Mangystau (or, as it was previously called, Mangyshlak) is often compared to “The Lost World” by Arthur Conan Doyle. Indeed, you can’t count how many surprises and mysteries the peninsula conceals.

Start: Aktau city/Beineu village

Finish: Aktau city/Beineu village

Duration: 5 days

Seasonality: June-September

Map: in picture gallery above.

In view of the merciless Mangystau sun and high temperatures, we adapt the program to an overnight stay in the city of Aktau. However, if you are a fan of extreme conditions, then we can organize a circular route with an overnight stay in tents, without returning to the city of Aktau every day. Below we will consider the option of spending the night in a hotel in Aktau.

Day 1:

On the morning of the first day of the tour, we leave the village of Beineu to conquer Mangystau. The first location that will meet us will be the panoramic point of the Tuzbair valley. Next, we will visit Mount Sherkala. If you look at it from one side, the mountain resembles a huge white yurt, but on the other hand, Sherkala resembles a sleeping lion, resting its huge head on its paws. The name Sherkala translated from Persian means “Lion's Fortress”. or "The Lion's Fortress". In the hottest afternoon, we will visit the Samal gorge. Among the endless number of salty and saline wells and springs of Mangistau, freshwater springs are the true wealth of this region, giving life to all living things. During hot seasons, most of the springs dry up. A rare exception to this rule is the Samal Gorge, where a small river flows all year round. Afterwards we will visit the Airakty Shomanai valley. Airakty is a system of remnant mountains in the Mangystau region. Among the local population, the name Airakty-Shomanay is common, but in the world the mountains are better known under the name “Valley of Castles Airakty”. The name “Valley of Castles” was assigned to the area thanks to a series of drawings by the famous Ukrainian artist and poet Taras Shevchenko, who visited here in 1851. The area really looks like a deserted fairy-tale city. At the end of the day, we will spend the night in real nomadic dwellings - yurts, which are located in a real oasis in the middle of the sultry desert.

Day 2:

On the second day we go to one of the most mystical places in Mangystau - the valley of Torysh balls. For tourists, these spherical nodules evoke different associations; some call them watermelons, coconuts or bowling balls. Thinking about the size of the balls, tourists imagine those who could roll or move them. Next, we will visit the Tamshaly canyon, at the bottom of which there is a lake that serves as a habitat for relict turtles. The canyon is surrounded by sheer cliffs on one side and a 12-kilometer valley leading to the Caspian Sea on the other. Water breaks through the rocks in the gorge, which resembles a waterfall in its appearance. We will follow the valley of the Tamshaly tract to the Caspian Sea. There is a deserted beach with clean, fine sand where you can swim. At the end of the day, arrival in the city of Aktau.

Day 3:

On the morning of the third day of the journey we head to the Shakpakatasai canyon. This is a chalk canyon, to some it resembles the comb of a sea fish, and to others it resembles the whitest teeth. In the depths of the canyon there is one of the most interesting underground mosques in Mangystau - the Shakpak Ata mosque. According to local legends, a long time ago the healer Shakpak-ata lived in a cave on the mountainside. People from all surrounding areas came to him for healing of soul and body. Centuries have passed, the old man has passed away, but people still come to the cave so that the power of the ancient healer can help them. Next, we will visit the Kapamsay Canyon - a picturesque natural corridor formed by sedimentary deposits of the Jurassic-Cretaceous period. The huge chalk cliffs of the canyon in some places reach 70 meters and amaze with their harsh beauty. The Kapamsay Canyon has its own attraction; it is a huge, beautiful grotto, in the roof of which a hole has formed due to rains and strong winds. At the end of the day, we will visit Cape Zhygylgan, or Cape “Fallen Earth”. The cape is considered one of the most unusual places on the Mangyshlak Peninsula in the Mangystau region. Tourists who have visited here admire the beautiful views and are surprised by the unusual sight of the land “falling into the sea.” Return to Aktau city in the evening.

Day 4:

On the fourth day we will visit the top attractions of Mangystau. Mount Bokty will open the day. The mountain consists of rocks of different colors that alternate with each other. At the foot of the rock, the colors are the lightest, somewhere in the middle there is a sharp transition of the rock layer to dark colors. Afterwards we will visit the visiting card of Mangystau - the Boszhira tract. The tract is a whole ridge of rock formations of different sizes and shapes. It is located at the bottom of a huge canyon in the western part of the Ustyurt plateau on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. There is also a mountain of the same name, the height of which at its peak reaches 287 meters. The entrance to the tract is preceded by peculiar “fangs” - outcrops, which have become the most photographed place in Boszhira. And at the end of the day, we will visit the most important mosque of Mangystau - the underground Beket Ata mosque. Getting to it is not so easy. You need to cover hundreds of kilometers of desert terrain, and then walk a few more kilometers. However, despite the difficult accessibility, the Beket-Ata Mosque is an object of pilgrimage for a huge number of people. It was founded by one of the most revered Kazakh religious figures and preachers of Sufism, Beket-Ata, who during his lifetime was famous for the gift of healing not only the body, but also the soul. The saint's grave is located right in the mosque. This is a place with special energy. Believers say that after visiting the necropolis, real miracles happen to them. At the end of the day return to the city of Aktau.

Day 5:

On the fifth day we say goodbye to Aktau and move towards the village of Beineu. On the way we will visit the Tuzbair village. This is a very extensive attraction: from one point you can clearly see the pink lake at the foot of Tuzbair, on the other hand you can clearly see that this mountain is located on the 1000 tenge banknote, on the third side you can see the famous chalk arch, etc. Also, on the list of must-see locations in Tuzbair is the local Sphinx, at the foot of which tourists often find various fossils, such as ammonites and fossilized shark teeth. Arrival in the village of Beineu in the evening.

Tour locations: 1. Karagiye Depression 2. Shopan Ata Underground Mosque 3. Bokty Mountain 4. Boszhir Valley 5. Beket Ata Underground Mosque 6. Sor Tuzbair 7. Airakty Shomanay Valley 8. Sherkala Mountain 9. Samal Gorge 10. Kokala Valley

1. An identification document or passport is required. Since the route partially passes through the border zone, document verification is possible.

2.Individual medicines and personal hygiene items. All our jeeps are equipped with medical first aid kits, but only you know what and in what quantity is right for you.

3. Wardrobe and personal hygiene items. We always recommend that you take care, first of all, of comfortable shoes and sun protection (hat, sunscreen). Depending on the season, you will need a raincoat, wind coat or warm jacket.

► Off-road transportation

► Services of a guide-driver

► Fuel

► Services of a tour guide

► Entrance tickets to the national parks and attractions

► Environmental fees

► Accommodation in hotels and yurt camp

► Passenger insurance

► Meals (three times a day)

► Drinking water

► Hiking

► Pictures from the trip

► Flights to Aktau/Beineu and back

► Airport transfer

► Train from Beyneu

► Alcoholic drinks (optional)

Tour cost:

The final and exact cost of the tour is calculated individually depending on the number of people, wishes and preferences for overnight accommodation. For example, an all-inclusive program for two tourists, excluding car transportation, will cost from $3,150 ($1,575 per person).