This Mangystau photo tour takes you into Kazakhstan’s most surreal desert — chalk canyons, white cliffs and salt flats that look like another planet. After the flight from Almaty to Aktau, you spend 6 days in a 4×4 with a driver-guide who knows every viewpoint: the Fangs of Bozzhyra at sunrise, the Tuzbair cliffs at sunset, Mount Sherkala, the stone balls of Torysh, the underground mosque of Shakpak Ata and the Caspian coast at Saura. Shoots are timed for golden hour, and the dark desert skies are made for astrophotography. Small groups of up to 5 travellers.
Price per person, depends on group size
Included
• Private 4×4 with an experienced, English-speaking driver-guide (days 2–7)
• All meals during the expedition (except in Aktau and Almaty)
• Accommodation on the expedition: 3 nights in tents (tents and sleeping mats provided), 1 night in a yurt at Kogez, 1 night in rooms at the Sartas visitor center
• Generator power at the camps for cameras and drones
• All entrance fees according to the program
Not included
• Flights Almaty → Aktau → Almaty
• Hotels in Aktau
• All costs in Almaty (hotel, transport, meals)
• Sleeping bag (please bring your own, comfort about 0 °C)
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
Moments that stay with you
Season
April–May and September–October. Autumn gives the softest light, clear skies and the best view of the Milky Way. Days are warm, desert nights can be cold.
Getting there and booking early
The tour starts in Almaty; you travel to Almaty on your own. From there daily flights go to Aktau (about 3.5 hours, Air Astana, FlyArystan, SCAT; one way from about $50–85). Please book the tour well in advance so the Almaty–Aktau flights can be bought early, when seats are available and prices are low.
Camera gear
• DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Wide-angle lens (14–24 mm or similar)
• Tripod — essential for sunrise, sunset and night shots
• Drone — optional but highly recommended
What else to bring
• Sleeping bag with comfort around 0 °C
• Warm layers for the evenings, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Soft bags or backpacks — no hard suitcases in the 4×4
• Power bank
Electricity and internet
Cameras and drones are charged from a generator at the camps. In remote areas the internet is very limited or unavailable.
Route and camps may change
Desert tracks in Mangystau change all the time. The route, the order of stops and the camp spots are decided by your guide and driver on the spot, depending on the weather and the state of the tracks — so that you travel safely and reach each place in the best light. The map shows the route approximately.
The tour starts in Almaty, which you reach on your own. From Almaty there are several flights a day to Aktau (about 3.5 hours, one way from about $50–85). Book the tour early so these flights can be bought in advance; flights are not included in the price.
None in particular — the tour suits keen beginners as well as professionals. Your guide knows the locations, the best angles and the timing for each light.
3 nights in tents in the desert (tents and mats provided), 1 night in a yurt at the Kogez ethno village and 1 night in rooms at the Sartas visitor center. The 2 nights in Aktau are in a hotel of your choice, not included in the price. Please bring a sleeping bag rated to about 0 °C.
The price per person depends on group size: $3,800 for 1 traveller, $2,600 for 2, $2,400 for 3, $1,800 for 4 and $1,450 for 5. Flights and all costs in Almaty and Aktau are not included.
Yes. The region is very safe, and an experienced local driver-guide is with you throughout the expedition.
At the camps a generator charges cameras, drones and phones. In remote areas the internet is very limited or unavailable, so bring a power bank.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
