Darvaza (Door to Hell) — Complete Travel Guide 2025

Darvaza (Door to Hell): Complete Guide 2025 — How to Get There, When to Visit, and What to Expect

Complete 2025 guide to the Darvaza gas crater: best seasons, routes from Ashgabat and Dasoguz, travel costs, safety tips, overnight stays in yurts, and essential traveler tips.

What is the Darvaza Gas Crater and Why Does It Burn?

The Darvaza Gas Crater is a giant fiery collapse sinkhole located in the Karakum Desert.

Diameter — about 70 meters, depth — about 20 meters.

It formed in 1971 when the ground collapsed during drilling, creating a massive gas cavern. Gas was ignited to stop the leak — and the fire has been burning for over 50 years.

It is one of the most unusual places on Earth and Turkmenistan's main tourist wonder.

Where is the Darvaza Crater Located?

The Darvaza Gas Crater is located in the center of the Karakum Desert.

📍 Coordinates: 40.2525° N, 58.4393° E

It is one of the central attractions of routes through northern Turkmenistan.

How to Get to Darvaza (2025)

Route from Ashgabat

• Distance: ~260 km

• Travel time: 3.5–4 hours

• Transportation: 4×4 SUV

• En route, you can visit water and mud craters.

Route from Dashoguz/Shavat

• Distance: ~300 km

• Time: 4.5–5 hours

• Best route for tourists from Khiva/Bukhara

Can I get there by car?

No. The last few kilometers are sandy.

You'll need an SUV.

Best time to visit Darvaza

Best Seasons

• Spring (March–May)

• Autumn (September–November)

Temperatures are comfortable, the wind is gentle, and the sunsets are spectacular.

Best Time of Day

Sunset and night are the most spectacular.

The fire becomes brighter, revealing the flames and the red glow of the walls.

Overnight Accommodation: Yurt or Tent?

Yes, you can spend the night.

There's a yurt camp on site—dinner, tea, comfortable beds, and electricity.

The tent is perfect for those who prefer a more wild experience:

• starry sky

• minimal light

• perfect photo conditions

Water and Mud Craters

These two craters are located near the main one.

They're smaller and colder, but almost all tours visit them.

Water Crater is a blue, round lake.

Mud Crater is a bubbling mudflat.

What to bring

• Water (1–2 liters)

• Warm clothes (it gets cool at night)

• Flashlight

• Power bank

• Comfortable shoes

• Glasses and sun protection

Safety tips

• Don't go too close to the edge (the ground is loose)

• Don't stand in the wind—the smoke is harmful

• Hold children's hands

• Your phone may lose reception

• Bring extra water

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get there on my own?

Yes, but only with a 4x4 and with experience driving on sand.

Are there any shops nearby?

No. It's a desert. You need to bring everything with you.

Is there a signal?

No.

Can I swim in the Water Crater?

No.

Is it dangerous at night?

Only when approaching the edge. Keep your distance.

Why is Darvaza a must-see in Turkmenistan?

Darvaza is a symbol of Turkmenistan and one of the most unusual places on the planet.

Everyone visiting the country for the first time should see it at least once—

It's a combination of natural power, fire, desert, and the atmosphere of outer space.