Mystic Karynzharyk Expedition - An 8-Day Journey

Meeting and Preparation:

• Meeting at Aktau Airport at 8:30.
• Meeting at hotels in Aktau at 9:00.
• Travelers arriving at the airport will be welcomed and transferred to the Redmaya office.

Redmaya Office:
Arrival at 9:30. Travelers complete organizational matters, receive instructions, and prepare for the tour.
Tour Start:
Departure at 9:30 from the Redmaya office.
First Stop: Hanga-Baba Necropolis
Explore this historic necropolis, rich in centuries-old secrets. A site of deep cultural and spiritual significance.
Second Stop: Zhygylgan (Fallen Land)
Discover an unusual geological phenomenon with ancient traces resembling the footprints of saber-toothed tigers.
Third Stop: Kenty-Baba Necropolis
Dive deeper into the region's history. The unique architecture and ambiance make this necropolis a true gem of the itinerary.
Fourth Stop: Kapamsai Canyon Panorama
Admire a stunning natural canyon with steep cliffs and breathtaking views.
Fifth Stop: Shakpak-Ata Underground Mosque
Visit this ancient underground mosque carved into rock, filled with history and unique architecture.
Camping: Kapamsai Canyon
Stay in a picturesque campsite. Enjoy a hot dinner and a night under the starry sky.

Meals: picnic lunch, hot dinner.
Accommodation: Camping in tents.

First Stop: Akespe Gorge

• Sheer limestone walls tower above a winding path, creating a dramatic canyon where every turn reveals another spectacular rock formation.

Second Stop:Torysh - Valley of Balls

• Explore the mysterious ball-shaped rock formations, a geological wonder that sparks curiosity and amazement.

Third Stop: Kokala - Jurassic Clays

• Marvel at the colorful purple gorge and ancient geological formations at Kokala.

Fourth Stop: Sherkala Mount

• Visit Sherkala, known as the “Sphinx of Mangystau,” with its unique yurt-shaped appearance.

Fifth Stop: Airakty - Valley of Castle-Shaped Mounts

• Walk through the castle-shaped mountains of Airakty and camp overnight under the stars in the dramatic desert landscape.

Dinner in a yurt at Kogez ethno village

• Enjoy a traditional dinner in a Kazakh yurt at Kogez Ethno Village before returning to your tented camp for the night.

Camping: Airakty
Spend the night in a tented camp surrounded by a unique landscape.

Meals: Outdoor breakfast, picnic lunch, hot dinner.
Accommodation: Camping in tents.

First Stop: Guesthouse in Zharmysh village (lunch)

• Pause for a hearty homemade lunch at a village guesthouse in Zharmysh, tasting the simple flavors of rural Mangystau life.

Second Stop: Tuzbair Syndy Upper view

• Take in the breathtaking panorama of Tuzbair’s dazzling white salt flats and cliffs from the Syndy Upper viewpoint

Third Stop: Tuzbair (Lower Salt Flat)

• Relax with a picnic lunch at the Lower Tuzbair Salt Flat where the silence and harmony of nature provide an immersive experience of this extraordinary place

Fourth Stop: Tuzbair (White Arch)

• Discover the White Arch a stunning natural formation resembling a majestic arch offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape

Fifth Stop: Tuzbair (Lower Canyons)

• Walk through the rocky Lower Tuzbair Canyons carved over thousands of years These canyons with narrow passages and colorful walls evoke a sense of antiquity and the power of nature

Camping: Tuzbair

• End the day camping in Tuzbair enjoying a picnic dinner and stargazing under the serene desert sky

Meals Outdoor breakfast, picnic lunch, hot dinner
Accommodation Camping in tents

Travel from Tuzbair to the yurt camp. After lunch at a local café, continue to the camp and arrive around 3:00 PM.

This rest day is planned to help riders recover and prepare for the next stage of the journey. Day 5 will involve a long and challenging off-road ride to one of the most remote and impressive highlights of Mangystau — Karynzharyk Depression.

Relax and unwind after several days on the road, enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings, and recharge for the upcoming expedition.

Meals: Outdoor breakfast, lunch at a local café, dinner at a local café.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.

Drive through Ustyurt Plateau
Travel across the Ustyurt Plateau An exciting off-road route through endless plains showcasing nature’s tranquility and unique flora
First Stop: Onere Spring
A stop at Onere Spring where travelers can refresh themselves enjoy the natural scenery and relax with a light lunch
Second Stop: Karynzharyk Depression
Take in breathtaking views of the Karynzharyk Depression The area’s unique geology impresses with its dramatic elevation changes and unusual natural formations
Here, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of the Three Brothers mountain range, renowned for its mystical atmosphere. These three majestic peaks, framed by vast salt flats, create a truly unforgettable landscape.
You’ll also witness the stunning Kendirli Salt Flat—its dazzling white expanse evokes a sense of wonder and feels almost otherworldly from this vantage point.(Evening walk to the Salt Flat as per preference - takes 3h back and forth)
Camping: Karynzharyk
End the day camping in the Karynzharyk Depression After an adventurous day enjoy a cozy rest and a mesmerizing starry sky.

Meals Field breakfast, picnic lunch, hot dinner
Accommodation Camping in tents

First Stop: Zhanaozen city - Lunch Stop

Second Stop: Bokty Mount

• Admire the pyramid-shaped Mount Bokty, rising from the desert like a giant monument carved by nature.

Camping: Kyzylkup (Tiramisu) Canyon

• Discover Tiramisu Canyon, named for its layered cliffs that look like slices of the famous dessert and enjoy a peaceful evening camping in this iconic location.

Meals Field breakfast picnic lunch hot dinner
Accommodation Camping in tents

First Stop: Bozjyra National Park (Mars Panorama)

• Marvel at Bozjyra’s surreal landscapes from the Mars Panorama viewpoint, where the cliffs resemble another world.

Second Stop: Bozjyra National Park (Dragon Crest)

• Bozjyra National Park – climb to the Dragon Crest viewpoint for sweeping views of jagged ridges shaped like a mythical dragon’s spine.

Third Stop: Bozjyra Fangs

• Stand before the iconic twin limestone ‘Fangs,’ the most photographed landmark of Mangystau.

Fourth Stop: Bozzhira (Under the Fangs)

• Venture into the underground world of Bozzhira beneath the iconic “Fangs” where unusual rock formations evoke a mysterious realm filled with natural wonders

Camping: Bozzhira
End the day camping beneath the majestic “Fangs” Spend the evening stargazing and enjoying a cozy picnic dinner reflecting on the day’s adventures and savoring the desert’s tranquility

Meals Field breakfast, picnic, lunch hot dinner
Accommodation Camping in tents

First Stop: Karaman Ata

• Explore Karaman Ata, one of Mangystau’s underground mosques and a revered pilgrimage site carved into the rock.

Second Stop:Ybyk (Porous Gorge)
Explore the unique geological formations of Ybyk’s Porous Gorge where unusual rock shapes and deep fissures create an impressive landscape This location offers a thrilling sense of antiquity and the power of nature

Return to Aktau
Conclude the journey by returning to Aktau Upon arrival participants will be offered a transfer to their hotel or the airport depending on their onward plans

Meals Field breakfast, picnic, lunch
Accommodation None (end of journey)