Located in the province of Ahal, the village of Darvaza - meaning "gate" - is the base from which to visit the mighty crater and see its hypnotic flames, and the best way to view it is at night. Many visitors take the opportunity to camp nearby and explore the vast, arid plains of the Karakum desert. To the northwest, the beautiful and lush Kaplankyr nature reserve provides a green oasis and numerous activities for the outward-bound adventurer. Home to nomadic Turkmen horsemen, a popular way to enjoy the landscape surrounding Darvaza is on a steed of your own.
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
One of the best ways to acclimatize to local life is to spend at least one night in a traditional yurt. Camping in the desert with an unobstructed view of the fiery pit of Darvaza, under a canopy of stars is a truly unforgettable experience.
A trip to the center of Turkmenistan would not be complete without a visit to the stunning burning crater at Darvaza. With no safety rails or precautions, drive up and peer into the fiery depths at your own risk.
Get a taste of the life of a Turkmenistani nomad and explore the Karakum desert on horseback. Adventures on native Akhal Teke horses can be organized and provide a unique and authentic way to see the local landscape.
For a little respite from the desert, make the journey to mountainous and green Kaplankyr. Home to countless species of rare and endangered flora and fauna, not to mention mountains to climb and lakes to swim, a visit to the reserve is a nature lover and explorer’s dream.
Stretching from Ashgabat in the south to Dashoguz in the north, explore the stunning expanse of desert that covers much of Turkmenistan and characterizes its wild, unique beauty.
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.
This five-day journey is your chance to uncover Turkmenistan, an off-the-beaten path destination and one of the most mysterious regions of Central Asia. From a perpetually burning crater, an eerily quiet capital clad in white marble, and ancient UNESCO ruins, this guarantees to be a journey like no other.
Turn back time on this two-week tour of two amazing countries. Explore historical wonders of Tashkent and Khiva and uncover the crumbling cities of Merv and Mary and the fortress of Nissa. Camp by burning gas craters, get up close to the famous Akhal Teke horses of Turkmenistan and discover the palaces and mausoleums of mighty Emirs.
Discover the best of Turkmenistan with this nine-night, eight-day adventure tour of both cultural and natural phenomenons. From the white-marbled capital city of Ashgabat to overnight camping in the desert and everything in between, this trip will provide you with a cross-section of this unique Central Asian country.
This eight-day tour of Turkmenistan opens up one of Central Asia’s most mysterious lands: Turkmenistan. Passing over the desolate, yet utterly spectacular Karakum Desert, you’ll explore ancient ruins, dazzling mausoleums, and fiery caves, all before ending up in the fascinating capital of Ashgabat.
Darvaza (Door To Hell), Turkmenistan
With only 350 inhabitants and not a hotel in sight, the only way to stay in the tiny Turkmen village of Darvaza is to camp, spending the night under the stars in a tent and sleeping bag. Located in the middle of the Karakum Desert, this tiny settlement is famous for its ‘Door to Hell’, a natural field of gas that has burnt bright ever since it was lit by Soviet petroleum engineers in 1971. The crater is situated close to the village of Darvaza where you’ll be staying and has a diameter of 230 feet and drops about 70 feet into the earth below. Due to the incredible isolation of this attraction, as well as the nearby village, the best and only way to spend the night here is in tents. You will be supplied your own and helped to set up the campsite, as well as given a soft mattress and sleeping bag to ensure a comfortable - as well as memorable - stay.
Multi-Country Specialists
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
Our guide in Uzbekistan seemed to know everyone wherever we went which made us feel like locals.
Remote Lands enhanced our trip in ways we could not have imagined...it all resulted in a trip that we will remember with smiles and laughter forever.
This was the single GREATEST travel experience of my LIFE, in which REMOTE LANDS gave me a chance to enjoy EVERYTHING, and experience NONE of the usual travel stress.
