Description
Overview
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Kazakhstan’s wild west with this expedition across the Mangystau region, where alien landscapes and ancient mysteries collide.
Starting in Aktau on the windswept shores of the Caspian Sea, the route winds through the striking Kapamsay Gorge and the hauntingly beautiful underground mosque of Shakpak Ata, before reaching Sherkala Mountain, often dubbed the “Sleeping Lion.”
You’ll wander through the surreal rock formations of the Valley of Castles and marvel at the perfectly round Stone Balls of Torysh, a geological puzzle scattered across the steppe. The tour continues to the shimmering Tuzbair Salt Flat, where the desert meets a mirage-like white expanse, and ends at the dramatic Bozzhyra Canyon, Mangystau’s crown jewel, where the desert views stretch across otherworldly cliffs and spires that look like something from another planet.
Itinerary
Aktau, Kazakhstan
Day 1: Welcome to Aktau
Your Mangystau adventure kicks off as you touch down in Aktau, the breezy port city stretched along the shores of the Caspian Sea. There’s something electric about that first breath of salty air mixed with the warm desert breeze, reminding you that you’re about to explore one of Kazakhstan’s most surreal corners.
After arriving, you’ll head straight to your cozy base for the night, a comfortable 4 star hotel right in the heart of the city. It’s the perfect spot to shake off the travel fatigueand prepare for the epic landscapes waiting for you beyond Aktau. Tomorrow, the Mangystau wildness begins in earnest, but tonight is for recovery, a gentle ease into this land of salt flats, canyons, and camel-dotted horizons.
Kapamsay Gorge | Shakpak-Ata | Sherkala
Day 2: Kapamsay Gorge, Shakpak-Ata, and the Mysterious Sherkala
After breakfast, depart Aktau and into landscapes that look like they were painted by a moody Kazakh artist with a taste for the dramatic.
First stop: Kapamsay Gorge. Picture a narrow canyon carved through chalky white cliffs, where sunlight filters down in golden slices and the silence is so thick you can almost taste it. It’s the kind of place that makes you whisper without realizing it.
Next, you’ll visit Shakpak-Ata, a mystical underground mosque carved directly into the rock, where centuries-old carvings and petroglyphs cling to the walls. It’s part pilgrimage site, part living museum, and stepping inside feels like stepping back in time, where the stories of wandering Sufis still linger in the dusty air.
The day ends under the shadow of Sherkala, a giant lone mountain rising out of the desert, often called the ‘Kazakh Sphinx’ or ‘Lion’s Fortress.’ Locals will tell you stories about hidden tunnels, ancient sieges, and camel caravans that once passed this way, and you can’t help but feel the history rumbling under your boots. Watching Sherkala change color with the sunset is a reminder of why you made the trek all the way to Mangystau.
Tonight will be spent at either a yurt camp or a guesthouse.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Airakty | Torysh Valley | Tuzbair Salt Flat
Day 3: Airakty, Torysh Valley, and Tuzbair Salt Flat
You’ll kick off you third day in Mangystau with Airakty, also known as the Valley of Castles. Eroded sandstone towers rise like crumbling fortresses from the desert floor, and it’s easy to see how this place got its name. You’ll find yourself weaving between spires and ridges, half-expecting a dragon to peek over a cliff or a lone horse to appear in the dusty morning light, mane whipping in the wind.
Next up is Torysh Valley, home to the mysterious Stone Balls of Mangystau. These perfectly round boulders are scattered across the valley like a cosmic game of marbles, and no one really knows how they got here. Legend says they are the eggs of dragons or petrified remnants of a battle between giants, but whatever the truth, they’re undeniably cool to wander through, snapping photos as you hop between these geological oddities.
The day closes out at the Tuzbair Salt Flat, a vast, white expanse that stretches out to meet the horizon, reflecting the sky in a mirror-like sheen when there’s water, and cracking into otherworldly patterns when dry. Walking across Tuzbair feels like being on the moon, and when the light hits just right at sunset, the pink and lavender reflections turn this place into a pastel dreamscape. It’s the perfect spot to watch the day fade, breathing in the crisp, salty air under a sky so wide it makes you feel small in the best way.
Tonight, you’ll camp or overnight nearby, drifting off under a Milky Way so clear you’ll forget cities ever existed, already buzzing for your final day exploring Mangystau’s surreal landscapes.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Bozzhyra | Kyzylkup | Mt Bokty | Aktau
Day 4: Bozzhyra Tract and the Road Back to Aktau
Your final day in Mangystau brings some of the region’s most jaw-dropping views yet.
The day begins with a visit to the Bozzhyra Tract, where the famous ‘Fangs’ of Bozzhyra rise sharply from the white clay earth like the teeth of a sleeping beast. Standing on the edge of the plateau, the views roll out in waves of pale cliffs, cracked earth, and layered rock that stretches into infinity. The light turns Bozzhyra into a pastel painting, and the silence feels like a gift before you head back to city life.
Next, you’ll wander through Kyzylkup Valley, nicknamed the Tiramisu Cliffs for their striped sedimentary layers that look like a giant’s slice of cake. The cliffs stack creamy whites, dusty browns, and soft rouge into perfect horizontal lines.
Finally, you’ll visit Mount Bokty, the iconic table-shaped mountain whose flat summit and ever-shifting colors make it one of Mangystau’s most photographed landmarks. Depending on the time of day, Bokty glows pink, gold, or deep red, and you’ll want to just sit and watch the mountain change with the light before it’s time to go.
By late afternoon, you’ll drive back to Aktau, rolling into the city around 18:00. You’ll check into your comfortable 4 star hotel in Aktau for a final night of rest, breakfast included, before your departure tomorrow.
As you fall asleep, you’ll probably find yourself replaying Mangystau’s wide skies, moon-like salt flats, and dragon-egg valleys in your mind, already plotting a return to this hidden corner of Kazakhstan where the desert meets the sea and the silence of the steppe stretches on forever.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What's included
What's Included
- All meals as indicated on the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- 4WD transportation
- Accommodation on twin room sharing basis in hotels, guesthouses & homestays
What's Not Included
- Kyrgyzstan visa fee (if applicable)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips for local staff
Extras & Options
Single Supplement
Private Room & Yurt Stay Throughout the Trip
FROM $300.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
FAQs
Yes, Kazakhstan is a very safe country.
This 4 Day Almaty Expedition will begin and finish in Almaty, Kazakhstan
This Almaty Expedition is rated as moderate. There will be longer days on bumpy jeep tracks, nights in yurts, and some walking and light trekking.
Many nationalities are granted 30 days of visa-free entry to Kazakhstan.
Those that require a visa or e-visa, please get in contact with us.
To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that Kazkahstan’s generally remote nature poses very real challenges. It is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation.
We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue.
The Kazakh Tenge (₸) is the official currency of Kazakhstan. The value of the Tenge fluctuates, and is currently around 510 ₸ to $1 USD.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Almaty expedition that can be viewed here.
The food you’ll encounter during your time in the Almaty Region will be simple and traditional. In Almaty, you can find an array of international and national cuisine on offer. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Kazakhstan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.
Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.
SIM cards are available for purchase in Almaty, with K-Cell, Activ, and Mega having the best service. Internet can be intermittent once we depart Almaty into the greater Almaty region, as we will have some nights where we will have limited access to mobile internet or Wi-Fi.
You can expect to have electricity most nights of the expedition.
Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.