Best For
Adventure seekers and photography enthusiasts looking for a surreal desert experience.
Darvaza Gas Crater
TM
Tourist Attraction·Remote, Surreal, Rugged
Located several hours from Ashgabat, the Darvaza Gas Crater is one of the world's most unusual sights. Often called the 'Door to Hell,' this 70-meter-wide crater has been burning for decades following a Soviet-era drilling mishap. While the journey involves navigating rough, unpaved roads and potholes, the reward is a spectacular light show against the dark desert sky. Visitors typically stay in nearby yurts, enjoying a traditional BBQ dinner while watching the flames. Though some long-time visitors note the flames have diminished over the years, the combination of the glowing pit and the vast, silent desert remains a bucket-list experience for intrepid travelers.
Located several hours from Ashgabat, the Darvaza Gas Crater is one of the world's most unusual sights. Often called the 'Door to Hell,' this 70-meter-wide crater has been burning for decades following a Soviet-era drilling mishap. While the journey involves navigating rough, unpaved roads and potholes, the reward is a spectacular light show against the dark desert sky. Visitors typically stay in nearby yurts, enjoying a traditional BBQ dinner while watching the flames. Though some long-time visitors note the flames have diminished over the years, the combination of the glowing pit and the vast, silent desert remains a bucket-list experience for intrepid travelers.
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Highlights
Continuous burning natural gas flames in a massive desert pit.
Exceptional stargazing opportunities far from city lights.
Overnight stays in traditional yurts near the crater edge.
Dramatic visual shifts between sunset, night, and sunrise.
Unique historical context as a long-burning industrial accident.
Time of Day
Dinner, Late Night
Occasion Tags
Tourists, Groups
Reviews
4.3
Great518 reviews
The Darvaza Gas Crater receives generally positive feedback for its unique and surreal appearance, though reviewers emphasize that the journey is a significant undertaking. Most visitors highlight the 4-5 hour drive from Ashgabat as being particularly challenging due to poor road conditions and numerous potholes. Once there, the sight of the burning crater is described as magnificent, especially after dark when the flames are most visible against the desert sky. Many travelers recommend an overnight stay in yurts to enjoy the remote atmosphere, BBQ dinners, and exceptional stargazing. While some reviewers mention that the flames appear to be diminishing compared to previous years, most still find the experience worth the effort. A few visitors found the site underwhelming due to its industrial origins and the difficult trek required to reach it.
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Location
Derweze, Daşoguz Region, Turkmenistan