Heard of the North Korean Mass Games? Ever seen an Olympics Opening Ceremony? Well the Independence Day concert in Ashgabat is bit like if both of those had a love child. But add in some of Turkmenistan's special brand of weirdness. It really is something totally unique, and what makes it even cooler is how many people do you know that have even heard of it? We were the first to ever take a group of tourists to this special event, and since 2015 have continued to be the only people to manage it.
This epic tour starts in Ashgabat, taking in the city which in itself is really something special, interspersed with the concert, a day of horse racing at the hippodrome, and any other Independence Day events that we have the opportunity to experience. There's a good chance the President and his father, the former President, will be at one or both of these events, but just depends what they feel like on the day!
Once all the Independence Day fun is wrapped up, we'll head out of the city and spend a night at the Gates of Hell, before heading west, with stops at the underground lake of Kow Ata, the mountain village of Nokhur, and the ancient ruins of Nisa.
Reaching the Caspian Sea coast you'll have a chance to explore the resort town of Avaza, and we'll venture into the desert to Yangykala Canyon, 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.
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.
There are also shorter versions of this tour, with both the Whirlwind Tour and the Original Tour .
INCLUSIONS:
✓ | Letter of Invitation |
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Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (breakfast included), camping at Gates of Hell |
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Transport as per itinerary, beginning and ending in Ashgabat |
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Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary, including Independence Day events |
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SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $600
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa fee (can be paid on arrival at the airport or land border, or at an embassy beforehand) |
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Meals other than breakfast at hotels |
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Transport to and from Ashgabat at the beginning and end of the tour |
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Accommodation and any other services before or after the tour |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
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Any COVID related expenses |
Experience the amazing Independence Day Events , something very few foreigners ever get the privilege of seeing
Stand on the edge of the vast and vibrant Yangykala Canyon
Explore the glimmering white and gold cities of Ashgabat and Avaza
Get a Goat Massage in possibly the most off-the-beaten-path region you've ever been to