Airakty-Shamanay

Airakty-Shamanai: disappearing “floating castles” captured by Shevchenko

Discover Airakty Shamanai, one of the most dramatic and transient natural monuments in the world. This is the “Valley of Soaring Castles”, as Taras Shevchenko called it – giant rock-remainers, which in a few thousand years will disappear forever. Your visit is a rare opportunity to see the "stone city" whose century is coming to an end.

Why is Airakty Shamanai a unique time adventure?

• Meeting the departing miracle: You will see a landscape that is slowly but inexorably eroding. In 5,000 to 7,000 years, these rocks will disappear, and we are the last generations to find them in all their grandeur. It's a journey with a special, almost farewell feeling.

• In the footsteps of Taras Shevchenko: Follow the route of the great poet and artist. In 1851, while in exile, he participated in an expedition and was the first to capture these rocks, calling them the “Valley of Soaring Castles”. You will be able to compare the modern look with his drawings, feeling a living connection with history.

• Gallery of ancient petroglyphs: Among the rocks hidden ancient cave paintings (petroglyphs) with images of animals and symbols. They are silent witnesses to nomadic paths and beliefs, adding a cultural layer to the geological marvel.

• Playing Light on Nature Architecture: At dawn and sunset, the castles are transformed. Long shadows and warm golden light highlight their bizarre shapes, creating the illusion of an ancient abandoned city, fully justifying the name given to Shevchenko.

Practical information for visiting:

• Location: Mangystau region, in the central part of the Mangyshlak peninsula, near the Aktau-Beineu highway.

• Coordinates for Yandex. Map (central valley): Latitude: 43.748611, Longitude: 52.54805

• How to get there: From Aktau it is necessary to move along the highway towards Beineu, then turn on a dirt road. Access to the most picturesque areas requires an SUV. It is recommended to visit with a guide who will show places with petroglyphs and the best views for photos.

• Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). The summer heat can be exhausting. The absolute best time of day is 1.5-2 hours before sunset to catch the magical transformation of the rocks into “floating castles”.

• What to take and remember: Comfortable trekking shoes, water supply, headdress, camera with zoom lens. It is crucial to treat rocks and petroglyphs as fragile heritage. Do not climb unstable formations, do not make inscriptions and do not damage drawings.

Airakty Shamanai is a place for a thoughtful traveler who appreciates history, geology and fleeting beauty. It reminds of the transience of time and gives a rare feeling - to witness an era that will soon fade into oblivion, leaving behind only legends and drawings of Shevchenko.