Tomb Raider Guide | How to Escape the Geothermal Caverns and Rescue the Crew

Here's a guide to escape the geothermal caverns and rescue the crew in Tomb Raider.

Game Guide by Shadi on Dec 19, 2025

You start this section as a prisoner with just your Bow. Don't worry—you'll get all your gear back once you rescue your friends. To get out and complete the rescue, you'll need to navigate through poisonous methane gas clouds, sneak past enemies, and solve some environmental puzzles along the way.

Navigating Methane Gas Plumes

Notice the methane gas spewing from fumaroles. Passing through this gas depletes Lara's health.

You can ignite a plume with a Fire Arrow to temporarily clear it, giving you time to pass. Do not light your Torch near the gas. To complete the Firestarter challenge here, you need at least six arrows if you do not miss, so conserve them.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Escape the Geothermal Caverns and Rescue the Crew

Thrall Pit and First Exit

In the Thrall Pit, enemies called thralls will rush you. Attack them with your Pry Axe to conserve ammunition. To exit this area, pry off a gas regulation handle and ignite the resulting gas from a distance.

Stealth Section Past the First Gate

At a fork past the first gate, take cover on the right path. Circle around and perform a stealth kill on the first enemy while his partner checks the gate. Quickly eliminate the second enemy before he reaches the gate. The skill Axe Expert allows for faster axe stealth kills.

Geothermal Caverns Treasure Map

The Geothermal Caverns Treasure Map is located near a Base Camp. Look for a wooden mineshaft support structure next to a methane fumarole.

Climb on top of this structure using its sides to reach the map. Note that a nearby glowing metal cage is used for progression later and is not related to the map.

Eliminating Guards Near the Base Camp

A second group of enemies is near the Base Camp. Wait for one to step away. Headshot the enemy at the chessboard with an arrow, then kill the enemy checking a broken searchlight.

Bypassing the Second Gate

The second gate is bypassed, not destroyed. Operate a valve near the Base Camp to release gas. Detonate this gas plume. Use the resulting explosion to move a metal cage, then climb it to proceed.

Wait for two enemies to call a third down to their location. When all three are near a gas plume, ignite it to eliminate them. Loot their corpses for salvage and ammunition.

The Final Gate and Altar Room

Climb up to the final area. Ignite a gas plume to kill several cultists near an altar. Eliminate any remaining enemies yourself. To exit the altar room, wrench off a gas valve near the gate.

Stand back and shoot a Rope Arrow at a weighted contraption. Switch to a Fire Arrow. When the weight swings over the gas tap, ignite the plume to break down the door.

Escape and Crew Rescue Sequence

Lara must then flee through a gas-filled chamber to reach her friends. Upon arrival, eliminate all four guards in the cave. Open a gas valve near some wreckage and ignite it.

Tomb Raider, Guide, How to Escape the Geothermal Caverns and Rescue the Crew

Puzzle to Free the Captives

Climb on top of the captives' cage. You need to blow up two gas plumes quickly, one after the other. The first blast moves a weight toward the second plume, and the second explosion starts the next part. Climb around the cage to reach a new platform.

Use your Pry Axe to open two valves on this ledge. From the side, shoot one Fire Arrow to light both gas taps at once. This frees the crew and leads to the next big fight at the Solarii Fortress.

Also, check our Tomb Raider (2013) Review and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Review, and other guides below.