"SECRETS OF THE ANCIENT EARTH" - 6 days / 5 nights
  • 6 days / 5 nights
    The duration of the tour.
  • 1100 km.
    The total length of the tour
  • from April to November
    Seasonality
  • The tour includes a unique journey through the ancient and mysterious sites of Mangistau.
    Special feature of the tour
  • off-road vehicle
    type of transport
  • Russian-speaking / Kazakh-speaking / English-speaking
    Professional guide of your choice
  • In tents and in a yurt
    Type of accommodation
  • In the field, meals prepared by the service team or catering ordered.
    Type of meals
Day 1 - 280 km
City of Aktau - canyon Zhygilgan (Fallen Earth Cape) - necropolis Kenty baba - underground mosque Sultan epe - Valley of stone concretions Torysh - Yurt camping "Ethno village "Kogez"
Visit to the grand geological cavity of Zhygylgan. Visit to Zhygylgan is not just a walk in nature, but also a fascinating journey into the depths of the Earth’s history, where every step along the bottom of the canyon opens up new pages of our planet’s past.
Here you can see a pile of fragments of rocks of the most bizarre shapes, which create the impression of a landscape from fantasy worlds and prints of primitive horses and saber-toothed cats, which makes this place not only geologically, but also paleontologically valuable.
A visit to the mysterious necropolis of Kenty Baba - according to the legend of Kenty Baba, at one time he was a devout, pious and holy man who preached the ideas of Islam. Therefore, local residents consider the necropolis a sacred place.
A visit to the underground mosque and tomb of Saint Sultan Epe is a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual and historical heritage of the region. This place is not only a religious sanctuary, but also a source of special positive energy that is felt by all visitors.
There is also a well with fresh water on the territory, which, according to legend, has healing properties.
Arrival in the mysterious Torysh valley. This unique landscape, dotted with huge stone balls, amazes the imagination and raises many questions about its origin, which are still the subject of scientific debate. The stone balls scattered throughout the valley come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from perfectly round to slightly elongated and asymmetrical.
In the evening you arrive at the cozy and hospitable ethno-aul "Kogez", located in the picturesque mountainous part of Mangistau. You will have dinner in a cafe, relaxation in the park area, an evening by the fire and accommodation in a natural 5-person felt yurt.
Day 2 - 60 km
“Ethno-aul “Kogez” - Mount Sherkala – Shomanay valley – Airakty (Valley of Castles) – chalk canyon Zhylshy - Yurt camping “Ethno-aul “Kogez”
Sherkala Mount is a unique natural object, a lonely mountain remnant from different viewing points, striking with the variety of its shapes and outlines, creating a fantastic impression of mysticism and monumentality. A walk around the mountain offers the opportunity to fully enjoy its grandeur and mysterious beauty.
The Valley of Castles of Airakty-Shomanay is the most beautiful chain of sedimentary mountains in Mangistau and surprises with its grandeur and scale. In the center, mountain outcrops rise, reminiscent of majestic castles of the Middle Ages, and around every turn a new transformation of rock masses reveals itself.
Next we move chalk canyon Zhylshy. A walk along the snow-white chalk canyon, where the two elements of Water and Wind have intricately dotted the walls of the riverbed with grottoes, gutters and honeycombs.
In the evening, return to the ethno-aul "Kogez", dinner in a cafe, accommodation in a natural 5-person felt yurt.
Day 3 - 160 km
“Ethno village Kogez” - Karadiirmen canyon (black canyon) - Sarydiirmen canyon (colored canyon) - walk along the Western Chink of Ustyurt - snow-white sor Tuzbair
Arrival at the canyons of multi-colored clays, in which you will have a walk through the colored Saridiirmen canyon, where you will see an outcrop of multi-colored clays from the Jurassic period. The contrast to the colored canyon is the Karadiirmen canyon, formed by a fantastic pile of black rocks. Walk through picturesque canyons.

Next we move to the Tuzbair sor. Sor Tuzbair is a unique salt marsh, surrounded by the steep sides of the western Ustyurt Plateau. The rains turn the rubbish into a huge lake, fascinating with its bright whiteness and size. And only after the water has evaporated can you walk across the crust sparkling with salt crystals. The steep cliffs of the Plateau, composed of sedimentary rocks, fascinate with their fantastic shapes. Overnight in tents in Tuzbair.
Day 4 - 200 km
Sor Tuzbair – Steep slopes of the Ustyurt Plateau – Bozzhyra Valley
Discover the incredible beauty of the Bozzhyra tract, the pearl of the Mangistau region! This unique natural park adjacent to the Ustyurt plateau amazes with its majestic limestone cliffs, canyons and breathtaking views. Here you will see fossils of ancient sea creatures and feel the spirit of the wild as you walk among the peaks and gorges.

Overnight in tents in Bozzhyra.
Day 5 - 100 km
Bozzhyra Valley - lost Mount Bokty - mysterious Mount Naiza - bright colors of the Kyzylkup Valley
Lost Mountain Bokty - on the flat surface of takyr there is a lonely towering mountain in the shape of a pyramid, with red layers of chalk.
Mysterious Mount Naiza - the name of the mountain is translated as “Spearhead”. The slopes of the mountain are strewn with flattened stone nodules like scales. Walk and explore the area.
The bright colors of the Kyzylkup valley - a panorama of amazing chalk horizons with red layers. It is here that you can see the unusual image of the Mangystau “Sphinx”.
Overnight in tents in Kyzylkup.
Day 6 - 300 km
Kyzylkup - underground mosque of Shopan ata - sand dunes Tuyesu - necropolis Senek (XVII-XX centuries) - city of Aktau
In the morning, transfer to the underground mosque Shopan Ata.
Visit to the underground mosque of the holy elder Shopan Ata, according to legend, a student of the great Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, the famous Sufi poet, mystic and philosopher. Acquaintance with the variety of necropolises on the territory of the mosque and with the traditional rituals accepted in holy places.
After lunch, transfer to the village of Senek. Opportunity to drive through the Tuyesu sand dunes and take a short walk along the sands.
Next, move to the Seneca necropolises of the XVII – XX centuries - memorial monuments buried in the sands.
After an exciting tour, in the evening return to the city of Aktau.
Attention!
This route was developed by the tour operator "Tourist" LLP and is its intellectual property.