In terms of tourism, the Turkmen Republic looks relatively good against the background of its neighbors. A unique history, preserved monuments, ancient cities, traditional culture - all this makes excursions in Turkmenistan varied and rich.
The only obstacle for many visitors from the western regions can be a difficult and expensive flight. Otherwise, there will be no problems, the Turkmens are very hospitable and generous people, they are ready to give even the last piece for their guests, not to mention presenting their country in the best possible way.
Thematic excursions in Turkmenistan
What do tourists expect from a meeting with an ancient and modern state that occupies territory in Central Asia? Each traveler has his own answer (or several) to this question, depending on interests, hobbies, age, etc. Among the most common is acquaintance with the ancient culture, artifacts associated with famous dynasties, for example, Khorezmshahs or Timurids. Many excursion routes are based on the ancient Turkmen cities, former sites on the Great Silk Road - Nisa and Merv, preserved ancient forts, mausoleums, mosques.
The second important excursion destination is ecological tourism; Turkmenistan is proud of its natural areas and regions of interest to tourists. Among the protected areas: Repetek National Park; the Karakum desert; Darvaza, a blazing crater; Kou-Ata, a healing lake with sulfuric vapors.
You can get acquainted with ancient traditions in any corner of the country, in museums and mosques, on the streets of cities and towns. It can be event tourism, participation in a national holiday, and gastronomic trips.
City walks in Turkmenistan
Acquaintance with ancient and modern cities should be started from Ashgabat: historical monuments dating back to different periods are carefully preserved here. The most ancient is the settlement of Nisa; archaeologists date it to the first millennium BC. Once this settlement was the capital of the Parthian kingdom. The remains of fortresses, palace halls, tombs of representatives of the Arsakid dynasty have survived to this day.
A special route is offered by Ashgabat guides, it is connected with the "Great Turkmenbashi". The program of such an excursion includes a visit to the village where the former leader of the country was born; its main attraction is a huge mosque. In the capital itself, you can see several palaces that are associated with his name, the Arch of Neutrality and the Monument of Independence. And even in the local carpet museum, where ancient samples of carpet weaving dating back to the 17th century are kept, you can see another giant exhibit, a masterpiece of the art of modern craftswomen. This is a carpet that reflects the achievements of the Turkmen people during the reign of Saparmurat Turkmenbashi.
One of the most ancient cities in Central Asia is Merv, the capital of the Seljuk state. Unfortunately, today only ruins remain on the site of a flourishing, beautiful settlement. But they also belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which emphasizes the importance of this place in the tourism potential of the country.
Some of the ancient structures have survived in one form or another:
- the Erk-Kala citadel, a building surrounded by a muddy wall;
- Sultan-Kala, ancient settlement, the central point of the capital;
- Shakhriyar-ark, the remains of another fortress, consisting of a mausoleum, palace buildings and barracks.
The last period of construction of this ancient city is represented by a settlement with a complex name - Abdulla-khan-Kala. This historical and cultural object is characterized by a regular layout; in the complex of structures, a palace, mausoleums, and religious Muslim buildings (mosques and madrasahs) stand out.
Of other cities rich in sights and monuments, Atamurat stands out; many tourists consider it an open-air museum. Several ancient mausoleums have survived in this small-sized town of Turkmenistan, and a caravanserai with preserved works of art is interesting for exploring. These are fragments of stone carving, which reflect the names of the great caliphs of the past.
Excursions to nature
Turkmenistan - mountains and valleys, waterfalls and deserts, where there is not a drop of water. Ecological excursions are quite common; the first number is a trip to the Repetek reserve, which is part of the famous Karakum desert.
In 1912, researchers created a base here, the purpose of which is to study the desert, and the place became a protected area in 1927. Today, many tourists come here to test their strength, since it is in Repetek that the hottest point of Turkmenistan is located.
