Thursday 25th September – Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

• Arrive at your convenience into Ashgabat – the capital city of Turkmenistan which is well connected from many countries within the Stans, Middle East, Europe and Asia.
• Transfer to our hotel in Ashgabat
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Head out for dinner for your first taste of the local cuisine and enjoy some Georgian wine.
• Overnight in Ashgabat

Friday 26th September – Ashgabat

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and the first stop of the day is at Independence Park with its long array of monuments, including the Neutrality Arch, a 75-metre-high rocket-shaped tower with a gold statue of former leader Niyazov.
• Drop by the Monument of Constitution – standing 185 metres tall it is the second tallest structure in the nation.
• Visit the large monument celebrating the Ruhnama – considered to be a bizarre book written by Turkmenistan’s longest ruler, Saparmurat Niyazov
• Tour the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Olympic Stadium and Park – an architectural wonder with cohesive white marble aesthetics. It was recently reconstructed between 2013 – 2017 for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The same colours are used on the national football teams’ jersey.
• The Olympic 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 throughout your tour.
• Head to the Alem Centre to ride the Wheel of Enlightenment – the largest indoor Ferris Wheel in the world. Entrance is $1.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local Lezzert restaurants in air-conditioned yurts to experience a legit Turkmen feast.
• Visit the University Bookshop – here you can find a multitude of books written by and about the president of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. Postcards and stamps area available, as well as posters of the president holding dogs and riding horses. If you’re lucky, they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama
• Stop by the Russian Bazaar – one of the country’s largest and oldest covered markets.
• Take a walk down communist lane in true YPT style as we visit Lenin Park – now called Ashgabat Park located in the very heart of the city. A Lenin and Pushkin monument still stands nearby.
• Dinner and drinks at a local pub popular with locals. Here they serve tasty shashlicks and cheap local frosty draught beer.
• Overnight in Ashgabat

Saturday 27th September – Ashgabat – Nisa – Ashgabat: Turkmenistan Independence Day!

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and head to the UNESCO site of Nisa Fortress located just outside of Ashgabat. This was once the capital of the Parthian empire – a major power from the mid 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD stretching from Turkey to Afghanistan. Archaeological excavations in two parts of this site has revealed richly decorated architecture and unique religious functions.
• We’ll head a little north to Kipchak to visit the resplendent Turkmenbashi Mosque and Mausoleum – the resting place for Saparmyrat Nyýazow, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006. This mausoleum was built and completed two years before his death. The mosque is undergoing massive reconstruction efforts and we may be able to just view from the exterior. The exterior however is extremely intriguing – the outside contains sections of the Ruhnama instead of Quran verses.

Afternoon

• Return to Ashgabat for lunch
• Drive onto Anau Mosque – this medieval mosque was constructed in the 15th century, but was mostly destroyed by the great Ashgabat earthquake in 1948. It is one of the only mosques in the world to have images of dragons.
• Explore the Anau Fortress – standing on a hill with a diameter of about 300 metres. It was built by the Parthians, and is said that it was once in the power of the Arabs, and then destroyed the Mongols before being restored again.
• Afterwards, we will visit a pilgrim site, drink tea with the locals, and hear their stories and experiences. This is a real opportunity in such a meaningful place.
• To be confirmed – Attend the Turkmenistan Independence Day performance at the Kopetdag Stadium – if you have seen the Mass Games in North Korea, this is the Turkmenistan edition! There will be multiple performances involving local popular artists, traditional folk songs and synchronised dances.
• A special dinner planned for us from one of Ashgabat’s best panoramic restaurants! Here we’ll have the best vantage point for the fireworks!
• Overnight in Ashgabat

Sunday 28th September – Ashgabat – The Gates of Hell

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and we’ll head to the International Akhalteke Equestrian Complex to spectate the famous Turkmen breed horse races. These horses are among the oldest breeds, notorious for their endurance, intelligence, and golden coat. There are currently only 6,600 Akhal-Tekes in the world, mainly within Turkmenistan. The complex has stables for over 600 horses. It also homes the 114 owners of the horses as well as a kindergarten for 160 students, 2 markets, a playground as well as a social-cultural centre.

Afternoon

• Stop by the Berkarar Shopping Centre for lunch – this is Ashgabat’s super fancy shopping centre located by prominent monuments. This will also be your best opportunity to buy any supplies you may want for our night camping at the Gates of Hell.
• Begin our 250 km journey to the Darvaza (Gates of Hell) on the way stopping at two lesser-known craters. One full of mud, one full of water, and both formed the same way as the Gates of Hell. Both with bubbling surfaces!
• Driving the last few kilometres off-road through the desert, we’ll arrive at the fiery crater just before sunset, and in time to experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
• BBQ feast by the crater is included in your evening tonight.
• Pull up a camping chair, and enjoy a cold beer by the Gates of Hell under the stars.
• Overnight camping in yurts near the crater.

Monday 29th September – The Gates of Hell – Ashgabat

Morning

• Breakfast in camp and return to Ashgabat
• Tour concludes once arriving in Ashgabat, and transfers to the airport can be made according to your departure flight times.

Afternoon

• If you have time to explore Ashgabat we can make the following recommendations:
• Walk to the nearby Victory Park and explore the surrounding area.
• Grab a snack, meal or coffee at Üzüm Café located nearby
• Visit one of the many classic styled Turkmenbeer gardens in the area such as Tumar pub or Iceberg Bar!

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