New Year 2026 at the World’s Biggest Fireplace
The country that seems impossible to enter—until New Year, when dreams get stamped in your passport. We handle the “hardest visa” (LOI + visa-on-arrival meet & assist), then sweep you from festive white-marble Ashgabat to the Karakum for a once-in-a-lifetime countdown at Darvaza—the world’s biggest natural fireplace.
For any questions about the program, please email .
Tour Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Tour languages: English, other languages on availability
Ports of entry and exit: Ashgabat International Airport
Route: Ashgabat – Gokdepe – Ashgabat – Bokurdak – Darvaza – Ashgabat
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat
Arrive at Ashgabat International Airport with Turkish Airlines at 02:00 or 07:00 AM. You’ll be greeted and transferred to the hotel for an early check-in.
Late Morning / Midday: Start with the State Museum of History and Ethnography to see ancient artifacts and treasures from Turkmenistan’s rich history.
Drive to Bagir village to explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Wander through its atmospheric ruins set against the snow-dusted Kopet-Dag Mountains and—standing at the center of the Fire Temple precinct—make a New Year wish for the year ahead (a quiet “temple-of-fire wish” moment).
Afternoon: Ashgabat—“the City of Love”—welcomes you with festive New Year décor: illuminated avenues and seasonal installations. Continue to Bagt Köşgi (Palace of Happiness) for a panoramic city view, including the striking Yyldyz Hotel. Drive past Ruhyyet Palace, Parliament, and Olympic City. Short warm-up stop at Berkarar Mall for seasonal pastries and hot spiced tea.
Cruise along Archabil Highway to see the Monument of Constitution, Alem Ferris Wheel (Guinness-listed largest indoor Ferris wheel), the 60-meter monument of Magtymguly, and the Monument of Neutrality. End at Independence Park and the Ruhnama monument.
Evening: Ashgabat by Night – New Year Lights Drive (photo stops at seasonal installations).
Welcome dinner with panoramic views of the city.
Accommodation: in hotel
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 2: Ashgabat – Geokdepe (ca. 40 km, about 1 hour drive) – Ashgabat
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before exploring two of Turkmenistan’s most treasured symbols—Akhal-Teke horses and Turkmen carpets, known as “the wings and the soul” of the Turkmen people.
Drive to Gökdepe village to visit the Geokdepe stud-farm to see the magnificent Akhal-Teke horses. On the way, we will make a photo stop at Arkadag, a newly built smart city at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, showcasing modern architecture and eco-friendly innovations—often dressed with New Year banners and lights. On arrival to Geokdepe, we will be warmly greeted by Ashir-aga, the owner of the stud-farm. Ride, feed, and photograph these unique creatures, then warm up with tea in the stable lounge. Geokdepe was also the site of a fierce battle between the Russian Empire and the Teke tribe during Russia’s conquest of Central Asia.
On the way back to Ashgabat, we will stop at an impressive complex in Kipchak to see the biggest mosque of Turkmenistan, the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi, and the family mausoleum of the first president—both photogenic in winter’s clear light.
After lunch, visit the Carpet Museum showcasing the world’s largest handmade carpet (Guinness, 2003) and the smallest key-carpet. We’ll finish with a hands-on knotting demo and a quick look at protective and “good-fortune” motifs—a fitting New Year theme.
Overnight: in hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 3. Ashgabat – Darvaza (ca. 270 km, about 4-hour drive)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: explore the old/Soviet quarter of Ashgabat—Magtymguly Avenue (ex-Mervskaya/Svoboda), the Turkmen State Circus facade, the Clock Tower at the former Cotton Mill—then dive into the Russian Bazaar (Gulistan) to watch locals stock up before New Year (seasonal sweets, citrus, gifts). This holiday became one of the main winter celebrations during the Soviet era, and the pre-New Year bustle is part of the story.
Midday departure to the Karakum Desert.
En route lunch in Bokurdak village—see how even remote desert communities prepare for the holiday (simple homestyle food; warm tea). Continue across the dunes; brief stops at bubbling water and sulfur-mud craters.
Road note: first ~180 km (≈2 hrs) are good; next ~80 km are bumpy; last ~8 km off-road.
Arrive at Darvaza and settle into AYAN Camp (winterized yurts, heavy-duty sleeping bags, extra blankets; heated dining yurt).
Sunset—Midnight: special New Year camp dinner (nomad-style kebabs, hot dishes), non-alcoholic spiced punch/tea brewed in a traditional pot; guided crater viewing from a safe, marked distance; tripod-friendly stargazing.
23:59—00:10: New Year’s countdown at the “world’s biggest natural fireplace.” Wishes, photos, warm drinks—pure desert magic.
Overnight: yurt stay, basic facilities but reasonable
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4. Darvaza – Ashgabat (ca. 270 km, about 4 hrs drive)
Breakfast at camp and optional New Year’s Day sunrise look at the crater (short, guided walk; safety buffer maintained). Drive back to Ashgabat.
Rest of day: at leisure—spa/steam, coffee stops, or an evening pass by any seasonal light displays you missed.
Overnight: in hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 5. Departure
After midnight, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your international flight. This marks the end of our journey. Safe travels!
NOTE: the domestic flights schedule is subject to possible change.
Tour price information
The cost of the tour package per person based on DBL/TWN room + breakfast:
| Group size | Hotel Option 1 | Hotel option 2 | Hotel option 3 |
| 4 pax | $899 | $985 | $1,054 |
| 5 pax | $839 | $925 | $994 |
| 6 pax | $821 | $907 | $978 |
| 7 pax | $803 | $879 | $946 |
| 8 pax | $784 | $861 | $925 |
| 9 pax | $755 | $841 | $910 |
| 10 pax | $736 | $823 | $892 |
| SGL sup. | $120 | $135 | $160 |
| H/B | $55 | $55 | $55 |
| F/B | $85 | $85 | $85 |
- Comfort A/C transportation:
- Toyota Sienna or minibus for transfers and city tours
- 4WD SUV for Darvaza trip
- Hotel accommodation + breakfast
- Accommodation in yurt in Darvaza
- Visa support (LOI)
- 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-$85 paid in cash on arrival, USD only
- Rapid covid test cost $33 upon arrival (paid by each traveler)
- Migration duty $14 p/p (paid at the border on arrival)
- Additional services in the hotel
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Photo and video camera fees at sites/museums
- Beverages + alcohol
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights
- Travel insurance
ACCOMMODATION
| City | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Ashgabat | Sport 3* | Archabil 4* | Divan 5* |
| Darvaza | Yurt stay. Basic facilities but reasonable. Capacity: up to 4 pax |
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Hotel information and pictures, see: https://ayan-turkmenistan.travel/hotel
Hotel Descriptions:
- Sport Hotel (3★) – A modern hotel with an unbeatable location in the heart of the city, surrounded by a shopping mall and major landmarks. It offers decent service and a basic breakfast. However, internet access is limited, with WhatsApp and other social media platforms blocked.
- Archabil Hotel (4★) – Located along Archabil Highway, just a 7–10 minute drive from the city center. Features spacious rooms with panoramic city views, good service, a quality breakfast, and unrestricted high-speed Wi-Fi.
- Divan Hotel (5★) – A premium choice in the older part of the city center, close to the Presidential Palace. Known for its elegant rooms, exceptional service, and delicious breakfast. Offers high-speed Wi-Fi with no restrictions.
- Darvaza Yurt Camp – A traditional yurt stay near the Darvaza Gas Crater, providing a unique and authentic desert experience. Facilities are basic but reasonable. No internet or showers available.
