MANGYSTAU: NATURAL WONDERS SAFARI IN WESTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Detailed Itinerary

1. 01

   DAY 1: Welcome to Kazakhstan - Arrival in Aktau

   Welcome to Mangystau! Upon your arrival at Aktau airport, our team warmly welcomes you to this land of contrasts. We then head to your hotel, nestled near the seaside, where you can soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the Caspian coast. Enjoy this first day to discover Aktau's "Promenade des Anglais" and recharge before our great adventure begins tomorrow morning.

2. 02

   DAY 2: Zhygylgan Gorge - Sultan-epe Necropolis - Shakpak-ata Mosque and Kapamsai Canyon

   Zhygylgan Gorge, whose name means "collapsed land" in Kazakh, is a circular depression created by a massive landslide. You can admire rock paintings, deep caves, and fossilized imprints.

   Nearby, we visit the Sultan-epe Necropolis, patron saint of fishermen and navigators, a student of the famous Sufi poet Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, whose magnificent mausoleum is located in Turkistan. We continue to the Shakpak-ata mosque, elegantly carved into the rock. Several centuries ago, this sacred place was the scene of Sufi dances and healing rituals.

   We also stop at Kapamsai Canyon, formed by Cretaceous deposits. The white hue of the canyon, in harmony with the green of vegetation, gives it a unique beauty.

3. 03

   DAY 3: Ybyqty Canyon

   Ybykty, a small natural wonder of Mangystau, fascinates with its singular beauty. This narrow canyon winds like a river, revealing astonishing formations at every turn. Its walls adorned with honeycomb-like cavities resemble honeycombs, porous chocolate, or bones seen under a microscope.

   These unique formations likely originated from remnants of marine life that once inhabited the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean: perhaps skeletons of coral reefs or other marine organisms, or the result of chemical reactions under water pressure.

   Exploring Ybykty is an unforgettable experience. The canyon walls gradually narrow, and some areas remain in permanent shadow, lit only by reflections. About 200 meters long, the canyon sometimes requires effort: after 50 meters, large steps appear, followed by slopes so steep that a ladder is necessary to go further.

4. 04

   DAY 4: Mount Sherkala - Valley of Castles and Torysh Valley

   We head toward Mount Sherkala, one of the emblems of Mangystau. This imposing rocky mountain, sometimes nicknamed "the sphinx of Mangystau," is often compared to a yurt or a lion due to its unique shape and hues.

   We continue toward the site of Airakty-Shomanai, in the Valley of Castles, whose steep cliffs stand like hand-carved fortresses.

   We discover the Torysh Valley, also known as the "Valley of Stone Balls." Its surprising circular rock formations evoke giant dinosaur eggs.

5. 05

   DAY 5: Mount Karadermen and Tuzbair Salt Lake

   The first stage of our day offers us the opportunity to admire remarkable stone mushrooms, characteristic of Mount Karadermen (Black Canyon). We then continue our route toward our main destination: Tuzbair salt lake, a true paradise for photographers. Its vast expanses of white salt stretch as far as the eye can see, bordered by imposing white cliffs. After rains, this region transforms into an immense liquid mirror, magnificently reflecting the sky.

   However, Tuzbair is not limited to its spectacular landscapes. It is also a prime site for fossil hunting, where one can discover vestiges of marine life from the ancient Tethys Ocean. Furthermore, its ecosystem is home to camels, wild horses, and the elusive saiga antelope.

6. 06

   DAY 6: Bozzhira and Tiramisu Canyon (Kyzylkup)

   We begin our day at the Bozzhira site, the true "pearl" of Mangystau. Located at the western edge of the Ustyurt Plateau, Bozzhira is distinguished by its majestic limestone cliffs, whose strata, formed over hundreds of millions of years, reach up to 250 meters in height and contain marine fossils. The site offers three impressive viewpoints: the "Martian Panorama," the "Dragon's Ridge," and the "Fangs Formation."

   We continue our adventure toward Kyzylkup Canyon, nicknamed "Tiramisu." This place consists of dazzling hills with red and white chalky rock strata, stretching as far as the eye can see across the Kazakh steppe. Its reddish hues evoke exploration on planet Mars.

7. 07

   DAY 7: Senek Dunes and Mount Bokty

   Mount Bokty, standing 165 meters high, is distinguished by its pastel layers of white, yellow, reddish, and brown. It evokes a gigantic cake placed in the heart of a salt plain. Its colorful layers result from Cretaceous sandstone deposits stacked over time. This landscape becomes even more spectacular at sunrise or sunset, when light transforms its hues into a true spectacle. A wonder to behold, which amply rewards the effort required to reach it.

   As for the Senek dunes, which we also visit, they stretch for several kilometers and are constantly migrating. Some reach more than 25 meters in height. The exotic landscape they form attracts many travelers.

8. 08

   DAY 8: Transfer to Aktau airport

   This day marks the end of your adventure in Mangystau. After dropping you off at Aktau airport, it's time to say our goodbyes, hoping that this safari has inspired you to continue exploring Central Asia with us.