Turkmenistan travel blog
Practical notes for planning a Turkmenistan trip, from visa preparation to Ashgabat, Darvaza, Merv, and Silk Road routes.
What to see in Ashgabat
A practical guide to Ashgabat’s best sights, from marble monuments and museums to Nisa, Gypjak Mosque, local markets, and evening viewpoints.
Dashoguz and Konye-Urgench Travel Guide
Konye-Urgench Turkmenistan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the far north of the country, home to some of the finest surviving medieval Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Here is how to visit.
Mary and Merv Travel Guide: Visiting Ancient Turkmenistan
Ancient Merv is one of the great Silk Road sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the city of Mary. Here is everything you need to know to visit Merv Turkmenistan on a guided tour.
Is Turkmenistan Safe to Visit? Practical Travel Advice
Turkmenistan is a U.S. State Department Level 1 destination. Here is a practical look at travel safety in Turkmenistan, from photography rules to desert conditions.
How to Get a Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan
A Turkmenistan Letter of Invitation is required before you can apply for a tourist visa. Here is how the LOI process works and how to get one through a booked tour.
Darvaza Gas Crater Guide: How to Visit the Gates of Hell
The Darvaza Gas Crater has been burning in the middle of the Karakum Desert for decades. Here is everything you need to know to visit the Gates of Hell on a Turkmenistan tour.
How to Travel to Turkmenistan: Complete 2026 Guide
Planning to visit Central Asia's most closed-off country? Here is exactly how to travel to Turkmenistan in 2026: from booking a tour to getting your visa sorted.
Visa on arrival checklist
A practical checklist for travelers planning to get a Turkmenistan visa on arrival, including tour booking, LOI, passport, cash, documents, registration, and arrival tips.
How to prepare for Turkmenistan
A practical pre-trip checklist for Turkmenistan, covering tour booking, Letters of Invitation, visas, passport validity, registration, money, packing, internet, and local travel expectations.