Turkmenistan Vacations

Overview

Located in Central Asia, Turkmenistan has a wide and varied history. Starting out as a republic of the Soviet Union, it then became its own state in 1991. Turkmenistan shares a border with Iran to the southwest, with Afghanistan on the border to the southeast, with Kazakhstan on the border to the northwest, and with Uzbekistan on the border to the northeast.

The name Turkmenistan means 'the land of Turkmen' which is an accurate description of the population in this state. Alexander the Great conquered Turkmenistan during the fourth century BC, the time of the Silk Road and the establishment of the trading routes between the Mediterranean and Asia. The Turkoman-ruled Seljuk Empire was in control of the Turkmenistan area for a while, but eventually the Turkmen lost their independence as Genghis Khan took control.

Turkmenistan has been under the control of numerous rulers, finally creating its modern borders in 1924. One of the last republics in the Soviet Union to secede, Turkmenistan declared its independence in October 1991.

Activities & Attractions

In and around Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, are a number of attractions that tourists and travelers can visit. The Arch of Neutrality commemorates a part of the history of the region. The Ashgabat Hippodrome site is a horse track where races are still held. At the ancient site of Parthian Settlement of Nisa, you can see the ruins of early settlers in the land. You can visit the ruins of Ancient Merv in the city of Mary that were once visited by Genghis Khan during his reign of terror.

The Darvaza Flaming Crater is the site of an oil rig that exploded, leaving a large crater. The site continues to burn to this day and is called by some to be a gateway to hell. The GAP Pazarlama Azarbadjan theme park is a popular tourist destination for travelers visiting with their children.

Lodging

There are a number of options available if you want to stay in the capital city of Turkmenistan. In addition, some travelers who like to stay in the city of Mary you can make reservations at Hotel Margush.

Transportation

If you want to travel around the country itself, there are a number of internal airlines and flights to help you navigate. There is also an inland waterway, the Amu Darya, which you can use for travel. While there are numerous taxis in the country, most being unregistered, you will need to haggle over the fare before you leave in order to prevent a hassle at the end of the journey. There are some trains within the country, but they are typically slow and often encounter delays.