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. The next day, continue to Kunya-Urgench, home to a remarkable architectural reserve and once the capital of the Khorezm Empire. Travel with like-minded people from around the world and share unforgettable moments along the way.
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.
Day 1: Khiva – Darvaza gas crater
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
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.
Day 2: Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Khiva
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
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 (approx. 80 USD);
- PCR express test – 33 USD (subject to change);
- Turkmenistan migration tax - 14 USD;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Travel insurance.
Dates & Prices, per person
2025
Fri, 15 Aug - Sat, 16 Aug
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 22 Aug - Sat, 23 Aug
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 12 Sep - Sat, 13 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 19 Sep - Sat, 20 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 3 Oct - Sat, 4 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 17 Oct - Sat, 18 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 24 Oct - Sat, 25 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 31 Oct - Sat, 1 Nov
Available
US$ 530
2026
Sat, 25 Apr - Sun, 26 Apr
Available
US$ 530
Sun, 26 Apr - Mon, 27 Apr
Available
US$ 530
Thu, 30 Apr - Fri, 1 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 1 May - Sat, 2 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 8 May - Sat, 9 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 22 May - Sat, 23 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 29 May - Sat, 30 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 12 Jun - Sat, 13 Jun
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 26 Jun - Sat, 27 Jun
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 24 Jul - Sat, 25 Jul
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 14 Aug - Sat, 15 Aug
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 21 Aug - Sat, 22 Aug
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 11 Sep - Sat, 12 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 18 Sep - Sat, 19 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 2 Oct - Sat, 3 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 16 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 23 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 30 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Available
US$ 530
2027
Sat, 24 Apr - Sun, 25 Apr
Available
US$ 530
Sun, 25 Apr - Mon, 26 Apr
Available
US$ 530
Thu, 29 Apr - Fri, 30 Apr
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 30 Apr - Sat, 1 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 7 May - Sat, 8 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 21 May - Sat, 22 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 28 May - Sat, 29 May
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 11 Jun - Sat, 12 Jun
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 25 Jun - Sat, 26 Jun
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 23 Jul - Sat, 24 Jul
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 13 Aug - Sat, 14 Aug
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 20 Aug - Sat, 21 Aug
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 10 Sep - Sat, 11 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 17 Sep - Sat, 18 Sep
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 1 Oct - Sat, 2 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 15 Oct - Sat, 16 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 22 Oct - Sat, 23 Oct
Available
US$ 530
Fri, 29 Oct - Sat, 30 Oct
Available
US$ 530
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.
Tour Enquiry
Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour Reviews
Author: Rafa |
Rating: 5
16 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
Author: Anna |
Rating: 5
25 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
Author: Maki |
Rating: 5
21 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
Author: Akiko |
Rating: 5
14 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
