Duration
2 days
Max Group Size
32
Tour Code
DRWZ2
Tour Type
Request as private tour
Departure Type
Scheduled
Age Requirement
0 - 99 Ages
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Operated In
Turkish, English, Russian, French, Deutch, Chinese
Physical level
moderate
Dashoguz
.. / ..
Dashoguz
16:01
Activities
AdventureCampingDailyDiscoveryExplorerRoad TourSafariOverland & Jeep SafariSightseeingPhotographySee ItineraryTour Overview
The "Door to Hell" in Turkmenistan is a captivating natural wonder - a flaming crater formed in 1971 during a gas drilling operation. Nestled in the expansive Karakum Desrt, this perpetual blaze offers a unique and mesmerizing spextacle for curious tourists. The radiant flames paint the night, providing a vivid illustration of the intricate dance between human endeavors and the Earth's awe-inspiring forces. An unmissable destination for those seeking both adventure and insight into the intriguing facets of our planet's dynamic landscapes.
Highlights
- Door to Hell tour
- Konye Urgench - the UNESCO world heritage site in Turkmenistan was once the capital of the Khorezm Empire and the centre of the Islamic world until its sacking by Genghis Khan and Tamerlane in the 13th and 14th centuries. The town’s water supplies came from the Amu Darya (or Oxus in Ancient Greek); the legendary Central Asian river crossed by Alexander the Great and which Genghis Khan used to flood Urgench to end the siege of the city.
- Darwaza - burning gas crater also known as 'The Door to Hell'. In the evening watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater.
- BBQ dinner & overnight in tents/yurt nearby Darwaza, witnessing breathtaking views of burning crater in the night in the midst of Karakum (Black Sand) desert.
Itinerary
Pick up from your hotel in Khiva and drive to Uzbek-Turkmen border. After crossing formalities (1-3 hours), meet your tour guide and start 3.5-hour drive to Darwaza – burning Gas Crater, known as "Door to Hell". While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 60 m and 20 m deep. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. In the evening, watch the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater.
BBQ dinner & overnight in tents/yurt.
Picnic style breakfast. Drive to Koneurgench (3.5h), sightseeing: Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. Transfer back to the border, and meet your Uzbek driver after crossing formalities. Return to Khiva. Turabek Khanum Mausoleum (from the 1300s).
This structure has an amazing dome of 365 interlocking tiles that make up a “night sky”, as well as 24 pointed arches, 12 bigger arches below that, and four big windows. Note the numbers here: 365 = days in a year, 12 = months in a year, 4 = weeks in a month, 24 = hours in a day.
Although nobody is certain who is buried here, it is dedicated to Turabek-Khanym, a Mongolian princess and a patron of women. For this reason, women in particular, come to leave offerings.
Minaret of Kutlug Timur
This 60m, now very crooked, tower is from the 11th and 12th centuries, and the highest in Central Asia. It is ringed by eighteen ornamental strips and three belts of inscriptions in Kufi, and used to be crowned with a wooden lantern.
Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh
This is one of the few surviving monuments from the pre-Mongol era and was originally co-located with a Madrassah and Library. The conical (rather than dome-shaped) roof was typical of the 12th Century.
After your tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Trip includes
Included
Tent or Yurt
English-speaking local guide-interpreter services
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Turkish
English
Russian
French
Deutch
Chineseincluding breakfast
Fixed meals (1 dinner);
Overland transport as per program per AC; 1-3 passengers per regular sedan car; 4-7 passengers per regular minibus; 1-4 passengers per jeep
- Visa support (LOI)
- Water along the way
Excluded
International or Domestic flights
Insurance: All types
- Visa cost $50-$160 paid in cash on arrival
- PCR test cost $33 upon arrival
- Migration duty $14 p/p (paid at the border on arrival)
- Tips to the guide and the driver (recommended)
- Personal expenses and itinerary modifications
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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