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 Uzbekistan 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 share 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;
- 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 (ages 12+)
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 2027 tours without discussing it with your travel consultant.
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Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour Reviews
I'll recommand advantour and you.
Thanks a lot
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.
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.
