Novruz Holiday Tour

Welcome to Turkmenistan and to the celebration of Novruz, the ancient festival of spring and renewal. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and resting, you will start exploring the capital's main landmarks. During the Novruz season, the city is decorated with flowers, lights and festive displays.

Your first stop is Independence Park, home to the Independence Monument and surrounded by fountains and statues. You will then visit the Arch of Neutrality, a tall monument topped by a golden statue, which offers great views across the city. Next, you will see the Constitution Monument, one of the tallest buildings in Ashgabat, which symbolises the country's constitution. Your guide will tell you about the history of Ashgabat and the meaning of Novruz, which marks the spring equinox and the beginning of the new year in many parts of Central Asia. You will learn about the traditions associated with the festival, such as cleaning the house, preparing special dishes and visiting family. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Turkmen cuisine. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, you will begin a full day of sightseeing in and around Ashgabat. Your first visit is the National Carpet Museum, where you will learn about the art of Turkmen carpet weaving and see beautiful examples from different tribes. Next, you will drive to the ancient Parthian fortress of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside the city. Here you can walk among the remains of palaces and temples that were once part of a powerful empire.

During the day, you will also visit three of the most important mosques in the Ashgabat area. These include the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque in the city centre, the grand Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque in Gypjak and the Saparmurat Hajji Mosque in Gokdepe. Each mosque has its own architectural style and history, which your guide will explain. In the afternoon, you will visit an Akhal-Teke horse farm to see the famous golden horses of Turkmenistan. These horses play an important role in Turkmen culture and are often featured in national celebrations. You may even see the horses being trained or prepared for shows. In the evening, you will return to Ashgabat for dinner. Overnight at your hotel.

Today is the highlight of your trip, as you take part in the celebrations of Novruz, the festival of spring. After breakfast, you will travel to the main festival venue, where crowds gather in festive clothes. The celebrations include traditional music, songs and dances performed by groups from different regions of Turkmenistan.

You will see colourful displays of national costumes, jewellery and handicrafts. One of the most interesting traditions is the preparation of semeni, a sweet dish made from sprouted wheat, which is cooked slowly for many hours. You may also see other traditional dishes being prepared, such as plov, dograma and fresh bread baked in a tamdyr clay oven. In many places, there are traditional games, horse races and wrestling competitions, which are very popular with local people. Your guide will explain the meaning of each tradition and help you join in the celebrations. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Turkmen culture and hospitality at its most joyful. You will have plenty of time to take photographs and talk with local people. In the evening, enjoy a festive dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Ashgabat.

On your final day, after breakfast and check-out, you will visit the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex. This large memorial is dedicated to the victims of the 1948 earthquake and to those who lost their lives in the wars of the 20th century. The complex includes monuments, an eternal flame and a museum, and it is an important place of remembrance for the people of Turkmenistan.

Next, you will drive to the village of Anau to see the ruins of the Seyitjemaleddin Mosque. Built in the 15th century, the mosque was once famous for the colourful mosaic dragons on its entrance portal. Although it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1948, the site is still visited by many pilgrims. Your guide will tell you about the history of the mosque and the legends connected with it. After the visit, you may have some time for lunch or last-minute shopping, depending on your flight schedule. You will then be transferred to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight. We hope you enjoyed celebrating Novruz with the people of Turkmenistan. Thank you for travelling with us.