In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how to visit the Darvaza Gas Crater, what to expect when camping overnight, and why this fiery phenomenon deserves a spot on your Central Asia itinerary.
And yes, it’s just as surreal in real life as it sounds!
Also read: Turkmenistan Itinerary | One Week Across The Desert
What Is the Darvaza Gas Crater (Gates of Hell)
The story of Darvaza begins in 1971, when Soviet geologists were drilling for gas in the Karakum Desert. Their equipment accidentally punctured a large underground pocket, causing the ground to collapse.
To prevent poisonous gas from leaking out, they decided to ignite the crater—assuming the gas would burn off in a matter of days.
Over 50 years later, it’s still burning!
Measuring roughly 70 metres wide and 20 metres deep, the Darvaza crater has become Turkmenistan’s most recognisable sight. Locals dubbed it the Door to Hell, and the name stuck.
Where Is It And How to Visit
Where is the Darvaza Gas Crater
The Darvaza Gas Crater is located in the heart of the Karakum Desert, about 270 kilometres south of Konye-Urgench and 260 kilometres north of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital.
The gas crater sits near the small village of Darvaza, which is little more than a collection of yurts and sand-covered homes scattered along the Ashgabat–Dashoguz highway (M37). Actually, to call this road a highway is quite a stretch, because it cannot even properly be called a road for the most part.
Despite being in the middle of nowhere, Darvaza is surprisingly accessible by 4×4 from several directions:
- From Ashgabat | It takes about 4–5 hours by car, making it doable as an overnight trip from the capital.
- From the Uzbekistan border near Khiva (Dashoguz crossing) | You can reach it in around 5–6 hours, often with a stop at Konye-Urgench along the way.
- The crater lies directly on the route between Uzbekistan and Ashgabat, making it a logical overnight stop on a longer overland itinerary.
There are no signs or tourist facilities around the site, just a sandy 7km track that your guide will navigate using local knowledge. The final stretch requires off-road driving, so a proper 4×4 vehicle is essential.
Tip: Check out the map in my One Week in Turkmenistan itinerary to visualise where the crater sits along a classic route.
How to Visit the Darvaza Gas Crater
The only way to visit the Darvaza Gas Crater is with a licensed guide and preferably a 4×4 vehicle. That might sound limiting, but it actually makes things easier as your guide takes care of everything.
Actually, there is a train connecting Ashgabat to Dashoguz that stops in Darvaza. However, from the station there’s no public transport to the gas crater.
Also keep in mind that you’re currently not allowed to travel independently around the country. And on top of that the train takes ages, making a guided tour the only viable option.
Your guide will also provide you with a necessary Letter of Invitation (LOI) with which you can buy a visa at the border. Sadly, no LOI means no access to Turkmenistan and no visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater. So, you’re really dependent on a tour guide here.
Most travellers include Darvaza as part of a longer Turkmenistan itinerary, either starting in Khiva, Bukhara or Ashgabat.
These are the main ways to visit:
- As part of a tour from Khiva to Bukhara or vice versa via Turkmenistan (like we did)
- As an overnight trip to or from Ashgabat (if you’re short on time)
- As part of an overland trip that connects your Iran itinerary (via Mashad) to your Uzbekistan itinerary (to Khiva).
Most tours aim to reach the crater before sunset, giving you time to set up camp and enjoy the fiery show during sunset and after dark.
What’s It Like To Camp at Darvaza Gas Crater
Camping Next to the Flames
Spending the night next to the Gates to Hell is an experience you won’t forget. Close to the Darvaza gas crater there’s a few yurt camps where we arrived as the sun began to set.
Our guide parked the 4×4 next to the yurt camp and began to set up a campfire dinner, just a 10-minute walk from the crater rim.
The first sight of the crater is so impressive, really words cannot describe. It almost felt otherworldly to be here, like a movie set with no script, no fences, and very few other travellers around.
After some time spent at the crater we walked back to camp to eat the BBQ-dinner our guide prepared for us. And then after dinner we took the 4×4 and drove back to the Gates of Hell for some evening entertainment.
Our guide parked the car next to crater rim, set up some seats and started a little bit of music. The perfect setting to eat some snacks, have a chat and stare into the fire. The entire pit is lit up with a flickering orange glow. It’s really hypnotic in the surrounding darkness.
What to Bring
Make sure to bring everything you need to Darvaza’s Gas Crater, because if you’re expecting a shop, then think again. Don’t forget to bring these items:
- Warm clothes (it can get chilly at night)
- Headlamp or torch
- Wet wipes (no facilities here, just some toilets)
- Power bank and camera tripod
- Food, snacks and extra water (your guide should take care of all this)
Despite the heat from the crater, the desert air can get quite cold after dark. As long as you stay next to the Darvaza Gas Crater you’ll be warm and toasty. But as soon as you leave the crater rim on your way back to the yurt camp it can get a little chilly (in June).
Safety And Best Time to Visit the Gates Of Hell
Staying Safe at Darvaza Gas Crater
- Stay back from the edge | There are no safety rails and the ground can be unstable.
- Watch the wind | It can change direction quickly and blow fumes your way, or blow you into the crater. You don’t want that.
- Don’t wander too far in the dark | It’s pitch black beyond the glow of the crater.
- Be careful inside the yurt camp | There are quite a few hedgehogs around, so don’t trip on them.
Your guide will know where to set up some camping chairs and how close to the crater rim is safe. Just follow their lead and enjoy the snacks you brought as you enjoy the gas crater’s evening entertainment.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Darvaza?
The best times to visit the crater are:
- Spring (April to early June)
- Autumn (September to October)
Summer is brutally hot, think 40°C+ in the desert. And winter nights can be freezing. Sunset is the best moment to arrive, but night is when the crater looks its most dramatic.
Pro tip: Long exposure photos to capture the night-sky could turn out fantastic, because there’s hardly any light pollution.
Planning Your Visit
Final Tips for Visiting the Crater
- Book through a local guide | They’ll handle the 4×4, meals, permits, and campsite. Check my Turkmenistan travel tips article to find out which guide we used to visit the Darvaza Gas Crater
- Don’t skip camping | A day trip to the Darvaza Gas Crater doesn’t do it justice
- Combine it with Konye-Urgench, Ashgabat or a longer Turkmenistan itinerary
- Travel insurance is essential | Especially if visiting remote areas like the Darvaza Gas Crater. Readers of Next Journey Ahead get 5% off Heymondo travel insurance that covers Turkmenistan.
If you’re crossing from Uzbekistan, Darvaza makes the perfect overnight stop between Khiva and Ashgabat.
More Turkmenistan Travel Inspiration
Standing at the edge of the blazing Darvaza Gas Crater is unlike anything else. Whether you call it the Gates of Hell, a Soviet accident, or one of Central Asia’s strangest sights—it’s a moment you won’t forget.
If you’re planning a trip to Turkmenistan, make sure Darvaza is high on your list!
Also read: Complete Turkmenistan Travel Guide
Have questions? Leave a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram, I’m always happy to share more about the experience or help you plan your own visit.
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Planning your trip to Turkmenistan? Find all my latest content right here:
- 7 Incredible Things to See and Do in Turkmenistan
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- Yangykala Canyon | How to Visit Turkmenistan’s Grand Canyon
- Darvaza Gas Crater | How To Visit Turkmenistan’s Fiery Heart
- Turkmenistan Itinerary | One Week Across the Desert
- Turkmenistan Travel Tips | What To Know Before You Go
