City Information                                Resebyrå -      Queensway Travel
Airport                          

Flight time to Ashgabat from London is approximately 8 hours. Turkmenistan Airlines is the national carrier although their schedules are prone to change. They currently fly once a week from Birmingham. The airport is approximately 4km (2.5 miles) north of the city centre. Compared with the other Central Asian republics, it is modern, clean, well organized and friendly.

Airport to City Centre
Local buses operate into the centre of town but it is better to take a taxi. Some hotels can arrange transfers in clean, comfortable cars when advance reservations are made. Taxi fares are negotiable and since many arriving passengers will not have the local currency most drivers are more than willing to accept US dollars. The price will depend on your negotiating skill and the type of car they have; Ladas being less expensive than new foreign imports, but expect to pay between $5 and $15. Drivers generally speak little or no English but most recognise the names of the hotels. It is not possible to hire self-drive cars.

Orientation
Originally founded as a Russian garrison town in 1881, Ashgabat has suffered more from natural disasters than man-made ones. It has been hit by several earthquakes, the biggest being in 1948 resulting in the death of 110,000 people. The city has made great strides to spruce up its image in the last few years. With huge reserves of natural gas, it is the richest country in the region. The grand buildings of the Soviet era in the town centre have been painted, while on its fringes modern buildings, complete with silver, gold or blue tinted glass, are being erected. Most are business centers or banks. New multi-lane roads are being constructed and new apartment blocks are being put up. However, a tour of the older residential quarters and the industrial sites are a stark reminder of its recent past.

Excursions                                     Svenska resebyråerna -        Queensway Travel

Mary: East of Ashgabat, Mary can be reached by car in five hours or by plane, twice a day, in one hour. If driving you will have to stay overnight, the best hotel being the 2-star Sanjour Hotel. The hotel receives mixed reviews so if you crave your creature comforts make it a day trip or do not go at all. There are two things to visit, Merv and the United Museum of History in Mary displaying archaeological finds  from nearby Merv. Merv is actually a number of towns spread over hundreds of hectares. Nobody is able to pinpoint its exact beginnings with some arguing that it was founded in the 7c BC whilst others believe it began 300 years later. It is unusual because unlike many new settlements that are built on top of existing ones these grew up along side adjacent old towns. Today one can see ramparts, mausoleums, remains of sophisticated underground pipe networks and, if you’re lucky, digs being carried out by the few archaeologists that work at the site. 
Kunya Urgench: An ideal way out of the country if proceeding to Uzbekistan for sightseeing in the east. There are several flights a day to Dashhovus from where one can continue by road to Urgench in Uzbekistan. Between Dashhovus and the Uzbek border near modern-day Kunya Urgench lie the remains of old Kunya Urgench once known as Gurganj. Scattered over a large area are mausolea and the tallest minaret in Central Asia. It is a fascinating site and well worth a visit. Can also be done as a day Can also be done as a day trip from Ashgabat. Additional options include horse riding and trips in to the Kara-Kum Desert.In the UK, Steppes East, a tour operator that specialises in Central Asia, can assist with arrangements in the country.

Getting Around
Since independence, Turkmenistan has seen an increase in the number of cars, leading to heavy congestion on major routes in Ashgabat during rush hour. Roads can be hazardous and drivers should exercise extreme caution, especially in cities. Most of Ashgabat’s major roads are well-maintained and lit, but side streets are often pot-holed and poorly lit. Taxis are cheap but not always easy to find, though it is possible to flag down any passing vehicle and negotiate a fare. However, it is suggested that you do not get into any vehicle that has occupants other than the driver. Buses operate from early in the morning but stop at around 1800 resulting in overcrowding towards the end of the day. Hire cars are also available with drivers through Respect Information Company. Street names can be confusing: some have been changed to Turkmen names while others still use their Soviet names and not all maps show the current ones in use.

What to see
State History Museum: Founded in 1899, this is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the country and is currently based in one of Ashgabat’s oldest buildings, dating from 1880. The museum is small, exhibiting archaeological finds from all over Turkmenistan. On show are flints and pottery items dating from the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, a room items from Nisa, a Parthian site very near Ashgabat, are on display including several devoted to the unique Bronze Age civilization of Margiana. In addition, many unique beautiful ivory ‘rytons’ or drinking vessels, marble statuettes and silver and gold ornaments.

Museum of Fine Arts: This is one of the largest collections in Central Asia and has works from Turkmen, Russian and European artists. The most important European paintings are by Dutch and Italian artists although there are works by English, Flemish, French and German artists on show. Also on display are crafts and sculptures, carpets and jewellery of various Turkmen tribes. 
Union of Artists: Paintings and sculptures by contemporary Turkmen artists, some of which are for sale in the gallery shop.
Carpet Factory: You can watch the 200 or so staff producing the so-called ‘Bukhara’ carpets, and if you decide to buy one you don’t need an export permit. 
Carpet Museum: An impressive collection of antique carpets as well as the world’s largest Turkmen carpet measuring 80m by 10m which took four women three and a half years to make. Carpet making grew from the nomadic way of life of the people: as well as being used for floor coverings and wall hangings, carpets were used to decorate camels, for saddlebags and as part of wedding processions. Carpets purchased in the museum shop do not need an export permit. 
Nisa: 30 minutes by car from Ashgabat, Nisa was the capital of the Parthian state. Founded in the 3c BC this fortress then included the palace and temple buildings, the depositories and the treasury of the king of the Arshakid Dynasty.
Sunday Market: This is the largest market in Central Asia and some would argue comparable with the great market in Kashgar. The main site covers 2 hectares selling everything from carpets, national costumes, produce and foodstuffs. Consumer and electrical goods from Russia, Iran, China and Turkey are also available. At the main entrance individuals gather to buy and sell vehicles; everything from scooters to buses are traded. At the rear of the market, livestock is bought and sold including horses, camels, goats and sheep. Here too, bulk goods are sold from the back of lorries, perhaps soap powder from one and light-bulbs from another.
Bakharden underground lake ‘Kov-Ata’: 90km from Ashgabat this natural underground cave is 220m in length and contains a 80m long lake. The water is believed to have healing powers and remains at a constant 36°C. While descending the 266 steps it is possible to view the wonderful stalactites and bats that hang from the walls and ceiling.

Weather and Climate                             Hyrbil    Queensway Travel

The climate is continental. Winter is short and not too cold (January average –10 to 3°C). Summer is hot and dry (July average 35 to 45°C). Autumn and spring are warm with plenty of sunshine.

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