New Year Eve In Turkmenistan
Ashgabat - Gokdepe - Ashgabat - Derveze - Ashgabat
- Witness the fiery spectacle of the "Door to Hell" while enjoying a festive meal, music, and games under a starlit sky
- Learn to prepare traditional Turkmen dishes like pishme and un ash during a hands-on cooking class. Savor delicious meals throughout the trip, including a celebratory New Year's Eve feast
- Explore Ashgabat's modern architecture and bustling Gulistan Bazaar. Visit the historical Gokdepe Fortress and learn about the Akhalteke horses, a national treasure
- Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near the Darvaza Gas Crater, offering a glimpse into nomadic life
- Discover the rich heritage of Turkmen carpet weaving at the renowned Carpet Museum
- Itinerary
- What is included
- Trip Map
- Reviews
- Essential Information
Itinerary
Arrival in Ashgabat International Airport. You will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel.Hotel check-in in the midday. Afternoon you will have an Ashgabat city tour. You will see the Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium and Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex. Overnight in Ashgabat
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, a drive to the Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by the Russian Empire Army. The siege of Gokdepe lasted 23 days, after which the city was taken by storm. Visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy) which was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue coloured roof and white marble structure. Then visit the Gokdepe museum about the battle between Russians and the local tribe “Akhalteke” in 1881. Then, drive to visit Horse Stable to see a national pride of the Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses on the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. After a fascinating exploration of Gokdepe’s historical sites and cultural gems, your journey takes a delicious turn at a cosy family-run restaurant. Your hands-on lesson begins with pishme, a delightful deep-fried pastry that holds a special place in Turkmen's hearts. Next comes un ash, a hearty and flavorful noodle soup that’s a staple in Turkmen homes. You’ll learn the secrets of making the thin, hand-stretched noodles, simmering them in a rich broth brimming with vegetables, and tender cuts of lamb. Leaving the restaurant, you won’t just have new culinary skills and a satisfied stomach; you’ll carry with you a deeper appreciation for Turkmen culture and the warmth of its people. The experience will linger in your memory, a delicious reminder of your journey through Gokdepe. Overnight in Ashgabat
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys and the world’s largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 it was added to the Guinness Book of Records. In the afternoon, you will drive to the Darvaza burning Gas Crater (276km, 4h), a top international tourist destination. Ring in the New Year Party at the Darvaza gas crater deep in the Karakum desert. You will spend the day witnessing and experiencing the preparation of national dishes such as Turkmen bread and somsa in a special Central Asian oven tamdyr. But that's not all. Of course, Turkmen cuisine cannot be imagined without meat. You will taste the famous meat dish gomme, which is cooked under burning wood and hot sand, of course barbeque from chicken, lamb and national kebap. As the hours pass from the old year to the new one, you will celebrate the New Year right next to the crater with champagne. You will enjoy a day and night filled with music, various animated games with a guide, delicious food, and happiness. This New Year's Eve will be unforgettable. Here you will feel like you have the whole planet to yourself. Overnight in a yurt
Picnic-style breakfast at Darvaza. Drive back to Ashgabat. Hotel check-in. Visit Gulistan Baazar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets and a must-visit for any traveller to Ashgabat.
Leisure time. Overnight at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure
What's included / excluded
- Letter of Invitation (State Registration, Travel Pass)
- Accommodation in DBL/Twin room:
Sport Hotel – 1 night Mary
Mary Hotel – 1 night
- Stantrips Yurt camp (Tent/Yurt) stay – 1 night (incl sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, light)
- Escort guide services
- Transportation as per program per AC
- Transportation as per program per AC regular road vehicles and 4x4 where terrain requires
- Entrance fee: per program
- Meals: BF at hotel, BBQ dinner at Darvaza
- 1.5 L water per person per day
- Travel tax
- International flights
- Cost of Turkmen visa & border fees (85 – 100 USD)
- PCR test (33-35 USD)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Payment for photos and videos in UNESCO sites & museums
- Meals: L & D
- Medical insurance
- Services not shown in the program
- Pricing is based on shared accommodation. A single supplement fee (65 USD) will be required if no suitable roommate is found, and the single supplement is only applicable in hotels
Trip Map
reviews
It was a great experience to visit Turkmenistan in a company of very knowledgeable, having tour guide and kind drivers. We had an opportunity to see the extraordinary city of Ashgabad, we were able to feel the hospitality of locals in Nokhur, we dived into the desert and slept in yurts next to the "Gates of hell". All the above and much more have made the trip unforgettable.
The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Maksat is a great guide that together with his driver made us feel like we were traveling with friends. He is a professional, eager to share his country's history with you and while his doing that he's taking care that you have all the possible comfort and all your needs are fulfilled.
Turkmenistan is a must-do exotic experience with the highlights being. Ashgabat and Darvaza, but all the historical sites are worth seeing and the night spent in the yurt is unforgettable.
It was a great experience to visit Turkmenistan in a company of very knowledgeable, having tour guide and kind drivers. We had an opportunity to see the extraordinary city of Ashgabad, we were able to feel the hospitality of locals in Nokhur, we dived into the desert and slept in yurts next to the "Gates of hell". All the above and much more have made the trip unforgettable.
The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Maksat is a great guide that together with his driver made us feel like we were traveling with friends. He is a professional, eager to share his country's history with you and while his doing that he's taking care that you have all the possible comfort and all your needs are fulfilled.
Turkmenistan is a must-do exotic experience with the highlights being. Ashgabat and Darvaza, but all the historical sites are worth seeing and the night spent in the yurt is unforgettable.












