Mangystay 7 days tour
Fixed date 7 days group tour to Mangystau
Tour Details
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Period
March - October -
Tour length
7 days / 6 nights - Participants 1 - 9 pax, Guaranteed departure with one person
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Start and End point
Pick-up in Aktau at 9AM
Drop-off in Aktau at 6PM -
Price of the tour
$1,150 / person
19 Sights of Mangystau in 7 Days Group Tour
- Zhigylgan Fallen Earth – dramatic collapsed earth formations creating a rugged landscape.
- Kapamsay Canyon – deep canyon with colorful layered rocks.
- Shakpak-Ata Cave Mosque – historic cave mosque with ancient carvings.
- Akespe – open plains dotted with unique geological features.
- Torysh – Valley of Balls – surreal valley filled with giant stone spheres.
- Kokala – Jurassic Clays (Scaly) – vibrant clay cliffs reminiscent of the Jurassic era.
- Sherkala Mount – fortress-like peak rising from the steppe.
- Airakty – Valley of Castles – natural towers shaped like medieval castles.
- Tuzbair Salt Flat – endless white salt desert under the sun.
- Bozjyra – Mars Panorama – otherworldly vistas like the surface of Mars.
- Bozjyra – Crest Panorama – dramatic ridges forming a striking skyline.
- Bozjyra – Fangs Upper Plateau – sharp limestone spires piercing the sky.
- Bozjyra – Under Crest – hidden valleys beneath the main ridge.
- Bozjyra – Under Fangs – narrow passages under limestone “fangs.”
- Baisary – plateau offering panoramic steppe views.
- Bokty Mount – pyramid-shaped mountain rising prominently.
- Kyzylkup – Tiramisu Canyon – layered cliffs resembling a giant dessert.
- Karaman-Ata Necropolis – ancient burial site with historic tombs.
- Ybyk – Porous Gorge – canyon walls sculpted by wind and water.
Mangystau 7 days group tour Schedule 2026
| Start Date | End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, 05 Apr 2026 | Sat, 11 Apr 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 19 Apr 2026 | Sat, 25 Apr 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 03 May 2026 | Sat, 09 May 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 17 May 2026 | Sat, 23 May 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 31 May 2026 | Sat, 06 Jun 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 19 Jul 2026 | Sat, 25 Jul 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 26 Jul 2026 | Sat, 01 Aug 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 09 Aug 2026 | Sat, 15 Aug 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 23 Aug 2026 | Sat, 29 Aug 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 27 Sep 2026 | Sat, 03 Oct 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 04 Oct 2026 | Sat, 10 Oct 2026 | Available |
| Sun, 11 Oct 2026 | Sat, 17 Oct 2026 | Available |
Mangystau Group Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Pickup from Hotel/Airport – Zhygylgan – Shakpak Ata – Kapamsay Gorge
83 km on-road & 138 km off-road (total driving time: approx. 4 hours 35 minutes)
Your journey begins in Aktau with pick-up from your hotel or airport, followed by a short briefing before heading into the Mangystau desert.
The first destination is Zhigylgan (Fallen Earth), a massive natural depression formed by ancient geological collapse. Here you will walk among dramatic cliffs and observe rare fossilized footprints of prehistoric animals, including saber-toothed cats, preserved in the rock.
After exploration, the journey continues toward Kapamsay Gorge, a peaceful canyon surrounded by tall limestone walls and quiet desert scenery. This area offers a first real taste of Mangystau’s silence and vastness.
In the afternoon, visit Shakpak-Ata Cave Mosque, one of the most sacred and historical sites in the region. Carved directly into rock, this ancient underground mosque reflects centuries of spiritual heritage and offers a unique atmosphere of calm and mystery.
83 km on-road & 138 km off-road (total driving time: approx. 4 hours 35 minutes)
By evening, arrive at Kapamsay Gorge for dinner and camping under the canyon walls, surrounded by complete silence and desert stars.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent Camping
Day 2. Akespe – Torysh – Kokala – Sherkala – Airakty.
200 km on-road & 70 km off-road (approx. 5 hours 40 minutes)
Akespe Gorge welcomes visitors with towering limestone cliffs and winding canyon paths, where dramatic rock formations create one of the region’s most impressive natural landscapes.
At Torysh, also known as the Valley of Balls, explore the remarkable spherical rock formations scattered across the steppe, a unique geological phenomenon that continues to fascinate travelers.
The journey continues to Kokala, famous for its colorful Jurassic clay formations and layered landscapes shaped over millions of years.
Visit the iconic Sherkala Mountain, often referred to as the “Sphinx of Mangystau” due to its distinctive yurt-like silhouette rising from the desert plains.
In Airakty, walk among striking mountain formations that resemble ancient castles emerging from the desert terrain. The peaceful scenery and dramatic landscape make it one of the highlights of the region.
Enjoy a traditional Kazakh dinner served in an authentic yurt at Kogez Ethno Village before heading to the tented camp for an overnight stay surrounded by the unique landscapes of Mangystau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent Camping
Day 3. Guesthouse in Zharmysh Village – Tuzbair Syndy Upper View – Tuzbair Lower Part – White Arch (camping site).
163 km on-road & 116 km off-road 5h and 30 min
The morning begins with breakfast in the desert before traveling toward Zharmysh Village, where you will enjoy a traditional homemade lunch in a local guesthouse, experiencing authentic rural Kazakh hospitality.
Afterward, continue to Tuzbair Upper Viewpoint, where a breathtaking panorama opens over endless white salt flats, cliffs, and horizon lines that seem to disappear into infinity.
Next, descend into the Tuzbair Lower Salt Flats, walking across a surreal landscape of white crusted ground and ancient seabed formations. The silence and scale of this area create one of the most memorable experiences of the tour.
In the evening, reach White Arch, a natural rock formation and your camping site for the night. Enjoy sunset over the salt desert followed by dinner under the open sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent Camping
Day 4, Ethnic village experience - Rest day
After several days of exploration across Mangystau, this day is dedicated to rest, cultural immersion, and authentic local experiences.
The morning starts at 8:00 am with a peaceful outdoor breakfast in Tuzbair, surrounded by the vast white salt landscapes. at 9:00 am, the journey continues with a drive of approximately four hours to kogez ethnic village.
Upon arrival around 13:00, guests experience traditional Kazakh lifestyle in an authentic yurt setting. There is time for lunch, followed by shower and rest to relax after the journey. In the evening from 19:00, guests enjoy a traditional dinner inside the yurt, followed by a cultural night experience showcasing local traditions and atmosphere.
Accommodation is in a shared yurt at Kogez Ethnic Village. meals included for the day are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5. Bozjyra National Park (Mars Panorama, Dragon Crest) – Bozjyra Fangs – Bozjyra Lower Part – camping under the Fangs formation.
82 km on-road & 60 km off-road 3h and 50 min
Today you enter one of the most iconic landscapes in Kazakhstan: Bozjyra National Park.
Start with the Mars Panorama, where red and white cliffs resemble a surface from another planet. Then continue to the Dragon Crest viewpoint, offering sweeping views over endless white chalk formations.
The highlight of the day is the legendary Bozjyra Fangs, two massive limestone formations rising sharply from the desert floor. This is one of the most photographed landmarks in Central Asia.
Later, descend to the Lower Bozjyra area, where the full scale of the cliffs becomes even more impressive.
In the evening, set up camp directly beneath the Fangs, enjoying a surreal sunset and one of the most unforgettable nights of the journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent Camping
DAY 6 – Baisary – Bokty – Kyzylkup Canyon
0 km on road & 50 km off-road 1h and 30 min
After sunrise at Bozjyra, begin the journey toward Baisary Plateau, a vast open landscape where desert meets rock formations and endless horizon lines.
Continue to Bokty Mountain, a pyramid-shaped natural monument rising sharply from the desert. Its isolated and geometric form makes it one of Mangystau’s most iconic landmarks.
In the afternoon, arrive at Kyzylkup (Tiramisu Canyon), famous for its colorful layered cliffs resembling dessert layers. The landscape changes colors depending on light, creating a surreal visual effect.
Enjoy sunset and camping in this unique canyon environment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tent Camping
Day 7. Karaman Ata – Ybyk Gorge – Return to Aktau (Hotel Drop-off).
The total distance is 294 km on-road and 70 km off-road, with an estimated duration of around 6 hours and 15 minutes.
Visit Karaman Ata, one of Mangystau’s most significant underground mosques and an important pilgrimage site carved directly into the rock.
Continue to Ybyk Gorge, where steep canyon walls and narrow winding passages showcase the wild and dramatic beauty of Mangystau’s desert landscapes.
After exploring the gorge, return to Aktau City. Participants will be dropped off at their respective hotels, marking the end of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: None (End of Trip)
Mangustay Tour Information
Trip price includes:
- English-speaking local guide
- Three meals per day (local food cooking)
- 5 nights camping (tent, sleeping bag, pillow, bedsheet);
- One night stay at the Kogez Yurt Camp (shared with your group)
- Accident insurance coverage
- All entrance fees included
Trip price does not include:
- Visa fees
- International and domestic airfare
- Expenses due to unexpected weather (e.g., extra hotel stays)
- Accommodation on arrival and departure days in Aktau
- 1st day breakfast & last day dinner
The price per person is 1,150 USD
(To reserve a spot, we require a deposit of 69 USD from the total cost. The remaining balance of 1081 USD can be paid closer to your arrival.)
If you wish to take a private tour, request the price.
Please note
In case of unexpected weather conditions such as storms, heavy rain, or strong winds, the group may be required to leave the campsite and move to the nearest guesthouse for safety. Please note that this alternative accommodation will be at an additional cost.
What to bring
- Sunglasses
- Hiking shoes
- Towel
- Hygiene supplies
Not allowed
- Luggage or large bags (luggage storage is included)
- Alcohol
Not suitable for
- Children under 6 years
- Pregnant women
- People with disabilities
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Book your tour here
If you would like to customize your tour please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to organize a custom tour or to provide a modified itinerary based on one of the tours provided by us or our cooperatives.
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Tour updated 9.10.2025