Nowroz Festival tour

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tuesday 16 March – Arrival in Ashgabat

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.

Check-in is available from 13:00, giving you time to rest after your flight and recover from the journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may also take a first wander through Ashgabat, the capital known as the “White Marble City”,

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 2 – Wednesday 17 March – Ashgabat & overnight train to Turkmenbashi

After breakfast, we’ll begin exploring Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s extraordinary capital, famous for its gleaming white marble buildings, monumental architecture, and remarkably wide boulevards.

Our first stop is the ancient city of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire. We then return to Ashgabat to visit the impressive Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque and Mausoleum, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia and the final resting place of the country’s first president.

During the remainder of our city tour, we’ll discover some of Ashgabat’s most iconic landmarks, including the Neutrality Arch, the Earthquake Memorial, and Independence Park, each offering a fascinating insight into Turkmenistan’s modern history and national identity.

In the late afternoon, we’ll transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train departing at 17:40 to Turkmenbashi.

Overnight on the night train.

Day 3 – Thursday 18 March – Turkmenbashi, Yangikala Canyon & Balkanabat

We arrive in Turkmenbashi at around 09:00, where we’ll enjoy breakfast at a local cafe before setting off into the remote landscapes of western Turkmenistan.

Our destination is the spectacular Yangykala Canyon, widely regarded as one of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Once covered by the ancient Paratethys Sea, the canyon is now famous for its dramatic cliffs in shades of red, pink, orange, and white. From the viewpoint, we’ll have plenty of time to take in the panoramic scenery and explore the canyon rim on foot.

A picnic lunch will be served surrounded by the striking desert landscapes before we continue our journey across the Balkan region to Balkanabat, where we’ll arrive in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Balkanabat.

Day 4 – Friday 19 March – Balkanabat, Nokhur & Ashgabat

After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey back towards Ashgabat, travelling through the scenic Kopet Dag Mountains.

Our first stop is the remote mountain village of Nokhur, home to a unique community that has preserved its own traditions, distinctive architecture, and fascinating cemetery decorated with ram’s horns. The village offers a rare glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.

We then continue to Kow Ata, a remarkable underground lake hidden inside a limestone cave. Fed by warm mineral springs, the lake maintains a temperature of around 35°C throughout the year. Those who wish can enjoy a swim in its mineral-rich waters, a truly unique experience in the heart of Turkmenistan.

Our final stop is the impressive Geokdepe Mosque, built in memory of the historic Battle of Geokdepe and regarded as one of Turkmenistan’s most important national monuments.

In the evening, we’ll return to Ashgabat.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 5 – Saturday 20 March – Merv & Mary

After breakfast, we’ll drive east towards Mary, one of Turkmenistan’s largest cities. Upon arrival, around midday, we’ll enjoy lunch before continuing to one of Central Asia’s greatest archaeological treasures.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important cities along the historic Silk Road. Once among the largest and wealthiest cities in the world, Merv flourished as the capital of successive empires and played a crucial role in the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas between East and West. As we explore its vast archaeological remains, we’ll discover the impressive fortresses, mausoleums, and ancient city walls that tell the story of more than two thousand years of history.

We’ll also visit the Mary History Museum, where fascinating archaeological discoveries from Merv provide further insight into the region’s rich past.

Afterwards, we’ll transfer to the airport for our evening flight back to Ashgabat departing at 20:15. Upon arrival at 20:55, we’ll transfer to our hotel.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 6 – Sunday 21 March – Nowruz celebrations in Ashgabat

Today is dedicated to Nowruz, the traditional Persian New Year and one of the most important celebrations in Turkmenistan. Across the country, people gather to welcome the arrival of spring with music, dance, colourful costumes, and festive traditions.

We’ll begin the day with a visit to the lively Sunday Bazaar, followed by the Turkmen Carpet Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of handcrafted Turkmen carpets. These intricate carpets are an important symbol of the country’s cultural identity and craftsmanship.

After lunch in Ashgabat, we’ll travel to the foothills outside the city to experience the vibrant Nowruz festivities. Surrounded by yurts, traditional performances, local delicacies, and cultural demonstrations, we’ll have the opportunity to experience this joyful celebration alongside local families.

Please note: access to the official festivities can occasionally be restricted or cancelled at short notice if attended by high-ranking government officials.

On our return to Ashgabat, we’ll stop at the historic Anau Mosque, where we’ll visit the ruins of the former Seyit Jemal ad-Din Mosque, an important pilgrimage site and one of the country’s most significant historical monuments.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 7 – Monday 22 March – Akhal-Teke horses & Darwaza Gas Crater

This morning, we’ll visit a private Akhal-Teke horse farm, where we’ll meet Turkmenistan’s most treasured national symbol. Renowned for their remarkable endurance and distinctive metallic sheen, the Akhal-Teke is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful horse breeds in the world.

Back in Ashgabat, we’ll continue our sightseeing with a visit to the impressive National Museum, offering an excellent introduction to the country’s history and culture. We’ll also pass several notable landmarks, including the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque and the Lenin and Pushkin Monuments, reflecting different chapters of Turkmenistan’s past.

After lunch, we’ll leave the capital behind and drive into the vast Karakum Desert towards the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, often nicknamed the “Gates of Hell.” Burning continuously since the early 1970s, the enormous crater is a spectacular sight, especially after sunset when the flames illuminate the surrounding desert.

Upon arrival, dinner will be served at our desert camp before we spend the night in traditional Turkmen yurts, surrounded by the silence of the Karakum Desert.

Overnight stay in a yurt camp.

Day 8 – Tuesday 23 March – Darwaza Gas Crater & Ashgabat

After breakfast, we’ll drive back across the Karakum Desert to Ashgabat, where we’ll check in at our hotel.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue exploring the capital with visits to some of its most remarkable modern landmarks. We’ll see the impressive Ferris Wheel, housed within a striking white marble building, before continuing to the Health Path, a famous mountainside walkway built along the foothills of the Kopet Dag Mountains. We’ll also visit the recently unveiled Magtymguly Monument and Park, dedicated to Turkmenistan’s beloved national poet and offering beautiful panoramic views over the city.

As darkness falls, we’ll head out once more to experience Ashgabat by night. Illuminated by thousands of lights, the city’s white marble buildings, fountains, and grand monuments create a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Central Asia.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 9 – Saturday 3 October – Ashgabat

After breakfast, we transfer you to Ashgabat Airport for your flight home or onward destination.

End of tour.