A mystical land of deserts, ancient cities, and odd natural monuments, Turkmenistan is a little known Central Asian country rich in natural gas and oil but with only few tourists around. A closed authoritarian society, Turkmenistan attracts mainly adventurous visitors who find pleasure in challenging conditions. In another words, Turkmenistan is a country that sure makes you forget the worries of your everyday life.
Unique sights. Turkmenistan’s deserts are home to one of the most astonishing sights of the country, Darvaza Crater, which was accidentally lit in the 1950s by the Soviet engineers looking for natural gas. It is in its personal way also a monument reminding from the Soviet Era of Turkmenistan. Another thing you can find in Turkmenistan's deserts is the oasis of Mary (Merv) and the nearby ruins of an ancient city sharing the same name.
Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat is a modern, wealthy city with 700,000 inhabitants. Ashgabat attracts mainly with its surreal modern monuments such as the 75 m high Arch of Neutrality, which includes a golden statue of the late president Niyazov. To reflect his importance for Turkmenistan, the statue rotates, keeping its face turned towards the sun during all hours of the day. Ashgabat is also home to some interesting palaces and museums to be explored. It is not far from Nisa, the ancient capital city of the Parthians and the location of historically interesting remains of a Parthian fortress. Ashgabat is also the best place available for shopping in Turkmenistan.
Getting there. Remote and with undeveloped tourism services, Turkmenistan is not what you would call every tourist's dream.
Attractions of Turkmenistan from desert landscapes and ancient cities
Land of dry deserts and mountains, Turkmenistan is in many ways an extreme country. For years mainly closed for foreigners, it is a place where adventure is guaranteed, and where best sights are located off the beaten track. The most impressive landscapes in Turkmenistan are found in Karakum Desert, which in addition to scenic landscapes also includes small traditional nomad villages, some of which offer interesting possibilities for horseback riding in Turkmenistan .Unique sights. Turkmenistan’s deserts are home to one of the most astonishing sights of the country, Darvaza Crater, which was accidentally lit in the 1950s by the Soviet engineers looking for natural gas. It is in its personal way also a monument reminding from the Soviet Era of Turkmenistan. Another thing you can find in Turkmenistan's deserts is the oasis of Mary (Merv) and the nearby ruins of an ancient city sharing the same name.
Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat is a modern, wealthy city with 700,000 inhabitants. Ashgabat attracts mainly with its surreal modern monuments such as the 75 m high Arch of Neutrality, which includes a golden statue of the late president Niyazov. To reflect his importance for Turkmenistan, the statue rotates, keeping its face turned towards the sun during all hours of the day. Ashgabat is also home to some interesting palaces and museums to be explored. It is not far from Nisa, the ancient capital city of the Parthians and the location of historically interesting remains of a Parthian fortress. Ashgabat is also the best place available for shopping in Turkmenistan.
Practical information for your trip to Turkmenistan
The climate in Turkmenistan is continental, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, short winters. Weather in Turkmenistan is often challenging, as summer temperatures can easily reach 40°C, especially in June, July, and August, which are the hottest months of the year. Winter in Turkmenistan usually begins in December, and has temperatures around 10-15°C. Snowfall is rare in Turkmenistan but winters can be quite wet in some regions. The best time to travel to Turkmenistan is in spring or in autumn, when the weather is more pleasant (unless of course you like extreme heat).Getting there. Remote and with undeveloped tourism services, Turkmenistan is not what you would call every tourist's dream.
Photo: Nikolai Bagnsgaard, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
However, flights to Turkmenistan are available for visitors with a visa. The country is also connected to Russia with railway lines.
For moving around in Turkmenistan, trains and marshrutkas (shared minivans) are the best choice between towns, as taxis are a common way of moving around inside the cities. If you are adventurous enough, you might also consider renting a car in Turkmenistan. Finding accommodation in Turkmenistan is easy if you go to Ashgabat, but much more challenging elsewhere, while food and restaurants in Turkmenistan will offer you memorable culinary experiences no matter where you went.
Safety. The main safety issues in Turkmenistan are its dangerous traffic and occasional earthquakes. Otherwise there are no major threats to visitors around. Keep in mind that Turkmenistan is a Muslim country where you should respect local customs, and a dictatorship where it is not a good idea to take photographs of government buildings or military areas. Adding the challenge, English is rarely understood in Turkmenistan. Russian is much more commonly used.
