CENTRAL ASIA TRAVEL BLOG

Turkmenistan in Winter: Weather, What to Wear & Darvaza in the Cold

Nov 2, 2026 | Blog

Tour group silhouetted on a desert hill near Darvaza Gas Crater beneath an orange sunrise sky.

Winter in Turkmenistan surprises most travellers. Days are often sunny and crisp, nights in the desert are cold, and snow is rare. And the Darvaza Gas Crater? On a frosty night, its flames look more dramatic than ever.

Is Turkmenistan Worth Visiting in Winter?

Yes — as long as you pack for cold evenings. Winter here runs from December to February, and it is much milder than many people expect. Most days are dry and bright, and on some afternoons it feels more like spring than winter. Then the sun goes down, the desert cools quickly, and you will be glad of a warm jacket.

All the main sights stay open in winter: Ashgabat, Ancient Merv, Kunya-Urgench, the Yangykala Canyon and, of course, the Darvaza Gas Crater. Snow does fall sometimes, but it is rare, and it usually melts within a couple of days.

Travellers watching the sunrise from a rocky viewpoint in the Karakum Desert on a winter morning in Turkmenistan — New Year's morning in the Karakum Desert, 1 January 2026.

Sunny daysDry and bright, often +8…+13 °C in the south

Cold nightsAround or below freezing, colder in the desert

Rare snowLight when it falls, gone in a day or two

Winter Weather in Turkmenistan by City

Turkmenistan is a big country, and winter feels quite different in the south and in the north. Ashgabat and Mary stay fairly mild, while Dashoguz, near the Uzbek border, is the coldest place on most routes.

Place	December	January	February
Ashgabat	+1…+10 °C	0…+9 °C	+1…+11 °C
Mary (Ancient Merv)	+1…+11 °C	0…+10 °C	+2…+13 °C
Darvaza Gas Crater*	Nights usually below freezing, days around +5…+10 °C
Turkmenabat	−1…+9 °C	−2…+8 °C	0…+11 °C
Dashoguz	−4…+4 °C	−5…+2 °C	−4…+6 °C
Turkmenbashi (Caspian)	+1…+9 °C	0…+8 °C	0…+9 °C

Average night and day temperatures. *There is no weather station at the crater, so this is our estimate based on nearby cities and our winter trips.

Now and then, a cold wave from the north brings a few sharp, frosty nights — in Ashgabat the temperature can drop to −10 °C or lower. These spells don't last long, and the days usually stay sunny.

Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum glowing at sunset in Ancient Merv, Turkmenistan — Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ancient Merv

Tourists photographing the illuminated Independence Monument in Ashgabat at night — Ashgabat at night

Out west, the Yangykala Canyon is just as beautiful in winter as at any other time of year — and on a clear day, the light over the striped cliffs is wonderful.

Traveller at the Crocodile Rock viewpoint in the Yangykala Canyon, western Turkmenistan — The "Crocodile" viewpoint, Yangykala Canyon.

Darvaza Gas Crater in Winter

This is where winter really pays off. The Darvaza Gas Crater burns all year round, but on a cold, clear night the contrast is unforgettable: icy air on your face, and waves of heat rising from the fire below. Many of our travellers say the crater feels even more dramatic in winter than in summer.

Darvaza Gas Crater burning at dusk on a winter evening in December, Turkmenistan — Darvaza at dusk, 31 December 2025.

How cold is it at night?

Darvaza sits in the middle of the Karakum Desert, so nights are colder than in the cities. In December and January, the temperature usually drops below freezing after dark. The good news: standing near the crater keeps you surprisingly warm, and you can even warm your hands over the small gas flames around it.

Traveller warming her hands over a small natural gas flame near the Darvaza Gas Crater at night — Warming up by a natural gas flame near the crater.

Staying warm at the yurt camp

Most of our Darvaza trips include a night at the Darvaza Yurt Camp, a short walk from the crater. In winter, the yurts are heated with a wood-burning stove, and we provide sleeping bags and blankets, so you can sleep comfortably even on the coldest nights.

Good to know: the showers at the camp are closed in winter, so plan for a "desert night" — wet wipes are your best friend.

Traditional reed yurt at the Darvaza yurt camp under a dramatic evening sky — A traditional yurt at the camp near Darvaza.

What to Wear and Pack for a Winter Trip

The trick is layers. During the day you may walk around Ashgabat or Merv in a light jacket, and a few hours later you will be standing in the desert after sunset.

A warm jacket — a down or insulated jacket for the evening at Darvaza.
Layers — a fleece or warm sweater you can take off during sunny afternoons.
Hat, gloves and a scarf — small things that make the night at the crater much more comfortable.
Comfortable closed shoes — the ground around the crater is sandy and uneven.
A torch or headlamp — for walking between the camp and the crater after dark.
Sunglasses and lip balm — winter sun and dry desert air.

For the full list, see our Turkmenistan packing list.

Travellers in warm jackets watching sunrise over the Karakum Desert in winter — Warm jackets on, watching the sunrise in the Karakum Desert.

Good to Know Before You Go

Short days. It gets dark early in winter, around 5 pm, so we plan sightseeing for the daylight hours.
Quieter sights. Fewer visitors means more space at the big sights and better photos without crowds.
Everything is open. Museums, historical sites and the crater can all be visited in winter.
Weather can change. Some weeks feel almost like spring, others bring a few frosty nights. Your guide will always plan the day around the weather.
e-Visa. You will need a Turkmenistan e-Visa, which we arrange after your tour is confirmed.

Not sure if winter is right for you? Compare all seasons in our guide to the best time to visit Turkmenistan.

New Year at the Darvaza Gas Crater

If you are in Central Asia over the holidays, there is no more unforgettable place to welcome the New Year. Join our small group, count down to midnight beside the burning crater, and celebrate with a Turkmen feast, music and a warm yurt camp under the desert stars.

2-Day Tour from Khiva31 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027from US$397

4-Day Tour from Bukhara29 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 · via Merv & Ashgabatfrom US$749

See the New Year Tours

Large group of travellers enjoying dinner together inside the yurt camp restaurant near the Darvaza Gas Crater — Dinner together at the yurt camp near Darvaza.

Prefer to travel at another time this winter? All our Turkmenistan tours run throughout the season.

Turkmenistan in Winter: FAQ

Is it cold at the Darvaza Gas Crater in winter?

Yes, at night. In December and January the temperature at Darvaza usually drops below freezing after dark. Days are cooler but often sunny. The heat from the crater and the heated yurts at the camp help you stay warm.

Does it snow in Turkmenistan?

Sometimes, but rarely. Snow is light when it falls and usually melts within a day or two. Most winter days are dry and sunny.

Can you visit Darvaza in winter?

Yes. The Darvaza Gas Crater burns all year round and can be visited in every season. Many travellers find it even more impressive on a cold, clear winter night.

Are the yurts at Darvaza heated in winter?

Yes. In winter, the yurts are heated with a wood-burning stove, and sleeping bags and blankets are provided. Note that the showers at the camp are closed in winter.

What should I wear in Turkmenistan in winter?

Bring layers: a warm insulated jacket for the evenings, a fleece or sweater, a hat, gloves and comfortable closed shoes. Days can be mild, but desert nights are cold.