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Turkmenistan-
part of the great Silk Road
 Turkmenistan,
located in the southern most part of the former Soviet
Union, is rich in tradition, culture and natural beauty.
A small country of five million people, Turkmenistan shares
it's boarder with Iran in the south, Afghanistan to the
east, Uzbekistan in the north and the Caspian Sea to the
west. Hundreds of years ago the territory now known as
Turkmenistan linked great civilizations together from
the East and West along the great Silk Road. Today you
can see much of the same people living here preserving
their traditions, culture and heritage.
The great Silk Road not only carried silk along its path
but also was a source of communication, religion, technology
and travel since 500 B.C. The chief route for trade between
China and Western Europe originated in Italy traversing
through the deserts and mountains across Turkey and into
Turkmenistan. As a natural "half-way" point
you can still see the old oasis's where tired travelers
took their rest before continuing on into Central Asia.
On their route the towns of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva,
Merv and
Kunya-Urgench
played important stops for the caravans. Caravans from
Merv started
for Serags,
Nishapur (Iran), Abiverd,
Nissa,
Dekhistan,
then continued along the coast of the Caspian
Sea heading towards Turkey. These towns are full of
mystery and superstition. The ancient town of Kunya-Urgench
is said to have been destroyed seven times, each time
resurrecting itself like a phoenix out of ashes. In the
middle of the XIV century Husein Sufi, a Turkmen from
Kungrad, founded a dynasty here ruling up until the raids
of Tamerlan's military.
 Merv,
located in the southeastern region of Turkmenistan, was
one of the most important capitals of the Moslem world.
Compared to Cairo, Damascus and Baghdad it's birth came
from the Great Seldzuks and attracted scientists and merchants
from all over the Moslem world. The Seldjuk Empire stretched
from the Lower Amu-Darya to the Mediterranean Sea. One
can still walk within its great walls and see the ancient
mosques from a time long ago past.
The Turkmen people once known as some of the fiercest
warriors, helping and aiding the likes of Kangus Kan and
Alexander the Great, will only kill you with kindness.
They are some of the friendliest people on the Silk Road
with their diversity, humor and superstitions. As a visitor
you'll be asked in their homes for tea, or even join in
as a part of a family wedding. You'll share with them
their holy shrines, and traditional "Tamdyr"
bread, still made the same way as hundreds of years ago.
Bargain with the colorfully dressed women at the bazaars
while talking with "Yash-olies" or holy men
at a horserace. Traditions like carpet making, weaving,
embroidery and jewelry making still can be seen and observed
all in a day.
Turkmenistan can also boast some of the most stunning
natural beauty in Central Asia. It's deserts, steppes,
canyons, mountains, oasis', and wildlife are some of the
rarest in the world. Here one can ride on the beautiful
Akhal Teke horse through and above magnificent gorges
in the Kopetdag Mountains or gallop across the grasslands.
Be a part of a camel caravan crossing through sand dunes
sprinkled with wildflowers or swim off Turkmenistan's
shores in the Caspian Sea with Caspian Seals.
Be apart of our tradition, continuing to unite East
and West for the centuries to come.
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| New:
Guided tour through
the most exciting spots of Turkmenistan |
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