Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour from Khiva 2024-2025

2
Days
Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza Gas Crater

Turkmenistan’s ‘Gates of Hell’, a.k.a. the Darvaza Gas Crater, is one of Central Asia’s rarest and most mesmerizing sites. These natural gas reserves have been burning incessantly since the early 1970s, and are all the more awe-inspiring in the lonely Karakum desert, where they leave an unforgettable impression upon all who see their flames under the starry desert sky.
The Darvaza Gas Crater lies not far from the Kunya-Urgench region of Turkmenistan. This sparsely populated area is the former capital of the Khorezmian Empire and replete with mausoleums, cemeteries, mosques and fortresses from the 12th-16th centuries.
Two-day Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour from Khiva will take you to the very mouth of the ‘Door to Hell’ itself, where you will camp out near its flames, enjoy the still desert night and see the Darvaza Gas Crater in all its fearsome splendor. You’ll also get a hands-on glimpse into the historical backdrop of the area as you spend a day touring the important historical sites of Kunya-Urgench, all alongside knowledgeable drivers who know their way over the desert paths and are guaranteed to be waiting for you on both sides of the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan border.

In the morning your driver will meet you near the Ota-Darvaza Gate of Ichan-Kala 08:30 (the driver will be holding a sign "DARWAZA"), and will drive you from Khiva to the Shavat/Dashoguz Turkmenistan border crossing (60 km,1 hr). While crossing the transit zone basic transport is available (1 USD per person). Your Turkmenistan guide will meet you at the Turkmenistan border to help you obtain your tourist visa. After the border pass and visa formalities drive you to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (290 km, 4-5 hrs). Set up camp and enjoy the sunset. Delicious meal cooked over the fire as you lounge near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents or a shared yurt.
Meals: dinner
Wake up early to see the sunrise and continue your Turkmenistan group tour at the ‘Gates of Hell’, after enjoying a camp-style breakfast. Drive to Kunya Urgench - UNESCO World Heritage Site (280 km, 4-5 hrs) through the Karakum Desert. Lunch and start your sightseeing tour:
  • Visit the Tyurabek-Khanym Mausoleum (14th century), burial site of a Mongolian princess and the Sayid Ahmed Mausoleum (14th century), a leader of the Golden Horde.
  • Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret (11th-13th centuries), which at 62m (203ft) is the tallest minaret in Central Asia.
  • Travel to the 12th-century Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum of Khorezmshakh.
  • Explore Kyrk Molla Hill (Forty Mullahs Hill), a fortress covering three hectares, including the famous Mamun Library (8th-9th centuries), and an ancient cemetery believed to hold present-day healing powers.
  • Walk through the Fakhreddin Razi Mausoleum (a.k.a. mausoleum of Arslan II, 12th-13th centuries), a rare survivor of the Mongol invasion and one of the oldest, most unique structures in all of Central Asia.

Drive to Dashoguz/Shavat border crossing into Uzbekistan. Go through border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver in Uzbekistan and continue on to Khiva (60 km, 1 hr). End of Darvaza Gas Crater Group Tour from Khiva
Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Dates & prices

Departure End Deadline Status Price Book
Apr 27, Sat Apr 28, Sun Completed US$ 500
May 3, Fri May 4, Sat Completed US$ 500
May 10, Fri May 11, Sat Completed US$ 500
May 24, Fri May 25, Sat Completed US$ 500
May 31, Fri Jun 1, Sat Completed US$ 500
Jun 14, Fri Jun 15, Sat Completed US$ 500
Jun 28, Fri Jun 29, Sat Completed US$ 500
Jul 26, Fri Jul 27, Sat Completed US$ 500
Aug 16, Fri Aug 17, Sat Completed US$ 500
Aug 23, Fri Aug 24, Sat Completed US$ 500
Sep 13, Fri Sep 14, Sat Completed US$ 500
Sep 27, Fri Sep 28, Sat Completed US$ 500
Oct 4, Fri Oct 5, Sat Ongoing US$ 500
Oct 18, Fri Oct 19, Sat Sold out US$ 500
Oct 25, Fri Oct 26, Sat Sold out US$ 500
Nov 1, Fri Nov 2, Sat Sold out US$ 500
Departure End Deadline Status Price Book
Apr 26, Sat Apr 27, Sun Mar 22 Available US$ 500 Book
May 2, Fri May 3, Sat Mar 28 Available US$ 500 Book
May 9, Fri May 10, Sat Apr 4 Available US$ 500 Book
May 23, Fri May 24, Sat Apr 18 Available US$ 500 Book
May 30, Fri May 31, Sat Apr 25 Available US$ 500 Book
Jun 13, Fri Jun 14, Sat May 9 Available US$ 500 Book
Jun 27, Fri Jun 28, Sat May 23 Available US$ 500 Book
Jul 25, Fri Jul 26, Sat Jun 20 Available US$ 500 Book
Aug 15, Fri Aug 16, Sat Jul 11 Available US$ 500 Book
Aug 22, Fri Aug 23, Sat Jul 18 Available US$ 500 Book
Sep 12, Fri Sep 13, Sat Aug 8 Available US$ 500 Book
Sep 26, Fri Sep 27, Sat Aug 22 Available US$ 500 Book
Oct 3, Fri Oct 4, Sat Aug 29 Available US$ 500 Book
Oct 17, Fri Oct 18, Sat Sep 12 Available US$ 500 Book
Oct 24, Fri Oct 25, Sat Sep 19 Available US$ 500 Book
Oct 31, Fri Nov 1, Sat Sep 26 Available US$ 500 Book

Price includes:

  • All transportation (Uzbekistan - sedan/minivan, Turkmenistan - 4WD);
  • Lunch in Kunya-Urgench;    
  • Camp style dinner and breakfast at Darvaza Crater;
  • Entrance fees to tourist sites as per itinerary;
  • Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
  • English-speaking tour guide for your entire time in Turkmenistan;
  • Utensils and necessary equipment for staying in tents (sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows).

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Reviews

Mario Ortner
It was a fantastic tour. I truly appreciate all the help and information.
Jean-Baptiste
Excellent tour allowing to visit Darvaza from Uzbekistan in only 2 days.

The guide was insightful and the conditions of the stay (SUV, tents, etc.) ideal to discover this place.

Many thanks