6-day tour to the Aral Sea or rather to what that has left from it. To the place where the sand is filling the shores of once the largest region of the lake. To the place where the abandoned settlements live out their remaining days. To the place where as back as fifty years ago things were humming and fishing flotillas were prowling the blue vast stretches.
Tour itinerary:
The tour starts in Almaty. In the morning transfer to the airport, to take a morning flight departing to Kyzylorda city. Meet with your guide and driver at Kyzylorda airport. Drive from Kyzykorda to Aral (5 hours) via Korkyt Ata complex.
This is a complex dedicated to the great thinker, storyteller, kobyzist - Korkyt Ata, one of the holy men of the Syr Darya. It is located one kilometre from his burial place.
The most interesting monument in the complex is the "Singing Trumpets". It represents four kobyzas, which look in four directions of the world. In the mazar, pipes are suspended from the ceiling, and the blowing of the steppe wind extracts the melodies of the kobyz from them. "Pyramid of Wishes" is another unusual structure. You should walk around it three times, and then take off your shoes, go inside the pyramid and ask the sky to fulfill your cherished wishes.
Lunch at the Qorqyt ata complex.
Arrive in Aral, check in to “Aral” hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
This is a complex dedicated to the great thinker, storyteller, kobyzist - Korkyt Ata, one of the holy men of the Syr Darya. It is located one kilometre from his burial place.
The most interesting monument in the complex is the "Singing Trumpets". It represents four kobyzas, which look in four directions of the world. In the mazar, pipes are suspended from the ceiling, and the blowing of the steppe wind extracts the melodies of the kobyz from them. "Pyramid of Wishes" is another unusual structure. You should walk around it three times, and then take off your shoes, go inside the pyramid and ask the sky to fulfill your cherished wishes.
Lunch at the Qorqyt ata complex.
Arrive in Aral, check in to “Aral” hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast start sightseeing Aral. Visit Aral’s Museum, old port, monument to four ships, local market and the city square.
In the afternoon drive to Kambash lake via Aralkum and Kambash villages (75km, 1h). Stop to view the Kambash lake with transparent water, reflecting any mood of the weather (when the sun shines brightly in the azure sky - the lake is as if glassy, blue and shiny, and if the sky is covered with clouds, Kambash turns black, as if frowning).
Continue drive to Bogen village (68km, 1h). Arrival in a village surrounded by sands that gives it an unusual appearance, here you can make interesting photos. Take a walk along the village and visit local mosque and school. Continue driving to the village Karashalan, en route visit Aklak hydro unit on Syr-Darya River. Arrive in Karashalan village. Overnight in the guesthouse.
In the afternoon drive to Kambash lake via Aralkum and Kambash villages (75km, 1h). Stop to view the Kambash lake with transparent water, reflecting any mood of the weather (when the sun shines brightly in the azure sky - the lake is as if glassy, blue and shiny, and if the sky is covered with clouds, Kambash turns black, as if frowning).
Continue drive to Bogen village (68km, 1h). Arrival in a village surrounded by sands that gives it an unusual appearance, here you can make interesting photos. Take a walk along the village and visit local mosque and school. Continue driving to the village Karashalan, en route visit Aklak hydro unit on Syr-Darya River. Arrive in Karashalan village. Overnight in the guesthouse.
After breakfast depart Karashalan village and drive to Akbasty village (130 km).
En route visit Kokaral dam which is 13 km long and separates the two parts of the Aral Sea. See sluices of the dam through which blue water from the Small Aral sea flows into the Big Aral. The dam aims to increase the sea level of the Nothern Aral Sea and save it from further devastation. The dam has caused the small Aral's sea level to rise up to a level of 42m from a low of less than 30m. Water salinity in the Northern Aral has also decreased. The sea, which had receded almost 100 km south of the port-city of Aral, is now a mere 25 km away.
Continue to the settlement Akbasty, located among sands of the Priaralie. Local people are engaged in fishing and camel breeding. Once Akbasty was a fishing village right on the shore of the Aral Sea. Now there are real barchans on its main street...
Drive back to Aqespe village. Overnight in the guesthouse.
En route visit Kokaral dam which is 13 km long and separates the two parts of the Aral Sea. See sluices of the dam through which blue water from the Small Aral sea flows into the Big Aral. The dam aims to increase the sea level of the Nothern Aral Sea and save it from further devastation. The dam has caused the small Aral's sea level to rise up to a level of 42m from a low of less than 30m. Water salinity in the Northern Aral has also decreased. The sea, which had receded almost 100 km south of the port-city of Aral, is now a mere 25 km away.
Continue to the settlement Akbasty, located among sands of the Priaralie. Local people are engaged in fishing and camel breeding. Once Akbasty was a fishing village right on the shore of the Aral Sea. Now there are real barchans on its main street...
Drive back to Aqespe village. Overnight in the guesthouse.
Walking around in Akespe village (a village drowning in sands). There used to be a big village here. But since the sea started to dry up, the situation in the village has worsened. From afar it seems that the aul is located on the seashore, but it is just an illusion. In fact, the sea is two kilometers away from Akespe.
Walking, photo and videography and lunch at the guest house (degustating the shubat - a fermanted camel milk).
After lunch drive to Butakova Bay that located in the extreme north of the Northern Aral Sea, between the Shubartau and Koktyrnak peninsulas. Before the sea receded, the bay stretched from west to east for about 40 km and was 20 km wide. After arrival have some time for walking, climbing canyons, photo and videography. Picnic at the shore.
Drive back to Aral. Overnight at “Aral” hotel.
Walking, photo and videography and lunch at the guest house (degustating the shubat - a fermanted camel milk).
After lunch drive to Butakova Bay that located in the extreme north of the Northern Aral Sea, between the Shubartau and Koktyrnak peninsulas. Before the sea receded, the bay stretched from west to east for about 40 km and was 20 km wide. After arrival have some time for walking, climbing canyons, photo and videography. Picnic at the shore.
Drive back to Aral. Overnight at “Aral” hotel.
After breakfast drive to Kyzylorda via Kazalinsk villages, Baikonur town and Shagan village (450km).
Lunch at Korkyt-Ata architectural complex. Arrive in Kyzylorda city. Check in to hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch at Korkyt-Ata architectural complex. Arrive in Kyzylorda city. Check in to hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Price includes:
- 2 nights’ accommodation on BB as per chosen category (DBL/TWIN shared) in Aral city
- 1 night accommodation in guesthouse in Karashalan village
- 1 night accommodation in guesthouse in Aqespe village
- 1 night Hotel accommodation on BB as per chosen category (DBL/TWN shared) in Kyzylorda city
- All airport transfers
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Private A/C transport with driver as per program:
All transfers on 4WD type Russian vehicle without A/C (max. 3 persons in one car):
1-2 pax 1 Jeep
3-4 pax 2 Jeeps - In Almaty for airport transfers:
2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats
3-7 pax – minivan up to 10 seats - Local English-speaking guide;
- Entrance fees and ecological taxes;
- Bottled water 1 L per person a day.
Price doesn't include:
- International air tickets;
- Domestic air tickets Almaty – Kyzylorda – Almaty (exact fare is guaranteed after 100% of prepayment and air ticket is issued) – 200 USD (subject to change) p/p;
- Meals not indicated in the program;
- Tips and gratuities;
- Any services not included in the above itinerary.
Recommendations when planning your trip:
Temperature is different in and outside the city; therefore, warm clothes are needed when travel outside.
Important:
- Some changes are allowed in the program, except reduction of number of booked excursions
- In case place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During big events proposed accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category
- Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to change without prior notice.
- Hotel booking is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation and 100% prepayment received from client
- Domestic flights are subject to change in timing and availability. If mentioned flight is not available, it will be changed to convenient one, depending on tour program
- Proposed hotels are not available; it will be substituted with another hotel of same category.
Payment:
Payment to be made not less than 25 days prior to tourist group arrival at our bank account as per received invoice
Cancellation fees:
Cancellation prior 30 days – no charges apply.
Cancellation prior 20 days – 50% charge of the total price.
Cancellation prior 7 days – 100% charge of the total price.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2024 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Tour Request
Aral Sea Tour by Plane Reviews
No tour reviews have been posted yet.
