Lunar Mountains in Sumbar Valley

Perhaps it is difficult to find a person who has never thought or wished for going on a space journey, taking a few steps on an unfamiliar planet. In ancient times, this wish could only be realized by cosmonauts or astronauts, and today by space travelers as well. However, these chances are given only to few people. In order to admire and realize that wish, the lunar landscapes, it is not necessary to leave the Earth. It is enough to come to western Turkmenistan and visit the Sumbar valley in the Syunt-Khasardag reserve. From the north, the Sumbar valley is protected by the Syunt, Hasardag and Issak mountains, from the south by the low Montjukly Mountains and is on a unique subtropical zone. If you look at the surroundings from the top of the Karaelchi ridge, you can see that the entire area is completely covered with hills. But perhaps the most interesting view of this landscape is the so-called Lunar Mountains. "Lunar mountains" - a fantastic threshold of the Sumbar valley, where the town of Makhtumkuli (Kara-Kala) stretches between the ridges of the Kopetdag. Those are small hills, from one to eight meters in height, containing a very large amount of salt deposits and therefore devoid of vegetation.

A traveler may really think that he/she is on the moon or on some mysterious planet due to the unusual landscape. These mountains look extremely amazing: they have rounded, swollen shapes, pinkish-cream or gray, almost white colors, which creates a rainbow after the rain depending on the humidity level.

"Lunar landscape" resembles to the paintings of Nicholas Roerich: a yellow hill, behind it gray hills, above them a more distant strip of Blue Mountains, then above the mountains a strip of white fog, and above it - a blue sky. If you want to see space on Earth, then Lunar mountains with outstanding landscape will the best choice. Moreover, Makhtumkuli (Kara-Kala) is famous for its beauty, cool weather and delicious pomegranates. You should definitely try these juicy, red fruits.

Lunar mountains

 

Interesting view of this landscape