White-marble boulevards, a burning desert crater and Silk Road ruins.
Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in Central Asia. Its capital, Ashgabat, is known for gleaming white-marble buildings and grand monuments, while the Darvaza gas crater, often called the Door to Hell, burns in the Karakum Desert. Silk Road history is preserved at Merv, once one of the great cities of the region, and at the minarets and mausoleums of Konye-Urgench.
Most visitors travel with an arranged guide and driver, which gives trips a structured pace. Food is simple and hearty, with plov, grilled meats and bread. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the desert is warm rather than scorching; summer temperatures in the Karakum are extreme.
Best time to visit Turkmenistan
April, May, October.
Places to visit in Turkmenistan
Ashgabat: Turkmenistan's capital, a surreal city of white marble buildings, golden statues and fountains beneath the Kopet Dag mountains.
Darvaza Gas Crater: A huge crater of burning natural gas in the Karakum Desert, nicknamed the Door to Hell and best seen glowing after dark.
Merv: The vast ruins of an ancient oasis city, once among the largest in the world, spread across the desert near Mary.
Essentials
Currency: Turkmenistani Manat (TMT)
Language: Turkmen; Russian widely spoken
Plugs: Type C / F, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+5
Tipping: Not expected; small tips for guides and drivers
Getting around: Most visitors travel with a guide and driver; domestic flights link the main cities
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking