Akespe

Akespe: milk waves of the ancient ocean off the coast of the Caspian Sea

Discover Akespe - a surprisingly bright and gentle corner of Mangystau, where the snow-white chalk hills left over from the ancient Tethys Ocean descend to the azure waters of the Caspian Sea. It is a place of silence, contrasts and gentle beauty where you can find fossils and feel the breath of geological epochs.

Why is Akespe a unique and peaceful stop along the route?

• Walk on the bottom of the ancient ocean: You will walk on soft, dazzling white chalk hills - this is the bottom of the Tethys ocean rising to the surface. The contrast with the blue sea and the golden steppe creates a surreal and incredibly photogenic landscape.

• The hunt for ancient fossils: It is a paradise for paleontologists. In soft rocks you can find real teeth of ancient sharks, shells and prints of marine life, which are millions of years old. Each such find is a direct touch on the prehistoric world.

• Calmness and meditative atmosphere: Unlike large-scale and dramatic canyons, Akespe gives a sense of peace and privacy. It is quiet and windless, which allows you to enjoy the contemplation of unusual forms - rocks resembling the silhouettes of birds and animals sculpted by the wind.

• The perfect combination of sea and geology: You can combine a walk through the unique chalk landscapes with a rest on the sparsely crowded rocky shore of the Caspian Sea, where white cliffs are spectacularly reflected in the clear water.

Practical information for visiting:

• Location: Mangystau region, Tupkaragan Peninsula, Caspian Sea coast north of Fort Shevchenko.

• Coordinates for Yandex. Map (entrance in the tract): Latitude: 44.511111, Longitude: 50. 28194

• How to get there: From the city of Fort Shevchenko (Bautino) or Aktau it is necessary to move along the coastal off-road. Getting to the most beautiful areas requires an SUV. A visit is recommended with a guide who knows the safe entrances to the cliffs.

• Best time to visit: All year round, but especially beautiful in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). For the best photos with the contrast of white and blue, choose a clear sunny day. The sunsets here are particularly picturesque.

• What to bring with you: Comfortable shoes for walking on loose chalk, sunglasses (the glare from the white surface is very strong), headdress, water. You can take a small brush to carefully search for fossils. Important: only small and insignificant artifacts can be carried away, large finds are better photographed and left in place.

Akespe is a place for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle and are looking for a quiet dialogue with nature. It does not shout, but whispers, offering to read the history of the planet in its white, page-like rocks and find its own peaceful rhythm at the edge of the sea.