The famous Hell’s Gate in Derweze, Turkmenistan, has become one of the country’s most striking symbols — a massive crater burning in the middle of the Karakum Desert. At first glance, many visitors think it is a natural wonder. In fact, it is a man-made disaster site.
A Fire That Should Have Gone Out Decades Ago
In 1971, Soviet geologists were drilling in search of natural gas reserves when their rig suddenly collapsed into an underground cavity filled with gas. To prevent the spread of toxic fumes, they set the site on fire, expecting it to burn out within a few weeks. More than fifty years later, the crater is still burning — a haunting reminder of human error and nature’s unpredictability.
Environmental Concerns
Although the crater’s overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is small, it still releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. The constant burning also affects the fragile Karakum Desert ecosystem, where high heat and gas emissions can damage the surrounding flora and fauna. Several government attempts to extinguish the fire have so far been unsuccessful.
Conditions at the Site
Visitors should be aware that the site is extremely remote and lacks any form of tourist infrastructure. There are no hotels or guesthouses within a two-hour drive, and the roads leading to the crater are in poor condition. The desert is home to various insects and creatures such as scorpions, and temperature changes between day and night can be extreme — unbearably hot during the day and freezing cold after sunset.
During the daytime, the flames are barely visible, making a visit at that time rather disappointing. At night, however, the glowing crater creates a surreal and captivating sight that truly lives up to its ominous name.
The Journey
The trip from Ashgabat takes about five hours through empty desert landscapes. There are no notable attractions along the way, and road conditions are poor, making the drive long and demanding. The experience, however, offers a rare glimpse into the raw and untouched beauty of Turkmenistan’s wilderness.
Experience It the Safe Way
If you still wish to witness this remarkable phenomenon, we can organize it for you in comfort and safety. Our evening add-on tour departs from Ashgabat at 4:00 PM, includes a barbecue dinner by the crater, and returns to the city around 2:00 AM.
This program can be added to any of our 19-day Silk Road tours for $400 per person.
Seeing the Gates of Hell is not for everyone — but for those who dare, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
See Our 19-Day 5 Stans Tour for Details.
Discover more from East Site Travel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
