Gates to Hell in Turkmenistan Asia , a classic horror movie premise.

While searching for oil reserves in a large desert, The ground cracked and the drilling rig collapsed into a vast cavern, opening up Gate of Hell.

Darvaza gas crater, in the Karakum Desert In Turkmenistan, it is a large tear in the ground, 30 metres (98 ft) deep and 70 metres (230 ft) wide.

After the Soviets discovered it, it burned for decades, and is known by locals as the “Gateway to Hell.” If you’re brave enough, you can visit it.

Door to Hell, the Ominous Hole in Turkmenistan

History of the discovery of the Gate of Hell in Turkmenistan

The Karakum Desert covers nearly three-quarters of Turkmenistan. In Central Asia. 

This area contains large deposits of oil and natural gas.

In 1971, Soviet engineers came looking for oil, but instead found a pocket of natural gas.

During drilling and excavation, the pocket collapsed, creating the Darvaz gas crater – and methane gas immediately began leaking.

As a result, and to prevent any toxic gases from spreading to the surrounding towns, the engineers ignited the gas in the crater, and surprisingly, it did not It still burns to this day.

Turkmenistan

Hell's Gate in the Karakum Desert

The Legend of Hell's Gate

Legends surround the origins of the crater, with some geologists claiming that the crater was not a fire, but rather self-ignited in the 1980s. 

Whatever the truth, it's burning now, and it looks like the world's largest gas stove. A roaring hole of flames that won't go out.

As fires blazed around the floor and rim of the pit, dozens of smaller flames too, like demonic spirits swarming in the darkness.

While Darvaza has a certain fame, not many visitors come here, and you can – with caution – crawl towards the edge of the crater to see the eerie sight of the fires.

Hell's Gate Edge

Visit the pit

Near the crater there is a sheltered camping spot behind a small hill, as well as a few huts and several tour company tents.

Darvaz village is a small settlement a short drive from the crater, with some limited accommodation.

But Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, is about a three-hour drive to the south, and Dzhokhar, near the border with Uzbekistan, is about five hours to the northeast.

Because of this, most people come here only for a short tour, although it is possible to visit the area easily.
Buses between Ashgabat and Dzhokuz stop in Darvaz village, and you can get around locally and arrange your trip.
It is possible to hike from the village to the crater, but the desert terrain and the risk of getting lost in the desert on the way back, means that it is not recommended to do it on your own.
Turkmenistan

Visit the gates of hell

Tourism in Turkmenistan

The Darvaza Crater may be Turkmenistan's most famous sight, but for many years it was not advertised - seen as a sign of failure rather than a major phenomenon.

And yet you won't see as much focus on the "Gate of Hell" as you will on the ancient city of Merv, a city of museums and minarets, with a sprawling collection of ruins.

In the capital, Ashgabat, income from Turkmenistan's natural resources has been invested in monuments, parks and palaces.

Elsewhere, the Yangikkala Canyon is an epic landscape of yellow and pink rocks, while in other parts of the Karakum Desert you can explore oasis towns and traditional ways of life.

On a three- or four-day trip, you can take a trip to Ashgabat and the Gates of Hell, while a longer trip opens up an opportunity to get acquainted with different parts of the country.

Turkmenistan

Hell's Gate Future

Contrary to popular belief, the Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Gates of Hell, is very fragile.

Some of its edges are crumbling, and no one knows when its fires will go out - it may last another 50 years, or it may die down tomorrow.

Matters are further complicated by the Turkmen government's desire to exploit oil and gas in the region.

There is also a small pumping station near the crater.

Hell's Gate - Karakum Desert