The participants of Amul – Hazar 2018 rally have reached the last 4th camping site named «Sport Meýdançasy».
The fourth leg of the racers was not that difficult for the participants, however , it was very emotional as the previous one. Harry Hunter and Wouter Rosgaar have returned to leading position, having moved Hani Roma and Aleks Haro to the second position. Belarusian MAZ of Sergey Vyazovich is on the third place – heavy track finished 1.5 minute behind Spanish MINI.
Upon arrival to the camp, the racers were greeted by national choreographic and music ensembles. After the dinner, the guests were able to see natural attractions of Balkan Velayat and discover the beauties and obstacles on their way to Avaza.
Balkan Velayat is the largest region in Turkmenistan. The biggest part of its territory is occupied by Karakum Desert. There are sand dunes and salt pits, clay and wormwood parts of the desert. This lands have wonderful monuments of the world history. Dehistan, the largest centre of ancient culture of Central Asian in downstream of Atrek river, is one of them. Archaeological findings made in this territory prove that irrigated farming was developed in this place in the III BC and that it was the main activity of local residents. Amudarya River was the main source of water. However, the river has changed its course and only 500 kilometres of dry riverbed of the Uzboy from Sarykamysh Trough to Caspian Sea have remained. The flow of water has stopped in the middle of I BC but one of the branches of the Silk Road – caravan route connecting the East and the West, used to run along dry riverbed for long time. The remains of caravansaries dated X – XIII centuries are discovered on the banks of Uzboy River.
The unique city of Dehistan is represented by picturesque towers of ancient settlements, its monuments dated by X – XII centuries as well as by the mosque of early Islamic period in Mashat graveyard. Once upon a time, the city was developed mediaeval centre on the caravan route between Khoresm and Hyrcania.
Dehistan is the most important mediaeval oasis in the southwestern part of Turkmenistan. The city of Misrian (Misr or Messorian), which reached its highest development during the Khoresm shakhs, was located in these lands in VIII – XIV centuries. Numerous ruins of various facilities remained until our days indicate its former magnificence.
Several caravansaries located around the settlements behind the fortress wall pointed at the location of the city gates, which in the turn show the directions of caravan routes from the city. The city remained until our days almost destroyed and majority of its buildings are covered with desert sand, however, taking into account that this is exactly the place where famous poem of Firdausi ‘Shahname’ was written in this place, the city represents special historical and cultural value.
Gozly-Ata Mausoleum is also known around the world. It is located 157 km away from Turkmenbashy in picturesque place surrounded by pink, greenish, reddish rocks of wonderful shape and beauty.
Natural attractions of Balkan Velayat are also interesting. Its western part is occupied by seaside lowlands bordered by the mountain ranges of Big and Small Balhans and western spurs of Kopetdag Mountains on the east. Wonderful natural places – the Yangikala canyons, are located in the northwest of the region. From Turkmen language, ‘yangikala’ is translated as fire fortress. The canyons received such name foe red colours prevailing in the rocks. Depending of the time of the day and lighting, the colour of the mountains changes in front of the eyes from cold blue in the early morning gloom to all shades of red blazing in the dusk.
The canyons represent unbelievable beautiful picture. Once upon a time, there were the waters of ancient sea. The sea has gone, having exposed sharp banks and huge hills. Waves, winds and rains created fantastic castles, towers and walls there. The bottom of the canyons is flat and stretches for hundred kilometres.
Kemal-Ata is another wonderful place. It has a spring where the shepherds bring the flocks of sheep and camels for drinking. The walls of the canyon are decorated with elipse and round stones looking like dinosaurs’ eggs.
Around 30 mud volcanos Aligul, Boyadag, Gyokpatlawuk, Boiling Hill and other are located nearby. They all have various shapes and periodically erupt the mixture of mud, gases, water and oil to surface.
Balkan Velayat also plays leading role in industrial development of turkmensitan where processing of natural reserves based on modern technologies is diversified, projects in petrochemical, chemical, oil production industries are implemented.
The participants of the race will reach the coast of Caspian sea and cross finish line in Avaza National tourist zone on September 15. Grandiose eco rally raid Amul – Hazar 2018 will finish at the central square of the resort. The winners will receive the awards and prizes. The rest of the racers will also get memorable gifts and certificates of the participants of Turkmen Desert Race.
The fourth leg of the racers was not that difficult for the participants, however , it was very emotional as the previous one. Harry Hunter and Wouter Rosgaar have returned to leading position, having moved Hani Roma and Aleks Haro to the second position. Belarusian MAZ of Sergey Vyazovich is on the third place – heavy track finished 1.5 minute behind Spanish MINI.
Upon arrival to the camp, the racers were greeted by national choreographic and music ensembles. After the dinner, the guests were able to see natural attractions of Balkan Velayat and discover the beauties and obstacles on their way to Avaza.
Balkan Velayat is the largest region in Turkmenistan. The biggest part of its territory is occupied by Karakum Desert. There are sand dunes and salt pits, clay and wormwood parts of the desert. This lands have wonderful monuments of the world history. Dehistan, the largest centre of ancient culture of Central Asian in downstream of Atrek river, is one of them. Archaeological findings made in this territory prove that irrigated farming was developed in this place in the III BC and that it was the main activity of local residents. Amudarya River was the main source of water. However, the river has changed its course and only 500 kilometres of dry riverbed of the Uzboy from Sarykamysh Trough to Caspian Sea have remained. The flow of water has stopped in the middle of I BC but one of the branches of the Silk Road – caravan route connecting the East and the West, used to run along dry riverbed for long time. The remains of caravansaries dated X – XIII centuries are discovered on the banks of Uzboy River.
The unique city of Dehistan is represented by picturesque towers of ancient settlements, its monuments dated by X – XII centuries as well as by the mosque of early Islamic period in Mashat graveyard. Once upon a time, the city was developed mediaeval centre on the caravan route between Khoresm and Hyrcania.
Dehistan is the most important mediaeval oasis in the southwestern part of Turkmenistan. The city of Misrian (Misr or Messorian), which reached its highest development during the Khoresm shakhs, was located in these lands in VIII – XIV centuries. Numerous ruins of various facilities remained until our days indicate its former magnificence.
Several caravansaries located around the settlements behind the fortress wall pointed at the location of the city gates, which in the turn show the directions of caravan routes from the city. The city remained until our days almost destroyed and majority of its buildings are covered with desert sand, however, taking into account that this is exactly the place where famous poem of Firdausi ‘Shahname’ was written in this place, the city represents special historical and cultural value.
Gozly-Ata Mausoleum is also known around the world. It is located 157 km away from Turkmenbashy in picturesque place surrounded by pink, greenish, reddish rocks of wonderful shape and beauty.
Natural attractions of Balkan Velayat are also interesting. Its western part is occupied by seaside lowlands bordered by the mountain ranges of Big and Small Balhans and western spurs of Kopetdag Mountains on the east. Wonderful natural places – the Yangikala canyons, are located in the northwest of the region. From Turkmen language, ‘yangikala’ is translated as fire fortress. The canyons received such name foe red colours prevailing in the rocks. Depending of the time of the day and lighting, the colour of the mountains changes in front of the eyes from cold blue in the early morning gloom to all shades of red blazing in the dusk.
The canyons represent unbelievable beautiful picture. Once upon a time, there were the waters of ancient sea. The sea has gone, having exposed sharp banks and huge hills. Waves, winds and rains created fantastic castles, towers and walls there. The bottom of the canyons is flat and stretches for hundred kilometres.
Kemal-Ata is another wonderful place. It has a spring where the shepherds bring the flocks of sheep and camels for drinking. The walls of the canyon are decorated with elipse and round stones looking like dinosaurs’ eggs.
Around 30 mud volcanos Aligul, Boyadag, Gyokpatlawuk, Boiling Hill and other are located nearby. They all have various shapes and periodically erupt the mixture of mud, gases, water and oil to surface.
Balkan Velayat also plays leading role in industrial development of turkmensitan where processing of natural reserves based on modern technologies is diversified, projects in petrochemical, chemical, oil production industries are implemented.
The participants of the race will reach the coast of Caspian sea and cross finish line in Avaza National tourist zone on September 15. Grandiose eco rally raid Amul – Hazar 2018 will finish at the central square of the resort. The winners will receive the awards and prizes. The rest of the racers will also get memorable gifts and certificates of the participants of Turkmen Desert Race.