Just came out of Turkmenistan, so here's some info:
Bordercrossing at Baigiran: no problem; 3 hours, 12 offices & 2 banks; with the right frame of mind, it's actually quite fun (you just HAVE to have a lough, it really is ridiculous)
Ride from Baigiran to Ashgabt: Great, one of the best landscapes so far. Good tarmac, but stinking hot!
Ashgabat: What a WEIRD place! Very strange blend of Dubai, The Truman Show and Las Vegas... The Tolkuchka Bazaar outside town is worth seeing.
Darvaza: hard to get to on a fully laden bike I think, but you can always leave the luggage in that one yurt next to the road.
Police: No problem. We had 5 police checks in 4 days, 5 minutes each. All friendly and never asked for bakshish.
On a transit visa you don't need to register with the authorities, so no problem if you stay off the radar/ in homestays.
|