A typical first trip here runs about $425 to $575 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Plov, the Turkmen version of the Central Asian pilaf; lamb, rice, carrots, and onions cooked in rendered cottonseed oil in a massive kazan; made for every celebration
- Çorba, lamb and potato soup seasoned with cumin and coriander; the everyday warming meal of Turkmenistan's cold winters and cool mountain evenings
- Gutap, thin flatbread pockets stuffed with herbs, meat, or pumpkin and pan-fried; the Turkmen equivalent of a hand pie; popular street food
- Çal, slightly sour camel's milk; a Turkmen tradition among nomadic communities; offered to guests as a sign of hospitality
- Nowruz (March 21), Persian New Year celebrated with outdoor festivities, horse racing, and the ahal-teke horse parade; horses are a symbol of supreme national pride
- Akhal-Teke horse breed, considered the world's oldest and most beautiful breed; Turkmenistan dedicates a national holiday to the horse and the president often gifts them diplomatically
- Neutrality Day (December 12), celebrates Turkmenistan's UN-recognized permanent neutrality declared in 1995; marked with fireworks and state ceremonies
Turkmen is the official language; Russian was previously dominant and is still spoken. English is extremely rare, Turkmenistan is one of the world's most isolated and least-visited countries.
Key phrase: "Salam" (Салам) means hello. Visiting Turkmenistan requires an organized tour or government-sponsored invitation; independent travel is not permitted.
The Darvaza Gas Crater ("Door to Hell") is the most famous attraction. Consult current advisories carefully.
- Avoid any criticism of the government or president, Turkmenistan operates under one of the world's most authoritarian governments with strict information controls
- Photography near government buildings, airports, and infrastructure is prohibited; guides will advise on what is safe to photograph
- Dress modestly, traditional Turkmen women wear long colorful dresses; visitors should respect local norms especially outside Ashgabat
- Ashgabat is a surreal marble-clad city of enormous scale; official tour guides will manage your itinerary and access
Latest for Turkmenistan
Updates for Turkmenistan will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.