Koitendag etrap is wonderful land of deep gorges, mysterious caves, transparent springs and green valleys, which natural sights and sacral objects excite enormous interest of many travelers.
Richest world of flora and fauna of Koitendag, unrepeatable beauty of its natural landscapes and unique monuments of antiquity are main preconditions for turning this region into one of the largest international tourist centers.
To date, nearly 1000 species of plants, about 120 kinds of birds and 40 species of mammals have been registered in Koitendag State Nature Reserve. Seasonal calculation of protected animals showed that total number of markhoors and wild rams increased and came to nearly 1200.
The list of unique but insufficiently studied sights of the land – sacral objects, shady canyons and waterfalls will be replenished with over 30 archeological monuments belonging to various historical epochs as well as beautiful world of underground karstic caves, which keep unique “collections” of natural minerals.
The specialists of nature reserve work out theoretically measures aimed at preservation of wild nature of the land. The matter is not only about protection of fauna and richest flora of mountain terrain. Here, it is demanded the systematic approach to the realization of a whole spectrum of tasks set before specialists- natural historians: from explanatory work with population till accomplishment of places for visit of tourists and creation of tourist infrastructure.
Such natural monuments as “Plateau of dinosaurs” near Hojapil settlement, Umbar-dere waterfall, and majestic Kyrkgyz grotto, grove of relict unabi trees, beautiful caves and chasms of the western slope of Koytendag possess particular attractiveness for tourists and able to cover the expenses.
In the nearest years, three-star hotel will be constructed in Koyten settlement, and construction of the ropeway, which allows the tourists ascending the plateau to familiarize with petrified traces of dinosaurs, will be started in Hojapil wildlife preserve. It is planned the construction of balneological sanatorium in Gaynar-baba Lake, which is known by its wonderful hydrosulphuric spring.
It is expected the construction of three tourist campsites. One of campsites, which will be situated near one of most beautiful mountain canyons Daray-dere, will be intended for alpinists. In Koytendag mountain range, having diverse mountain landscape: the highest spot of the country – mountain peak Ayry-baba with the height of 3137 meters, canyons with vertical walls, raising up to 300-400 meters – Daray-dere, Hojachilgaz, Katta-king and others, as well as Garlyk system of caves attracting the tourists with unusual beauty of inner decoration, it is possible to organize a lot of routes for alpinists, rock climbers and speleologists.
However, Koytendag etrap has a large potential not only for organization of ecological tourism and mountaineering. Local population of the land also possesses very rich and interesting cultural heritage. Therefore, in future, there is an opportunity for organization of ethno-tourism.
Since last year, it is regularly held here the international scientific expeditions, being organized by the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO jointly with the staff of nature reserve, Institute of Botany of Turkmenistan’s Academy of Sciences, specialists of the Ministry of Nature Protection of the country and State Committee for tourism of Turkmenistan. In the course of these joint international scientific expeditions, it is accumulated the scientific materials, which will be used wile preparation of nomination record for inclusion of Koytendag State Nature Reserve into the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Richest world of flora and fauna of Koitendag, unrepeatable beauty of its natural landscapes and unique monuments of antiquity are main preconditions for turning this region into one of the largest international tourist centers.
To date, nearly 1000 species of plants, about 120 kinds of birds and 40 species of mammals have been registered in Koitendag State Nature Reserve. Seasonal calculation of protected animals showed that total number of markhoors and wild rams increased and came to nearly 1200.
The list of unique but insufficiently studied sights of the land – sacral objects, shady canyons and waterfalls will be replenished with over 30 archeological monuments belonging to various historical epochs as well as beautiful world of underground karstic caves, which keep unique “collections” of natural minerals.
The specialists of nature reserve work out theoretically measures aimed at preservation of wild nature of the land. The matter is not only about protection of fauna and richest flora of mountain terrain. Here, it is demanded the systematic approach to the realization of a whole spectrum of tasks set before specialists- natural historians: from explanatory work with population till accomplishment of places for visit of tourists and creation of tourist infrastructure.
Such natural monuments as “Plateau of dinosaurs” near Hojapil settlement, Umbar-dere waterfall, and majestic Kyrkgyz grotto, grove of relict unabi trees, beautiful caves and chasms of the western slope of Koytendag possess particular attractiveness for tourists and able to cover the expenses.
In the nearest years, three-star hotel will be constructed in Koyten settlement, and construction of the ropeway, which allows the tourists ascending the plateau to familiarize with petrified traces of dinosaurs, will be started in Hojapil wildlife preserve. It is planned the construction of balneological sanatorium in Gaynar-baba Lake, which is known by its wonderful hydrosulphuric spring.
It is expected the construction of three tourist campsites. One of campsites, which will be situated near one of most beautiful mountain canyons Daray-dere, will be intended for alpinists. In Koytendag mountain range, having diverse mountain landscape: the highest spot of the country – mountain peak Ayry-baba with the height of 3137 meters, canyons with vertical walls, raising up to 300-400 meters – Daray-dere, Hojachilgaz, Katta-king and others, as well as Garlyk system of caves attracting the tourists with unusual beauty of inner decoration, it is possible to organize a lot of routes for alpinists, rock climbers and speleologists.
However, Koytendag etrap has a large potential not only for organization of ecological tourism and mountaineering. Local population of the land also possesses very rich and interesting cultural heritage. Therefore, in future, there is an opportunity for organization of ethno-tourism.
Since last year, it is regularly held here the international scientific expeditions, being organized by the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO jointly with the staff of nature reserve, Institute of Botany of Turkmenistan’s Academy of Sciences, specialists of the Ministry of Nature Protection of the country and State Committee for tourism of Turkmenistan. In the course of these joint international scientific expeditions, it is accumulated the scientific materials, which will be used wile preparation of nomination record for inclusion of Koytendag State Nature Reserve into the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
