This three-day Aral Sea tour from Tashkent is the best tour for those who want to experience Uzbekistan in full, and go deeper into different aspects of this beautiful country. Even just fifty years ago, the Aral Sea was such a big saltwater lake straddling the border between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, that it had to be called a sea. As the sea began to recede, it left fishing villages far from the water and revealed the strange contours of the Aral Desert and the Ustyurt Plateau. Ships were left stranded, gathered into graveyards, and left to rust; communities that remembered the rich marshland ecosystems were suddenly surrounded by desert. A trip to the Aral Sea can be saddening, since it shows how much damage humans can create, yet the landscapes have an eerie and haunting beauty that will stay with you for long after you finish this tour.
Tour itinerary:
We will start our Aral Sea tour from Tashkent from transfer to local airport for a morning flight to Nukus* (1255 km, 2 h 45 min), your first destination on Aral Sea tour. Arrive in Nukus, transfer to the hotel. Check-in at noon. At your leisure, visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum**. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Spend your free time by taking a walk in the city center to see the statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. Overnight at the hotel.
*Guide for sightseeing tour in Nukus is not included and is available upon request.
** Due to renovations at Savitsky Museum, some of the archeological and applied arts exhibitions remain closed indefinitely.
*Guide for sightseeing tour in Nukus is not included and is available upon request.
** Due to renovations at Savitsky Museum, some of the archeological and applied arts exhibitions remain closed indefinitely.
In the morning depart Nukus towards Muynak. Stop in Muynak to see “Cemetery of ships”, the former port with abandoned ships in the sand, and visit Local History Museum (might be closed without prior notice). Lunch at the guesthouse. Continue driving on the boundless Ustyurt Plateau. You will reach the Aral Sea in the late afternoon. Stop to take pictures of beautiful canyons and the collapsed land. Arrive in a yurt Camp. Camp-style dinner. Overnight in the yurt.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Early wake up to take pictures of sun rise. After breakfast visit the settlement Kurgancha-kala dating back to the 13th century. Pass via Kungrad district, which used to be one of the trading centers on the Silk Road. On the way, see remains of a lighthouse; pass by the ruins of abandoned settlement Urga. Photo stop at Lake Sudochie. Have a picnic lunch on the way. After lunch head back to Nukus. On the way to Nukus, stop at Mizdakhan memorial complex and Gyaur-Kala Fortress. Arrive in Nukus. Transfer to the local airport. End of Aral Sea & Savitsky Museum Tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Price includes:
- Airport transfers in Nukus. For Aral Sea trip 4WD type of vehicle (max. 3 persons + 1 guide in one car, airport transfers 1-3pax sedan car);
- Accommodation in Nukus based on double/twin room sharing, breakfast included;
- Accommodation in the yurt camp;
- Entrance fees to the Savitsky Art Museum, Local History Museum and Mizdakhan memorial complex;
- Escort guide for Aral Sea trip;
- Meals as per itinerary.
Price doesn't include:
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Round-trip tickets for flight Tashkent-Nukus-Tashkent;
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Travel insurance.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2024 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Jipek Joli or similar
Tour Request
Aral Sea & Savitsky Museum Reviews
Author: Lena & Graig Odell | Rating: 530 August 2013
It was great to be a part of interesting excursion to the Aral Sea including a night camping under the moon. The driver was amazing with good sense of humour, patient and with lots of info.
Thank you so much for the brilliant tour!
Thank you so much for the brilliant tour!
Author: Lee Tat Lun | Rating: 517 June 2013
Journey to Aral Sea is truly a lifetime.
