Yangykala canyon

Yangykala Canyon is a stunning sight and one of the most thrilling natural attractions in Turkmenistan. The canyon consists of a line of red and yellow rocks across the sides of the valley. Yangykala canyon was formed of limestone 5,5 million years ago by the disappearing Tethys sea and when the Amu Darya used to flow into the Caspian Sea instead of the Aral Sea. Canyons and cliffs slash for 25 km towards the Garagogazgol basin and lie approximately 165 km north of Balkanabat and about 160 km east of Turkmenbashi, making it relatively easy logistically to visit the canyon between the two cities.

These ruly magnificent canyons extend in the desert and are apparently not a popular place among locals. You can stay here for a night with your camping equipment on the plateau above the canyon, although it can get windy there. Walking a few minutes leads you to the “Crocodile’s Mouth” a point of two horizontal extensions that looks like catching jaws, that extends out above the canyon floor. Reaching the top you take majestic pictures, however, you must particularly careful here as one wrong step can lead to some serious consequences. 

To get here you definitely need off-road car for the desert. At least two 4×4 vehicles, experienced off-road drivers and plenty of spare petrol and water are important measures. The road here is pretty bumpy and it takes about 4 hours to get there and the same 4 hours back. The roadside is surpassingly beautiful and interesting. The best time of the day to get there is before sunrise so you can escape the heat or arrive in the evening and overnight there. The Yangykala sights resemble some of the sights in Mangustay, in Kazakhstan, which is also located at the old sea bottom near the Caspian Sea.