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 Kunya-Urgench, the site of an amazing architectural reserve and the former capital of the Khorezm Empire, and then to the Darvaza Gas Crater, a natural gas burnoff in the Karakum Desert. Share a night in the desert and a meal cooked over a fire with new friends as you travel with like-minded people from around the world.
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.
Participants should be in good health, comfortable walking 4-6 hours daily at a moderate pace, managing stairs and short ascents. Rest assured, we'll ensure plenty of breaks to enjoy the journey together.
Tour itinerary:
At 08:30 drive from Khiva to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Upon arrival border formalities. After the customs and passport control at both checkpoints, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Meet your Turkmenistan guide and drive to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert (270 km, 4 h.). Set up the camp. Enjoy a view of the sunset with the delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Meals: dinner
Meals: dinner
After camp style breakfast, drive to Kunya-Urgench (UNESCO) (370 km, 5 h.), explore historical park with Kutlug Timur minaret, Mausoleum Tyurabek-Khanym, Mausoleum Tekesh, Mausoleum Il Arslan, Caravansaray gateway and etc. Lunch at local café. After lunch transfer to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point Dashoguz-Shavat. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your driver and continue to Khiva (60 km, 1 h.). End of the tour service.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Meals: breakfast, lunch
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;
- Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, dining table, chairs);
- Camp style dinner and breakfast at Darvaza crater;
- Lunch in Kunya-Urgench
- Tour leader to accompany travelers for the whole period of the tour in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- PCR express test – 33$ (subject to change);
- Turkmenistan migration tax - 14 USD;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Travel insurance.
Dates & Prices, per person
2025
Fri, 23 May - Sat, 24 May
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 30 May - Sat, 31 May
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 13 Jun - Sat, 14 Jun
Sold out
US$ 530
2026
Single supplement: US$ 30
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.
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Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour Reviews
Author: Rafa | Rating: 516 August 2023
I want to express my satisfaction with the excursion to Darvaza and the visit to Turkmenistan in general. Awesome places and a professional guide (Dovran) and driver. everything was easy. An unforgettable trip with a nice company (Stephanie)
I'll recommand advantour and you.
Thanks a lot
Visited June 2023
I'll recommand advantour and you.
Thanks a lot
Visited June 2023
Author: Anna | Rating: 525 May 2019
The good things about this tour are a great guide, a gas crater and a beautiful campsite.
You can sleep in a well-built tent (Yuruta) .There is also an outlet. Electricity will stop at midnight.
The toilet is new, beautiful and comfortable.
It was a wonderful experience.
Visited April 2019
You can sleep in a well-built tent (Yuruta) .There is also an outlet. Electricity will stop at midnight.
The toilet is new, beautiful and comfortable.
It was a wonderful experience.
Visited April 2019
Author: Maki | Rating: 521 May 2019
I had a very greatfulful time at Darvaza Gas Crater with participants in the same tour.
Gas Crater was beyond my imagination.
I was surprised at new and clean Campsite that it has toilet and shower.
Sleeping in “Yuruta” was also great experience for me.
Visited May 2019
Gas Crater was beyond my imagination.
I was surprised at new and clean Campsite that it has toilet and shower.
Sleeping in “Yuruta” was also great experience for me.
Visited May 2019
Author: Akiko | Rating: 514 May 2019
Nikita is a wonderful guide. His English is perfect and easy to understand. I could know about Turkmenistan more than I expected! And I would like to visit Turkmenistan, again.
Visited April 2019
Visited April 2019
