Darvaza

This blazing gas crater, Darvaza, often known as the "Gate of Hell," is one of the world's most unique tourist attractions. The flames from the gigantic crater in the middle of the desert stir the imagination of both tourists and locals, and Darvaza means Gate in Turkmen. The origins of this strange crater are surprisingly simple since Soviet geologists were drilling for gas at the site of a cavern in 1971. The gas was released as the cavern collapsed. Nobody was hurt, however, the gas was lit on fire on purpose to avoid being poisoned.

Although there are no reliable records of the occurrence, the fact remains that the gas cavern has been burning ever since. The crater has a diameter of 69 meters and a depth of 30 meters. You can go around it, and since 2018, a barrier has been constructed for the safety of travelers. This spectacular landmark in the Karakum desert may be seen, and it is even more impressive to stay overnight and see it at night. In 2013, the first guy to reach the bottom of the gas crater achieved a new Guinness World Record. This was part of the National Geographic Channel series Die Trying, however you should not try to go down unless you also want to set a World Record, as the title of the episode suggests.

Location: Ahal, Turkmenistan
Entrance fee: N/A
Best time to visit: April to October
Hours: N/A