Arrival in Ashgabat International airport at 03:25 (Tuesday). You will be met by our representatives and transfer to hotel (early check-in). Free time. BF at hotel. You will have Ashgabat city tour. You will see Presidential Palace, Ruhyyet Palace, Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat 2017 Sports and Housing facilities. Overnight at hotel.
Independence Day - Group tour
Ashgabat – Darvaza – Koneurgench
Duration
4 days
4 days
Group size
1-10
1-10
Price
799
799
Highlights
- Explore the best cultural, historical and natural places of Turkmenistan in a single tour
- Visit celebration of Independence Day, which is celebrated on the eve of Independence Day in Turkmenistan
- Visit the Capital of Parthian Kings and the modern Turkmenistan
- A panoramic view of Ashgabat's unique architecture imbued with Turkmen cultural symbols
- Dinner while watching the glow of the Darvaza gas crater, which has been burning for 50 years
- Kunya-Urgench is a city in Turkmenistan that was once the capital of the Khorezm Empire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many impressive historical monuments
Itinerary
Day 1 - Ashgabat (September 26)
Day 2 - Ashgabat
BF at Hotel. Morning drive to visit celebration of Independence Day. Independence Day in Turkmenistan is the most significant national holiday in the country, for in 1991 this day became the starting point for the proclamation of the Turkmen SSR as a sovereign nation.On the eve of Independence Day in Turkmenistan, distinguished military officers, politicians, public figures, athletes and others are honored in a special awards ceremony. The day itself is widely celebrated throughout the country, with the central event being a grandiose military parade, which takes place on Independence Square in Ashgabat. Free concerts, fairs and public festivities are held all across the country, and the day ends in most cities with a grand fireworks show. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Ashgabat – Darvaza
BF at hotel. Drive to visit Nissa fortress -the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC), and reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings, although it has neither been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence or a mausoleum. Afternoon drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater (5 h) dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. En-route we cross Karakum desert, will make a stop in small desert village Erbent. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. BBQ dinner at Gas Crater. Overnight in camp.
Day 4 - Darwaza – Koneurgench
Picnic style breakfast. Morning drive to Kunya Urgench (6h). Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Turkmen-Uzbek border “Nukus”.
What's included / excluded
The tour price includes
- Letter of Invitation in Turkmenistan
- Tent stay – 1 night (incl sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, light)
- Accommodation in DBL/TWIN rooms
- Transportation throughout the tour
- Escort English speaking guide service
- Entrance fee: per program
- Meals: BBQ dinner at Darvaza, BF at darvaza, BF at hotel
- 1,5 L water per person per day
- Travel Tax: 2 usd per person per night
The tour price doesn't include
- International flights
- Cost of Turkmen visa & border fees (70 – 100 USD)
- Payment for photo and video
- Meals: L,D
- Tips for guide and driver
- Medical insurance
- Services not shown in the program