Akhal-Teke Horse Festival

7 Days | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The Golden Horse Experience

OVERVIEW

This rare seven-day journey into Turkmenistan offers privileged access to one of the world’s most secretive countries, built around the legendary Akhal-Teke horse. Beginning in the striking white-marble capital of Ashgabat, you will explore monumental architecture and modern Turkmen culture before travelling to a private stud farm to ride and learn about the ancient “Golden Horse” bloodline.

Timed to coincide with the National Day of the Turkmen Horse, the experience includes front-row access to races, beauty contests and spectacular equestrian performances rarely seen by outsiders. From the city, the journey moves deep into the Karakum Desert for a multi-day horseback expedition, riding long distances across open steppe and sand dunes where nomadic traditions still endure. Nights are spent wild camping under vast desert skies, sharing fire-cooked meals and stories.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Ride the legendary Akhal-Teke “Golden Horses”
Attend the National Day of the Turkmen Horse festival
Visit a private Akhal-Teke stud farm near Geokdepe
Explore Ashgabat’s iconic white-marble architecture
Multi-day desert ride in the Karakum, 30–40 km per day
Wild camping with nomad-style desert meals
Ride through vast steppe and remote oases

OVERVIEW

RIDE GUIDE

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights / 4 Days Riding

Guide languages: English

Where: Start and finish at Ashgabat

When: 24th - 30th April 2026

Recommended flights: Arrival: 06:50 on Friday 24th April 2026 on Turkish Airlines. Departure: 08:10 Thursday 30th April on Turkish Airlines.

Riding Level: Our rides are for experienced riders who are balanced on their horses and in control galloping in open spaces.

Weight Limit: Maximum of 85kg/187lbs

Time in the saddle: 3 to 7 hours a day

HORSES

Akhal-Teke horses are tall, fine-boned and athletic, bred for endurance, speed and survival in desert conditions. Unlike mountain ponies, these horses are naturally long-legged and elegant, with most standing well over 15hh and built to cover long distances efficiently in heat and sand.

You will ride well-conditioned Akhal-Teke stallions, as is traditional in Turkmenistan. They are intelligent, sensitive and responsive, with a naturally forward way of going, particularly in open terrain. While generally calm and well handled, some horses can be energetic at pace. Guides carefully match each rider with a horse suited to their confidence and riding style.

Tack is traditional and practical rather than Western. Saddles are lightweight, usually built on a simple wooden tree and layered with thick felt pads for long-distance comfort. Bridles are minimal, made from leather or canvas, with uncomplicated bits that sit softly in the horse’s mouth, reflecting a riding style based on balance and trust rather than restriction.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is split between a modern four-star hotel in Ashgabat and simple tented accommodation in remote riding areas. This reflects the nature of the journey, combining comfort in the capital with practical, expedition-style accommodation while travelling through the desert and steppe.

NIGHTS ONE + TWO + THREE + SIX

SPORT HOTEL

Four nights spent in 4* hotels which are spacious and luxury. The hotel also has a number of amenities, including a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a sauna, and a steam room.

NIGHTS FOUR + FIVE

DESERT TENTS

Simple shared expedition tents set up in remote riding areas. Facilities are basic and designed to support travel on horseback in isolated locations.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All meals, shared accommodation, horses, guides, entrance fees to sites, equipment including; pillows, mattresses, and blankets, bottled water, transfers,

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

The price does not include international or domestic flights, alcohol, mandatory travel insurance, or staff tips (which are optional but appreciated).

Visas, migration and tourist taxes, PCR test on arrival, photo and video charges at sights

RIDING

You must be an experienced, confident rider to join this ride.

TRAVEL & VISAS

Both US and UK citizens require a visa prior to arrival.

Visa consular fees and processing expenses approx. $80 per person,

Turkmenistan migration tax $14 per person, PCR nose test ($33 paid on arrival), Tourist tax inside Turkmenistan $2 USD per night,

TRANSFERS

Transfers from Ashgabat are included if arriving and departing on recommended flights.

Recommended flights:

Arrival: 06:50 on Friday 24th April 2026 on Turkish Airlines.

Departure: 08:10 Thursday 30th April on Turkish Airlines.

MEALS

Turkmen cuisine is simple, hearty and closely tied to nomadic traditions, with an emphasis on bread, grilled meats, rice dishes and fresh, seasonal produce.

Breakfasts are straightforward and nourishing, typically including fresh bread, boiled eggs, yogurt, jams, fruit, tea and coffee. When departing early, a packed breakfast is provided.

Lunches and dinners vary by location. In towns, meals are taken in local restaurants serving traditional dishes such as plov (rice cooked with meat and vegetables), shashlik (grilled lamb or chicken skewers), soups, salads and flatbreads. While riding and camping in the Karakum Desert, meals are prepared on site and enjoyed picnic-style or around the fire. Evenings are a highlight, with nomad-style barbecues cooked over open flames, accompanied by salads, bread and roasted vegetables.

Tea is the most common drink throughout the day. Turkmenistan is a predominantly Muslim country; alcohol is limited and not routinely included, though it may be available in some city restaurants.

WHAT TO PACK

Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.

INTERNET

You will be out of cell range for portions of the ride. We recommend purchasing a O! sim card on arrival at the airport. Unlimited internet for two weeks will cost around €15.

If your phone doesn’t take sims, or if you would prefer to organise a sim ahead of time, download an e-sim from Airalo and install before you arrive to be connected at all times.

Use our code BLACKS3976 to receive $3 off your e-sim credit.

Your guest houses will have wifi.

DATES + RATES

Your saddle is secured with a 30% deposit. The balance is due 90 days before the ride.

A single supplement for your own room at hotels is subject to availability.

2026

BLACK SADDLE EXCLUSIVE RIDES

24 - 30 April 2026

Fill in a rider form to be added to the waitlist and we will email you as soon as they are available.

We can organise private groups on request with a minimum of 6 riders. Prices will be adjusted for the number of riders if the group is less than 8 riders.

To make an enquiry you can fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile and we will get back to you with loads of information and availability.

APPLY NOW

TURKMENISTAN

Travelling to Turkmenistan feels like stepping into a parallel world shaped by Soviet legacy, strong national identity and deep nomadic roots. You arrive in Ashgabat, a city of monumental scale and white marble, where grand boulevards, statues and vast public spaces reflect both Soviet planning and a very modern, highly controlled vision of the state. Russian is still widely spoken, particularly in the capital, alongside Turkmen, a Turkic language closely related to Turkish and Azerbaijani.

Although Turkmenistan gained independence from the USSR in 1991, Soviet influence remains visible in architecture, infrastructure and daily life. Outside Ashgabat, life becomes markedly more traditional, with rural communities closely tied to horses, livestock and the desert landscape. Hospitality is central to Turkmen culture and guests are treated with warmth, formality and generosity.

Turkmenistan is a Muslim country, but religious practice is generally understated. Alcohol is available in some city restaurants and shops, though less visible outside urban areas. The country is extremely safe, orderly and calm, offering a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most isolated and distinctive societies.

ITINERARY

We recommend arriving into Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) aday early to allow time to rest after the overnight international flights and to ease into one of the world’s most distinctive capitals. Most flights arrive in the early morning by Turkish Airlines at 06:50 on Friday 24th April.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to The Sport Hotel.
Ashgabat is a striking and highly unusual city, known for its white-marble architecture, wide boulevards and monumental scale. An extra night allows time to explore the city at a relaxed pace, visit key landmarks and adjust before riding begins.
The tour starts the following day with a guided introduction to Ashgabat and onward travel to the Akhal-Teke stud farm.
Full arrival instructions, visa guidance and airport procedures will be shared in advance, including details on required formalities on entry to Turkmenistan.
Night at the Sport Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Ashgabat is a young, purpose-built capital and holds a Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world.
A guided city tour includes the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, built in honour of Ertogrul, father of Osman I and founder of the Ottoman dynasty, followed by visits to Independence Park and the Arch of Neutrality, which offers panoramic views across the city.
Lunch and dinner are taken at local restaurants.
No riding.
Night at the Sport Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to the private Akhal-Teke Stud Farm near Geokdepe. Located near Gokdepe, which is about 45-60 km west of Ashgabat. You will meet the famous ‘Golden Horses’, learn about their ancient bloodlines and observe their training.
Time is spent with the stud’s specialists, followed by a short ride through the surrounding gardens. In spring, the grounds are in stunning full bloom.
Enjoy a full-board lunch and dinner featuring local cuisine.
In the evening return to Ashgabat city.
Driving distance/time: 45-60km. Riding: 5 hours
Overnight and dinner in Ashgabat city in Sport Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Then its time to celebrate the National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse. The full day is dedicated to the festival. Activities typically include: Horse Races at the Hippodrome, the Akhal-Teke Beauty Contest (The “Most Beautiful Horse of the Year”), and spectacular performances by the “Galkynysh” Equestrian Stunt Team.
Enjoy the festive atmosphere with locals, national costumes, and traditional music.
Dinner and lunch in a local restaurant.
No riding.
Overnight in the Sport Hotel.
Breakfast in Ashgabat before departing for the Akhal-Teke horse farm. From here, you begin riding into the vast Karakum Desert, leaving the city behind as the landscape opens into endless horizons.
The Turkmen wilderness is stark and striking — wide open steppe, pockets of green oasis and untouched terrain where life continues much as it has for centuries. As you ride deeper into the desert, guides share insight into the region’s ecology, nomadic traditions and survival in this extreme environment.
The day is spent riding across open desert and steppe, covering long distances through one of Central Asia’s most remote landscapes.
Riding distance/time: 30 - 40km, 5 - hours.
Overnight in tents (tent, sleeping bag and mats are provided)
After a camp breakfast of boiled eggs, yogurt, fruits, jam, bread, tea, and coffee, the ride continues deeper into the Karakum Desert. The route follows open steppe and desert terrain, with long uninterrupted stretches of riding and few signs of settlement.
The landscape remains vast and minimal, offering a clear sense of scale and isolation. The pace is steady, with breaks taken for rest and water. Lunch is taken en route before continuing toward the next camp location.
Dinner is a highlight of the camping experience and is typically a hot, freshly prepared meal. Barbecue (BBQ) or Shashlik: This is the most common and traditional offering. Will prepare "nomad-style kebabs" or grilled skewers (shashlik) over an open fire. Meats are usually lamb or chicken.
Riding distance/time: 30 - 40km, 5 -hours
Overnight in tents (tent, sleeping bag and mats are provided)
Breakfast at camp before beginning the return ride toward the Akhal-Teke horse farm. The route begins through the desert and steppe, gradually transitioning from open wilderness back toward cultivated land.
The ride covers long distances at a steady pace, with breaks taken along the way. On arrival at the stud, there is time to settle, rest, and reflect on the desert journey.
In the evening, a farewell dinner is hosted at the horse farm before transferring back to Ashgabat.
Riding distance/time: 30 - 40km, 5 - 6 hours
Overnight at Sport Hotel.
An early check out from the Sport Hotel then it’s time to transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for your outbound flight.
Flights to London depart at 08:10 in the morning.

PRICES & AVAILABILITY

All departures are € per person sharing. A single supplement for your own room at hotels is subject to availability.

2026

BLACK SADDLE EXCLUSIVE RIDES

24 - 30 April 2026

Fill in a rider form to be added to the waitlist and we will email you as soon as they are available.

We can organise private groups on request with a minimum of 6 riders. Prices will be adjusted for the number of riders if the group is less than 8 riders.

To make an enquiry you can fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile and we will get back to you with loads of information and availability.

HOW TO BOOK

Your saddle is secured with a 30% deposit. The balance is due 90 days before the ride.

Cancellation Terms

More than 90 days in advance the full deposit is returned net of bank charges and a €250 cancellation fee per rider to cover our time spent organising your holiday.

90 - 0 days in advance 100% of the full amount is forfeited.

APPLY NOW

WEATHER + CLIMATE

Turkmenistan is largely desert, with over 70% of the country covered by the Karakum. The climate is continental and arid, defined by hot days, cooler nights and very low rainfall. We time this journey for late April to take advantage of the most comfortable riding conditions, before the intense summer heat sets in.

Ashgabat sits at around 200 metres above sea level and can exceed 40°C in midsummer. In spring, temperatures are far more moderate, typically ranging between 18–28°C during the day, with cooler evenings. Conditions in the Karakum Desert are more extreme, with strong sun exposure during the day and a noticeable drop in temperature after sunset, especially when camping.

April: Spring brings greener desert margins, wildflowers and clearer skies. Days are warm, ideal for long hours in the saddle, while nights are cool and comfortable for sleeping under canvas.

You should pack lightweight riding layers for daytime, sun protection, and warmer layers for evenings and early mornings in camp. A sleeping bag suitable to around 0–5°C is recommended for desert nights.

TEMPERATURE

RAINY DAYS

RAINFALL

ACCOMMODATION

Sport HOTEL

**Nights 1, 2, 3, 6**
A large, modern 4-star hotel located in Ashgabat’s Olympic Village complex.
Facilities include a restaurant and bar, indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna/steam rooms and hammam, and spa services, providing guests with opportunities to relax and stay active during their stay.

SIMPLE DOME TENTS

**Nights 4, 5**
Simple shared expedition tents set up in remote riding areas. Facilities are basic and designed to support travel on horseback in isolated locations.

MEALS

Turkmen cuisine is simple, hearty and closely tied to nomadic traditions, with an emphasis on bread, grilled meats, rice dishes and fresh, seasonal produce.

Breakfasts are straightforward and nourishing, typically including fresh bread, boiled eggs, yogurt, jams, fruit, tea and coffee. When departing early, a packed breakfast is provided.

Tea is the most common drink throughout the day. Turkmenistan is a predominantly Muslim country; alcohol is limited and not routinely included, though it may be available in some city restaurants.