Top Things to do in Ahal Province
What to do and see in Ahal Province, Ahal Province: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan including Darvaza Gas Crater, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Gypjak Mosque, Turkmen Carpet Museum, Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts, Ashgabat Cable Car, Monument Arch of Neutrality, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenistan Independence Monument, Ashgabat National Museum of History.
1. Darvaza Gas Crater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By mimiwoodbridge - Santa Fe, United States
In my amazing month’s journey through Central Asia, high on the list of spectacular events wan the night in a yurt camp below the extraordinary Darvaza Gas Crater. In the middle of nowhere over miles of sandy tracks (calling them roads would be a vast exaggeration) we arrived at one of the world’s wonders. When darkness fell the sky was alite with the glow of burning natural gas. A short walk from the camp led to the crater. Again in the morning, before dawn I returned to see the sunrise. It was truly, a once in a lifetime experience
2. Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 576RobertC576 - Redlands, United States
Our guide took us here after spending a good deal of time in the eerily empty White City. Here we found some normalcy. People coming for prayers. The mosque is beautiful. The striped columns are reminiscent of the mosque Cordoba, Spain and it does look much like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. This was my favorite spot in Ashgabat.
3. Gypjak Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By mylestan - Romblon Island, Philippines
This is a big mosque with nice ornate tiles and inscriptions of allah everywhere. It's a nice place to drop by and take pictures
4. Turkmen Carpet Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By 741marshaa - Vienna, United States
Turkmenistan is known for its amazing carpets and a tour of the museum shows you why. The carpets are beautiful. I suggest taking the tour as the guide explains the different styles and how the carpets are made. According to Guinness book of world records, the largest carpet in the world is hanging in the museum. The guide was really knowledgeable and after the tour showed me how to wear the married ladies hat and scarf. She did do because I expressed an interest and it was fun. Photos are allowed only in certain areas of the museum.
5. Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts
6. Ashgabat Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By mjt2257 - Umina Beach, Australia
This is a great way to get a perspective on the “white marble city”, as well as being a fun excursion for two or three hours - perhaps more if you stop for a meal at the top. On a semi-cloudy day in late May, the cable car and summit area were close to empty, which didn’t detract from the spectacular views of rugged landscape and gleaming Ashgabat. That peculiar thing of passing over Iranian territory to then land in a Turkmen exclave, still within Iran, lends a certain frisson to the experience. Taxis are the only practical transport option for most tourists, with charges by the hour from pick-up, through waiting and then to final destination. The range is around 60-70 Manat per hour. The cable cars were comfortable enough but might get very hot in full summer sunlight, so I’d take a cold drink for what is quite a long ride. But don’t miss it if you’ve time.
7. Monument Arch of Neutrality
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By Maral_VEL - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
I go there quite often. Every local or guest of the capital also likes to go there during nice weather. And the weather is nice for most part of the year. You will see lots of people making picnics during summer evenings. The monument is surrounded with big park. And during summer times, when even the evenings are hot, the place is relatively pleasant, because it is located higher from the rest part of the city and there are lots of greenery which is regularly watered. So, you might want to take a blanket and something to eat or watch when you go there. Also, there are bike rentals. There is a restaurant there and you can find a toilet if you need to. the monument itself is beautiful. The ticket costs really cheap if you are Turkmen citizen. Anyways, no one is checking passports when you get into elevator. Elevator takes you up to the monument. There is small museum like thing inside. Also you can take another elevator to the top and see the magnificent city. there are covered places for picnics on a rainy day and lots of benches if you do not like the idea of sitting on the grass or if you forgot to take blanket with you or if the grass is still damp from recent watering. Always pleasant experience no matter you go there for picnic or for the view. Also, if it is a holiday season or something and you know that there will be fireworkds, the area around monument provides good view to the whole city and the fireworks. you do not need to go up to the top of the monument for a view. Adviced.
8. Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site
9. Turkmenistan Independence Monument
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By 51RuthR - Cape Town Central, South Africa
This is a very opulent and outstanding monument which is out of white marble and with black and gold statues around it. It is really worth seeing and quite magnificent as is the park around it. A wedding party arrived at the same time as we did to have their wedding photographs taken there.
10. Ashgabat National Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By kiwinagaz - Canberra, Australia
We thoroughly recommend a trip to this museum for anyone spending some time in Ashgabat. The building itself features an impressive interior, but also has a well presented run down of Turkmenistan’s history (from Stone Age through to the current day). These are broken down into easily digested sections. It also has a small collection of carpets on display. The English guides are good, and we went through the collection over an hour or two at a comfortable pace. Be warned, photography is prohibited unless you pay a comparatively steep camera ticket.
