The Koytendag Valley, located in the remote southeastern corner of Turkmenistan, is a land of dramatic natural wonders and deep-rooted legends. As part of the wider Koytendag Nature Reserve, this region is a world away from the desert landscapes that dominate much of the country. It is a rugged, mountainous area of spectacular gorges, verdant canyons, unique geological formations, and a rich biodiversity that includes rare species. The valley is home to some of Turkmenistan’s most famous natural and historical sites, including the world-renowned Dinosaur Plateau, with its preserved fossilized footprints, and the sacred, mysterious Kyrk Gyz Cave.

Featured Wonder: Kyrk Gyz Cave

Kyrk Gyz (also spelled Kirk Kiz), meaning “Forty Girls” in Turkmen, is one of Turkmenistan’s most revered and legendary natural sanctuaries. Located in a spectacular gorge within the remote Koytendag Mountains in the country’s far southeast, this site is more of a large grotto than a deep cave. It is a place of immense spiritual significance and pilgrimage, famous for the powerful legend of forty maidens who sought refuge within its walls. The cave’s most striking feature is its ceiling, adorned with thousands of colorful ribbons attached with mud, each representing a wish made by a pilgrim. It is a unique and atmospheric blend of natural beauty, folklore, and living tradition.

Name and Address

• Name: Kyrk Gyz Cave (“Forty Girls Cave”).
• Address: Located in the Koytendag (Kugitang) Mountains, near the village of Khojapil, Lebap Province, in southeastern Turkmenistan, close to the border with Uzbekistan. It is part of the Koytendag Nature Reserve.

How to Get There

Reaching Kyrk Gyz Cave is an adventure into one of Turkmenistan’s most remote and beautiful regions.

• Starting Point: The journey typically starts from the city of Turkmenabat, the regional capital.
• By 4×4 Vehicle (Essential): The Koytendag region is rugged and mountainous. A sturdy 4×4 vehicle with an experienced local driver is necessary to navigate the difficult roads. The drive from Turkmenabat can take a full day.
• Guided Tours: The most practical way to visit is through a guided tour. Tour operators can arrange all necessary transportation, permits for the nature reserve, and often combine the visit with other nearby attractions like the Dinosaur Plateau and Umbar Dere Waterfall.
• Visitor Tip: The site is remote with no tourist facilities. All supplies, including food and water, must be brought with you. The journey is long, and an overnight stay in a local guesthouse or camp is usually required.

Landscape and Architecture

The landscape is a dramatic mountain gorge, and the “architecture” is a natural grotto transformed by centuries of human tradition.

• The Koytendag Mountains: The cave is set within a beautiful, verdant canyon carved into the Koytendag mountain range. The gorge walls can reach up to 200 meters high, creating a dramatic and enclosed atmosphere. A small stream flows along the canyon floor.
• The Grotto: The main site is a large, open grotto or overhang at the base of a cliff. The interior is a single large chamber, not a deep cave system, although a small, deeper cave extends about 10 meters in one corner.
• The “Wishing Ribbons”: The most iconic man-made feature is the ceiling of the grotto. It is covered with thousands of hanging strips of colored cloth, each attached to a small lump of clay. Pilgrims throw these mud-and-cloth bundles at the ceiling, believing that if it sticks, their wish will be granted.
• Natural Pools and Sacred Atmosphere: Small pools of mountain water collect within the grotto, which is considered holy. The combination of the echoing space, the stream, the hanging ribbons, and the local legends creates a powerful and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

What Makes It Famous

Kyrk Gyz Cave is famous for its captivating legend and the unique pilgrimage ritual that has turned it into a living work of folk art.

• The Legend of the Forty Girls: The cave’s name and fame come from the legend of forty beautiful maidens who hid here to escape invading armies (or bandits). When the enemies discovered their hiding place, the girls prayed for salvation. The mountain answered their prayers, either by closing the cave to hide them forever or by turning them into angels who flew away to safety. The site is now revered as a symbol of purity, faith, and hope.
• A Place of Pilgrimage and Wishes: It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan, particularly for women seeking blessings or the fulfillment of wishes (especially for motherhood). The unique ritual of throwing wishing ribbons to the ceiling is the central activity for visitors.
• A Symbol of Faith and Hope: The story of the forty maidens has made the cave a powerful symbol of faith and hope for the Turkmen people.

Differences from Other Wonders

Kyrk Gyz Cave offers a unique blend of nature and living tradition that sets it apart from other sites in Turkmenistan.

• A Living Spiritual Site vs. an Archaeological Ruin: Unlike the ancient ruins of Merv or Old Nisa, which are archaeological sites representing past civilizations, Kyrk Gyz is a living, active place of pilgrimage. Its significance is rooted in folklore and ongoing spiritual practice, not just historical archaeology.
• Natural Grotto vs. Man-Made Crater: The experience at Kyrk Gyz is one of interacting with a sacred natural place that has been embellished by human tradition. This is a stark contrast to the Darvaza Gas Crater, a man-made industrial accident that has become an awe-inspiring, almost infernal, spectacle. Kyrk Gyz is serene and spiritual, while Darvaza is raw and elemental.
• A Legendary Cave vs. a Feudal Fortress: While the Kyrk Gyz Fortress near Termez, Uzbekistan, shares the same “Forty Girls” name and a similar legend of warrior-women, it is a completely different type of site. The fortress is a man-made architectural ruin, while the cave is a natural grotto. The fortress’s legend is about defiance and battle, while the cave’s legend is about miraculous salvation and faith.