Trip to Turkmenistan: dunes, fire and tradition

Discover the highlights of this trip to Turkmenistan

Exploring Ashgabat, the city of white marble

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, amazes with its futuristic architecture clad in white marble. Strolling through its wide avenues reveals enormous monuments, golden fountains, and a city that seems like something out of a utopian vision. During this trip to Turkmenistan, we'll visit its main public spaces, such as the Neutrality Monument, the Ruhyyet Palace, and the enormous Alem Ferris wheel. Independence Park and the monument to the gigantic Ruhnama book are also part of the tour. Among its most moving spaces is the Halk Hakydasy memorial complex, which honors the victims of wars and disasters. For a panoramic view of the city, visit the Palace of Happiness, a modern building with spectacular views.

The soul of the country in its markets

Bazaars are essential places to visit on any trip to Turkmenistan. The Tolkuchka Bazaar, one of the largest in Central Asia, offers a kaleidoscope of colours, aromas, and textures. Here we can find carpets, embroidery, traditional dresses, and unique objects. We will also visit the Gulistan Bazaar, formerly known as the Russian Bazaar, where the Soviet past blends with modern everyday life. We will also explore the lively Turkmenbashi Market, with its local products and Caspian caviar.

Soviet traces in the capital

Walking through the former Soviet Ashgabat is like discovering another side of the country. During this urban tour, we'll visit the clock tower that survived the devastating 1948 earthquake, the State Circus, Magtymguly Avenue, and Lenin Square, where a statue of the Bolshevik leader still stands. We'll also visit the locals' most beloved amusement park, a vibrant and popular space. This segment of the trip to Turkmenistan allows you to appreciate the traces of the recent past and how they coexist with the city's modern monuments.

Nisa and Anau: ancient heritages

During this trip to Turkmenistan, we'll go back several millennia to discover two key sites in Central Asia. Just a few kilometres from the capital stand the ruins of ancient Nysa, capital of the Parthian Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its adobe walls, ceremonially arranged halls, and ancient storehouses evoke the grandeur of an empire that challenged Rome. Not far from there, in Anau, is the Bagabad site, where remains of the continent's first farmers have been found. Dating back more than 6,000 years, this site offers a glimpse into the beginnings of sedentary life in the region. Additionally, the trip to Turkmenistan includes visits to the National Museum of History and Ethnography and the National Carpet Museum, which houses the world's largest hand-woven carpet.

Sacred horses and monumental spirituality

In Gökdepe, we'll visit a farm breeding Ahal-Teke horses, the national breed of Turkmenistan. Famous for their glossy coats and stamina, these animals have been revered for centuries. We'll be able to get up close and personal with them, feed them, and even ride one if you'd like. On the way to Ashgabat, we'll stop at the Turkmenbashi Mosque, the largest in the country. This majestic white marble building, crowned by golden domes, combines verses from the Quran with excerpts from the Ruhnama, the book written by the first president. The complex also includes the president's family mausoleum. This leg of the trip to Turkmenistan invites us to reflect on the interweaving of religion, power, and memory.

Yangykala: The Grand Canyon of Central Asia

Our trip to Turkmenistan will take us to one of the country's most stunning landscapes: the Yangykala Canyons. This geological formation, shimmering in pink, white, and orange, extends across a terrain reminiscent of Martian landscapes. From the top of its cliffs, the view is breathtaking. We'll also explore the Kemal Ata Canyon, home to spherical stone formations shaped like animals, and visit the Gozli Ata Sanctuary, a local pilgrimage site. Sleeping in this natural setting, under an unpolluted sky, is one of the most striking experiences of the trip.

Nokhur: tradition and isolation

Hidden in the Kopet Dag Mountains lies the village of Nokhur, where ancient customs are still preserved. Isolated from the rest of the country, this place maintains a strong cultural identity. During our stay, we will share dinner with a local family and sleep in a traditional house. We will also visit the Kyz Bibi shrine, the enormous Chinar tree, over 700 years old, the tribal cemetery decorated with ram horns, and a workshop where silk is still woven by hand.

Kov Ata: the underground lake

During this trip to Turkmenistan, we will visit the Kov Ata Cave, home to an underground thermal lake. Surrounded by stalactites and sulphurous vapours, this hidden haven offers the chance to bathe in its warm waters. It's an unexpected oasis in the heart of the desert and a perfect stop for a restful break.

Gonur Depe: The Forgotten Civilization

Near Mary lies Gonur Depe, one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia. This Bronze Age settlement belonged to the Margiana culture and displays advanced urban planning, with temples, dwellings, and a sophisticated hydraulic system. Some archaeologists believe this civilization could be related to the origins of Zoroastrianism. In fact, the Boston Globe once referred to this area as the "fifth cradle of civilization," along with Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China. This leg of the journey to Turkmenistan connects the present with an almost mythical past.

Merv: The Jewel of the Silk Road

On this trip to Turkmenistan, we'll explore Merv, one of the most legendary cities along the ancient Silk Road. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will reveal centuries of history through its ruins. We'll stroll among mausoleums, fortresses, and ancient adobe walls that evoke the splendour of what was once one of the most important cities in the Islamic world. Also, we will discover the remains of Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala, fortresses that stood at different times and that will allow us to understand the strategic and cultural importance of this region.

Darvaza: The Gates of Hell

On this trip to Turkmenistan, we'll head deep into the Karakum Desert to Darvaza. There, we'll encounter one of the country's most striking landscapes: the gas crater that has been burning relentlessly for over fifty years. Known as the "gates of hell," we'll have the opportunity to admire it at sunset, when its flames shine brightest. We'll spend the night in a nearby camp, surrounded by dunes and silence, enjoying a nomadic-style dinner under the starry sky. This experience will undoubtedly be one of the most unforgettable moments of our trip to Turkmenistan.

© Photos taken during a trip to Turkmenistan.

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