Travel and Visa Requirements for Turkmen

• A valid international travel passport
• A completed visa application form
• The applicable visa fee
• Evidence of permission to enter the destination country
• A photocopy of your passport data page
• Financial proof — an original bank statement
• A letter of invitation, where one is required

Exact requirements vary by destination and visa type — always confirm what your destination needs before you apply.

Lying at the crossroads between east and west, more than half of the Turkmenistan is covered by the Karakum desert. The capital city and largest city is Ashgabat. Turkmenistan is the home to “the door to hell”; burning for over forty years, a gas reserve that was set ablaze.

The official language is Turkmen, and Russian is also widely spoken.

Turkmenistan has a cold desert climate, with hot summers and very cold winters. 70% of the country is desert and experiences low rainfall. Lightweight clothes are recommended for the summer months, medium to heavyweight clothing for winter. A sweater or jacket is also recommended for cool evenings.

To get around Turkmenistan, road travel with taxis and buses are the most popular means. There is also rail service between major cities, however, this is much slower, although this is a great way to take in views of the country.

The people of Turkmenistan are friendly and welcoming, and the culture is a blend of east and west. Majority of the people are Muslims, and a number of festivals are Muslim religious celebrations.

Some events and festivals in Turkmenistan are:

• Memorial Day, held in honour of the fallen soldiers of Turkmenistan.
• Women’s Day
• Nowruz Bayram
• Revival, Unity, and Magtymguly Pyragy Day: held in honour of Magtymguly Pyragy, a national hero.
• Eid al-Fitr

You can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities and excursions while in Turkmenistan. The vast desert landscape makes it perfect for horse or camel trekking. You can also go on excursions to these places:

• Merv: the ancient city of Merv was along the old Silk Road, a popular trading route in Asia. The ruins of the city are on the UNESCO World Heritage site list.
• Parthian Fortress of Nisa: a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ruins of this city are believed to be the remains of the Parthian kingdom.
• Kopat Dag Mountains: you can enjoy a hike up the Kopat Dag Mountains.
• The underground sulphur lake in Kow Ata: here, you can enjoy a swim in the healing mineral water.
• The Darvaza Gas Crater: located in the Karakum desert, the natural gas field has been burning for 40 years and is called Door to Hell.

Accommodation in Turkmenistan is not hard to find, as there are numerous hotels in the country.