Kugitang is the most impressive and pristine of Turkmenistan's nature reserves. Set up in 1986 to protect the Kugitang Mountain Range, its unique ecosystem and in particular the rare markhor mountain goat, it includes the nation's highest peak, several huge canyons, rich forests, mountain streams, caves and the unique Dinosaur Plateau.
Dinosaur Plateau is presumed to be the bottom of a lake that dried up, leaving dinosaur prints baking in the sun, after which a volcanic eruption sealed them in lava. Visiting the Karlyuk Caves is equally impressive. You'll need to arrange a special permit from a travel agency in order to visit here.
