About
Turkmenistan
A desert country on the Caspian, with ancient Silk Road cities, a capital of white marble and mountains in the south. Here is what to know before you come.
01
History
Draft — from the Parthian capital of Nisa and the Silk Road oasis of Merv to Kunya-Urgench, the old capital of Khorezm. A short story of the country in three paragraphs, written with the team.
02
Nature, flora and fauna
Draft — the Karakum desert covers most of the country. In the south the Kopetdag mountains, in the west canyons and the Caspian coast, in the east the Koytendag reserve with caves and dinosaur tracks.
03
Traditions and holidays
Draft — Akhal-Teke horses, carpets, the spring holiday Novruz and the hospitality of a Turkmen home. What to see and when.
Climate and seasons
Hot, dry summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn are the best time for the desert.
- Hot / cold
Jan
- Hot / cold
Feb
- Good
Mar
- Best
Apr
- Best
May
- Hot / cold
Jun
- Hot / cold
Jul
- Hot / cold
Aug
- Good
Sep
- Best
Oct
- Good
Nov
- Hot / cold
Dec
- Best time
- Good
- Very hot or cold
What you will eat
Plov
Rice with lamb and carrots, cooked in a cauldron.
Dograma
Bread, meat and onion soup for celebrations.
Chorek
Flat bread from a clay tandyr oven.
Green tea
Served everywhere, with dried fruit and sweets.
How to get here
- Ashgabat airport
- International flights
- Dashoguz airport
- Domestic, from Ashgabat
- Kerki airport
- Domestic, subject to schedule
- Shavat – Dashoguz
- Land border with Uzbekistan
- Khojeyli – Kunya-Urgench
- Land border with Uzbekistan
- Farap – Alat
- Land border with Uzbekistan
Is it safe?
Draft — Turkmenistan has low street crime and visitors travel with a licensed guide. We explain the rules on photography, documents and checkpoints before the trip.
Visa and entry rules