Dates: Septenber 1 - 8, 2024
Duration: 8 days/ 7 nights
Number of participants: 5 – 12
Cost of participation per person:- 1 500 USD for 10–12 participants,
- 1 600 USD for 8–9 participants,
- 1 700 USD for 5–7 participants.
10% discount for early booking (until May 1, 2024). Everything included except for:- Flight to and from Aktau,
- Medical insurance,
- Kazakhstan visa (not required for Russian citizens
Estimated cost of round-trip flights: Moscow – Aktau – Moscow: $400–$500 USD (usually purchased independently, with our consultation).Estimated cost of round-trip flights: Istanbul – Aktau – Istanbul: from $400 USD (usually purchased independently, with our consultation). Single room supplement in the hotel and yurt: $140 USD (single accommodation in tents is provided by default).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR IN KAZAKHSTANDay 1: September 1, 2024 (Sunday). AKTAU – "FALLEN EARTH" ZHYGYLGAN'Morning arrival in the city of Aktau. Breakfast and meeting with the team. From Aktau, we immediately set off for adventures, leaving civilization behind. Our journey takes us to the northernmost point of our expedition, covering over 150 km in one of the most remarkable parts of Mangystau. Our first destination is the ancient tectonic landslide called Zhygylgan, which translates from Kazakh as "fallen earth." We will witness how nature can create mesmerizing chaos. We'll capture some photos on steep cliffs and then descend to explore the labyrinth of ruins.
After descending, we'll have lunch and venture to discover new lands. Zhygylgan holds many secrets, and we'll see how many it reveals during this two-hour trek. Today, we may encounter traces of prehistoric lions' paws preserved as fossils and the heart-shaped Lake Kozdikara. Returning to our vehicles, if time allows, we'll witness the sunset over the sea. The Caspian Sea awaits us. We'll camp with a sea view for the night.
Meals included: Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Tents (single accommodation)Recommended flights: - Azerbaijan Airlines flight from Moscow with a layover in Baku, departure from Moscow on August 31 at 12:30, layover 7 hours, departure from Baku on August 1 at 23:50, and arrival in Aktau on September 1 at 01:55 in the morning. - Turkish Airlines flight from Moscow to Aktau with a layover in Istanbul, departure from Moscow on August 1 at 19:35, layover 1 hour 40 minutes, departure from Istanbul on September 1 at 1:15 in the morning, and arrival in Aktau on September 1 at 6:15 in the morning. - or Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Aktau direct, departure from Istanbul on September 1 at 1:15 in the morning, and arrival in Aktau on September 1 at 6:15 in the morning. - or any other flight arriving in Aktau no later than 9:30 in the morning on September 1. Day 2: September 2, 2024 (Monday). ZHYGYLGAN – UNDERGROUND MOSQUE SHAKPAK-ATA – TORISH BALL VALLEY – AYRAKTY CASTLE VALLEYToday, we wake up early because wonders have already awakened before us! Exiting our tents, we greet the sunrise while the team prepares a delicious breakfast for us. It's another eventful day. First, we visit the most beautiful underground mosque in Mangystau – Shakpak-Ata, carved into the chalk rock. You won't believe your eyes, but these fairytale walls with thousands of little holes were created by nature itself! There is no dress code for entry, but it's advisable not to be in the temple in short shorts and skirts, tank tops, or dresses with exposed shoulders. Bring a long scarf to cover bare parts of the body, and you can even tie a headscarf for atmospheric photos!
We'll spend about half an hour here, have lunch, and then head to the massive billiard table – the Valley of Torish Ball Concretions. Scientists still debate their origin, while locals share numerous legends.
Next, we proceed to the Ayrakty Castle Valley. Here, remnants of structures resembling ancient buildings are scattered everywhere. After witnessing the sunset at Ayrakty, we'll set up our camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Tents (single accommodation)Day 3: September 3, 2024 (Tuesday). AYRAKTY – SOLONCHAK TUZBAIR – SPHINX ROCK – CHALK CANYON – WHITE ARCH – YURT COMPLEXToday, we wake up early because we have several amazing locations on our visiting list, and there's a lot to see. We depart from Ayrakty towards Solonchak Tuzbair. Before lunch, we head to the panoramic platform of the Tuzbair salt flat, overlooking the white valley from above. Then, we explore the Sphinx Rock, searching for the teeth of ancient sharks and other dinosaur-era remnants at its base. Someone may get lucky and take home a real relic, while others may make a wish to return here again.
After lunch, we dedicate our time to a place with chalk rocks, hidden canyons, and the horizon-blurring white soru (salt). We venture into one of our favorite canyons, witnessing how water and wind carve the chalk walls, giving them a fairytale appearance. The most patient might find stones imprinted with ammonite and sea urchin fossils that are millions of years old.
Later, Tuzbair will reveal one of its distant secret locations - the Elephant Arch. Similar arches exist in America, but none are as wild, non-touristy, and snow-white as this one! Each participant will take home a fantastic photo from this place, keeping its location a secret.
We'll move to a stylized yurt complex, check into yurts after lunch, and have the opportunity for a hot shower. A traditional dinner and a night in traditional yurts.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Yurt (group accommodation) Day 4: September 4, 2024 (Wednesday). YURT COMPLEX – LACY CANYON YBYKTY – ZHANAOZEN – KYZYLKUP (TIRAMISU LOCATION)After breakfast at the yurt complex, we embark on a transfer and visit the Lacy Canyon Ybykty, the one that resembles the Antelope Canyon in America. You'll discover why it's called "Lacy" when you see it yourself.
Next, we move to the city of Zhanaozen, where we'll have lunch and then head to our second location for the day – the Tiramisu Valley. Locals named this area because walking through the striped hills gives the impression of wandering across a giant piece of dessert. For seasoned travelers, this place might evoke a blend of Arizona's The Wave and Peru's Rainbow Mountains. Undoubtedly one of the best spots in Mangystau, a true feast for the eyes and an ideal location for a drone!
Here, we'll witness the sunset and capture incredible shots. Camp setup and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Tents (single accommodation)Day 5: September 5, 2024 (Thursday). KYZYLKUP (TIRAMISU LOCATION) – MOUNT BOCTY – BOZHYRA LOCATION – "DRAGON'S RIDGE"After breakfast, we take a short stroll through the Kyzylkup location, then proceed to one of Kazakhstan's most famous landmarks. If you've ever held a 1000 tenge note in your hands, you're likely familiar with the image of the unique 165-meter mountain, standing only 8 meters above sea level. The colorful Bokty Mountain is renowned for its astonishing trapezoidal structure and a palette of shades ranging from white and yellowish to pink, red, and finally, brown—sculpted over centuries by wind and erosion.
Many tourists liken it to an upside-down ship, although from another angle, its contours resemble a natural pyramid—a marvelous creation of Mother Nature herself. The mountain is surrounded by a vast dried salt flat, forming a desert covering tens of square kilometers. Despite the fauna's scarcity in this region, which was once the ocean floor, you can find incredible artifacts such as the teeth of ancient animals and imprints sealed in stones.
We then have lunch, gather strength for a transfer to Bozhyra, and take a walk along the Dragon's Ridge—a picturesque mountain with sharp teeth resembling a comb. Strong winds are common in this area, and we'll ascend to observation platforms, swept by the dry wind.
Arrival at our camp in Bozhyra—the most epic location in Mangystau. This is where the thought often crosses our minds that we've landed on Mars!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Tents (single accommodation) Day 6: September 6, 2024 (Friday). ASCENT TO "BOZHYRA'S FANGS" – ZHANAOZEN – CASPIAN SEABefore breakfast, you can capture the rocks of Bozhyra in the light of the sunrise. Today is a crucial day. We'll ascend the holy of holies—Bozhyra—and come face to face with its fangs. A challenging hike awaits us along the smooth protrusions of the mountain, but in less than an hour, we'll climb to the most epic observation platform in all of Mangystau. Euphoria courses through our veins, "wow" every three minutes, and the most unique travel photos among travelers are guaranteed.
After the photoshoot, enjoying the views and contemplating the grandeur, we descend to the camp, rest, and have lunch. After lunch, we head towards the calm waters of the Caspian Sea. We'll witness the sunset with the awareness that we are on the shore of the world's largest lake, and after the sunset photoshoot, dinner awaits us by the sound of the waves.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Tents (single accommodation)Day 7: September 7, 2024 (Saturday). CASPIAN SEAOur camp stands right on the seashore amidst picturesque seashell-strewn stones and snow-white beaches. It's hard to believe that such a place exists in these harsh steppes, but it's not a dream.
The plan: relaxation, swimming in the sea, sunbathing, exploring the coastline until lunch. After that, we return closer to civilization to enjoy the last night in a comfortable bed. Checking into a hotel by the sea, shower, civilization, and relaxation. We'll spend a pleasant final evening with dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation included: Sartas Visit Center (double accommodation)Day 8: September 8, 2024 (Sunday). CASPIAN SEA – AKTAUOn the final day, in the golden morning rays, we create final photo masterpieces. Sea enthusiasts can swim again in the cool waters of the Caspian or simply sunbathe. After breakfast, we pack up and return to the city of Aktau.
And there, as it is customary: tears, sincere confessions, hugs, and promises to return here again.
Meals included: Breakfast, LunchAccommodation included: NoneRecommended flights: - Aeroflot flight direct to Moscow, departure from Aktau on September 8 at 18:15 and arrival in Moscow at 19:15 on September 8.- Azerbaijan Airlines flight to Moscow with a layover in Baku, departure from Aktau on September 8 at 2:55 in the morning, layover 6 hours, departure from Baku on September 8 at 9:05 in the morning, and arrival in Moscow at 11:30 in the morning on September 8- Turkish Airlines flight from Aktau to Moscow with a layover in Istanbul, departure at 7:15 in the morning on September 8 and arrival in Istanbul at 9:00 in the morning, departure from Istanbul at 14:15, and arrival in Moscow at 18:10 on September 8 (additional early transfer to the airport required).- Turkish Airlines flight from Aktau to Istanbul, departure at 7:15 in the morning on September 8 and arrival in Istanbul at 9:00 in the morning on September 8 (additional early transfer to the airport required).- or any other flight departing from Aktau no earlier than 16:00 on September 8.