Set off on an exhilarating 3-day Darvaza Gas Crater group tour. Witness the surreal flames of the crater, known as the "Door to Hell," while enjoying a night of desert camping. Explore the white-marble city of Ashgabat, home to impressive mosques, grand monuments, and vibrant culture. Conclude your adventure in the ancient city of Merv, where the echoes of the Silk Road's rich history await. This group tour offers a perfect blend of breathtaking sights and shared experiences.
Our group tour offers a unique and enriching experience, from ancient Silk Road cities to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. But the real magic happens when you connect with incredible people from around the world. Share stories, create lasting memories, and build friendships that make the journey truly special. Join us and discover your next great adventure!
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.
After early breakfast drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 4hrs), visits mud and water craters on the way. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, start a sightseeing tour. Visit to Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, National Museum, Nissa (UNESCO) and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Early in the morning transfer to the airport to take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others.
In the afternoon depart to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point Farap-Alat (290 km, 5 h 30 min). Lunch at local café on the road. Upon arrival at the border, complete the border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver on the Uzbekistan side and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrive in Bukhara. End of 3-day Darvaza Gas Crater group tour.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
In the afternoon depart to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point Farap-Alat (290 km, 5 h 30 min). Lunch at local café on the road. Upon arrival at the border, complete the border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver on the Uzbekistan side and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrive in Bukhara. End of 3-day Darvaza Gas Crater group tour.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Price includes:
- All transfers;
- Sightseeing tour program with an English-speaking guide;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Camp style dinner and breakfast at Darvaza crater;
- Economy class air ticket Ashgabat-Mary;
- 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);
- Tourist fee per night, charged at Ashgabat hotels at departure 2 USD per person per night (obligatory);
- Full board;
- Tips for local driver and/or guide;
- Single supplement: 85 USD (for a single occupancy in the yurt and hotel);
- Travel insurance.
Dates & Prices, per person
2026
2027
Single supplement: US$ 85
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
Shared tents / optional single accommodation in tents upon request
Tour Enquiry
Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour Reviews
Author: Elsa A | Rating: 5Visited: October 2025
Interesting; better than expected; great guides and drivers, absolutely awful roads. I had 3 impressive young guides - Guvanch (border crossing and crater); Eziz (Ashgabat); Gulshat (Merv and border crossing). Impressive English language skills by all three very likeable guides. Thanks to Eziz I got to see the Turkmenistan horses and have a delicious lunch at the stables courtesy of the hospitable owner. I wished I had planned another day with Eziz. He is an excellent guide and the roads around Ashgabat are world class. My drivers did a fantastic job navigating the awful roads. However, the 15 or so hours I spent on those dreadful roads is not something I would want to repeat.
Author: Philip P | Rating: 5Visited: September 2025
We had a fabulous three day trip around Turkmenistan. It was absolutely a trip we will never forget...for all the right reasons. The drivers were outstanding, especially given the condition of the roads outside of the major towns. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout. We felt welcomed by everyone we met in Turkmenistan and extremely safe at all times. Organisation and communication before and during the trip was excellent.
Author: Tak Ming W | Rating: 5Visited: September 2025
Overall was great, tour guide helped us to go through all the visa process on the Turkmenistan side. Good transportation and food, nice hotel in Ashgabat. Highly recommended. But I suggest that the pick up time on the first day should change to 0730 instead of 0830 because it was very crowded in the border and by the time we finished our pre-entry process the border staffs went to lunch and we had to wait them to come back and let us go through the border, and we took like 4 hours at the border (10am to 2pm). Also it would be a good idea if the tour could avoid passing the border on Friday or weekend to avoid crowd.
Author: Kerri Picton Robinson | Rating: 5Visited: September 2025
Travelled care of Advantour to Turkmenistan for a three day trip.
Fantastic experience with super tour guides and extremely experienced drivers, who navigated the rather poor road conditions out of the major towns with ease.
We felt extremely welcomed by all we met on our travels and never felt anything other than 100% safe, including when exploring Ashgabat independently.
Communications were exemplary before and during our trip.
An experience to remember!!
Fantastic experience with super tour guides and extremely experienced drivers, who navigated the rather poor road conditions out of the major towns with ease.
We felt extremely welcomed by all we met on our travels and never felt anything other than 100% safe, including when exploring Ashgabat independently.
Communications were exemplary before and during our trip.
An experience to remember!!
Author: Matias | Rating: 5Visited: July 2025
I had an amazing time in Turkmenistan. Everything was set up perfectly - the guides, itinerary, accommodation, meals, and excursions were all fantastic. I didn’t know what to expect before coming to the country, and I was genuinely blown away by the level of service we received throughout our entire time there.
Everything was well-organized and punctual, and we were made to feel as comfortable as possible during all the different activities. There was never a shortage of exciting things to see, places to go, and things to do. I would definitely love to come back to Turkmenistan in the future.
I really appreciate all your help and effort in organizing such a great tour and for making it such a memorable experience. Visiting Turkmenistan has truly been one of the highlights of my travels - it’s one of the most special countries I’ve ever been to.
Everything was well-organized and punctual, and we were made to feel as comfortable as possible during all the different activities. There was never a shortage of exciting things to see, places to go, and things to do. I would definitely love to come back to Turkmenistan in the future.
I really appreciate all your help and effort in organizing such a great tour and for making it such a memorable experience. Visiting Turkmenistan has truly been one of the highlights of my travels - it’s one of the most special countries I’ve ever been to.
