Founded in 1996, Owadan Tourism is now the leading travel agency in Turkmenistan.
” In Central Asia: The first agency since 1996 to offer the most captivating tailor-made tours in the most popular and frequently visited regions. “
It was at the IFTM 2025 trade show in Paris that we had the opportunity to speak with Owadan Tourism and learn more about this renowned travel agency, celebrated in Turkmenistan for its historical and cultural heritage.
Owadan Tourism manages everything from tourist accommodation, guiding services, and excursions to transport, expeditions, and overland rallies including visits to Akhal-Teke stables. As the company expands its operations across Central Asia, it also offers the opportunity to discover neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan through tailor-made tours.
The travel agency offers more than just a standard tour; it fosters meaningful human connections by inviting you to experience Turkmen family life firsthand through homestays with local families. While many are familiar with student exchange programs in France and other European countries where students live with host families abroad to pursue their studies, often in a reciprocal arrangement there are other ways for travelers to stay with Turkmen families. This allows travelers to experience a form of hospitality distinct from the European student exchange model. What does this hospitality entail? You can immerse yourself in local customs, sample traditional cuisine, observe daily life, participate in cultural activities, and enjoy the warm welcome of a family living in a traditional home.
History of Turkmenistan :
Very few Europeans are familiar with Turkmenistan. Due to the linguistic similarity between the English word “Turk” (referring to the people of Turkey) and “Turkmen” (referring to the people of Turkmenistan), Europeans often confuse the two even though both are Asian nations. It is worth recalling that Turkey was the first country to recognize Turkmenistan which declared its independence following the dissolution of the USSR on October 27, 1991 and the first to open an embassy in Ashgabat. Turkey supports Turkmenistan’s status of neutrality, a stance that has since helped foster European tourism to Central Asia.
Turkmenistan is one of Central Asia’s most unique and least explored countries, where the ancient history of the Silk Road blends with modern architecture, national traditions, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Travelers will discover Ashgabat and its white marble, UNESCO World Heritage ancient cities, the vastness of the Karakum Desert, and the famous Darvaza gas crater—known as the “Door to Hell.”
Turkmenistan offers a unique opportunity to discover an authentic destination, featuring immersion in nomadic culture, traditional Turkmen hospitality, national cuisine, and the history of a region that has linked East and West for centuries. It is an ideal destination for travelers seeking novel experiences, unique itineraries, and a genuine adventure off the beaten path.
It was through Owadan Tourism recognized as Turkmenistan’s premier travel agency that the country was able to open its doors to Western tourists. This partnership enabled the agency to expand its range of destinations through close collaboration with its partners, thereby helping to introduce Central Asia to the wider world. Strategically positioned between the Middle East, the West, and East Asia, Owadan Tourism benefits from its location at the crossroads of diverse geopolitical regions, historical and cultural spheres, and continental sub-regions.
Owadan Tourism and Turkménistan :
The Great Silk Road once traversed this land, renowned for its magnificent kingdoms and civilizations that endured for centuries the shadows of those bygone eras can still be glimpsed amidst the dusty ruins that once sheltered powerful rulers, ruthless conquerors, and renowned intellectuals.
Turkmenistan’s appeal extends beyond its historical legacy; the beauty of its mountains, canyons, deserts, oases, and Caspian coastline is matched only by the exquisite craftsmanship of its hand-woven carpets and the magnificence of its purebred racehorses.
What your trips to Turkmenistan with Owadan Tourism might look like:
Discover the 10 best tours to experience with Owadan Tourism:
- Ride Akhal-Teke racehorses
- Touch fossilized dinosaur footprints
- Admire the “Fortress of Fire” in Yangykala Canyon
- Knock on the “Gates of Hell” at Darvaza
- Travel back in time to an imperial capital
- Travel forward in time to a futuristic marble city
- Learn local traditions through Turkmen carpets
- Feel the atmosphere of millennia of history at Kunya-Urgench
- Uncover secrets in the shade of an ancient oasis
- Stay in a melon paradise
Turkmen destinations not to be missed with Owadan Tourism:
Ashgabat
Balkanabat
Darvaza Crater
Dashoguz
Gonur Depe
Kunya-Urgench
Magdanly
Mary
Merv
Nisa
Nokhur
Türkmenabat
Turkmenbashi
Useful links
- Site : Owadan Tourism
