Ashgabat and its surroundings are packed with monuments to the past, from ancient, crumbling fortresses of long forgotten empires to beautiful statues celebrating the country's independence. Immaculately manicured lawns and intricately-tiled walls characterize the city center while for miles around, sites of interest include historic ruins and rugged scenery.
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Ten years after Turkmenistan’s independence was secured, a statue of ten horses was erected in the Park of Independence. Set on an eight-pointed star, the Akhal Teke horses are surrounded by fountains with which water displays are given.
Turkmenistan is famed for its proud lineage of beautiful, distinctive Akhal-Teke horses with their lean frames and elegant poise, renowned for their speed and grace. Historically valued by the Turkmen tribesmen, and declared a national treasure since Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991, Akhal-Teke breeding is considered an art-form and visitors flock to Ashgabat’s stud farms to see, meet and ride these famous and beautiful creatures.
Boasting the largest collection of Turkmen carpets anywhere in the world, the Carpet Museum of Ashgabat displays a range from the medieval period to the 20th century. The star attraction is the Guinness World Record-winning hand-woven carpet, the largest of its kind in the world.
Beneath a dramatic monument of a bull and a golden baby, the Earthquake Museum of Ashgabat contains heartbreaking photography of the 1948 disaster as well as information on the mammoth clean-up operation that ensued.
Named after the father of the Ottoman Empire, this elaborate and beautiful Turkish-style mosque is one of the largest in the city and was opened in 1998. Decorated with stunning tiled mosaics and luxurious carpets, the mosque is carved from marble and the cavernous domed prayer hall accommodates up to 5,000 worshippers.
Just a forty-minute drive west of the city lie the ruins of the ancient fortress of Geok Depe and the modern Saparmyrat Haji Mosque. The stunning marble mosque with its turquoise domes is a striking sight amidst the desert sands.
The elaborate and beautiful golden-domed mosque, located just a short drive west of the city, was opened in 2004. Built by President Saparmurat Niyazov who is now buried in its tomb, its walls bear writings from the Quran.
The sweeping spines of the Kopet Dag mountains lie on the Turkmenistan-Iran frontier, to the southwest of Ashgabat. The peaks are popular with climbers, hikers and horseriders in search of a little Akhal Teke authenticity.
On the northern slopes of the Kopet Dag mountains, just over sixty miles from Ashgabat, lies the enigmatic underground lake of Kov-Ata, or ‘Father of Caves’. Visitors flock for the healing powers of the sulphur springs here.
The symbol of modern Turkmenistan, the park contains the enormous Monument of Independence, boasting the highest spire in the country. Set amidst green lawns and sparkling fountains, the monument is surrounded by statues of the country’s great figures.
With a number of vast halls covering Turkmenistan’s checkered history, the National Museum houses Bronze Age artifacts, items from ancient Nisa as well as information on post-independence Turkmenistan.
Just over nine miles to the west of the city lies the site of Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian empire. Upon the hill are the remnants of the earthen ramparts that encircle the inner complexes where archaeological wonders of the empire were discovered.
One of the most colorful and bustling bazaars in all of central Asia, the Tolkuchka bazaar sprawls out over the city’s outskirts with thousands of shoppers haggling and bargaining over everything from livestock to carpets.
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This five-day journey is your chance to uncover Turkmenistan, an off-the-beaten path destination and one of the most mysterious regions of Central Asia. From a perpetually burning crater, an eerily quiet capital clad in white marble, and ancient UNESCO ruins, this guarantees to be a journey like no other.
This short and sweet four-day tour of Turkmenistan takes you to all the must-see sites in what is one of the most mysterious countries in Central Asia. After sightseeing in the capital, Ashgabat, make your way to the stunning ancient at Kunya-Urgench and Mary, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Turn back time on this two-week tour of two amazing countries. Explore historical wonders of Tashkent and Khiva and uncover the crumbling cities of Merv and Mary and the fortress of Nissa. Camp by burning gas craters, get up close to the famous Akhal Teke horses of Turkmenistan and discover the palaces and mausoleums of mighty Emirs.
Get to grips with the fascinating Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat, over three action-packed days, before embarking on an epic overland journey. Your guide will take you to the World Heritage Site of Merv and Mary before you make your way back to the capital via the quaint local village of Bokurdak.
Discover the best of Turkmenistan with this nine-night, eight-day adventure tour of both cultural and natural phenomenons. From the white-marbled capital city of Ashgabat to overnight camping in the desert and everything in between, this trip will provide you with a cross-section of this unique Central Asian country.
This tour of the Silk Road “Stans” takes you through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in just two short weeks. Designed specifically for those looking to dip toes into each destination rather than explore in depth, this itinerary ensures luxury and comfort in a part of the world that can be tricky to country-hop without expert guidance.
This tour around the mysterious Central Asian country of Turkmenistan offers you the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: glistening mausoleums, ancient fortress remains, desolate deserts and majestic mountains, all wrapped up into an unforgettable eight-day adventure.
Take a quick dip into the history and culture of exciting Turkmenistan with this four-day, three-night adventure. In this short amount of time, you’ll visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous mausoleums, countless forts and monuments and learn more about this fascinating Central Asian country.
This eight-day tour of Turkmenistan opens up one of Central Asia’s most mysterious lands: Turkmenistan. Passing over the desolate, yet utterly spectacular Karakum Desert, you’ll explore ancient ruins, dazzling mausoleums, and fiery caves, all before ending up in the fascinating capital of Ashgabat.
Ak Altyn Hotel is a modern four-star hotel located just outside Ashgabat city center in some more tranquil, leafy surroundings, whilst all the main tourist attractions of the Turkmenistan capital can be reached in just a few minutes. This 10-storey hotel was recently refurbished, and the 100 well-appointed guestrooms here all include air conditioning, satellite TV, international telephones, a mini-bar, in-room safes and elegant en-suite bathrooms. Ak Altyn Hotel also has its own large restaurant which serves up a buffet breakfast spread every morning, as well as an on-site swimming pool, bar, conference room, sauna and salon. Popular attractions nearby include the Independence Monument and the National Museum, both of which can be reached on foot or via a cheap taxi ride.
The five-star Grand Turkmen Hotel is one of the most luxurious and famous hotels in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, and is located right in the heart of this bustling city. Rooms here come with all the facilities you’d expect with any five-star hotel, and guests can also enjoy the added convenience of having on-site cooking facilities, various dining options, an elegant swimming pool and a fitness suite, massage and sauna room. From the comfort of the hotel, some of the city’s standout attractions, including Independence Monument and the National Museum, are just a short walk or drive away, and the immediate area is full of lively restaurants, bars and cafes. The Grand Turkmen Hotel also caters for a wide range of tastes at its large all-day restaurant which serves up Asian, European and international flavours. There’s also an on-site casino and disco for some entertainment after the sun goes down over Ashgabat.
After extensive renovations, the four-star Nusay Hotel in Ashgabat reopened in May 2011 and is now considered as one of the higher quality hotels in the Turkmenistan capital. The five-storey building also enjoys one of the best locations in the city, just a short walk or taxi drive away from some of the main attractions in Ashgabat such as the Main Square, the Monument of Independence, President’s Residence, Palace of Congresses and Arts and the international airport is just a 20-minute drive away. The 128 comfortable and spacious rooms all come with air-conditioning/heating, television sets, in-room safes, minibars and have Wi-Fi available throughout. Elsewhere, guests can enjoy Nusay Hotel’s outdoor pool and bar area, on-site restaurant, spa, fitness room and sauna.
The Oguzkent Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Not only is this vast hotel a spectacular sight from the outside with its concave glass design, but all 299 rooms impress too, with tastefully-decorated interiors, lavish en-suite bathrooms and a whole host of modern conveniences that give this hotel its five-star status. Elsewhere at this centrally-located hotel, guests are free to use the high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and have access to three different swimming pools, a gym, spa and sauna as well as a huge all-day restaurant that serves up one of the best breakfast buffets in town every morning. The Oguzkent Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the international airport of Ashgabat, and the nearby area is safe, and full of lively local restaurants and cafes.
Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city. The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport. Yyldyz Hotel's facilities include a fully-fitted spa & beauty salon, sauna, fitness center, 2 indoor swimming pools, 1 outdoor pool with jacuzzi, tennis courts and a volleyball court. There are three on-site restaurants offering international fare, spread on the 18th and 19th floors, offering panoramic views of the city. There are also four bars , a tea room, and a disco club.
This modern five-star hotel in Ashgabat boasts an impressive 229 rooms and is located within a half-mile radius of the city’s major local attractions including the Parliament of Country and range of museums and theaters. It combines local fashions of marble and magnificent fountains with the first-class service for which this French hotel chain is renowned. Constructed in 2010 by the Bouygues Construction Company to offer luxury accommodation, this hotel does not fail to deliver. All suites are well-appointed and boast rain showers and TVs in the bath. With three swimming pools, a tennis court, spa, nightclub and bar, the Sofitel provides a full five-star experience of Tajikistan.
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