Most locals and visitors know the Darvaza gas crater as the ‘gates of hell’ or ‘the doorway to hell.’ For most visitors to Turkmenistan, the Darvaza gas crater is the main reason for stopping at this secluded Central Asian country.
If you haven’t heard about this giant flaming pit in the Karakum Desert or want to know more, read on.
Where is the Darvaza Gas Crater?
It can be a little tricky to locate the gas crater or Davaza on a map as both are located relatively deep within the mighty Karakum Desert. Around four hours north of Ashgabat, Darvaza lies on the county border of Ahal and Dasoguz. The crater is situated just of the Ashgabat Dasgouz highway (P1) 274 KM from Ashgabat. Not visible from the main road, a 4X4 is the recommended mode of transport as one has to drive off-road across the desert for around 30 mins.
History of the Darvaza Gas Crater
Turkmenistan was part of the Russian empire since 1881 and eventually was swallowed up by the Soviet Union in 1925. As with all of the regions controlled by the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan was scoured by scientists looking for precious natural resources. In 1971 the desert area around the village of Darvaza looked to be a promising site for oil. Geologists set up exploratory rigs, and drilling began; unfortunately, the crew struck a pocket of natural gas, and the surface collapsed. Luckily there were no casualties, and the rig was quickly removed; the concern was that there was a large amount of methane gas blowing towards the nearby villages, especially that of Darvaza.
Due to the escaping gas, the Russians decided that the best way to deal with the gas crater was to set the pit alight. At the time, geologists believed that the well would burn itself out within a few months; Here we are, almost 50 years later, and the Darvaza gas crater is as active now as it was all those years ago.
Darvaza Gas Crater: Fun Facts
As if the Darvaza itself were not exciting and surreal enough, there is a whole lot more to the site.
Not the only gas crater: when driving to the famed flaming Crater at Darvaza, you will be sure to make a couple of extra stops on the way. The visits made are at two other examples of gas pockets that have collapsed in on themselves. One of the pits is a deep, steep-sided affair filled with bubbling water—the second a pit filled with bubbling mud with flaming patches of gas emanating from some areas. These two craters are exciting and worthy of a stop, but in no way do they compare to the main attraction.
Proof there may be life on Mars: One of the many questions we get asked when leading tours to the gas crater is, “Has anyone ever fallen in or been into the Darvaza Gas Crater.” We have to say that honestly, we don’t know, many drivers and local guides have tall tales of drunken tourists dropping into and being rescued from the firey pit, but after checking, we are told that these tales are exactly that!
However, in 2014 the adventurer and television host George Kourounis was to venture into the flames as part of the National geographic channels die trying. George was lowered from a specially constructed winch wearing a specially designed flameproof suit. The premise of the show was to see if life could survive inhospitable conditions on other planets.
Proof of life: Not only has the crater been used to prove that life can survive on other planets, but it has also served to confirm that life continues on this planet. In mid-2019, world media speculated that the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, had passed away as he hadn’t been seen throughout July. Eventually, on the 4th of August, the president made an appearance not just next to the gas crater but driving a rally car at speed around its top.
How to visit the Darvaza Gas Crater
As a must-see site, the Darvaza gas crater is included on all of our group tours and can easily be added to any independent/ tailor-made tour package.
When visiting with us we camp at the crater to see it in all of its glory, camping may be a little difficult for some, but we strongly recommend it.
The best time to arrive at the crater is before sunset to catch the transition between light and dark. As the sun sets, the crater’s flames slowly light up the night sky and illuminate the surrounding desert.
We are told that its diameter is 69 m, and its depth is 30 m; during the day, it seems smaller and at night a lot bigger.