Novruz Festival tour 6 days/5 nights
Discover Turkmenistan on a tour of Ashgabat's white marble buildings, UNESCO sites Old Nisa and Ancient Merv, and the stunning Darvaza Gas Crater. Experience a camp night by the "Gates of Hell" in the Karakum desert, blending culture, history, and natural wonders.
Introduction: Novruz, meaning “New Day” in Persian, is a vibrant and ancient spring festival celebrated in Turkmenistan and various countries across Central Asia. With deep roots in Zoroastrianism, Novruz marks the arrival of spring, the rejuvenation of nature, and the start of a new year.
Preparations and Customs: Preparations for Novruz begins week in advance, as families thoroughly clean thir homes, symbolizing the purification of the soul. Traditional foods are prepared, such as “semene”, a sweet wheat dish cooked overnight, and chack-chack, a delightful dessert made from fried dough and honey. People also decorate their homes with sprouted wheatgrass.
Festive Traditions: Novruz is marked by a series of customs and rituals that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. People gather around bonfires and jump over the flames, believing it purifies them of misfortune and brings good luck for the coming year. Traditional music, dances, and theatrical performances fill the air, with locals donning colorful costumes, displaying their rich cultural traditions.
Program Highlights
- White Marble Ashgabat – City tour through the glimmering capital.
- Old Nisa – the former capital of the Parthian Empire.
- Darvaza Gas Crater – Camp near the legendary “Gates of Hell” under the stars.
- Kow-Ata Underground Lake – Swim in healing warm waters inside a natural limestone cave.
Tour Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Ports of entry and exit: Ashgabat International Airport
Route: Ashgabat – Geokdepe – Ashgabat – Darvaza – Ashgabat – Mary – Ashagabat
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat – City Tour
Arrival and Check-In: Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport with Turkish Airlines at 2:00 AM or other. You will be greeted and transferred to hotel for an early check-in.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and a leisurely morning to relax and acclimate.
Visit the State Museum of History and Ethnography to explore ancient artifacts, then travel to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Old Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian Empire, set against the scenic Kopetdag Mountains.
After lunch, continue with Ashgabat, the “City of Love,” renowned for its striking white marble architecture and grand boulevards. Also visit the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, honoring national heroes and historic tragedies, before enjoying panoramic city views from the Palace of Happiness. Continue along Archabil Highway to see the Magtymguly monument, ending at Independence Park and the monumental buildings.
After dinner, return to the hotel for overnight.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 2: Ashgabat – Geokdepe – Ashgabat
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.
We will spend the morning visiting Eastern Bazaar “Tolkuchka” is one of the largest markets not only in Turkmenistan but in all of Central Asia. Here you can find and buy almost everything – from souvenirs and toys to cattle and camels. Note: open on SAT and SUN.
After lunch visit the Geokdepe stud-farm to see the legendary Ahalteke horses, famed for their speed, endurance, and shimmering coats, with opportunities to ride, feed, and photograph them. The area is also historically significant as the site of the fortress that was the site of a battle during the Great Game in 1881, as well as the Geokdepe Mosque, built in memory of those events.
On the way to Ashgabat, we will make a stop to visit an impressive complex in Kipchak village to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan “the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi” and “the family mausoleum of the first president”.
Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Opt to dine at hotel restaurant or to drive to nearby local restaurant.
Drive: Ashgabat→ Geokdepe ~55km / ~1 hr
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 3: Ashgabat – Darvaza
Festival day. After breakfast, we travel to Anau City to participate in the festivities. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Novruz, a national holiday celebrated with great enthusiasm in Turkmenistan. Experience the joyous event featuring contests, traditional music, and dance performances. Enjoy the opportunity to taste a variety of Turkmen dishes, especially “Semene” cooked once in a year for this festival only.
After lunch, depart by 4WD vehicle toward the Darvaza also known as “The Gates of Hell“, a methane-belching fire pit in the Turkmenistan desert has been spewing fire for decades – but its origin is considered The USSR’s top-secret desert mystery.
En route make short sightseeing stops at two gas craters (one with boiling water and the other one with sulfur-bubbling mud; both seeping with gas from the underground). Arrive in Darvaza by early evening.
- ~160 km of smooth asphalt / ~103 km of uneven asphalt roads / ~7 km of desert off-road terrain
- Travel is by comfortable 4×4 vehicles (max. 3 passengers per vehicle) to ensure safety and comfort.
Settle into a traditional yurt camp and visit the legendary Darvaza Gas Crater, a massive natural gas crater burning continuously since the 1970s. As night falls, the glowing flames create an unforgettable desert atmosphere. Enjoy a special dinner with nomad style kebabs in yurt camps.
Drive: Ashgabat → Darvaza ~270km / ~4 hrs.
Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Overnight in yurts (AYAN Travel Camp)
Notes: Travel by 4WD vehicles (max. 3 guests per vehicle); basic facilities at camp
Day 4: Darvaza – Ashgabat
Wake up to breakfast at the camp, take one last look at the mesmerizing flaming crater, and then we’ll head back to Ashgabat.
Arrive in Ashgabat and hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own or continue with walking tour in older part of the city with a chance of souvenir or carpet shopping.
Enjoy a 1-2 hour walk from Ashgabat Park along historic Magtymguly Avenue, to Lenin Square, home to The Monument of Lenin that survived the 1948 earthquake. Continue to the lively Gulistan Bazaar (Russian market), a Soviet-era landmark, where you can experience local life and browse stalls of dried fruits, famous Turkmen melons, carpets, and traditional souvenirs.
(Walking tour distance – 2.5 km, about 2 hour walk including stops)
Drive: Darvaza → Ashgabat ~270km / ~4 hrs.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 5: Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat
We’ll transfer to airport to catch early flight to Mary. Upon arrival in Mary we will have breakfast, then drive 40 minutes to Bayramali village to visit Ancient Merv.
Ancient Merv Historical Park includes ancient cities Erk-Kala and Gyaur-Kala, medieval city Sultan Kala, the oldest of still standing corrugated mud-brick palaces – Great and Little Gyz Kalas, mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar, Yusup Hamadani and Muhammad ibn Zaid, and tombs of the Prophet’s companions, Askhabs, and some others. After sightseeing we return to Mary to have lunch and visit Pokrovskaya Russian Orthodox Church.
Evening transfer to the Mary airport and fly back to Ashgabat. Upon arrival transfer to hotel to check-in, free time at leisure.
Flight: Ashgabat → Mary, (ETD 06:30 / ETA 07:10) flight schedules are subject to change
Mary → Ashgabat, (ETD 20:15 / ETA 20:55)
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Ashgabat
Day 6: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, check out and transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for departure. This marks the end of our services.
Drive: Hotel → Airport (approx. 15km / 20 min)
Accommodation: —
Meals: Breakfast (depends on flight time)
Notes: Ensure all personal belonging are collected, prepare the passport, and tickets
Tour price information
- Comfort A/C transportation depending on size of a group and route
- Hotel accommodation (B&B) – 4 nights
- Yurt stay in Darvaza – 1 night
- Visa support (Letter of Invitation)
- Water along the way
- Entrance fees to sites and museums
- English-speaking tour guide
- Registration of tourists staying over 3 days
- Meals, mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa cost $55-$165 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $31 upon arrival
- Migration duty charge $14
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
ACCOMMODATION
| City | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 |
| Day 1. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ |
| Day 2. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ |
| Day 3. Darvaza | Yurt | |||
| Day 4. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ |
| Day 5. Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Olimpia 4* | Divan 5* | Yyldyz 5*+ |
| Day 6. | Departure | |||
Important Accommodation Policy
In the event of government-level events or official delegations requiring priority accommodation, our company reserves the right to substitute the originally confirmed hotel with an alternative property of the same category and comparable standard.
