At a glance, Turkmenistan is for curious travelers who want to explore so many unexplored places. Turkmenistan is one of the least traveled regions in Asia; However, it does not run out of exciting destinations to discover. You can expect so much from this country that the museum dates back to the Soviet period and unique natural phenomena that can only be found in Turkmenistan.
If you are a tourist looking for originality and unusual attractions, you need to explore Turkmenistan. With over six million people, Turkmenistan is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Making your way to each destination won’t be a hassle as you won’t be able to compete with all the crowds coming in and out of every attraction.
Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country with Turkish roots, with Ashgabat being its capital and largest city. Viewers should understand that the current government has tight control over almost everything. Tourism is always welcome, but there must be close coordination between tourists and a Turkmenistan travel agency. Turkmen is the official language of the country, some speak Russian.
There is not much current data on the number of domestic tourists in Turkmenistan. In 2016, only 6,000 people visited the country, including those who visited Turkmenistan as official representatives. Not so much compared to its neighboring countries; However, those who have visited the country find Turkmenistan to be mysterious and full of wonders. When driving in Turkmenistan, most countries require a visa and an invitation letter from a Turkmen accredited travel agency.
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the north, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to the east, Afghanistan and Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west. The name of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistan) can be divided into two parts: the Turkmen and Persian suffix -place, meaning “place” or “country”. The name “Turkmen” comes from Turkic, and the suffix -men comes from Sogdian, meaning “almost Turk”, referring to their position outside the Turkic dynastic mythological system.
However, some scholars believe that the suffix is an “intense” term, resulting in Turkmen meaning “pure Turk” or “Turkish Turk”. According to Muslim historians such as Ibn Katheer, the etymology of Turkmenistan derives from the words Turkic and Iman (Arabic: إيمان, “faith, faith”), referring to the conversion of 200,000 families to Islam in 971. Turkmenistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union after a independence referendum in 1991. As a result, the Constitutional Law was adopted on October 27 of that year, and Article 1 of the Constitution redefined the state’s name: Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. Historically inhabited by Indo-Iranians, the written history of Turkmenistan began with the annexation of the Achaemenid Empire of ancient Iran. It has the 4th largest natural gas reserves in the world. Turkmenistan is the only country in the world that has provided free gas, electricity and water services since 1991. Turkmenistan’s declaration of “permanent neutrality” was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995.
Former President Saparmurat Niyazov stated that neutrality would prevent Turkmenistan from participating in the multi-national defense organization, but would provide military assistance. Its neutral foreign policy occupies an important place in the country’s constitution. Turkmen and Russian are the official languages of Turkmenistan. Turkmen is spoken by about 80% of the population and Russian by about 8%. Other languages spoken here include Balochi and Uzbek.
The majority of Turkmenistan’s citizens are ethnic Turkmen, Uzbeks and Russians forming significant minorities. Smaller minorities include Kazakhs, Tatars, Ukrainians, Kurds (native to the Kopet Dag mountains), Armenians, Azeris, Baloch and Pashtuns. Turkmenistan has diplomatic relations with 139 countries, some of which are important allies such as Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran and Russia. Most of Turkmenistan is flat or undulating sandy desert, with sand dunes found on land.
In the south, there are mountains on the border with Iran. Degraded land can be seen near the Karakum Desert. With an area of 488,100 km2 (188,500 sq mi), Turkmenistan is the 52nd largest country in the world. It is slightly smaller than Spain and slightly larger than the U.S. state of California. Turkmenistan is bordered by the Ustia Plateau to the north, the Kopet Dag Range to the south, the Paropamiz Plateau, the Koyetendag Range to the east, the Amu Darya Valley and the Caspian Sea to the west. Turkmenistan is a temperate desert region with a dry continental climate.
Remote from the open sea with mountains to the south and southeast, the climate of Turkmenistan is characterized by low rainfall, less cloudiness and high evaporation. The absence of mountains in the north allows Arctic cold air to enter the southern mountains, which in turn prevents warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean. Precipitation occurs in limited winter and spring due to moist air from the west originating from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Winters are mild and dry, with most of the precipitation falling between January and May.
Turkmenistan has 235-240 sunshine days per year. The average number of days in degrees ranges from 4500 to 5000 Celsius, sufficient for the production of extra-long staple cotton. The Coupet Dag Range receives the highest level of precipitation. Turkmenistan includes three tectonic zones, the Epigersin Platform Zone, the Alpine Contraction Zone, and the Epileptiform Orogenesis Zone. The alpine tectonic zone is the epicenter of Turkmenistan’s earthquakes.
Strong earthquakes occurred in the Kopet Dag range in 1869, 1893, 1895, 1929, 1948 and 1994. The 1988 earthquake heavily destroyed the city of Ashgabat and its surrounding villages. The Turkmen shore of the Caspian Sea is 1,748 kilometers (1,086 mi) long. The Caspian Sea is completely landlocked, with no natural access to the sea, although the Volga-Don Canal allows access to travel from the Black Sea.
The list of cities in Turkmenistan includes Ashgabat, Turkmen (formerly Krasnovodsk), Dashoguz, Turkmenabat and Marie. Turkmenistan is a temperate desert region with a dry continental climate. Remote from the open sea with mountains to the south and southeast, the climate of Turkmenistan is characterized by low rainfall, less cloudiness and high evaporation. The absence of mountains in the north allows Arctic cold air to enter the southern mountains, which in turn prevents warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean.
The work of modern Turkmen architecture incorporates various applications of modern aesthetics, the architect’s exploration of his own artistic style, and the existing historical-cultural environment. Most of the buildings, especially those of Ashgabat, have decorated facades of white marble. Major projects such as Turkmenistan Tower, Bhagat Kagy, Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre, Ashgabat Flagpole have opened new horizons in the country and promoted its contemporary identity.
Turkmenistan is a unique beautiful country. Turkmenistan reported 14,438 foreign tourist arrivals in 2019. Despite the creation of the Awaja tourism zone on the Caspian Sea, international tourism in Turkmenistan has not increased significantly. All travelers must obtain a visa before entering Turkmenistan (see Visa Policy of Turkmenistan). To get a tourist visa, citizens of most countries need visa assistance from local travel agencies.
For tourists traveling to Turkmenistan, historical sites and Dashoguz, Kone-Argench, Nisa and in addition to visiting the ancient Merv and Mary sites, there is an opportunity to enjoy beach tours in Awza and medical tours and holidays in healthy places in Bairamali, Mollagara, Ailisu and Archman. National Museum should be included in the tour plan. A cultural evening with traditional Turkmen music and dance is a must in any tour plan in here.
It is a Central Asian country, where you can see many beautiful places. Here are some recommendations I can make on this 10-day tour plan:
Merv: Tour plans to the place can include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Merv.
Kipchak Mosque: Exploring the architecture and wonders of Kipchak Mosque can be put in the tour plan in the place.
Ashgabat: It is the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan. You can see the local culture, especially the Gulbagh market, here. Ashgabat’s Independence Monument carries one of the beauties, it can be a part of tour plan.
Darbant Jahan Memorial: It is a monument where Turkmenistan’s independence was proclaimed.
If you are a travel enthusiast, then you may wish to visit the serene Koytendag Nature Reserve with a tour plan.
Karakum Dessert: This is a great dessert, where you can see the beautiful sunset. One of the highlights of a tour plan in here is exploring the Karakum Desert.
Marian Jahan Memorial: It is a monument where Turkmenistan’s independence was proclaimed. A visit to the Grand Turkmenbashi Palace is a must-do when planning a tour. Visit the historical village of Nokhure on the itinerary of the tour plan in Turkmenistan.
10 Days tour plan in Turkmenistan
Day 1 (Ashgabat) Visit the independence Monument, National Museum of History. A trip to Ashgabat, the amazing white marble city, can be a part of your tour plan.
Day 2 (Ashgabat) Visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and also the Carpet Museum, Russian Bazaar, and of course don’t forget to visit the tomb of Sultan Samjar as well. If you are a non-Muslim or a general visitor, you can visit the Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque in the tour plan in Turkmenistan.
Day 3 (Darvaza Gas Crater) Tour plan in Turkmenistan should include a trip to Darvaza Gas, burning mouth known as the Gate of hell.
Day 4 (Darvaza to Dashoguz) The ruins of the ancient city of Ganur Tep can be explored which should be put on the tour plan.
Day 5 (Kopet Dag) Hiking in the Kopet Dag Mountains can be done on a tour plan.
Day 6 (Tol Kuchka) A visit to the vibrant Tol Kuchka Bazaar can be part of any tour plan in Turkmenistan.
Day 7 (Merv) A visit to the ancient city of Merv must be included in the tour plan in Turkmenistan.
Day 8 (Caspian Sea) And of course the tour plan in Turkmenistan can include a beautiful, scenic day on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
Day 9 (Karakum dessert) If you are adventurous then you must enjoy camel ride through Karakum desert in the tour plan in Turkmenistan.
Day 10 (Nisa and Gypjak) Do not forget to visit the ancient fortress of Nisa in your tour plans in Turkmenistan.
