‘’Gates to Hell’’
The Darvaza Crater, on the outskirts of Derweze attracts thousands of tourists every year since it was discovered in 1971. This collapsed, underground gas field has had many marveling at its sunken, fiery depths.
Turkmenistan is a top Central Asia destination, founded in layers of world history and home to a few religious births. This country was formerly known as Turkmenia and has 5.4 million residents. Throughout your journey you’ll be sure to be inspired by age-old cities and rich cultures. Top attractions include Darvaza Crater (Derweze) and Gypjak Mosque (Ashgabat).
Cheap flights to Turkmenistan are now available for a limited period of time, so prepare for a trip into ancient history! Turkmenistan’s capital city, Ashgabat, is home to Ashgabat International Airport (ASB), located on a 25-minute drive from the city centre.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
|---|
The Darvaza Crater, on the outskirts of Derweze attracts thousands of tourists every year since it was discovered in 1971. This collapsed, underground gas field has had many marveling at its sunken, fiery depths.
The Köw Ata Underground Lake is a playground for young and old, with soothing mineral waters to unwind in and enjoy a leisurely swim. This spot is a hidden treasure, located 200m below ground level.
Still shrouded in layers of mystery, the full extent of the history in Turkmenistan is still being discovered. From Indo-European tribes dating back to 2000 BC to Mongols in the Middle Ages, this is a country full of stories.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Currency | Turkmenistan Manat (TMT) |
|---|---|
| Language | Turkman |
| Hub Airport | Ashgabat International Airport (ASB) |
| Airline | Turkmenistan Airlines |
| Time Zone | GMT+ 5 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type C / F |
The climate in Turkmenistan experiences four distinct seasons, with hot summers and icy winters. The weather is affected by the desert landscape of the Kara Kum desert, which is one of the driest in the world. The hottest months fall between June and August, which sees day time temperatures of up to 37°C, and evening temperatures of 20°C. In stark contrast, the winter months of December to February find daytime temperatures of 7°C and -1°C at night.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall levels (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | -4°C | -1°C | 3°C | 9°C | 13°C | 19°C | 21°C | 19°C | 14°C | 8°C | 3°C | 0°C |
| High °C | 6°C | 9°C | 14°C | 22°C | 27°C | 34°C | 37°C | 35°C | 30°C | 22°C | 15°C | 9°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 25 | 23 | 46 | 38 | 29 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 20 | 20 |
Once a stop of immense trade value along the Silk Road, Turkmenistan is now a thriving country, and top Central Asia destination to visit. With a vast amount of beautiful attractions that appeal to every type of traveller, make sure to add it to your list of must-see travel countries.
The capital city of Ashgabat is modern and refreshing, with deep underlying love and admiration for the old ways of the land. Bazaars and market places are the way of life in the city centre, and you’ll be amazed when walking from the many mosques (Turkmenistan has the most on all of Central Asia) ordained in gold and silver – to the dusty and traditional markets around the corners.
There are so many age-old places of intrigue to visit on your trip to Turkmenistan. An intriguing location to visit is the oasis city of Merv in the Kara Kum desert. It was once known as the largest city in the world and the original birthplace of Hinduism. There is also the ruined city of Nissa, south of the capital city. This city was once part of the Parthian Empire, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Turkmenistan online with Travelstart!
According to official releases from Turkmenistan, there is no crime in the country and nothing for visitors to lose sleep over when travelling here. However, as with all destinations, there is always a possibility of petty crime happening, so it would be best to remain aware of your surroundings.
The capital city of Ashgabat enforces an 11pm curfew on every body within the city limits. There is also the potential issue of drunkenness and fights breaking out when pub patrons indulge in what is known as ‘Vodka terrorism’.
It is always important to go for a general health check-up before a trip overseas. It is best to do this 4-6 weeks before your trip. For your trip to Turkmenistan, it is strongly recommended to get the following vaccinations: hepatitis A and typhoid. Other vaccinations to consider getting are hepatitis B and rabies. Proof of a yellow fever certificate is needed if you are travelling from a country at risk of this disease.
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