After breakfast at Sport Hotel, discover Ashgabat’s festive atmosphere as the capital prepares to welcome the New Year. Visit traditional bazaars and shopping centres, where you can browse dried fruits, nuts, sweets, local delicacies, handmade crafts, Turkmen carpets, textiles and traditional clothing. Experience local holiday preparations and find unique souvenirs to take home. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Centre, the focal point of Ashgabat’s New Year festivities. Admire the spectacular New Year tree and explore the surrounding festive decorations, colourful lights and seasonal displays. Enjoy the lively atmosphere as residents and visitors gather to celebrate the final evening of the year. Depending on the official programme, attend a festive concert featuring music and performances before joining the crowds for the midnight countdown. Welcome the New Year amid music, celebrations and, subject to the official arrangements, a spectacular fireworks display over the capital. After the celebrations, return to Sport Hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight: Sport Hotel, Ashgabat. Note: The concert, fireworks, public access and exact location of the main celebrations depend on the official New Year programme for 2026–2027. Shopping visits may be adjusted according to holiday opening hours.

After breakfast at Sport Hotel, depart Ashgabat in suitable 4WD vehicles and journey into the vast Karakum Desert, one of Turkmenistan’s most remarkable natural landscapes. Leave the capital behind and enjoy the changing scenery of desert plains, sandy terrain and wide-open horizons as you travel towards Darvaza. Explore the famous Darvaza Gas Crater, known worldwide as the Door to Hell. Watch the flames rising from this extraordinary crater and learn from your guide about its origins and the story behind one of Turkmenistan’s most iconic attractions. Continue to the nearby Mud Crater, where bubbling mud and unusual geological formations create a fascinating natural spectacle. Visit the Water Crater as well, offering a striking contrast to the burning Gas Crater and the surrounding desert landscape. Enjoy photo stops at all three sites, subject to weather conditions and safe access. Later, head to a traditional-style yurt camp near Darvaza and experience the atmosphere of nomadic life in the desert. Enjoy a special dinner featuring a traditional barbecue or local dishes, accompanied by hot tea and the peaceful surroundings of the Karakum Desert. As evening falls, admire the glowing Gas Crater from the designated safe viewing area and, weather permitting, enjoy the opportunity to observe the star-filled desert sky. Overnight: Nomadic-style yurt camp near Darvaza, subject to weather and local conditions. Important winter note: January weather in the Karakum Desert can be unpredictable, with low temperatures, strong winds and challenging road conditions. For safety reasons, the overnight stay at the yurt camp cannot be guaranteed. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the group may return to Ashgabat in the evening instead of staying overnight in the desert. The final arrangements will be determined by the local team based on safety considerations.

After breakfast, continue your journey into Turkmenistan’s rich cultural heritage. If you stayed overnight in the Karakum Desert, depart the yurt camp and travel back towards Ashgabat. If weather conditions required a return to the capital on the previous evening, begin today’s programme from Sport Hotel. En route, visit the Gokdepe area, known for its historical and cultural significance, before discovering one of the country’s most treasured national symbols: the legendary Akhal-Teke horse. Meet the Legendary Akhal-Teke Horses Visit a private horse stable and learn about the remarkable Akhal-Teke breed, celebrated for its elegant appearance, endurance and distinctive metallic sheen. Discover the centuries-old breeding traditions and the special place these horses hold in Turkmen history and national identity. Subject to availability and safety arrangements, enjoy an introductory horse-riding experience under the supervision of experienced handlers. Taste Traditional Turkmen Cuisine Enjoy a traditional Turkmen lunch featuring local specialities such as plov, freshly baked tamdyr bread, grilled meat, seasonal salads and traditional tea, depending on the menu. Experience the warmth of Turkmen hospitality and discover how food brings people together during family gatherings and festive occasions. Experience Traditional Turkmen Clothing Continue with a cultural experience by trying on traditional Turkmen clothing. Admire the colourful embroidered dresses, distinctive headwear and traditional accessories, and learn about the craftsmanship and patterns that reflect the country’s cultural heritage. Take memorable photographs in traditional attire. Visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque Conclude the day with a visit to the impressive Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, also known as the Gypjak Mosque. Admire its monumental architecture and learn about its significance in contemporary Turkmenistan, subject to visitor access arrangements. After the excursion, return to Ashgabat and check in at Sport Hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight: Sport Hotel, Ashgabat. Note: The programme and timing may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, road accessibility, stable availability and visitor access arrangements.

Enjoy breakfast at Sport Hotel before checking out and transferring to Ashgabat International Airport for your onward flight. As your New Year journey comes to an end, take home unforgettable memories of Ashgabat’s magnificent white-marble architecture, the excitement of the New Year celebrations, the spectacular flames of the Darvaza Gas Crater and the warmth of traditional Turkmen hospitality. End of the tour. Note: Airport transfer arrangements will be coordinated according to your flight departure time.