Mangystau is one of the most unusual regions in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia, where the steppe meets the sea and ancient rock formations and open plains resemble landscapes from another planet. This 6-day tour is designed for travellers drawn to real adventure, wild nature, wide horizons, and nights beneath an endless star-filled sky that stay with you long after the journey ends.
The trip begins in Aktau with a city tour and a boat ride along the Caspian coast. From the second day, the off-road journey unfolds through extraordinary natural sites: the stone ball valley of Torysh, the colourful cliffs of Kok-kala, Mount Sherkala, and the castle-like formations of Airakty Valley. You will walk through Karatau Canyon with its dark rock walls, see the snow-white cliffs of Tuzbayir and its vast, flat salt marsh, and reach the dramatic viewpoints of Bozzhyra Valley, the undisputed highlight of the route. The journey concludes at the striking Kyzylkup Tract, often compared to layered tiramisu, and Mount Bokty. Overnight stays in yurts and tents complete the feeling of a small, self-contained expedition.
The Mangystau Classic Adventure Tour is an ideal choice for travellers who value nature, exploration, and rare landscapes. If you want to discover the wild side of Kazakhstan, experience terrain that feels truly otherworldly, and gather impressions that cannot be replicated elsewhere, explore the detailed itinerary and send a request for your Mangystau journey.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Aktau – arrival

Arrival at Aktau International Airport. After passing border control and collecting your luggage, you will meet your local guide, who will be holding a nameplate with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel to refresh after the flight (extra night included).
Lunch: at the hotel restaurant at 12:30.
At 13:30, we begin our city tour, exploring the highlights of Aktau - the gateway to Mangystau. The tour starts with a visit to the Aquarius Hall at the Caspian Riviera Hotel, home to two giant aquariums - one wall-sized and the other set into the floor. Here, you will discover the marine life of the Caspian and beyond, learn how fish are bred from eggs to young fry, and even take part in feeding sessions. We then continue along the Rocky Trail, a scenic walkway carved into the cliffs of the Caspian coastline. It is a favourite spot for locals, especially at sunset.
Next, we set out on a short yacht trip, enjoying the sea breeze, gentle waves, and a different perspective of Aktau from the water. The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed body of water, and time spent on its surface is an essential part of experiencing the region.
Back on land, we turn to history at the Abish Kekilbayev Regional Museum. Its collections reveal the story of the Mangystau steppe - from ancient petroglyphs and nomadic culture to the development of oil exploration that shaped modern Aktau. Before dinner, we stop at a local artisan shop, where you can browse authentic handmade crafts.
We end the day with a relaxed dinner at a seaside restaurant, watching the sun sink below the horizon of the Caspian. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: lunch, dinner

Day 2: Aktau - Torysh - Kok-kala - Sherkala – Airakty – Kogez Yurt Camp (190 km on asphalt + 41 km on off roads)

After breakfast, at 10:00, we leave the city for a full-day jeep adventure through the surreal landscapes of Mangystau. Our first stop is the mysterious Valley of Balls - Torysh. Scattered across the steppe are hundreds of perfectly rounded stone spheres, ranging in size from tennis balls to formations up to four metres in diameter. Formed on the seabed of the ancient Tethys Ocean 40-60 million years ago, their exact origin still puzzles geologists. Standing among these giant “marbles” feels like stepping onto another planet.
We then continue to Kok-kala, known for its colourful clay hills dating back to the Jurassic period. Here, you can touch fragments of ancient petrified wood and charcoal - silent witnesses to prehistoric forests where dinosaurs once roamed. The unusual formations, shaped by erosion over millions of years, resemble a natural time capsule.
Lunch: picnic-style lunch boxes with panoramic views of Kok-kala’s colourful hills.
Next, we visit Sherkala, one of Mangystau’s most iconic landmarks. Rising alone from the steppe, this massive limestone mountain changes shape depending on the viewing angle: from one side it resembles a yurt, from another - a giant overturned bowl, and from a third - a sleeping lion.
Our final stop of the day is Airakty, also known as the “Valley of Castles.” Towering rock formations shaped like fortress walls and towers line the valley, creating a dramatic, medieval-like skyline. It is one of the most photogenic places in Mangystau.
We end the day in the ethno-village of Kogez, where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night in a traditional Kazakh yurt.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Kogez – Karatau Canyon – Tuzbair (90 km on asphalt + 50 km on off roads)

At 08:00, we have breakfast in the ethno-village of Kogez, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the settlement surrounded by open steppe. Shortly afterwards, we depart towards the dramatic landscapes of Karatau.
The morning continues with a hike through Karatau Canyon. Its steep red-brown walls are cut by a clear stream that forms small waterfalls and pools. The contrast between the dry rock faces and fresh water creates a striking oasis-like atmosphere. Lunch: at a roadside café in Zharmysh village.
After lunch, we head to the panoramic cliffs of Tuzbair. Here, white chalk walls drop steeply into a vast salt flat. When rainfall fills the plain with water, Tuzbair turns into a shimmering mirror, reflecting the cliffs and sky. Even when dry, the unusual chalk formations, natural arches, and columns make it one of the most impressive sights in Mangystau.
Dinner in the field with a stunning view of Tuzbair.
Overnight in tents - a night under the stars, surrounded by the silence of the steppe.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Tuzbair – Bozzhyra (100 km on asphalt + 115 km on off roads)

The day begins with a hearty field breakfast, freshly prepared and enjoyed in the open air.
After breakfast, we head towards the legendary Bozzhyra Valley - one of the most impressive natural wonders of Mangystau.
Our first stop is the Martian Panorama, so called because of its surreal, otherworldly landscapes. From this viewpoint, vast chalk cliffs stretch endlessly towards the horizon, creating a scene that looks more like the surface of Mars than Earth. Here, the famous “fangs” of Bozzhyra are not yet visible, which makes the view especially striking for its raw, untouched scale. We then continue to the Upper Panorama, where the scenery changes completely. From this high vantage point, the iconic Bozzhyra fangs come into full view for the first time. This is an ideal spot for striking photographs, capturing the twin limestone spires against the desert backdrop.
Lunch: picnic-style lunch boxes at a scenic spot in Bozzhyra Valley, chosen depending on the group’s pace - each location offers outstanding views.
Next, we make our way to the Middle Panorama. To reach it, a short uphill trek is required, but the effort is well rewarded - here, the fangs can be admired from a different angle, allowing for another set of dramatic photographs that reveal the scale and distinctive shape of these famous cliffs.
By evening, we drive to the foot of the Bozzhyra cliffs, where our campsite is set up. Here, you will enjoy dinner under the open sky and spend the night in tents, with magnificent views of the glowing fangs at sunset, later framed by a canopy of stars.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Bozzhyra – Bokty – Kyzylkup – Aktau (263 km on road + 68 km on off roads)

We begin the day with a light breakfast in the field, enjoying the quiet morning air and preparing for the final leg of our journey. The first highlight of the day is the elegant silhouette of Bokty Mountain, admired from a distance. Even from afar, this perfectly shaped natural monument - a plateau-like quartz-limestone formation - stands out clearly against the steppe. Notably, Bokty is featured on the 1,000 tenge banknote (a small tip: bringing one along makes for a memorable photograph of the mountain and the banknote together). We then continue to the striking Kyzylkup Tract, often referred to as the “Tiramisu Hills” because of its layered bands of red, white, and golden chalk hills, reminiscent of the striped dessert. High iron content gives the hills their warm tones. This area is ideal for photography, offering strong contrasts between the colourful formations and the vast steppe, with its soft, rolling outlines stretching in every direction. After exploring Kyzylkup, we drive back towards Aktau, with a stop in the town of Zhanaozen for lunch at a local café. In the afternoon, we complete our journey back to Aktau. The evening is free, giving you time to relax, take a walk along the Caspian shoreline, or simply enjoy the comfort of your hotel while reflecting on the highlights of the journey.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Aktau – departure

After breakfast, transfer to Aktau International Airport. Farewell at the airport, with warm wishes that Mangystau will be remembered as a place of discovery and inspiration. End of Mangystau Classic Adventure Tour.
Meals: breakfast

Price includes:

3 nights of hotel accommodation in Aktau, on a bed-and-breakfast basis, according to the selected category (DBL/TWN shared);
1 night at the ethno-village Kogez, accommodation in a traditional yurt (6 beds in one yurt);
2 nights in tents at the Tuzbair salt flat and Bozzhyra Valley (2 persons per tent);
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners;
All airport transfers;
Private air-conditioned transport with driver, as per the programme:
- 1-2 passengers - sedan or jeep (up to 3 seats);
- 3-8 passengers - minivan (up to 10 seats);
- 9-15 passengers - two minivans (up to 10 seats each);
Jeep tour in Mangystau - 4x4 vehicles, Toyota 4Runner or similar (3 passengers per vehicle);
English-speaking guide (supplement for a Spanish-, Italian-, or German-speaking guide: 1,400 USD per group);
Entrance fees to the listed sites;
Ecological fees;
Starlink internet connection in the Mangystau region (Days 2-5);
Mineral water - 2 litres per person per day.

Price doesn't include:

Domestic and international flight tickets to and from Aktau;
Single accommodation;
Meals: full board;
Tips and gratuities;
Any services not included in the above itinerary.

Recommendations when planning your trip:

Please note that in remote areas of Mangystau there are no permanent restroom facilities. Portable field toilets are provided by our team at overnight camping sites to ensure comfort in the evenings.
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, with trainers being the most suitable choice. We also recommend bringing a warm jacket or sweater, a hat, a power bank, personal medication if required, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Important:

The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, in order to ensure the safety and comfort of participants.
Minor changes to the programme are permitted, except for any reduction in the number of booked excursions.
If a planned site is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative. During major events, the proposed accommodation may be changed and replaced with a hotel of a similar category.
The sequence of the itinerary and the listed hotels is subject to change without prior notice.
Hotel bookings are subject to availability. No reservations are made until confirmation is received and 100% prepayment is made by the client.
Domestic flight schedules are subject to change in terms of timing and availability.
If the proposed hotels are unavailable, they will be substituted with other hotels of the same category.