The Darvaza Crater in 2 Days — a Quick Trip from Khiva

A 70-meter-wide fire pit that’s been burning in the desert since 1971 — a sight some travelers fly to Turkmenistan for two weeks to see, and others reach in a single night. If you’re already in Khiva and not ready to spend a whole separate week touring Turkmenistan, this is the shortest, most honest way to see the “Gates of Hell” for yourself.

Route

Khiva → the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing → the Karakum desert → the Darvaza crater → Khiva.

Why this tour

• A minimal time investment — one night instead of a full week touring Turkmenistan.
• The perfect add-on to any of our Khiva-based tours: 2 extra days for the neighboring country’s biggest attraction.
• Sunset and a night by the burning crater — photos no other Uzbekistan tour can replicate.
• Your Turkmenistan visa is arranged in advance with our support — no surprises at the border.

Day by day

1. Meet at the west gate of Ichan-Kala in Khiva, cross the Uzbek-Turkmen border, a light lunch, a 4x4 drive across the Karakum desert (about 4 hours off-road) to the Darvaza crater. Sunset at the crater, a fire-cooked dinner, a night in a yurt camp under the open desert sky.
2. Cross back over the border to Khiva.

Included (placeholder — confirm before publishing)

• All transfers, including the 4x4 desert crossing
• Turkmenistan visa support
• Yurt accommodation (for two), dinner and breakfast at the camp
• A guide for the Turkmenistan section of the route

Not included

• Turkmenistan visa, migration fee and PCR test (paid separately)
• Insurance, tips

Guaranteed departure dates and the final price (single yurt supplement to be added) are arranged with your travel consultant at booking.