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Darvaza

Darvaza

22.01.2026

About This Destination

The Darvaza gas crater (Turkmen: Garagum ýalkymy), also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, officially the Shining of Karakum, is a burning natural gas field collapsed into a cavern near Darvaza, Turkmenistan. Hundreds of natural gas fires illuminate the floor and rim of the crater. The crater has been burning since 1971. Drilling punctured a natural-gas cavern, the cavern’s roof collapsed, and some sources state that engineers ignited the crater to prevent poisonous gases from spreading. The crater is near the village of Darvaza in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Located about 260 kilometres (160 mi) north of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, it has a diameter of 60–70 metres (200–230 ft) and a depth of about 30 metres (98 ft). Another nearby gas crater is fenced off and has a distinct odor.

History

The early years of the crater's history are still being determined. Relevant records are either absent from the archives, classified, or inaccessible.[1][3] Some local geologists have claimed that the collapse of a crater happened in the 1960s; it was set on fire only in the 1980s to prevent the emission of poisonous gases. Others assert that the site was drilled by Soviet engineers in 1971 as an oil field but collapsed within days, forming the crater, with the engineers choosing to flare the crater to prevent the emission of poisonous gases but underestimating the volume of the gas.

Tours Available

Tour 3
Tour 3
Duration: 3 days / 2 night Itinerary: Dashoguz - Koneurgench – Darvaza - Ashgabat Meeting at the border “Dashoguz” or “Koneurgench”. Day 1 Meeting at the border “Dashoguz” 20 km till city center or “Koneurgench” 20 km till city center. Arriving. Customs procedure (app. 1 hour). Early lunch at the local restaurant Drive through the Karakum desert to Darvaza gas crater (280 km - app. 4 hours) Arriving in Darvaza Darvaza - the most famous place in Turkmenistan. Gas crater burning in the Karakum desert Sightseeing tour and a walk around the Spark of Karakum (1 hour) Traditional dinner in Darvaza (after sunset) Drive from Darvaza Gas crater back to Ashgabat (267 km- app. 3.5 hours) Arrive to Ashgabat Check-in and overnight in hotel Day 2 Have a breakfast at the hotel. Leave from the hotel Visit a private horse farm (55 km – 1 hour) Excursion at the horse farm (2 hours) Drive back to Ashgabat (55 km – 1 hour) Have lunch at local restaurant Start sightseeing of the monuments in Ashgabat Dinner at the local restaurant Arrive to the hotel Free time Overnight in the hotel Day 3 Have a breakfast at the hotel. Leave from the hotel Drive to Nisa (18 km – 20 min) Have an excursion to Old Nisa - included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the first capitals of the Parthian Empire (III century BC - III century AD), which is among the largest state entities of the ancient world. On the way back visit the Mosque of Turkmenbashi Ruhy (10 km – 15 min)- main mosque in Turkmenistan, the largest single-domed mosque in the world and the largest in Central Asia, where 20,000 people can pray at one time. Drive back to hotel and free time till lunch Have lunch at local restaurant City-tour in Ashgabat: Serdar yoly (Health path) Have dinner at local restaurant Evening city tour Transfer to the international airport for departure End of the tour
Tour 4
Tour 4
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights Itinerary: Ashgabat – Darvaza gas crater – Mary – Farab border Meeting at the international airport in Ashgabat Day 1 Meeting at the international airport of Ashgabat. Transfer and check-in to the hotel Have a breakfast at the hotel. Have an excursion to Old Nisa - included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the first capitals of the Parthian Empire (III century BC - III century AD), which is among the largest state entities of the ancient world. On the way back visit the Mosque of Turkmenbashi Ruhy - main mosque in Turkmenistan, the largest single-domed mosque in the world and the largest in Central Asia, where 20,000 people can pray at one time. Have a lunch Drive to Underground lake Kov-ata - a natural underground lake. The name translated from Turkmen means “father of caves”. Located 100 kilometers from Ashgabat. The water temperature is from +33 to +38 ° C all year round. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel Day 2 Have a breakfast at the hotel. Visit local market “Gulistan” (Russian bazaar) Have lunch at local restaurant Drive through the Karakum desert to Darvaza gas crater (280 km) Arriving in Darvaza Darvaza - the most famous place in Turkmenistan (280 km from Ashgabat). Gas crater burning in the Karakum desert Sightseeing tour and a walk around the Spark of Karakum Traditional dinner in Darvaza Overnight in tents. Day 3 Breakfast at the Gas crater on the open air. Drive from Darvaza Gas crater back to Ashgabat Lunch at the local restaurant Visit the biggest shopping mall in Ashgabat “Berkarar” Dinner at the local restaurant Overnight in hotel Day 4 Have a breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Ashgabat to Gonurdepe Excursion at the site Lunch at the local restaurant in Mary Drive to Merv Sightseeing of Merv Ancient Merv - Oasis Merv (40 km east of the city of Mary) is one of the most ancient regions of Central Asia. - Soltan Sanzhar Mausoleum - the mausoleum of one of the most famous Seljuk Soltan (XII century) - Small and Big Gyz-Kala - From the 6th century, the manor-fortress was one of the important trading points on the Great Silk Road. - Ibn Zeid Mausoleum, Sardoba - place of pilgrimage (XII century) - Erk-Kala and Gyaur-Kala Dinner at a local restaurant Overnight at the hotel Day 5 Have a breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ashgabat 350 km.. Arrive in Ashgabat transfer to Airport

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22.01.2026
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