If you’re planning on traveling to Uzbekistan, extend your travels by adding a trip to Turkmenistan. The 2-day Darvaza Gas Crater group tour takes you over the border from Khiva, first to the Darvaza Gas Crater – a surreal natural gas burnoff in the heart of the Karakum Desert – where you'll spend the night under the stars and enjoy a fire-cooked meal with fellow travelers. Travel with like-minded people from around the world and share unforgettable moments along the way. For even more travel ideas in Central Asia, be sure to check out our wide range of Turkmenistan tours.
If you're travelling alone or just with a few friends or family members, we encourage you to join our Turkmenistan Small Group Tour. This is because travelling as part of a larger group increases the likelihood of you being granted a visa for Turkmenistan.
Tour itinerary:
Meeting point: 08:30 am in front of Itchan Kala West Gate, Ata Darvaza (Google Maps location). Your driver will be waiting with a “Darvaza Group Tour” sign.
Drive from Khiva to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1 km neutral zone. Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point your Turkmenistan guide will be waiting for you with the sign with your name.Transfer to have a light lunch at local café before starting your drive by the bumpy road to Darvaza gas crater (Door to Hell) located in the middle of Karakum desert (270 km*, 4 h.). Arrival at the camp. Enjoy a view of the sunset near the burning gas crater. Have a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner at the camp. Overnight in a shared yurt**.
Meals: dinner
Note: *We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
**At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Meals: breakfast
Price includes:
- All transfers;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Accommodation at 2 pax shared yurt;
- Camp style dinner and breakfast at Darvaza crater;
- English speaking tour leader to escort travelers for the whole period of the tour in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (approx. 80 USD), migration tax (14 USD) and express PCR test (33 USD);
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Lunch;
- Travel insurance;
- Single supplement: 55 USD (for a single occupancy in the yurt).
Dates & Prices, per person
100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.
Group size: 1-14 persons
Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
We strongly recommend NOT to purchase airline tickets for 2026 tours without discussing it with your travel consultant.
Accommodation
Tour Enquiry
Important notes:
- Visa required. We will need to apply for your Letter of Invitation (LOI) in advance. The Turkmenistan visa can be obtained at the border upon arrival, based on the approved LOI.
- If you need to obtain an Uzbekistan visa, it should be a multiple-entry e-visa.
