NOVRUZ HOLIDAY TOUR IN TURKMENISTAN 2026, MARCH 17-23

Breakfast is at the hotel. Carpet museum opened in 1994. It has a rich collection of Turkmen carpets from the medieval through to the 20th century, including over 1000 carpets from the 18th and 19th centuries and one of the biggest hand -made carpets in the world. Akhalteke horse stable - A variety of Akhalteke private horse farms and stables can be visited for those that want to observe these gorgeous horses from a safe distance. After lunch drive to Darwaza in the Karakum desert, with visit of Erbent desert community on the way. Darwaza - The center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum desert attracts travelers from all over the world because of its unique burning crater that offers a particularly spectacular view in the dark. Dinner Time. Return to Ashgabat after dark (slow driving). Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mary Region 350 km. Visit to Ancient Merv. It was located at the road crossing of the Great Silk Road, quickly became one of the largest and biggest cities of the ancient world, and was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Visiting Ancient Merv allows us to explore the urbanization process in Central Asia. The smallest and earliest city in Merv, Erk-Kala (approximately 6th century BCE), occupies only 20 hectares and was surrounded by massive walls and a moat. The Seleucids, successors of Alexander, established a second city, Merv (4th century BCE), known today as Gyaur-Kala, which many experts identify with Antioch on the Margus River. The city was constructed on a Greek grid and has a roughly square shape, covering about 360 hectares. The highlight of Ancient Merv is the visit to the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, which still dominates the landscape. This central-domed building without a portal is characteristic of the Khorasan architectural style. The mausoleum was created by Muhammad, son of Atsyz from Serakhs. Merv occupies an area of over 1,200 hectares, forming the largest archaeological site in Central Asia. The importance of the monument was recognized in 1999 by UNESCO, which granted Merv the status of a World Heritage Site. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to catch the domestic flight to Ashgabat (flight time could be change) . Visit National Museum - Opened in 1998, the museum's 9 history halls houses the Turkmenistan’s major collection of artifacts discovered at various excavation sites in Turkmenistan. "Halk Hakydasy" Complex, built in memory of the victims of the 1948 Earthquake and the Second World War. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Novruz festival place. Festival Activities: Participate in Novruz bayram in the city, the festive celebrations in a festival village: national songs, dances, folk shows, turkmen wedding party, carpet making and local cuisine. Enjoy a traditional feast with pilaf, sweets, and spring greens. Cultural Experience: Learn about Turkmen customs, that celebrate renewal and the start of spring. Night at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Kow-Ata underground lake that is located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in a lake). After drive to Nokhur village. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses have been built by local boulders, cemented with mud. Apart from the main street through the middle of the town, the streets are so narrow that they only just fit a car between the high stone retaining walls on each side.TheNohkur people who populate this remote mountain village are quite different to other Turkmen tribes. They live in a handful of villages in the mountainous border area spanning Turkmenistan and Iran. Nokhur is the largest village with 1-2 thousand people. Return Ashgabat city. Night at the hotel.

Departure: Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, carrying memories of Novruz celebrations and Turkmenistan's rich culture.