Interesting post Ella.

In today's political climes this is THE only way to properly go about such a journey.

However, once you have traveled to this area and have established a rapport with, say, a national...then your travel horizon opens up significantly.

Remember that you are traveling solo....so be prepared for obstacles to what you may consider the "norm".

Chimera

Hi Ella!

I couldn't help but admire your adventurous spirit. I wish I could do the same thing as you do - travel alone, that is. Anyhow, good luck with your trip I hope you get a visa. Just want to share this with you: travelwarning.net/asia/turkmenistan.html. Maybe it will help you for your trip.

Hi Ella,

Did you manage to do your trip? I have the same plan for this coming automn and I'm facing same problems. I really would appreciate if you could tell me if you found any solution.

Samu

Hey guys!

I have the same problems regarding a visa to this country. We don't have an embassy in Romania, only in Kiev, Ukraine where I need another visa to travel. I tried to contact some tourism agencies but they know only Russian. If you have a hint, please, be generous and share it!

I heard freedom of speech is restricted in Turkmenistan, Do you know anything about it? Or do you know if its' safe to travel there?...

Thank you!

I'm also from Romania, and I can't seem to find any information about this. I e-mailed about 10 travel agencies from this list ( www.tourism-sport.gov.tm/en/guide/company/ ) and they haven't answered yet.

And btw WANMANGO, if you read this, hit me up with an email: cosmin at next.advertising.ro ;)

hello!I am from Turkmenistan. What a lucky Iam. ???

I hope you can get visa there.. lovely cities, people are absolutely friendly for instance, if you say anybody from turkmenistan that you are foreigner they all should take you to thier home, why? Becouse they all like guests. If you contact embassy of yours in Turkmenistan they should probably tell you everything about visa,etc

You can get a transit visa, if you have a visa for Uzbekistan and if you are coming let's say Iran you can apply for transit visa in Turkmen Embassy in Mashed.

Or you can just travel in Ashgabat city, then you do not need a guide inside of Ashgabat. The guide will meet you in border and assist to get to Ashgabat and in Ashgabat you are alone.

I travelled through Ayan Travel, and it was OK. You can find out about them at

www.ayan-travel.com

Hope it will help.

Hello,

I have the same dream. I am from Poland and I would like to go Usbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirgistan, Tadjikistan and Kasakhstan. I have been recently to Albania, Armenia and Georgia, so Middle Asia is the perfect next purpose of holiday. :)

I have read that Turkmenistan is the most difficulkt to get there. Problems with visas, necessary giuds (horrible), you cannot stay where you want, and so on. Besides, there is not Embassy of Turkmenistan in Poland.

I wish to go to these countries with my friends by our car but we do not know if it is safe (and possible)? What are your experiences? Is this a crazy idea? Can you help me?