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 Group Tour. This is because travelling as part of a larger group increases the likelihood of you being granted a visa for Turkmenistan.
Day 1: Khiva – Darvaza gas crater
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 camp style breakfast, drive back to Dashoguz-Shavat border point (270 km, 4h.). Lunch at local café on the road. After lunch transfer to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your driver with the sign with your name at the exit of the border and continue to Khiva (60 km, 1 h.). End of Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour.
Meals: breakfast
Note: Internet access in Turkmenistan is limited. You may not have internet connectivity during your stay. Please plan ahead for your communication needs.
Lighting at the Darvaza Yurt Camp is very limited. We recommend bringing a handheld flashlight or a headlamp so you can move more comfortably and safely between the crater and the camp.
Price includes:
- All transfers;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Accommodation at 2 pax share yurt;
- Camp style dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2 at Darvaza crater;
- English speaking local guide in Turkmenistan.
Price doesn't include:
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (approx. 80 USD), migration tax (14 USD), express PCR test (33 USD), shuttle bus at the neutral zone (2 USD);
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Lunches (on Days 1-2);
- Travel insurance;
- Single supplement: 55 USD (for a single occupancy in the yurt).
Dates & Prices, per person
2026
Fri, 2 Oct - Sat, 3 Oct
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 16 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 23 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct
Sold out
US$ 530
Fri, 30 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Available
US$ 530
2027
Fri, 26 Mar - Sat, 27 Mar
Available
US$ 580
Sat, 17 Apr - Sun, 18 Apr
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 30 Apr - Sat, 1 May
Available
US$ 580
Mon, 3 May - Tue, 4 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 21 May - Sat, 22 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 28 May - Sat, 29 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 11 Jun - Sat, 12 Jun
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 25 Jun - Sat, 26 Jun
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 23 Jul - Sat, 24 Jul
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 13 Aug - Sat, 14 Aug
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 20 Aug - Sat, 21 Aug
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 10 Sep - Sat, 11 Sep
Available
US$ 580
Sun, 19 Sep - Mon, 20 Sep
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 1 Oct - Sat, 2 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 15 Oct - Sat, 16 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 22 Oct - Sat, 23 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 29 Oct - Sat, 30 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Wed, 10 Nov - Thu, 11 Nov
Available
US$ 580
2028
Fri, 24 Mar - Sat, 25 Mar
Available
US$ 580
Sat, 15 Apr - Sun, 16 Apr
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 28 Apr - Sat, 29 Apr
Available
US$ 580
Mon, 1 May - Tue, 2 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 19 May - Sat, 20 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 26 May - Sat, 27 May
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 9 Jun - Sat, 10 Jun
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 23 Jun - Sat, 24 Jun
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 21 Jul - Sat, 22 Jul
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 11 Aug - Sat, 12 Aug
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 18 Aug - Sat, 19 Aug
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 8 Sep - Sat, 9 Sep
Available
US$ 580
Sun, 17 Sep - Mon, 18 Sep
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 29 Sep - Sat, 30 Sep
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 13 Oct - Sat, 14 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 20 Oct - Sat, 21 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Fri, 27 Oct - Sat, 28 Oct
Available
US$ 580
Wed, 8 Nov - Thu, 9 Nov
Available
US$ 580
Single supplement: US$ 60
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.
Accommodation
Tour Enquiry
Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour Reviews
Author: Hilda |
Rating: 5
Visited: September 2026
The tour was the best I’ve ever done. Dodu (the guide - sorry I forgot his name) was exceptional and so was the driver. Very kind and welcoming.
The food was also perfect, we had more than enough throughout the tour and were able to site see a few monuments before heading on the drive down to Darvaza.
The accommodations while at Darvaza also exceeded my expectations and were very clean and organized.
As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe and everyone was respectful towards me.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone that asks me.
Author: Daiki |
Rating: 5
Visited: September 2026
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all your support throughout my trip.
The tour itself was an unforgettable experience. My guide in Turkmenistan, Durdy, was extremely knowledgeable, reliable, and kind. I learned so much from him about Turkmenistan, and I really appreciated his support throughout the trip.
The visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater and my time in Turkmenistan will undoubtedly remain one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Thank you again to you, Durdy, and everyone involved in making this journey possible.
If I have the opportunity to visit Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, or other parts of Central Asia again in the future, I would be very happy to arrange my trip with your company again. I would also be happy to recommend your company to my friends who are interested in traveling to Central Asia.
Many thanks for everything.
Author: Masami O |
Rating: 5
Visited: September 2026
Overall, the tour was wonderful and truly unforgettable. I am very glad that I joined.
Thank you very much to Arslan and everyone involved in organizing the tour.
Author: Sze T |
Rating: 5
Visited: September 2026
Arslan was really responsible and caring. He assisted us a lot during the whole trip to make sure we have the great experience especially in the border checkpoints. He took good care of everyone. So appreciated we had such a nice guide in this once in a lifetime journey.
Driver of car 5 drove so professionally and ensured our safety to reach the darvaza. He was also very caring and helped us settle with luggage. Highly appreciated.
Accommodation: Great but want more blankets, kinda cold at night.
Author: Yasukazu T |
Rating: 5
Visited: September 2026
It was a truly memorable and valuable experience.
The guide was extremely flexible in handling the procedures for exiting Turkmenistan, and we were able to complete them in a remarkably short time. He was also very accommodating with currency exchange and providing explanations along the way.
I never felt cold, and since a mosquito net was provided, I was able to sleep very well.
The off-road drive through the desert was very exciting.
Thank you so much for all your generous support throughout this trip.
Author: Miia H |
Rating: 5
Visited: June 2026
The trip was absolutely incredible in every way. Everything went perfectly. Our guide Ali and drivers were amazing! We had a great small group and had a lot of fun together. I will never forget this experience. Thank you so much!
Author: Yuko Fushimi |
Rating: 5
Visited: May 2026
Thanks to our professional guide and driver, this was a truly enjoyable tour. We were delighted by their thoughtful touches - such as suggesting visits to museums and city sightseeing spots, and offering us unique Turkmen snacks during our breaks.
Author: Daniel P |
Rating: 5
Visited: October 2025
We had a good visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater and can recommend it to adventurous travellers that want to see something unique. Our guide and drivers were well organised. The guide was welcoming and provided good information as the tour went along. The accommodation is close to the crater and it is really nice to be able to visit the crater whenever you want, particularly a little before dawn when the crater area is less crowded. Sitting at the crater alone with just the sounds of the flames and their heat keeping you warm is a once in a lifetime experience. The organisation of and before the tour was also clear and efficient. The crater is unique and well worth the long journey. But it is a long journey! Thanks for a great tour :)
Author: Kazuo M |
Rating: 5
Visited: October 2025
Great experience, well organized, very nice guy of guide with intelligence and knowledge. Fully recommended. Two challenges, which tour management cannot control, which are bad road condition and long time consuming cross the boarder. However, they are now one of good memory and e-gate is expected to be introduced soon, according to the guide. so going to be better. Thank all tour staff for let me have this great oppotunity.
Author: Daiki T |
Rating: 5
Visited: October 2025
Guide are so good.Thank you so much.
Author: Akihisa M |
Rating: 5
Visited: July 2025
The guide was excellent! The two-day trip went well for me.
Author: Rafa |
Rating: 5
Visited: June 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
Author: Maki |
Rating: 5
Visited: 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.
Author: Akiko |
Rating: 5
Visited: April 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.
Author: Anna |
Rating: 5
Visited: April 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.
