Darvaza extension tour
- Flaming gas crater at Darvaza (Derveze)
- Experience camp night at Karakum desert
- Easy combination with Uzbekistan
Darvaza extension tour from Uzbekistan lets you see a flaming gas crater Darvaza and spent camp night at Karakum desert.
Duration: 2 days /1 nights
Route: Uzbekistan border (Shavat) – Dashoguz – Daravza crater - Uzbekistan border.
Groupe size: 1/2/3/4/6/8/10/12 pax
Arrival from: Uzbekistan border (Shavat)
Departure from: Uzbekistan border (Shavat)
NOTE: Turkmen-Uzbek border “Dashoguz/Shavat”; “Nukus/Hojeili” work hours:
Every day, 09:00-18:00 hrs; closed for lunch (Turkmen Customs office) 12:30-14:00 hrs.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Shavat/Dashoguz border – Darvaza (ca. 300, about 5-hour drive)
Arrive at Shavat/Dashoguz border not later than 11 AM.
Note: the border is just 1 hour and 15-minute drive from Urgench or Khiva (UZBEKSITAN).
After exiting Uzbekistan border, take a short shuttle transfer (5-minute drive and costs $1 per person) to the Turkmenistan border.
Meet your guide and complete entry formalities, including visa stamp, customs, declaration form, and rapid COVID test. Time spent on the border depends on the work load and usually takes about 1-1.5 hour.
After lunch, we start our journey to the center of Karakum Desert to see the Darvaza gas crater, also internationally known as “the Gates of Hell”.
Note: The drive to Darvaza takes approximately 5 hours. Please be prepared for a bumpy ride, as the road between Darvaza and Dashoguz is significantly damaged. However, rest assured, our experienced drivers and sturdy 4WD vehicles are equipped to handle the challenge.
With few short stops to stretch our legs and to take pictures of roaming camels in the desert we reach Darvaza before the sunset. Exploration of the site while nomad-style kebabs are being prepared for the dinner. Dinner at the sunset.
Overnight: yurt camp
Meals: dinner
Day 2. Darvaza – Dashoguz (ca. 300 km, about 5-hour drive)
Breakfast at camp and take one last look at the flaming crater and head north to Dashoguz.
Upon arrival in Dashoguz, you may choose to stop for lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to the border.
Note: The Dashoguz/Shavat border will be closed from 13:00-14:00 for lunch.
After lunch, transfer to the Dashoguz/Shavat border for your exit to Uzbekistan. Our guide will assist you with border formalities and bid you farewell.
Once you have completed Turkmenistan exit procedures, take a short shuttle transfer ($1 per person) to reach the Uzbek border, where your journey to Khiva continues. This marks the end of your Turkmenistan adventure!
End of Services!
Tour price information
The cost of the tour package per person based on TWN/DBL shared yurt accommodation:
- 1 pax – $570 (1 SUV)
- 2 pax – $395 p/p (1 SUV)
- 3 pax – $395 p/p (2 SUVs)
- 4 pax – $350 p/p (2 SUVs)
- 5 pax – $325 p/p (2 SUVs)
Standard seating is 3 ppl in one car. Please consider.
Meals: expect to spend around $8-$12 per meal at local restaurants
- Comfort A/C transportation: 4×4/SUV – 3 ppl in each car for a comfort sit
- Yurt stay in Darvaza (shared yurt)
- Visa support (LOI)
- Water along the way
- English-speaking tour guide
- Dinner and breakfast in Darvaza
- Visa cost $55 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $33 upon arrival (paid by each traveler)
- Migration duty $22 p/p (paid at the border on arrival)
- Tips to the guide and the driver
- Personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary: 2 lunches