Darvaza — the Door to Hell
3 days from $690 moderate
A three-day desert expedition to the burning gas crater of Darvaza. Camp overnight at the rim under Karakum stars.
In 1971 a Soviet drilling rig collapsed into an underground gas cavern. The crater has been burning continuously for over fifty years. We drive 270 km north from Ashgabat across the Karakum desert, set camp at sunset on the crater rim, and serve a traditional plov dinner cooked over an open fire.
The crater is most spectacular at night — the orange glow can be seen from kilometres away. Sleep in heated yurts or expedition tents. Optional sand-boarding on the surrounding dunes at sunrise.
Highlights
- 4×4 expedition across the Karakum desert
- Camp overnight at the rim of the burning crater
- Plov dinner cooked over open fire
- Sand-boarding at sunrise (optional)
- Stop at the mud-volcano craters of Erbent on the return
Ready to start planning?
Tell us when you want to come and what you want to see. We reply within 24 hours.