Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours
Start
Aug 9, 2025
Ashgabat
Ashgabat
2025-08-09
End
Aug 12, 2025
Ashgabat
Ashgabat
2025-08-12
Duration
4 days
Price
US$995.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
Ever heard of a national Melon Day before? Melon Day is one of Turkmenistan's many unique and oh so Turkmen national holidays, celebrating the abundance of melons that Central Asia is blessed with at this time of year. This tour is your chance to see the height of the melon season, but Turkmen style.
We'll start off this tour by exploring Ashgabat and experiencing everything that Melon Day has to offer, before heading out into the desert to see the Gates of Hell.
After returning to Ashgabat, we'll begin our journey west to visit the ancient ruins of Nisa, and the Turkmenbashy Mosque and Mausoleum, before swimming in Kow Ata, which is one of the few chances you'll have to see locals relaxing a bit. Venturing into the mountains we'll visit the village of Nokhur, famous for its unique cemetery, before going all the way to the west of the country to the Caspian Sea coast. Here you'll have the chance to explore the resort town of Avaza, built in the same over the top glamorous white marble and gold as Ashgabat. Next we'll drive out into the desert to see Yangykala Canyon, an old ocean, now a vast canyon with striped coloured walls. Finally we'll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines (an experience in itself!) back to Ashgabat and finish up our tour there.
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 is also a longer, more indepth version of this tour available, for anyone who would like to see more of the country whilst visiting for Melon Day.
INCLUSIONS:
| ✓ | Letter of Invitation |
|
✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (breakfast included), camping at Gates of Hell |
|
✓ |
Transport as per itinerary, beginning and ending in Ashgabat |
|
✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary |
|
✓ |
SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $200
EXCLUSIONS:
|
⨯ |
Visa fee (can be paid on arrival at the airport or land border, or at an embassy beforehand) |
|
⨯ |
Meals other than breakfast at hotels |
|
⨯ |
Transport to and from Ashgabat at the beginning and end of the tour |
|
⨯ |
Accommodation and any other services before or after the tour |
|
⨯ |
Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
|
⨯ |
Any COVID related expenses |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Eat, take photos of and oggle at the ginormous melons during Melon Day
Explore the white marble city of Ashgabat
Itinerary
Day 1Sat Aug 9
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, which is the complex in which the Wheel of Enlightenment is, the largest indoor ferris wheel (yes, there’s another one). And YES, for just $1, 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.
Day 2Sun Aug 10
Melon Day, Ashgabat
- Today we will experience everything Melon Day has to offer, whilst continuing to explore Ashgabat.
Day 3Mon Aug 11
Nisa, Turkmenbashy Mosque, Gates of Hell
- Today we’ll start off by leaving the city, to visit Nisa, a UNESCO site which was once the capital of the Parthian Empire.
- We’ll then continue on to Kipchak to see the resplendent Turkmenbashy Mosque and Mausoleum, where Turkmenbashy is buried beside his mother, father and two brothers in their white marble mausoleum. There aren’t too many Turkmenbashy related sites still around, but this one is truly spectacular.
-
We'll stop at a supermarket to pick up supplies for the rest of the day and dinner that night.
- After lunch we’ll drive 250km north to Darvaza, The Gates of Hell.
- One the way we’ll make a few stops – including to see a salt lake, two other craters (one full of mud, one full of water), and of course maybe for a toilet (not a luxurious one!).
- 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.
- Set up tents near the Gates of Hell and camp near the fiery crater.
Day 4Tue Aug 12
Gates of Hell, Ashgabat, End of Tour
-
We'll wake up this morning at the Gates of Hell. What a place to wake up!
- Arriving back in Ashgabat, you will have some free time until you need to be driven to the airport for your departure flight.
- If you'd like to see some more of Turkmenistan while you're there, why not join us on The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour , where we'll visit Kow Ata, Nokhur, Avaza and Yangykala Canyon as well.
Extensions
Horse Farm Day Trip
Turkmenistan is known for their unique Akhal Teke horses, this is your opportunity to experience them up close and even take a ride if you fancy.
Cross the land border at Dashoguz or Konye Urgench
Planning on joining a Turkmenistan tour, but you're already going to be in Uzbekistan and you'd rather cross at a land border? Well, that's what this is for!
Merv Day Trip
For those history buffs who want to see a bit more of the ancient stuff whilst in Turkmenistan.
Other Tours
Turkmenistan Melon Day Tour
Turkmenistan's calendar is full of events and holidays, but this has to be one of the most unique national holidays in the world. Come join us in Turkmenistan to celebrate their melons!
Syria Marmarita Festival Budget Tour
For those wanting to experience the vibrant Marmarita Festival, but have limited time/money, this tour is especially for you.
Syria Marmarita Festival Tour
One of the wackiest and most unique festivals on the calendar, this is an absolute favourite for travellers looking to add a bit of spice to their Syria trip.
Kazakhstan Polygon Autumn Tour
Lenin Alley, wearing a hazmat suit, learning how to use a Geiger counter, and exploring the crazy architecture of Astana - just a few of the highlights.