Last Sunday of April every year is one of the world’s unique celebrations is Turkmen Horse day. Turkmen people assume that it is necessary to give special value to Akhal-teke horses, which have been loyal partner throughout centuries. Turkmen Akhal-teke horses described as ‘wings from heaven’. It impresses many with its unique beauty and strength.
Join our small group tour for celebration of Akhalteke Horse Day and be spectators of the horse races in the hippodrome of Ashgabat, visit unique museum for Akhal-teke horses at “Turkmenatlary” state concern building, ride and get acquaintance with the famous Akhalteke Horses, see the Turkmen “Akmaya” camels in the desert and “Alabay” dogs – national pride of Turkmen people.
PACKAGE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Ashgabat with morning flight. Ashgabat city tour.
Pick up at Ashgabat airport and transfer to the Sport 5* hotel. Free check in available at 06:00 a.m.
Today we will have a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat including visits to Park and Monument of Independence, Arch of Neutrality, a 95m- high monument with a revolving golden statue of the first President Turkmenbashy. Hit the viewing platform of the Arch of Neutrality to see the beautiful panorama of Ashgabat. Panoramic tour to “Alem” the largest Indoor Ferris wheel. Continue tour to the historical and archaeological site “Ancient Nisa – the Residence of Parthian Kingdom” UNESCO site from 2007. The Parthian Empire was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations of the ancient world, and a brilliant rival of Rome which prevented the expansion of the Roman Empire to the east. Visiting of Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia.
Day 2: Ashgabat – Darvaza (260 km)
Drive to Darvaza by 4WD car. En route stopover to visit Erbent Nomadic village where you can enjoy seeing the local life in the desert - Turkmen yurts, dromedaries, tamdyr (mud oven) and many others. Arrive at Darvaza, explore the gas craters, first full of water, and second the sulfur - muddy. Leave the road and venture in the desert to see the flaming gas crater. Arrive at site of flaming gas crater. Explore the flaming gas crater at sunset. Enjoy BBQ for dinner. Overnight in Turkmen yurts at campsite.
Day 3: Darvaza - Ashgabat – Geokdepe – Kowata – Ashgabat (470 km.)
Return to Ashgabat and continue tour to Geokdepe and Kow-ata. Visiting of a heroic Geokdepe fortress and mosque located almost 40 kilometers to the west of Ashgabat where in 1881, defending their independence, the Turkmens showed courageous resistance to the invading Russian army. Visit Geokdepe Horse Farm to see a national proud of Turkmen people - Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great, Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. There are over 35 beautiful horses in the farm. Per superstition, every sick person who touches an Ahalteke horse will get well soon. Continue tour to the underground lake Kow-Ata where you can swim. The lake is available all year round because of constant temperature of water (33-37◦C) and air. A warm hydrogen sulphide lake lies in a cave at the Kopet Dag foothills. 276 steps lead into the lake. On your way down you will admire marvelous grapes and lines of stalactites and see bat’s bevies. This cave impresses with its greatness. It has the length of 250 m, width 50 m, depth of 65 m.
Return to Ashgabat. Overnight at Sport 5* hotel.
Day 4: Celebration of Akhalteke Horse Day in Ashgabat
Visit National Circus of Turkmenistan to see Ahalteke horse show or Horse exhibition. The horse show is performed by “Galkynysh” group. The group has famous stunts on Akhalteke horseback. The audience is charmed by the beauty and swiftness of “royal horses”, bravery riders, performing at full gallop tricks and various techniques of stunts on horseback, which the Turkmen artists inherited from their talented ancestors. The triumph of “Galkynysh” group horse riders was recognized as the best among 32 circus troupes from 22 countries and awarded with the main prize of festival - the Gold Cup. “Galkynysh” group performed in Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey and other countries, where it has made a real furor, gained the victories in prestigious international competitions and circus art festivals.
*Note: program for this day is subject to change. We will confirm the final program as soon as we get “Turkmen Horses” Association program for this day. Overnight at Sport 5* Hotel.
Day 5: Celebration of Akhalteke Horse Day in Ashgabat
Visit Hippodrome to see horse races. Horse race is very popular in Turkmenistan. People traditionally do rates during the races. A winner gets expensive handmade carpet or luxury car or elite apartment. There several races during the holiday. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at Sport 5* Hotel.
Day 6: Departure to home
Check out hotel until noon. Transfer to the airport according your departure flight time. Farewell. End of tour.
Tour dates: April 23 – April 28, 2025
Tour duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Places to visit: Ashgabat, Nissa, Darvaza, Geokdepe, Kow-ata
TOUR PRICE:
No of travellers |
1 pax |
2 -5 pax |
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Price in USD/ per person |
1368 |
980 |
Single supplement: 180 USD
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodation (local star & standard): double or twin shared rooms in hotels
Ashgabat: Sport 5* hotel (breakfast is included), 4 nights
Darvaza: Turkmen yurt (barbeque for dinner and camp style breakfast is included), 1 night
TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES: International flights, consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (depends on the place you obtain - 40$ at Turkmenistan Embassy abroad, 95 $ on arrival at Ashgabat airport for most nationalities), migration card paid upon arrival - 14 USD, photo/video fees at sites, meals (lunch and dinner - allow up to 15 $ per person per meal) not listed above & other services not mentioned above.