Two Days at the Bottom of the Ancient Ocean

Description of the tour

This two-day itinerary is a journey back to a time when the territory of modern Mangystau was the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean. The tour combines mysterious geological formations, traces of prehistoric life, legendary mountains and endless salt marshes of the Ustyurt plateau with an overnight stay under the starry sky.

The first location is the Valley of Balls (Torysh), one of the most unusual places in the region. Here for many kilometers scattered stone nodules of bizarre forms: balls, cylinders, "matryoshka". Under the influence of wind, sun and temperature changes, they crack, opening the layers of rock. Sometimes tourists manage to find fossilized remains of marine life – a reminder of the ancient ocean.

The route passes through Kok-Cola, which translates as “Green City”. In these places, traces of vegetation of the Jurassic period are preserved: petrified trees and ferns. The landscape is formed by blurred hills of colorful clays - red, white and black, creating a feeling of a prehistoric world.

The next stop is the legendary Mount Sherkala, the shape of which resembles a giant yurt, then a lying lion. Tourists walk near the mountain, visit caves and observation points, from where panoramas of steppes and plateaus open.

Then the route leads to the Valley of the castles of Airakta - the system of the remaining mountains, which received their name due to their similarity with medieval fortresses. Here you can see ancient petroglyphs and climb the observation points with views of the mountain ranges.

The culmination of the journey is Tuzbair - snow-white salt marshes and limestone cliffs at the edge of the Ustyurt plateau. Here tourists stay for the night, watch the sunset, the starry sky and the morning landscapes, which completely change depending on the light.

Route:

Aktau — Valley of Sharov (Torysh) — Kok-Cola — Mount Sherkala — Airakty — Tuzbair (overnight) — the lower plateau of Tuzbair — the upper plateau of Tuzbair — Aktau

Important information

• Baggage - no more than one backpack up to 50 liters
• The route can be changed by the guide in adverse weather conditions.

What's included in the tour

1. Comfortable SUV
2. Driver guide
3. Tourist table and chairs
4. Field kitchen and all dining equipment
5. Tent, sleeping bag, carimate
6. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
7. Water all along the route
8. Payment for entry into natural areas

What's not included on the tour

1. Personal hygiene products
2. Specialized and individual medicines
3. Accommodation and services of hotels of Aktau

Additional services

• Donation (sadaqa) when visiting sacred sites
• Shooting on a quadcopter - 20,000 tenge
• In adverse weather conditions, it is possible to overnight in ethno-auls (paid separately)

Insurance availability

Yes, insurance covers passengers.