Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour

Name: Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour
Start: 2027-03-11
End: 2027-03-31
Location: Tehran

Start

Mar 11, 2027
Tehran

End

Mar 31, 2027
Ashgabat

Duration

21 days

Price

US$3490.00

TOUR OVERVIEW

Beginning in Tehran we’ll visit the former US Embassy, the Holy Defence Museum, Nature Bridge, and experience the night-life and the hipster café culture. We’ll then stop at the famous red village of Abyaneh before seeing all that Isfahan, Meybod, Yazd and Shiraz have to offer, including gardens, mosques, ruins, stunning views, Persepolis and much more.

In there you’ll get a chance for a really unique desert experience where we’ll go dune bashing and ride buggies, before staying with locals in a small village where we’ll spend the night cooking shashlik, smoking shisha, and perhaps even having a little drink.

From Shiraz, we'll fly to Masshad in the north of Iran, from where we'll cross the land border into Turkmenistan. Despite sharing a lot of history and being separated by a single mountain range, it feels like stepping into a different world.

Arriving in Ashgabat, we'll explore the white marble city that Turkmenistan is famous for. We'll show you all the unbelievable monuments and buildings, plus some of our own favourite spots, but of course the main event that we're here for - Nowruz. Making our way to the special yurt village, we'll soak in all that this Turkmen-style event has to offer.

Then we'll head out into the desert for a night by the fiery crater that is the Gates of Hell, before heading into the west of the country.

We'll swim in an underground cave, see a cemetery full of goats' horns, stand on top of a canyon and stay in both Balkanabat and Turkmenbashy, before flying back to Ashgabat on Turkmenistan Airlines.

At this point we'll head into the far east of the country to see a completely different side of Turkmenistan. Out here you'll meet people who have never seen a foreigner before, see things that not many people outside of Turkmenistan even know exist, and it'll suddenly feel like Ashgabat's a cosmpolitan modern world hub.

View the full itinerary

Arch of Neutrality, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.

If you'd like to join us on this tour but don't have time to do everything in this itinerary, we have shorter versions of the Turkmenistan section. Check out our Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour or the Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Combo Tour .

Group	Start	End	Days	Price	Single Sup.
Iran Spring Tour	Mar 11 Tehran	Mar 18 Shiraz	8	$1295	$350
Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Tour	Mar 20 Ashgabat	Mar 23 Ashgabat	4	$1095	$150
Turkmenistan Nowruz Tour	Mar 20 Ashgabat	Mar 27 Ashgabat	8	$1595	$350
Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Tour	Mar 20 Ashgabat	Mar 31 Ashgabat	12	$2295	$550
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Combo Tour	Mar 11 Tehran	Mar 23 Ashgabat	13	$2390	$600
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour	Mar 11 Tehran	Mar 27 Ashgabat	17	$2890	$800
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour	Mar 11 Tehran	Mar 31 Ashgabat	21	$3590	$1000

INCLUSIONS:

✓	Visa support for Iran as per immigration requirements
✓	Letter of Invitation and registration for Turkmenistan
✓	Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (except when mentioned in itinerary), breakfast included
✓	Transport as per itinerary
✓	Domestic flights Shiraz-Mashhad, Turkmenbashy-Ashgabat, Ashgabat-Kerki, Turkmenabat-Ashgabat
✓	Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in itinerary
✓	Western and local guides

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $950

What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.

EXCLUSIONS:

⨯	Visa fees (paid directly at border, airport or embassy)
⨯	Meals other than breakfast at accommodation
⨯	Transport to and from the start and end of tour
⨯	Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities
⨯	Any other expenses that arise due to unforeseen circumstances

Dinosaur Plateau, Koytendag, Kugitang, Turkmenistan

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Step back in time with visits to the ancient cities of Yazd and Meybod

Explore the ruins of UNESCO listed Persepolis and Nisa

Join in the vibrant and oh so photogenic Nowruz celebrations

Spend a night sleeping next to the Gates of Hell

Get a goat massage and walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs

Itinerary

Day 1Thu Mar 11

Tehran

Arrive in Tehran for a quick tour briefing, then head straight out to explore the amazing city that is Tehran. You’ll be shocked at how cosmopolitan Tehran is, so don’t worry you’ll be able to get a flat white! We’ll make sure you can change some money as well at the black market rate.
We’ll first head to the former US embassy that was taken over by protestors in November 1979. Today the former embassy is known locally as the US Den of Spies and is home to a wonderful museum.
We’ll then head to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the entire world with over 10km of walkways. The Bazaar is like a city within a city, with banks, mosques and hotels. We’ll pick up some lunch here.
In the afternoon we’ll head to the Holy Defence Museum which tells the story of the Islamic revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. Right next to the museum is the Tabiat Bridge, known as Nature Bridge, the beautiful modern structure connecting two of the post popular parks in Tehran. Here we’ll see Iranians doing what they do best, picnicking and relaxing.

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Day 2Fri Mar 12

Tehran, Abyaneh, Isfahan

Today we’ll hit the road, with our first stop being just south of Iran at the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, the man who led the 1979 revolution to overthrow the Shah and establish the modern Islamic Republic of Iran.
We’ll then continue to the town of Abyaneh, known as the red village as all the buildings are built using the local red soil. Like an oasis in the desert, this small cool paradise is atypical of the surrounding areas and inhabitants live in a very traditional manner. Local rules mean any new construction must continue to be built using the red clay of the area.
Finally, we’ll continue on to Isfahan, where you’ll have the evening free to wander around possibly the most beautiful city in Iran.

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Day 3Sat Mar 13

Isfahan

Today we’re exploring Isfahan which has a lot to offer. We’ll start off by visiting the UNESCO listed Imam Square which was previously used as a polo field! We’ll visit Square Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque which was completed in 1619 after nearly 20 years of work. Today, the mosque stands as a magnificent and detailed public work. However, when it was originally built it was a private and luxurious place of worship for Shah Abbas I and the women of his court.
Surrounding Imam square is the bazaar of Isfahan where you’ll get a chance to walk around and if you’re so inclined try some Iranian ice cream! We’ll have lunch at one of the coolest restaurants in Iran, Azadegan Teahouse, with every centimetre of wall space displaying an eclectic array of nostalgia and memorabilia.
After lunch we’ll head to the Armenian Vank Cathederal. Yes you read that right, a church in Iran!
We’ll then finish the day by taking a walk along the river to get a look at the two most famous sites in Isfahan, the Khaju Bridge and the Si o Se Bridge. You’ll get a chance here to wander around and mingle with locals, who, you guessed it, are picnicking and relaxing.

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Day 4Sun Mar 14

Isfahan, Varzane Desert, Khoramdasht

Today we’re going to say goodbye to Isfahan and have some fun doing something a bit different. We’ll head out to the Varzane Desert for some dune bashing, quad biking and other exciting activities.
We’ll then stay in the small village of Khoramdasht where we’ll throw a little party with some of our Iranian friends.
There might even be some intoxicating beverages!

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Day 5Mon Mar 15

Khoramdasht, Meybod, Yazd

On the way to Yazd we’ll stop in Meybod, a lovely little desert town, parts of which are millennia old, some of which are abandoned which gives us the opportunity to do a little exploring. Urb-ex, but ancient. Much of it is left in its original state rather than being reconstructed so we’ll get a real idea of life past.
Continuing on to Yazd which is the centre of the original religion of Iran – Zoroastrianism. Here we’ll learn about this unique ancient religion by spending the afternoon firstly visiting the Eternal Flame. This brick Zoroastrian temple holds a fire that has burned for more than 1,500 years. The ancient flame has been kept alive throughout various centuries and relocations and continues to burn today.
Next we’ll head to the Dowlatabad Garden which is a classic example of Persian gardens. Its 33.8 meter tall windcatcher is the tallest adobe-made windcatcher in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011, as part of the Persian gardens.
Lastly we’ll head to the Tower of Silence. Until 40 years ago, corpses could still be found on top of the Towers of Silence in Yazd, Iran, slowly disintegrating or being picked apart by desert vultures.
In the Zoroastrian tradition, once someone has died, their body can immediately be contaminated by demons and made impure. To prevent this infiltration, Zoroastrians purified the dead body by exposing it to the elements and local fowl on top of flat-topped towers called dakhmas in the desert.
Although the towers are no longer used in ceremony, they can be visited along with a number of the ossuaries in the area.
Yazd has an extreme and arid climate. It can get very hot in the daytime and cool down considerably at night. Long before electricity and air conditioning were invented, back when Iran was called Persia, staying cool in these conditions required ingenuity; that’s how windcatchers were born.
Windcatchers are a traditional Persian architectural design that creates natural ventilation in buildings. The basic design consists of a tower that rises from a building below, with openings at the top. Yazd, one of the largest cities in Iran, is known as the “City of Windcatchers”.
Yazd is also known for having a large network of qanats , which are underground channels that transfer water from a well to the surface. The windcatchers and qanats often worked together to create an amplified cooling effect.
Yazd is also amazing for its sunset views, so make sure you’ve got plenty of space left on your memory card.

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Day 6Tue Mar 16

Yazd, Persepolis, Shiraz

Today we’ll drive to Persepolis, one of the great ancient sites of the world, and spend the afternoon there. Persepolis was once the richest city on earth – the glittering capital of the Achaemenid Empire. At the heart of the city lay the royal palace – a wonder of gold and silver, ivory, and precious stones. From there, Xerxes planned his war against Greece – and the treasure of a vast empire piled up in the store-rooms.
In 330 BCE, Persepolis was captured by Alexander the Great. Before he left the city, he ordered the palace be burned to the ground – whether through drunken malice or sober calculation, it is impossible to be sure. Today the haunting, spectacular ruins of Persepolis reveal both the glory of the Achaemenid Empire, and the abruptness of its passing. The palace is still marked by Alexander’s fire: three feet of ash covered the floor in some places when it was first excavated – and many of the columns are still visibly scarred by those flames which burned over two thousand years ago.
There are plenty of places to sit down and have a cold drink meaning that those who want extra time to explore are able to do so while others who feel they have gotten the most out of it can relax.
In the evening we'll make the short drive to Shiraz, where we'll spend the night.

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Day 7Wed Mar 17

Shiraz

Today we’ll visit Nasir al-Mulk mosque, also know as the Pink Mosque. There’s a chance you will have seen pictures of this online as it has possibly the most beautiful stained glass window display in the world, making the interior dazzle with colour.
As if that wasn’t beautiful enough, next we head to the Shah Cheragh mosque, which is completely covered in mirrors. Rather than being inside a religious building, it feels like you’re inside a disco ball.
Despite being damaged by human hands and natural disasters over the centuries, the mosque has been maintained and repaired and shines brightly even today. The increasingly sprawling site is still an extremely important pilgrimage location for Shia Muslims, however visitors of any faith are likely to marvel at the sheer beauty of this glassy wonder.
Lastly we’ll head to the Eram Gardens. Another example of a classical Persian garden, it’s possibly the most famous in all of Iran. With their beautiful flowers, refreshing air, aromatic myrtles and towering cypress trees, including one tree which is said to date back to 3000 years ago, the Eram Gardens are a major tourist destination, especially during the spring. Locals flock here and no doubt you’ll end up striking up a conversation with some and being asked to join in photos.
In the evening we’ll head to the main square to enjoy some alfresco dining at one of the popular hip cafes.

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Day 8Thu Mar 18

Shiraz, Mashhad

Fly to Mashhad.
Sight-seeing in Mashhad.
Overnight in Mashhad.

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Day 9Fri Mar 19

Mashhad, Ashgabat

Today we'll make our way to the land border between Masshad and Ashgabat - Bajgiran on the Iranian side, Howdan on the Turkmen side.
We'll clear customs and immigration on both sides of the border and then drive to Ashgabat, arriving in the afternoon.
Despite sharing a lot of history and being separated by a single mountain range, it feels like stepping into a different world.

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Day 10Sat Mar 20

Ashgabat

Our first day in Ashgabat, you’re going to be in awe of everything that the capital has to offer. We’ll spend the day taking in all the main sites of Ashgabat, including all those crazy monuments you’ve probably seen pictures of, as we begin explaining all the weird and wonderful aspects of Turkmenistan that make it such a special place.
We’ll start with a driving tour of Ashgabat's main sites, including Independence Park and Independence Monument, the Monument to the Constitution, the Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Park, and a drive-by of the Olympic Complex which was built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The complex is home to the famous Horse Stadium ( the largest structure in the shape of a horse in the world – you’ll hear plenty more of these records! ), but unfortunately is closed to the public.
A highlight of the day will likely be the Alem Centre, the complex which houses the Wheel of Enlightenment, the largest indoor ferris wheel (yes, there’s another one). And YES, for just $2.50, you can even take a ride!
Stop for lunch at Berkarar Shopping Centre, where you can go ice-skating, play in the games centre, ride a miniature double-decker bus, and even have a cappuccino in a hipster café – bet you weren’t expecting that!
In the afternoon we’ll visit the university bookshop, a great chance to pick up some very cool, unique Turkmenistan swag, including where you can find amazing coffee table books written by and about the former president (and father of the current president, Serdar Berdimuhamedov), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as ones about Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. You can even get them in English! They also have postcards and posters, and if you're lucky they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama, the book written by Turkmenbashy.
Spend the night at the Ak Altyn Hotel.

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Day 11Sun Mar 21

Nowruz, Ashgabat

Today is what we're here for - the main Nowruz celebrations in Turkmenistan.
Celebrating the spring equinox, Nowruz is originally Persian New Year, however in the years since the fall of the Soviet Union, it has been well and truly commandeered by Central Asia. You'll find Nowruz celebrations all over the Stans, with various extents of extravagance and authenticity. Like everything though, Turkmenistan has really taken it to the next level and made it their own. And anything with a Turkmen spin on it is unique and exciting!
The events can vary year to year, however generally we will head to a purpose-built yurt village on the outskirts of Ashgabat, where there's a bizarre, very Turkmen-style progressive concert. Beginning with girls waving (plastic) flowers lining the path to the yurt village, there will then be a show at the gate to the village, and then as we walk through the village there will be a constant stream of concerts and displays starting and ending as we pass by.
There will be displays of Silk Road history, cotton and wheat production, fruits and vegetables, national clothing, singing and dancing from other countries, carpet weaving, stunts performed on horses, and if you're lucky, there will even be some plov or other local food to indulge in.
We'll soak in everything that the celebrations have to offer, and likely our group will be amongst the last still standing as we make the absolute most of everything. When everything comes to an end though, we'll head back into Ashgabat where we'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Overnight in Ashgabat.

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Day 12Mon Mar 22

Ashgabat, Gates of Hell

This morning we will have free time, so you'll have a chance to organise yourself for the evening ahead. We'll be checking out of the hotel in Ashgabat, but you can leave luggage behind for the overnight.
In the early afternoon, we'll set off on our desert adventure, driving the 250km north to Darvaza, The Gates of Hell.
One the way we’ll make a few stops – including to see a salt lake, and two other craters (one full of mud, one full of water).
Our favourite stop on this drive though is the town of Erbent, where you'll get a real up-close look at how rural Turkmens live - very different to what you've seen so far in Ashgabat and other regional cities and towns. We'll patronise the village shop, no doubt take some photos of some dust, possibly an old motorbike or two, maybe even a camel, and if we're lucky we might bump into some school kids. We will also of course use their toilet (not a luxurious one!) before continuing on our way.
Crossing the sand dunes to get to Darvaza, we’ll arrive in time to watch the sunset over the fiery crater and experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
We will either set up tents near the crater, or stay in one of the nearby yurt camps, depending on many factors, including weather. Either way though, we'll spend the evening viewing the fiery crater from every angle, seeing the colour change as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, until the crater is in full glow. It's completely mesemerising.

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Day 13Tue Mar 23

Gates of Hell, Ashgabat

We'll wake up this morning at the Gates of Hell. What a place to wake up!
Make sure you get your fill of fiery pits over breakfast, before we drive back to Ashgabat, arriving around lunchtime.
We'll check into the hotel and have free time for the rest of the afternoon.
Most people will probably want to head to one of our favourite bazaars in Central Asia – the Russian Bazaar. Here you'll have the opportunity to get some super cheap, local food for lunch, do some souvenir shopping, or if you’re in the market for a Turkmen carpet we can show you a good place to get them.
This is also where one of the main shops for buying the famous Turkmenistan tracksuits is, so if you've made it to this point in the tour without one, and you're a bit jealous of your tracksuit-adorned fellow travellers, this is your chance to get one.
You also might like just to go exploring, whether it's a walk to the psychadelic Ashgabat Mall, or to Tashkent Park, or to the alabay (dog) statue, or you could simply walk through one of the areas of new white marble buildings. And of course we'll be there to help you figure out what to do with your time.
For dinner this evening we’ll go to the Yyldiz Hotel – the newest and most expensive hotel in Turkmenistan, where you can have a real 5 Star restaurant experience for 1 Star prices, complete with 360 degree views of the city.

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Day 14Wed Mar 24

Kow Ata, Nokhur, Balkanabat

Checking out of our hotel in Ashgabat, we'll begin heading west, with our first stop at an underground thermal cave lake which is said to have many medical attributes, but is also used by locals as a swimming hole and makes for a very fun and relaxing swim.
After a refreshing swim in the cave lake, we'll sit down and chill for a while with some shashlik from one of the restaurants just outside the entrance to the cave.
We’ll continue driving west, away from Ashgabat, to the village of Nokhur, situated in the Kopet Dag mountains. Unlike the rest of Turkmenistan, even during the Soviet Union and the era of Turkmenbashy, the people in this village were largely left to their own devices, and as such live a much more traditional lifestyle than most Turkmens.
Here we’ll visit Nokhur Cemetery, where each grave is adorned with the horns of a mountain goat and a small market next to a wishing tree where you can buy all sorts of natural teas and potions.
Back on the road in the afternoon, we'll keep heading west until we arrive in Balkanabat, the capital of the western Balkan region.
On arrival we'll check into one of our favourite hotels in Turkmenistan, which is in the shape of a giant yurt, and will walk across the road to check out the local Turkmenbashy statue.

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Day 15Thu Mar 25

Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenbashy

Before leaving Balkanabat in the morning, we'll make a quick stop at a supermarket to stock up on snacks and drinks for the day, as we'll spend the whole of today in the desert with nothing in the way of civilisation until the evening.
We'll also stop at the Caravan Monument - a sand coloured depiction of a camel and travelers making their way through the harsh desert.
Leaving Balkanabat, we'll venture off the main road for the highlight of today - Yangykala Canyon. Wide and vast, the area was once a seabed, and scattered with all sorts of fossils, it stretches as far as the eye can see. In 4x4s, we’ll drive over the canyon walls, through the canyon itself, and up the other side.
We'll make several stops along the way, including our favourite, the crocodile mouth. This will be our main stop for the day, and we'll spend plenty of time there so we can enjoy all the shapes and colours of this spectacular natural phenomenon.
In the afternoon we'll continue on our way, arriving in Turkmnbashy in the late afternoon.
We'll have some free time before dinner, during which you can use the hotel gym, pool and sauna facilities, have a beer in the bar, or we may take a walk down to the former shoreline of the receding Caspian Sea.
Overnight in Turkmenbashy.
Previously we have included Avaza in this part of our tour itineraries, however it is currently closed to foreigners, as of April 2023. We are working on the assumption that it will not be open before the time of this tour, however if it was, we would rearrange the itinerary in such a way that we'd be able to include a visit there.

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Day 16Fri Mar 26

Turkmenbashy, Ashgabat

This morning we will make our way to Turkmenbashy Airport, which has the airport code KRW, in reference to the Soviet name of the city, which was Krasnovodsk.
We'll fly back to Ashgabat on Turkmenistan's national carrier and the only option for domestic flights, Turkmenistan Airlines.
Arriving back in Ashgabat you'll have a chance to have some free time, during which you might want to shop for a tracksuit or a carpet, sit down for a coffee or a beer, go for a stroll, or just have a rest.
In the afternoon we'll hop on a public bus and explore Ashgabat from a slightly different perspective. This is a great way to interact with locals, and get a first-hand view of how normal Ashgabatians live on a daily basis.
Using the bus, we'll make our way to Berkarar Shopping Centre, going through the new part of the city, past the Presidential Palace, the Ashgabat Monument, and the 2017 Olympic Complex. We'll then have a chance to explore this incredibly Turkmenistan-style shopping centre, where you can go ice-skating, play in the games centre, ride a miniature double-decker bus, and even have a cappuccino in a hipster café – bet you weren’t expecting that!
We'll catch the bus back to our hotel, before heading out for dinner in the evening.
Overnight at the Ak Altyn Hotel.

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Day 17Sat Mar 27

Ashgabat, Kerki, Koytendag

In the morning we'll go to the airport and fly to the tiny town in the very north east of the country, called Kerki.
From here we will drive into the Koytendag mountains.
Straight away you'll be struck by how different this part of the country feels to anywhere you've been so far. If you thought Ashgabat was off the beaten track - try Koytendag! You will likely come across people who have literally never seen a western tourist before.
We'll be able to wander around the village a little bit and get a feel for the place, and we'll have dinner in a local restaurant.
Spend the night at a lodge in Kugitang.

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Day 18Sun Mar 28

Koytendag, Goat Massage, Kugitang

We'll spend today exploring the Koytendag mountains. We'll visit one gorge which becomes a river when it rains, but assuming it's possible we'll climb through it, and at the end is a massive waterfall of snow melt. Locals will be running under the waterfall, screaming from the cold and laughing as they jump straight back out again. If you're game you can join them! And at the end of the gorge familes will be set up in the shade with mangals (barbeques), picnic tables and rugs, and food and drink for the day.
There are a number of other swimming or climbing opportunities, so we can play it by ear and do as much or as little as people feel like.
Probably a highlight of the tour will be getting a goat massage. An old guy who lives in the area and owns some land and some animals has devised this unique and fun activity, that he calls goat massages. In reality though it's having a goat (of the weight of your choice) walk and stand on your back and shoulders. Some people love it, some people would rather just watch others loving it, but whichever camp you fall in it's certainly a unique and hilarious experience!
We'll return to the lodge in Kugitang in the evening and have some dinner and settle in for the evening.

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Day 19Mon Mar 29

Dinosaur Plateau, Kyrk Gyz Cave, Kugitang

Another highlight! We'll start the day with walking up onto the Dinosaur Plateau, t he largest repository of dinosaur footprints in the world. Discovered in 1980, the limestone slab that sits at a 20 degree angle on the side of the mountain, is covered in pre-historic footprints ranging from 20-70cm in size. Although scientifically explained as this, one local legend tells us that the plateau was a place where white elephants gathered to perform sacred dances, and another tells us that the footprints are those of battle elephants brought by Alexander the Great.
It's quite a walk to get up there, and the hillside itself is quite steep, but once we get there you can explore as much as you like, or simply sit next to some footprints and take in the spectacular view.
Once we've had our dinosaur footprint fix, we'll c ontinue on to Kyrk Gyz Cave. This cave is covered in a peculiar layer of stalactites, which are in fact cloth rags dangling from the ceiling. Legend has it that anyone who can fling a mud pie with a cloth attached to it, and make it stick, will have a wish come true. So obviously we'll all give it a go!
Return to Kugitang for our last night in the lodge.

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Day 20Tue Mar 30

Kugitang, Turkmenabat, Ashgabat

Today we'll make the picturesque drive to Turkmenabat, with loads of stop along the way in odd little towns, beautiful scenery, and Astana Baba Mausoleum and Alamberdar Mausoleum.
We'll have a wander through the bazaar and have lunch in the small town of Atamyrat, where we'll more than likely be spotted by some locals who've never seen a tourist before and end up with some good company over lunch.
Arriving in Turkmenabat in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Lebap Regional Museum. You wouldn’t expect much, but it’s actually a pretty cool little museum, with a fascinating array of taxidermy, multiple dioramas, and huge models and murals of the surrounding area, including depictions of dinosaurs making the footprints in the plateau we will have just seen. Not to mention some very informative displays about the wheat production and oil production of Turkmenistan of course.
We'll squeeze in a quick dinner at our favourite Fitchi House - a local hotspot. And you'd never believe it, but it's not the only one. They also have a branch in Seattle!
And then this evening we'll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines again!
We'll arrive in Ashgabat in the evening, and transfer to our hotel.

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Day 21Wed Mar 31

Ashgabat, End of Tour

Last day of the tour.
Transfers to the airport for your flights, or if you'd like to spend longer in Turkmenistan let us know and we can help you arrange something.

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Extensions

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Cross the land border at Dashoguz or Konye Urgench

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TOUR OVERVIEW

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Itinerary

Day 1Thu Mar 11

Tehran

Day 2Fri Mar 12

Tehran, Abyaneh, Isfahan

Day 3Sat Mar 13

Isfahan

Day 4Sun Mar 14

Isfahan, Varzane Desert, Khoramdasht

Day 5Mon Mar 15

Khoramdasht, Meybod, Yazd

Day 6Tue Mar 16

Yazd, Persepolis, Shiraz

Day 7Wed Mar 17

Shiraz

Day 8Thu Mar 18

Shiraz, Mashhad

Day 9Fri Mar 19

Mashhad, Ashgabat

Day 10Sat Mar 20

Ashgabat

Day 11Sun Mar 21

Nowruz, Ashgabat

Day 12Mon Mar 22

Ashgabat, Gates of Hell

Day 13Tue Mar 23

Gates of Hell, Ashgabat

Day 14Wed Mar 24

Kow Ata, Nokhur, Balkanabat

Day 15Thu Mar 25

Yangykala Canyon, Turkmenbashy

Day 16Fri Mar 26

Turkmenbashy, Ashgabat

Day 17Sat Mar 27

Ashgabat, Kerki, Koytendag

Day 18Sun Mar 28

Koytendag, Goat Massage, Kugitang

Day 19Mon Mar 29

Dinosaur Plateau, Kyrk Gyz Cave, Kugitang

Day 20Tue Mar 30

Kugitang, Turkmenabat, Ashgabat

Day 21Wed Mar 31

Ashgabat, End of Tour

Extensions

Horse Farm Day Trip

Cross the land border at Dashoguz or Konye Urgench

Merv Day Trip

Other Tours

Iran Spring Tour

Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Combo Tour

Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour

Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Tour

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