2-Day Tour: Fiery Night at Darvaza Crater via Shavat
Route: Shavat – Dashoguz – Darvaza – Dashoguz – Shavat
A short journey via Shavat to the legendary Darvaza Crater with an overnight stay at the fiery abyss, including sunset, sunrise, and return via Dashoguz.
2
days
3
groups
1
options
Available Departure Dates
3 open groups
22.04.2026
00:00
2 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$485
4
people:
$265
02.05.2026
00:00
4 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$500
4
people:
$260
02.06.2026
00:00
4 / 4
seats
Available
1
person:
$500
4
people:
$260
What is included
- Letter of Invitation (LoI) for Turkmenistan visa and assistance with mandatory registration of foreign visitors.
- Accommodation in standard hotel rooms: twin rooms shared by same-gender guests; double rooms for couples; single rooms arranged when needed (other room categories on request).
- Private transport and English-speaking guide for the days and routes specified in your itinerary.
- All expenses of your driver and guide, including fuel, meals, accommodation, meeting you at the border and seeing you off at the border.
- Daily breakfasts during the tour.
- Dinner and overnight in a yurt at the Darvaza gas crater and at Gozli Ata (if included in your itinerary).
- Entrance fees and photography permits for museums and attractions visited with your guide.
- Travel insurance.
- All local taxes and mandatory service charges for services included in the tour.
- The tour usually starts and ends at the Turkmenistan side of the border (other pick-up or drop-off points can be arranged on request).
What is not included
- Visa and other border fees are not included. The visa can be obtained either at the embassy or at the border.
- International flights and any transport to/from Turkmenistan at the start and end of the tour.
- Meals not included in the program (estimated 3–8 USD per meal per person, depending on the location and restaurant).
- Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, laundry, minibar) and tips for guides/drivers (optional but appreciated).
- Drones (not allowed in Turkmenistan).
- Entrance fees. meal costs and photo fees at the Turkmen Ojagy Ethnographic Complex (if included in your itinerary).
Tour program
* 10:00 AM: Meet and greet at the Turkmen side of the Shavat Border Checkpoint.
* Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Short drive to Dashoguz for a traditional lunch and a visit to the local market (shopping for supplies/snacks for the desert).
* Begin the journey to Darvaza (~300 km, 5 hours). The route crosses the Central Karakum Desert.
* Arrival at the Darvaza Gas Crater ("Gates of Hell"). Experience the sunset over the desert as the crater’s glow begins to intensify.
* Traditional BBQ Dinner served at the campsite. Spectacular nighttime viewing of the burning crater—the best time for photography.
* Overnight: Stay in a traditional Turkmen Yurt or tent campsite.
* Pre-dawn sunrise visit to the crater for the best morning light.
* Breakfast at the camp and departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Arrival in Dashoguz. Farewell lunch at a local restaurant.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 minutes drive).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
* Breakfast at the camp and departure for the return drive to Dashoguz.
* Arrival in Dashoguz. Farewell lunch at a local restaurant.
* Transfer to the Shavat Border Checkpoint (approx. 15-20 minutes drive).
* 03:00 PM: Assistance with border formalities for departure to Uzbekistan.
* End of Tour.
Accommodations
-
Darvaza
(1 nights)
Standard: Yurt Camp
