5-Day Mangystau Comfort Tour (No Camping)5 Days | Private | Zhygylgan, Kapamsay, Shakpat-ata, Torysh, Kok-kala, Sherkala, Ayrakty, Karadiirmen, Tuzbayir, Bozzhyra, Bokty, Kyzylkup

A 5-day Mangystau Comfort Tour with hotel accommodation is a great opportunity to embark on an exciting journey in maximum convenience. During the day, you’ll travel dozens of kilometers across asphalt and dirt roads, exploring remote natural landmarks. In the evening, you’ll relax in cozy beds – rather than sleeping bags and tents typical of traditional Mangystau tours.
Over five days, this Mangystau tour covers all the region’s top attractions, including the Valley of Balls in Torysh, Mount Sherkala, the Tuzbair salt flats, and Bozzhyra Valley. Along the way, you’ll encounter fascinating geological formations shaped by the ancient Tethys Ocean, as well as cultural monuments built by Kazakh nomads over the past two thousand years.
Explore the detailed itinerary of our 5-day tour to Mangystau with accommodation in hotels and yurt camps, read our recommendations, and start planning your unforgettable adventure.

Total distance: 1,738 km (asphalt – 1,076 km, dirt roads – 662 km)

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Aktau – Zhygylgan – Kapamsay – Shakpak-ata – Sartas Visitor Center (83 km asphalt + 94 km dirt)

In the morning (before 09:00), meet your guide-driver at your hotel or at Aktau Airport and begin your 5-day Mangystau Comfort Tour. The first stop is the vast Zhygylgan Fault. Here you’ll hike down to its base to see animal footprints more than 10 million years old, and visit Kuzdykary Lake, romantically known as “Heart”. Continue onward to the Shakpak-ata Mosque, with a scenic stop en route at the colossal Kapamsay Canyon. Upon arrival, explore the mosque’s limestone halls and climb the cliff above to take in panoramic views. A short transfer will bring you to the Sartas Visitor Center on the Caspian Sea. Dinner and overnight in a spacious room with en-suite shower.
Meals: lunch, dinner

Day 2: Sartas – Torysh – Kok-kala – Sherkala – Ayrakty – Yurt Camp Kogez (89 km asphalt + 76 km dirt)

Breakfast at 8:00. Departure at 9:00. After an hour on the road, you'll reach the Valley of Balls in Torysh. Enjoy a walk among the bizarre spherical rock formations, remnants of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Continue toward Mount Sherkala, with a short detour to the Kok-kala Tract and a picnic lunch in the field. After viewing Sherkala from multiple vantage points, drive to the limestone formations of Airakty, known for their castle-like appearance. At sunset, arrive at the Kogez Yurt Camp, featuring over ten 4-bed yurts with beds and air conditioning. The camp also includes freestanding showers, restrooms, and a spacious indoor restaurant. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Kogez – Karadiirmen – Tuzbair – Kogez (163 km asphalt + 116 km dirt)

After breakfast at 08:00, set off at 09:00 for the Tuzbair Salt Marsh. On the way, make a stop at Karadiirmen Gorge, a dark and dramatic canyon reminiscent of fantasy landscapes. After a short hike, stop for lunch at a roadside café in Zharmysh. Then, explore the awe-inspiring white cliffs and vast salt flats of Tuzbair, with views stretching beyond the horizon. Visit both the upper and lower levels of the salt marsh, shaped over millions of years by wind and water. Return to Yurt Camp Kogez for dinner and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Kogez – Bozzhyra Valley – Zhanaozen (395 km asphalt + 60 km dirt)

After breakfast at 08:00, leave at 09:00 for Bozzhyra Valley, one of Mangystau’s most iconic landscapes. The road is long but paved, allowing for a relaxed drive. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch in the field, followed by visits to three scenic lookout points offering panoramic views of the jagged white cliffs. Later, take a short 20-minute hike to the lower section of Bozzhyra, where you'll climb around 100 meters to the spectacular Fangs viewpoint – one of the highlights of the entire tour. Afterward, transfer to the town of Zhanaozen for an overnight stay in a hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Zhanaozen – Bokty – Kyzylkup – Aktau (346 km asphalt + 30 km dirt)

Breakfast at 08:00. Depart at 09:00 for Mount Bokty, one of Kazakhstan’s natural symbols, depicted on the 1000 tenge banknote. Walk around the area and search for prehistoric shark teeth once buried beneath the Tethys Ocean. After lunch in the field, continue to the colorful Kyzylkup Tract, known as "Tiramisu" for its distinctive red-and-white layers. Hike along the gorge and climb to its upper rim for a final panoramic view. Return to Aktau by evening (arrival after 19:00). End of a 5-day Mangystau Comfort Tour.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

A list of things you need to take for a comfortable trip:

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a panama hat or cap;
Loose, breathable clothing appropriate for the season;
Comfortable, sturdy shoes with good tread for hiking on loose terrain;
Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel, wet wipes, etc.;
Essentials for field life: personal first aid kit, flashlight, and chargers.

Notes:

As this tour includes our own campsite and kitchen setup, vehicle space is limited. We kindly ask that you bring only small to medium-sized bags or backpacks (up to 40 liters) as hand luggage. If you have larger suitcases, we recommend leaving them at your hotel or storing them at our office in Aktau free of charge until your return.
Please respect the local culture and religious beliefs of your guide and driver by refraining from consuming alcohol during the tour. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Most tour locations involve walking on natural, uneven terrain with ascents and descents. These walks do not require special skills and are suitable for most age groups.
If you have musculoskeletal conditions or specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, allergies), please inform us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

When visiting mosques and necropolises, please observe the following rules to show respect for religious customs:

Dress modestly. Clothing should cover the body as much as possible. Women: a long skirt, a blouse with sleeves down to the wrists, and a headscarf or other head covering. Men: full-length trousers and shirts with sleeves. Head coverings are optional.
Remove your shoes where required, including in all sacred interiors. If wearing sandals or flip-flops in summer, please bring socks.
Keep noise to a minimum and avoid disturbing worshippers, especially during prayer times.

Price includes:

All transfers by four-wheel drive vehicle (maximum 4 passengers per vehicle);
Accompanying guide throughout the tour;
Accommodation at Sartas Visitor Center, Kogez yurt camp, and hotel in Zhanaozen (shared accommodation in 2-bed rooms and 4-bed yurts);
Full board: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 5);
Compulsory travel insurance;
Entrance tickets to all sites included in the tour program.