Ashgabat airport (rate may change)
Meals not mentioned in the program (see BLD)
Drinks
Photography and filming rights (Nisa, National Museum, Merv, Gonur-depe, Kunya-Urgench)
Anything not mentioned in the “price includes” section
Tips
Registration and Terms:
Registration for this trip will be confirmed after written confirmation and payment of a deposit of 30% of the total trip cost. An invoice with details of the prepayment method will be sent to you by email after you accept the offer. The remaining balance must be paid at least one month before the departure date, without reminders from our side. If you register less than a month before departure, full payment will be required upon accepting the offer.
Cancellation by the Client:
In case of cancellation by you (for any reason), more than 40 days before departure, the amounts paid as a deposit will be refunded, except for a fixed amount of 50 euros per person (application fee and bank charges).
After 40 days before departure, the following cancellation scale applies:
From 40 to 22 days: 25% of the trip cost
From 21 to 15 days: 50% of the trip cost
From 14 to 8 days: 75% of the trip cost
Less than 8 days: 100% of the trip cost
Please note: in case of cancellation, inform us as soon as possible by email or fax, as the date of receipt of the cancellation will be used for calculating the refund.
Any trip interrupted or shortened by the participant for any reason does not entitle the participant to a refund.
Cancellation by Roksi Sam Travel:
Cancellation may occur due to circumstances beyond our control (political unrest, security issues, etc.). In such cases, Roksi Sam Travel will cancel the trip in full, but no other compensation will be provided.
Your guide
to Central Asia
CONTACTS
- +998 78 210 02 09
- +998 66 234 98 64
- Email: roksisamtravel@mail.ru
- Samarkand city, st. Mirzo Ulugbek, 75