Spot a wild camel

Magnificent camels roam around the ruins of Ancient Merv. Try to spot them on the way between the ruins and see these animals in their natural habitat.

Camels were likely domesticated in Turkmenistan during the Bronze Age. – © AlexelA / Shutterstock

Although heritage may be the focus of a visit to Ancient Merv, there are also some wonderful natural experiences here. One of them is seeing the wild camels that live in the sandy landscapes.

At first glance, the region's deserts may seem rather inhospitable for life, but there are actually dozens of species that live in the extreme environments, with a rich ecosystem to discover. The most obvious example of this for most visitors will be the camels, that roam the grounds around Merv.

While many camels have been domesticated, thousands of wild camels still roam Turkmenistan. © Sids / Shutterstock

Even if you have seen camels before, it's less common to spot them in the wild like this. It's a very different experience to taking domesticated camel rides at the beach or in the desert, which tourists often do. Here, any interactions you have with the animals are completely natural.

You can spot wild camels anywhere around the cultural park. Interacting with them is not forbidden, but you should be aware that they are not domesticated and can react in abrupt ways. Also, remember not to feed them or try to ride them as it can result in serious injuries.