Kow Ata Underground Lake
Köw Ata
A natural underground hot spring lake deep in a cave at the foot of Kopet Dag, with water temperatures above 30°C year-round. Visitors can swim inside the cavern.
Kow Ata (meaning Father of Caves) lies near Bakharden, about 100 km west of Ashgabat. Steps about 60 metres long lead down into the depths of a karst cave, where a sulphur- and mineral-rich underground thermal lake lies. Its water stays around 33 to 37°C year-round and has a blue-green colour. Visitors can swim, and there are changing facilities inside the cave, though it is hot, humid and smells of sulphur. Tickets are bought on site. It is usually visited as a day trip from Ashgabat and can be combined with Geok Tepe Fortress. People with cardiovascular conditions should think twice before entering.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Gökdepe Fortress & Mosque
- Nokhur
- Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
- Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque
- Walk of Health
- Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural Park
- Turkmenistan Tower
- Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex