Yangykala Canyon

The canyon walls are layers of sediment left by a sea that covered this region millions of years ago. Wind and water have carved them into ridges and towers that change color through the day, from pale pink in the morning to deep red at sunset. There are no railings and no visitor center, and often no other visitors either.

We drive between several viewpoints on the rim and take short walks along the edge. The way in is a dirt track, so we use an off-road vehicle.

Yangykala is about 16
  from Turkmenbashi on the Caspian coast and far from Ashgabat, so it is part of our 5- and 7-day tours. We spend a night in Turkmenbashi or fly there from Ashgabat to save a day of driving. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Summer is very hot, and there is no shade.