The Aral Sea was one of the five largest lakes in the world. In 1960, the water level began to decline rapidly due to the construc …
The Bukhtarma River Kazakhstan Aktau flows in East Kazakhstan and flows into the Bukhtarma water system of the Irtysh River basin. …
The Mangyshlak Peninsula is located in Kazakhstan on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, on its territory lies the Mangystau reg …
The ancient city of Karakabak: the great lost knot of the Great Silk Road Discover Karakabak - not just ruins, but a majestic m …
Blue Bay: Turquoise Lagoon and Rock "Devil's Fingers" in the Caspian Sea Discover the Blue Bay, a hidden pearl of the Caspian c …
Seneca Sands (Tiesu): Kingdom of the Living, Nomadic Dunes of Mangystau Discover the Seneca Sands – one of the most grandiose s …
Karaderman Canyon: A Geological Drama in the Heart of Mangystau Discover the Karaderman - one of the most atmospheric and "ruff …
Cape Sandy: the place where the desert meets the sea at the edge of the Caspian Sea Discover Cape Sandy - a unique point on the …
Maykin mound: wild Caspian amphitheater with panoramic views Discover the Maykin mound – a picturesque pearl of the Caspian Sea …
Karagiye depression: descent to the deepest point of Kazakhstan Discover the Karagiye depression - one of the most grandiose ge …
Kyzylkup tract: Martian “Tiramisu” and the geological symphony of Mangystau Discover Kyzylkup – one of the most colorful and ph …
Mount Bokty: geological "Pierog" from the south and a symbol on a thousand tenge Discover the mountain Bokty - a reference natu …
Beket-Ata underground mosque: the sacred heart of the steppe and the end point of pilgrimage Discover the mosque Beket-Ata - th …
Karaman Ata: the sacred heart of Mangyshlak, where history is carved in stone Discover Karaman Ata - one of the most revered an …
Kokkala: Blue Jurassic Castle in the Heart of Mangystau Discover Kokkalu - a unique geological wonder of Mangystau, where time …
Bozhyra: surreal "fangs" of the planet on the edge of Ustyurt Discover Bozhyra - the most fantastic and alien landscape of Kaza …
Karynjaryk: Natural Cathedral and Surreal Salt Marsh Mangistau Discover Karynjaryk - one of the most grandiose and inaccessible …
Sultan Epe: an ancient spiritual oasis deep in Mangyshlak Canyon Discover the Sultan of Epe, a unique complex where ancient his …
Cape Zhygylgan: a failure in time and the secret lake-heart of Mangystau Discover Cape Zhygylgan - one of the most mysterious a …
Kapamsai Canyon: A Journey into the Heart of the Mangystau Cretaceous Mountains Discover Kapamsai - one of the most fascinating …
Balayuk cave: immersion in the underground kingdom of Ustyurt Discover the Balayuk cave - one of the most mysterious and grandi …
Airakty-Shamanai: disappearing “floating castles” captured by Shevchenko Discover Airakty Shamanai, one of the most dramatic an …
Shopan-Ata: the source of wisdom and the spiritual gates of Mangystau Discover Shopan-Ata, the sacred cradle of Mangystau spiri …
Necropolis of Kenty Baba: the ancient sacred landmark of the Mangyshlak desert Discover Kent Baba – one of the oldest and most …
Ibyktysai: Kazakh stone lace, born of the wind and the ocean Discover Ibyktysai - one of the most elegant and surreal canyons n …
This one-day route introduces guests to the most contrasting and impressive landscapes of Mangystau. In one day, travelers will se …
Description of the tour A day trip along the coast of the Caspian Sea is a rich route combining rocky shores, transparent sea wat …
We invite you to a fascinating 7-day jeep tour of the Mangyshlak Peninsula. You will discover breathtaking landscapes and unique n …
This eight-day jeep tour of Mangystau is a journey to one of the most mysterious regions of Kazakhstan, where nature and history a …
This ten-day jeep tour is a real journey into the heart of Mangystau, a region that is rightly called “another planet.” There are …
Aktau is a coastal city on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea and a gateway to the amazing Mangyshlak Peninsula. The city combines the sea atmosphere of the port with the desert element of the neighboring plateaus: there are modern urban environment, fishing coves and ancient traces of human history. The uniqueness of the region is in the sharp contrasts of landscapes and the feeling of traveling between the sea, steppe and rocks.
Man-made sights of the region tell about the deep history and religious traditions of Mangyshlak. Among the iconic objects are the ancient city of Karakabak, the monument of the Great Silk Road, the underground mosque of Beket-Ata and the sacred complexes of Chopan-Ata and Sultan Epe. The necropolis of Kenta Baba, Maykin Kurgan and other archaeological sites reveal eras and beliefs of the past, and the walls and mausoleums preserve the atmosphere of ancient routes and pilgrimages.
The natural attractions around Aktau are not inferior in drama: Karadermen Canyon and Kapamsai amaze with the forms of chalk rocks, the Blue Bay shines with the turquoise of the Caspian Sea, and the Karagiye depression is a descent to one of the deepest points of the region. The sands of Seneca, the Kyzylkup tract, Bozhyra, Kokkala and Sherkala mountain create surreal landscapes, and Cape Sandy, Cape Zhygylgan and Mount Bokty are places for powerful photos and quiet walks. Balayuk Cave and Karynjaryk salt marshes add an adventure character to any exploration.
On our site you can easily see all these points on an interactive map: each attraction is accompanied by a short help, photos and practical information. You will be able to celebrate interesting places, build your own routes and count the time for inspection to plan the perfect day by the sea or a fascinating foray into the depths of Mangyshlak.
You can explore the city and surroundings on your own, following the laid routes and enjoying the freedom of discovery, or book excursions with local guides. Professional tour guides will offer informative routes, tell little-known stories, provide logistics along off-road trails and help you see the hidden gems of the region much deeper and safer.
Come to Aktau to feel the contrasts of the Caspian coast and desert plateaus, follow the tracks of ancient trade routes and make your own discoveries. Plan your trip, plan routes and go to meet new experiences – the city and its surroundings are ready to surprise again and again.
