I recently visited the "Door to Hell" and let me tell you, it was like walking into an interdimensional portal. The heat was so intense that I could have sworn my skin was melting off. It was like being in an oven, but with the added bonus of having a gigantic crater of fire right in front of you. I half expected to see a dragon fly out and start roasting marshmallows. But seriously, this place is absolutely insane. It's like nature's middle finger to humanity, and it's all happening right in front of your eyes. If you're looking for a unique, unforgettable experience, then the "Door to Hell" is the place to be. Just make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a fire extinguisher

It’s an one off experience showing what nature is capable off. Despite the hard access on a bumpy road and long 5 hours (each way) I highly recommend it. Also suggest spending the night in the Yurt tent to see the crater and the stars at night

I think it is the number 1 iconic place when thinking of Turkmenistan. While during the daytime it's not as impressive as expected, at night it has kind of a magic aura. You should definitely go there when visiting Turkmenistan. Especially in combination with a stay in one of the yurt camps it's a special experience!

Nice :)

I have visited the Darvaza gas crater via Owadan Tourism travel agency. The trip consists in 2 days and the Turkmen guide came at the border next to Khiva to help me out to to pass the border and communicate with the official controls. He speaks very well English. He showed me the historical site of Kunya-Urgench. Then we headed to the Darvaza gas crater. We spent the night in a yurts camp and it was just out of this world. The next day it was a trip back to the border passing by the desert and seeing the camels on the side of the road. Right now there is no transit visa and I highly recommend this agency because they are very helpful and they accompany you through everything respecting the rules of the country.

The "Door to Hell" is a natural gas field in Derweze, Turkmenistan, where a crater collapsed after a drilling accident in 1971. It has been burning continuously since then, releasing gas and creating a unique fiery spectacle. It's a popular tourist attraction and has become a symbol of the region.

The gas crater which was lightened up in 1971 is huge but not as impressive as I thought before. Everyone says how amazing it is and it is not bad but it's not worth the effort to get there when being honest. There is mainly fire on the side and there is some heat coming when wind is there. In general it's during the day not impressive at all, just at night when the fire is looking better it's so worth seeing. The night is great and also staying at one of the yurts nearby is very impressive.

I had problems. Threw them in the pit. No more problems. Very yes.

I took my wife to see this spectacle. She liked it so much she decided to stay. I now live in Cancun off her life insurance policy.

From my travel diary ".Then we continued on to an extraordinary side which is called the gateway to hell. It is actually the Darvaza gas crater which was caused in 1971 when Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 80 metres. To avoid poisonous gas discharge it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had believed at the time that the fire would burn all of the gas in a matter of days. Thirty-eight years later the crater still burns! Locals call it “The Door to Hell”. We visited late in the afternoon and then we went to a bush dinner where we watched the sun go down in the desert

The Darwaza gas crater in central Turkmenistan - also called the gate to hell - is a sinkhole in the Karakoram desert. It’s wonderfully remote and well worth the effort to get here. This is a place to spend time and reflect on the wonders of the planet.

It took us 8 hours to arrive here from Dashoguz city , a long tedious journey with bumpy road , one of my girlfriend vomited during the journey , we arrived around 12 midnight . It’s more beautiful to see the fire burning at night . We slept overnight here at the vip private yurt 🛖 as our initial yurt was taken by others . Blessing in disguise as our vip yurt there’s bed 🛌 yay 😀

Posting day, sunset, and night views for comparison. I personally like sunset view the most. With a tour, I stayed in a yurt nearby within walking distance of the gas crater. You can ask the driver/ guide to make a BBQ and they will make a fire using the dried desert plants around which gives the food a lovely smokey taste.

Turkmenistan 🇹🇲, Derwaza Turkmenistan, an often-overlooked treasure in Central Asia, holds a secret within its vast and remote Karakum Desert. A journey that blurs the line between reality and fantasy as we explore the "Door to Hell," Darvaza Crater, and savor the unforgettable night I spent in a traditional yurt amidst the desert's timeless beauty. Hours of driving led me to my destination, the remarkable Darvaza Crater, also known as the "Door to Hell." The Eerie Flames of Darvaza Darvaza Crater is an unearthly sight, a massive pit nearly 70 meters in diameter, continuously engulfed in flames. It felt as though the Earth had opened up to reveal the gates of a blazing inferno. In reality, this surreal phenomenon resulted from a Soviet drilling mishap in 1971. Soviet geologists were searching for natural gas reserves when the ground collapsed, creating the crater. To mitigate the spread of dangerous gases, they set the crater on fire, which has been burning ever since. The resulting flames, fueled by natural gas, create a captivating spectacle against the dark desert backdrop. While the Darvaza Crater was a captivating sight, my adventure was just beginning. To fully immerse myself in the desert experience, I decided to spend a night in a traditional yurt, the nomadic dwellings of the desert's inhabitants. The yurt provided a comfortable retreat amid the vastness of the desert. Its circular design and felt coverings offered refuge from the harsh desert climate. Stepping inside, I was welcomed with the warm hospitality of the local nomads who had established the camp. The yurt's interior was adorned with colorful rugs and cushions, creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. I was invited to sit on a cushion, and the hosts served a delightful meal of local cuisine. Traditional Turkmen dishes, including fragrant rice pilaf, succulent kebabs, and freshly baked flatbreads, filled the air with tantalizing aromas. Despite the language barrier, the nomads and I communicated through smiles and gestures. They introduced me to the art of brewing and savoring Turkmen tea, a robust brew served in petite cups. We exchanged stories of our lives, bridging the cultural gap in the heart of the desert. Stargazing and Desert Serenity After dinner, I stepped outside the yurt, and the breathtaking night sky immediately captivated me. The absence of city lights allowed the stars to shine with unparalleled brilliance. I found myself immersed in a vast expanse of celestial beauty. The desert's silence was profound, interrupted only by the crackling of the burning crater in the distance. It was a moment of tranquility and a profound connection with the natural world. I stretched out on a cushioned mat, gazing up at the infinite expanse above, immersed in contemplation. Lying there, surrounded by the stillness of the desert night, it became evident that this yurt experience was genuinely extraordinary. It was a testament to the resilience of the desert's people and their ability to find beauty in one of the harshest environments on Earth. My exploration of the "Door to Hell" had evolved into an unforgettable desert adventure. The contrast between the surreal flaming crater and the tranquility of the desert night in a yurt had left me with memories that would remain etched in my heart. Visiting the Darvaza Crater is an experience that defies ordinary travel, and adding a night in a traditional yurt to your journey elevates the authenticity of your adventure. It offers a rare opportunity to connect with the desert's beauty and the warmth of its people. When planning a trip to this remote desert location, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and adhere to safety measures. The site is located in a potentially hazardous environment, so travel arrangements and permits should be in compliance with local regulations and guidelines. Turkmenistan may not be a common travel destination, but it is a place where you can discover the extraordinary. Whether you're drawn by the flaming inferno of the "Door to Hell" or the cultural ric

The Darvaza gas crater (Turkmen: Garagum ýalkymy), also known as the Door to Hell or Gates of Hell, or, officially, the Shining of Karakum, is a burning natural gas field collapsed into a cavern near Darvaza, Turkmenistan. The floor and especially rim of the crater are illumined by hundreds of natural gas fires. The crater has been burning for an unknown period of time, as how the crater formed and ignited remains unknown.

Hands down one of the (if not THE) most bizarre and incredible site I've seen so far. It's truly a freak of 'nature', and its 'Gates to Hell' moniker is, I think, appropriate. Definitely worth seeing, but this place is virtually impossible to get to if you don't hire a local professional driver. I came up to Derweze from Ashgabat - the capital - and the 4-hour drive through Karakul Desert was a grind, to say the least, first because of the countless potholes further into the desert heartland, then the final stretch when there's pretty much no definable road and it'll all a drive through the desert sand. It only makes sense to arrive at Darvaza for the night views, so that means most people will be approaching the place at around sundown / near dark, which makes navigation of the route even more treacherous. Bottom line - this place is a must visit if you're coming to Turkmenistan, but I highly recommend hiring a local driver for the entire journey.

It is much crazier in person than you could imagine. Basically every trip to Turkmenistan will come here and there is a reason for it. Come here if you can!

As with many monuments and sights in Ashgabat this too is extravagant. Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque is about 7km on the outskirts of the city and is the resting place for Saparmurat Niyazov, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006. It opened on 22 October 2004 and remains the centre of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (The Book of the Soul). The latter is a weird book by Nyýazow's 'pseudo-spiritual guide to life' are built into the walls. Becausse of this madness it is often empty as the Ruhnama inscriptions are considered blasphemous by devout mosquegoers. That pretty well tells you a lot about this city and its rulers.

I DID NOT FEEL THE PRESCENCE OF GOD I FELT UNHOLY, THIS IS NOT WHAT MY FATHER EXPECTED WHEN HE SENT ME TO SUCH AN INSTITUTION SLEEP WELL MOSQUE MEN

Iets buiten de stad ligt dit enorm gebouw. De Ruhy Mosque, gelinkt aan de versen uit het Ruhnama boek. Deze moskee, inclusief mausoleum, wordt steeds bewaakt. Toen wij er waren was er net een soort afwisseling van de wacht aan de gang. Deze site wordt zeer netjes onderhouden, nergens is een spikkeltje te zien. Dit hoort bij de enorm klassevolle uitstraling van de stad zelf. Prachtig, meer dan een bezoek waard (Translated by Google) This enormous building is located just outside the city. The Ruhy Mosque, linked to the verses from the Ruhnama book. This mosque, including the mausoleum, is always guarded. When we were there, some kind of changing of the guard was in progress. This site is very well maintained, there is not a speck anywhere to be seen. This is part of the extremely classy appearance of the city itself. Beautiful, more than worth a visit

On the outskirts of Ashgabat is the country’s biggest mosque which is under reconstruction until spring of 2024. Could go in side unfortunately because it looks amazing from the outside. Like the majority of buildings in Ashgabat, this is covered in white Italian marble and gold.

Idols in the courtyard of the mosque are HARAM (forbidden)

Architectural details and proportions are elegant and refined. For me the inner meanings of place were blurred. Many stories may be told of the origins and purpose - worth delving beyond a mere facade.

Everything was under construction when I visited mostly in preparation for an October 6th celebration. My rating reflects what it will look like when the refurbishing is done. I am told it is the largest mosque in Central Asia

Super great place to be, I just love it!

Came here last month Quite big marble flooring Looks shiny from far

Wonderful mosque all to yourself

Largest domed mosque in Central Asia. Genuinely jaw-dropping when you go inside (photos not allowed inside) Not that popular with local Muslims, so comparatively quiet, especially given the size. Go into the basement to see the scale of washing facilities. Be aware there are non-Quran phrases written on the walls of the mosque, from Turkmenbashi's book. Some may feel this is inappropriate for a Mosque.

I loved visit this place as it has an astonishing architecture however it has being closed for renovations!