Best time to visit Turkmenistan: When to travel to Turkmenistan?

You're wondering: When is the best time to visit Turkmenistan? Turkmenistan is a country of extremes: very warm in summer, very cold in winter. Its location on the famous Silk Road brought diverse influences that are still visible today in countless impressive monuments and ruined sites. The country is one of the least explored destinations in Central Asia and this despite the fact that a trip to Turkmenistan offers not only spectacular sights but also fascinating natural beauty.

Climate and weather in Turkmenistan

The climate in Turkmenistan is extremely continental. This results in hot and dry summers and cold winters, but also high temperature differences of up to 60 °C between day and night. Even though Turkmenistan has by far the highest temperatures of Central Asia, they are very bearable despite the low humidity.

In the south of Turkmenistan the climate is somewhat less continental than in the north. In the winter months, temperatures rarely drop below -5 °C. Most rain falls between January and April. From June to October there is usually no rainfall. Due to the desert climate, Turkmenistan has very many hours of sunshine per year.

The best time to discover Turkmenistan is from April to June and from November to December. During this time, temperatures are at their most pleasant, but in winter and summer the weather is extreme; it gets freezing cold and scorching hot respectively! If you decide to travel in winter, keep in mind that many domestic flights don't take off and many restaurants are closed.

Best time to visit Turkmenistan: Köneürgenç

To go on a historical discovery tour and visit the most important historical site of Turkmenistan, the city of Köneürgenç, is the time between April and June and from November to December. The city belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the center of Islam in the 12th century. Today you can still marvel at many of the ancient ruins.

Best time to visit Turkmenistan: Discover the country on horseback

The magnificent Achal-Tekkiner is the pride of the Turkmen and the symbolic horse of the country. An exit on the back of the horses is thus part of every Turkmenistan trip and is a very authentic experience. Even those who are sitting on a horse for the first time can take part in one of the guided rides. To avoid the winter cold and the summer heat, the months from April to June and November to December.

Best time to visit Turkmenistan: Karakorum Desert

The desert is the hottest in Central Asia and you will be amazed by the seemingly endless expanse of sand dunes. Here is also the famous gas crater of Derweze, which is a real tourist attraction under the name "Door to Hell". Even though this area seems uninhabitable, there are still some villages with friendly locals. For a trip to the desert, the months April to June and November and December are most worthwhile. In April, the desert blooms for a short time and the monotonous landscape explodes in ochre, red, orange and yellow.

A journey to the underground lake of Köw Ata

The underground lake is an absolute highlight on every trip to Turkmenistan, which is why you should definitely not skip the destination. You have to descend 60 meters into the depths of the grotto. It's not an easy walk, but the sight of the underground lake, where you can even bathe, is well worth it. The best way to get there is from April to June or here in November and December.

Did the weather of Turkmenistan convince you and are you curious to discover more of the country? If you are looking for a good mix of city, culture and nature, then our Group travel definitely something for you. With us you can learn about the traditions and ways of life in Turkmenistan for yourself and experience breathtaking adventures. Learn here more about the national parks in Turkmenistan.