Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Turkmenistan
Why Go?
By far the most mysterious and unexplored of Central Asia's
'stans, Turkmenistan became famous for the truly bizarre
dictatorship of President Saparmyrat Niyazov, who ruled as
'Turkmenbashi' ('leader of the Turkmen') until his death in
2006, covering this little-known desert republic with golden
statues of himself and grandiose monuments to the achieve-
ments of his 'golden age'. But the least-visited of Central
Asia's countries is far more than the totalitarian theme park
it's often portrayed as being - it is an ancient land of great
spirituality, tradition and natural beauty.
The ancient cities of Merv and Konye-Urgench inspire
visions of caravans plodding along the ancient Silk Road,
while the haunting beauty of the Karakum desert and other
quirky natural phenomena are less expected but equally
mesmerising sights. The full Turkmen experience is ulti-
mately about mingling with the warm and fascinating Turk-
men themselves, whose hospitality is the stuff of legend.
Ashgabat ................... 374
Karakum Desert ........384
Köw Ata
Underground Lake ....385
Gozli Ata &
Yangykala Canyon .....386
Mary...........................386
Merv ...........................388
Gonur ..........................391
Turkmenabat .............392
Konye-Urgench .........393
Dashogus ..................396
Best Places to
Eat
¨
Çeşme (p380)
¨
Sim Sim (p381)
¨
Köpetdag (p380)
¨
Euphoria (p381)
¨
Chaikhana (p396)
When to Go
Ashgabat
°C/°F
Temp
Rainfall
inches/mm
40/104
5/125
4/100
30/86
3/75
20/68
2/50
Best Places to
Stay
¨
Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent
Hotel (p379)
¨
Nusay Hotel (p379)
¨
President Hotel (p379)
¨
Hotel Margush (p387)
10/50
1/25
0/32
0
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Apr-Jun
Bright
sunshine and cool
temperatures
combine to create
the best climate
for travel.
Sep-Nov
The
fierce summer
heat gradually
cools and winter
approaches.
Dec
Wrap up
warm, expect
to see snow in
the desert and
very few other
travellers!
