Mangystau is a huge treasury of natural monuments with fantastic views and mysterious origin. It will take a week or more to get to know Mangystau. And if you want to see the most interesting and large-scale things in the shortest time, we offer you this private 3-day Mangystau Express Tour.
The tour starts in the city of Aktau, the administrative center of Mangystau, from which you will go to the valley of stone balls, Torysh, with a diameter of up to 3 meters. Then you will visit Kok-kala tract, mystical Sherkala mount and come to the valley of Airakty castles for an overnight stay.
The second day will start with a walk among the Airakty Castle Mountains, and then you will make a big drive to the most majestic and large-scale attraction of Mangystau - Bozzhyra valley. You will enjoy dizzying views from two observation platforms at the edge of the cliffs. After driving around the edge of the plateau you will descend and spend the night in a tent under one of the mountains.
The third day will be a continuation of Bozzhyra - you will go to the third, the most fantastic observation platform “Fangs”, for the sake of which you will have to make a small half-hour hike. The reward for a short ascent will be an unforgettable view with a touch of thrill - you will pass one meter from a steep hundred-meter cliff. This will be the culmination of a private 3-day Mangystau Express Tour.
Explore the detailed program and discover why this is one of the most impressive Mangystau tours you can take – start planning your unique trip today!
If you want to save money, we suggest you to look at the 3-day Mangystau Group Tour with fixed dates, where you will be accompanied by the same fans of fantastic travel.
If you’re looking for comfortable accommodation in hotels and visitor centers with proper beds, take a look at our 3-day Mangystau Comfort tour without camping. It features a different route and sightseeing program.
Total distance: 880 km (asphalt - 724 km, dirt roads and off-road - 156 km)
Tour itinerary:
Start your day by meeting your guide at your Aktau hotel at 08:30 – 09:00 am. Driving to the first destination - the Torysh valley, renowned for its stone spheres formed from the ancient Tethys Ocean. After exploring, you'll proceed to Kok-kala - Jurassic Clays with the colorful purple gorge and ancient geological formation and to Sherkala Mountain is a “Sphinx of Mangystau,” has a unique yurt-shaped appearance. Continue to the valley of castles Airakty. Enjoy a scenic drive on a dirt road through mountainous terrain dotted with limestone formations. As the sun sets, set up your tent camp for the night. Enjoy dinner under a starlit sky.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Begin with a pre-breakfast morning walk in the valley of castles Airakty, including a climb for panoramic views. After packing up camp, embark on a lengthy drive to the Bozzhyra valley. Lunch will be served outdoors. Visit two vantage points - "Martian Panorama" and "Dragon's Crest". Continue on dirt roads to Bozzhyra's lower part, where you'll set up your next tent camp. Spend the night in a tent.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Post-breakfast, head to the "Fangs Formation," the third and most stunning viewpoint. Marvel at the hundred-meter cliffs and capture unforgettable photos of Mangystau's scenery. Next, visit to colorful natural wonder - Bokty Mountain and Kyzylkup –“Tiramisu Canyon” tract for a gorge exploration or a climb for surrounding views. Finally, embark on the return drive to Aktau with a lunch stop in Zhanaozen. On the way to Aktau, stop at a camel farm where you can taste fresh camel milk and traditional products like shubat. You can also interact with the camels and learn about their importance in Kazakh culture. The tour concludes upon arrival at your hotel in Aktau. The end of the 3-day Mangystau Express Tour.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Essentials for a Comfortable Journey:
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap;
- Season-appropriate, breathable, loose-fitting clothing for walking and tent sleeping;
- Sturdy, treaded shoes for walking on uneven terrain;
- Personal hygiene products (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel, wet wipes, etc.);
- Additional field accessories (personal first aid kit, flashlight, chargers).
*During the trip, you can charge your phone in the car. For an additional fee, a generator with 220V voltage can be arranged for charging photographic equipment and other devices in the tent camp. The cost of this service is available upon request.
Important Notes:
- As this tour includes our own camping and kitchen facilities, space in the vehicle is limited. Therefore, we kindly ask that you bring only small to medium-sized bags or backpacks (up to 40L) as carry-on luggage. If you have larger items, we recommend leaving them at your hotel, or we can store them at our office free of charge until your return to Aktau.
- Respect local customs and religious beliefs; refrain from alcohol consumption during the tour.
- Walks include manageable ascents and descents, suitable for most ages.
- Please inform us of any musculoskeletal conditions or dietary needs in advance.
- In case of severe weather, tent camping may be replaced with a guesthouse stay at an additional cost.
Price includes:
- All 4x4 vehicle transfers (max. 4 passengers);
- English speaking guide;
- Individual tent, sleeping bag, pillow;
- Full board meals (except breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 3);
- Entrance fees for tour sites;
- Compulsory local insurance.
Price doesn't include:
- Visa to Kazakhstan;
- Domestic and International flight tickets to/from Aktau;
- Personal hygiene items;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2025 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
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