Packing list for Turkmenistan, travel insurance for Turkmenistan, and taking your belongings

What to take to Turkmenistan: brief

To pack and check

• Documents: a passport valid for at least another 6 months, a visa, and your letter of invitation (LOI) if required. Also bring official doctor's certificates for medication. Bring both digital and paper copies of important documents. Keep the migration card you receive upon entry safe with you.
• Money: Turkmenistan is still heavily reliant on cash. Bring sufficient euros or US dollars to exchange for Turkmen Manat. Do not rely on ATMs or card payments; if you can withdraw cash at all, there are often extra charges involved.
• Clothing: light clothing for warm days, but also a sweater or light jacket for cooler evenings and the winter months. Strict rules apply in Turkmenistan, such as no shorts on the street for men and covering, loose clothing for women.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sneakers. The desert and historical sites are not always flip-flop friendly. 
• Personal care: sunscreen with a high protection factor, lip balm, and a moisturizing cream. The dry desert climate can, logically, be quite drying. If you suffer from dryness easily, a saline nasal spray and moisturizing eye drops can be useful.
• Outdoors and handy items: sunglasses, cap or hat, reusable water bottle, and a flashlight for remote areas.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: First-aid kit, ORS, painkillers, personal medication, and remedies for stomach and intestinal complaints.
• Technology and equipment: VPNs are often blocked, as are all popular apps. So, install local apps before departure and ensure you have important information available offline. Also, a universal adapter for Type C and F sockets.

To consider

• Offline maps and offline translation apps.
• Power bank.
• A physical travel guide; the internet is not always reliable.
• A scarf to protect against sand, dust, and sun.

What knowledge comes in handy when traveling to Turkmenistan?

• Turkmenistan has one of the most strictly controlling governments in the world. Traveling without a guide is generally not allowed, internet access is limited, and many websites, social media, and communication services do not work or only work partially. Therefore, gathering up-to-date knowledge in advance via online forums can be useful.
• Photographing government buildings, military installations, border areas, and some infrastructure can cause problems. It is wise to know in advance what may and may not be photographed.
• A large part of the country consists of the Karakum desert. The sun is strong, the air is dry, and distances between facilities can be great.
• Turkmenistan aims to become the first country to be completely smoke-free. Therefore, strict rules apply regarding tobacco.

Are there mosquitoes in Turkmenistan?

• Mosquitoes are mainly found around rivers and cotton fields, especially in the summer.
• For most travelers, they do not pose a major health risk.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Turkmenistan?

• Many sandflies capable of transmitting leishmaniasis are found in the Karakum Desert.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET in Turkmenistan, or other mosquito repellents?

• In larger cities, mosquito repellents are available, but the selection is limited and not very reliable.
• It is therefore advisable to bring this from home.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Turkmenistan, or bring it to Turkmenistan?

• Just like the rest of the legislation, drug laws are very strict. There is no distinction between soft drugs and hard drugs.
• Cannabis is therefore highly illegal, and the penalties for possession, use, or importation are severe.