It covers most of the country and covers an area of more than 3,500 thousand km2. This is a real kingdom of sand, dunes and camels. The climatic conditions in the desert are very harsh, in summer the temperature in the sun reaches 63 ° C, and in winter there are real frosts up to -30 ° C. Almost 15% of Turkmenistan's population lives in Karakums.

The flaming fiery crater formed as a result of unsuccessful drilling, which has not faded for 40 years. Some tourists compare it to the gateway to the Underworld. When gas burst to the surface in 1971, they decided to set it on fire for the safety of the residents of the village located nearby. But the gas reserves have not burned out so far.

The remains of the capital of the once powerful Parthian kingdom, built around the II century BC. The city was erected at the behest of the king Mithridates. There were burials of members of the ruling Arsacid dynasty, palaces, temples, numerous warehouses and the royal treasury. Nisa is included in the UNESCO Heritage List.

This city is the oldest in all of Central Asia, it was built during the Margian civilization (3-2 thousand years BC) Later became one of the centers of the mighty Parthia. After the Arab conquest of the 7th century Merv became a base for further expansion to the east and north. The city flourished during the Arab dynasty Samanids in the XII century, in its beauty it surpassed even Constantinople.

This place is also called the "Martian plain". Once the area was a blooming oasis surrounded by rivers and gardens, but hundreds of years passed and the waters dried up, and Dehistan turned into a desert. People had to go to other more fertile lands, abandon their settlements. Centuries later, the ruins of Akga-kala and Shadur-kala, surrounded by a lifeless plain, reached us.

The Historical Reserve of Turkmenistan, was previously the capital of Northern Khorezm. Mentions of the city have been found since the I century. In the X century during the reign of Samanidov Kunya-Ugrech was renamed Gurganj. The city became a cultural and scientific center, the second after the capital of the empire Bukhara. The famous lived here Ibn Sina (Avicenna in European).

A modern architectural monument built in 1999 in Ashgabat by order of the first Turkmen President S. Niyazov. It is a complex of white marble topped with turquoise domes. The palace is used for conferences, forums, important state events, as well as concerts and mass celebrations.

The symbol of the country's independence in the form of a 118-meter column. The building is located in the Ashgabat Park, reminding residents and guests about the formation of a separate and independent state of Turkmenistan. The top of the monument is crowned with a crescent moon with five stars symbolizing the unity of the five Turkmen tribes.

Built in the 90s, one of the most beautiful mosques in Ashgabat. Elements of the Turkish style were used in the construction, the name also has Turkish roots – it is given in honor of the father of the ruler Osman I. The temple accommodates almost 5 thousand believers and is the largest in the capital. Elements of the ancient Byzantine style are visible in the courtyard and decoration.

The main Muslim temple of Turkmenistan, a large and pompous building. It was erected on the initiative of Turkmenbashi (S. Niyazov) and named in his honor. The mosque is not located in the capital, but in the village Kipchak, where the president was born. The construction was carried out by a French company, the work cost the country more than $ 100 million.

A natural landmark in the south-west of the country. In the cave there is a large underground lake 16 m deep and 70 m long. Turkmen tribes considered this place sacred, for centuries whole caravans and families came here to sacrifice (livestock) and ask for the mercy of the spirits.

A mysterious and unique place where dinosaur footprints have been preserved. According to local legend, these tracks belonged to the huge elephants of the army of Alexander the Great (in the local dialect of Iskander Zulkarnain). More than 3,000 traces of ancient reptiles and more than 30 trails along which they went about their business have been recorded on the plateau.

Here the sands of the boundless Karakum desert begin. This is one of the hottest places in the country, where the temperature reaches +50 °C. Desert fauna and flora are represented in the reserve. Turtles, lizards, monitor lizards live here, desert acacia and peacock poppy grow. Many species are endemic to this territory.

Translated from Turkmen, it means "fiery fortresses". This is a picturesque and unusual place – the rocks of purple, yellow, beige, red colors really seem like castles from some fabulous fantasy. During sunset, the stones are painted in brighter colors, and an unforgettable sight appears to the tourist. In the canyon, you can arrange a jeep safari or a hike with an overnight stay in tents.

Turkmenistan owns a fairly large piece of the Caspian coastline – about 1200 km. This unique reservoir is located at the very junction of Asia and Europe. More recently, by the will of the Turkmen authorities, the national resort zone "Avaza" was created on the coast with boarding houses, hotels, sanatoriums and a developed infrastructure for tourists.