Run & Brew in Turkmenistan

Do you want to make history?
Join this tour
13 – 19th September 2023

As the first ones in the world, in collaboration with Mikkeller Running Club, Above Borders has arranged this unique tour to Turkmenistan. In addition to cultural impressions, this tour will give you a unique running experience and beer brewing in one of the worlds most isolated destinations.

On this trip you will meet the local people, visit a local brewery and overnight next to the Gate to Hell. Last, but not least, you will be able to run up and down the famous “Stairs of Health” at a distance of 8, 16 or 33 km of your choice. Mikkeler and Above Borders are looking forward to give you an extraordinary travel experience for life.

Please note: Flight tickets to Istanbul is not included in the price. You can fly directly from Copenahgen to Istanbul.

Itinerary

• Dag 1
• Dag 2
• Dag 3
• Dag 4
• Dag 5
• Dag 6
• Dag 7

We meet in Istanbul aiport Here, you will meet your tour leader and the other travelers on the tour. After some information, we will together fly to Ashgabat.

We will land at 2 am in the morning, from where we will be driven to our hotel.

Itinerary starts at 11 am, so we recommend to rest as soon as we arrive at the hotel. This day will be a city tour around Asghabat, where we will go by Independence Park, Unesco-site Nisa and the worlds biggest indoor ferris wheel..

The first part of the program is the unique running experience on the “Stairs of Health”. You can choose between 8, 16 and 33 km. After the run we will go visit a local brewery and then celebrate that we completed the though run.

The entire day will be spent at the the local brewery, where we will taste and brew beer – something that no foreigners have ever done before.

This day goes to the desert. We will drive towards Darwaza, also known as the Gate to Hell, where we will overnight in traditionel Yurts.

We start the day with breakfast and a stunning view of “The Gates of Hell”. Hereafter we will drive back to Ashgabat. On our way we will stop at some of the water and mud crates, which are also to find in the desert. When arriving to the capital, we will have a short tour in the city, before we end at the hotel.

We will go to the aiport, as our flight leaves in the middle of the night to Istanbul. From here you can either travel back home or continue your journey to new destinations. Now, one unique travel experience from Turkmenistan richer.

Changes in the programme may accure due to local circumstances. Adjustments will be made before and during the trip, but we will do everything we can to update you regularly. In case anything will be canceled, we will find you an alternative.

Tour leader – Jonas Bang Andersen

In 2015 Jonas did an exchange semester in Seoul. During his stay, he visited North Korea, and this was the start of Above Borders. The many contrasting and thought provoking experiences, woke an interest to explore different and isolated destinations around the world. In the beginning of 2019, Jonas visited Turkmenistan, which shortly after became the second destination of Above Borders. Jonas’ great travel experience is now used being a tour leader on our tours to North Korea and Turkmenistan. He loves to tell personal stories from his many trips to the worlds most isolated countries, and he understands at the same time to reflect about the experiences and ask questions to the societies he meets.

The run on “Stairs of Health”

Run 8, 16 or 33 km.

As the first ones in the world, we arrange a run on the famous “Stairs of Health”. Earlier the former president, Saparmurat Nijasov, commaned his minserty to go the 8 km up the stairs. Himself took a helicopter, because of his bad heart. We challenge you to do like the ministers and run the 8 km up the stairs. If you are really though, you will instead chooese 16, or maybe even 33 km.

Important information

Above Borders is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund (member no: 2943), which is your guarantee that we follow Danish legislation in connection with group travel. We will always be available if you have any questions and make sure you receive material in preparation for our trip to ensure that you are best prepared.