WONDERS OF USTYURT: 3-DAY DESERT TOUR

Begin your adventure in Torysh, where countless stone spheres lie scattered like forgotten relics of a giant’s game. Move on to Kok Kala, a colorful canyon of Jurassic clay, where every curve tells a tale from millions of years ago. Marvel at Sherkala, the solitary fortress-like mountain cloaked in legend and mystery. End the day among the surreal towers of Ayrakty, where rock formations mimic castles lost in time.

Step into spiritual silence at Karaman Ata, a sacred underground mosque carved into rock, echoing with centuries of prayer. Then descend into Ybyk Sai, a canyon so delicately shaped it looks woven from lace. Climb the photogenic slopes of Kyzylkup, affectionately called “Tiramisu” for its sweet, layered texture. Finally, gaze up at Bokty, a giant rising from the steppe like a desert monument to time.

Enter Bozzhyra, the heart of the Ustyurt Plateau, where the surreal landscapes will make you question Earth’s reality. Admire the glowing reds of the Mars Panorama, the vast views from the Ridge, and the wind-sculpted majesty of the Fangs Plateau. After absorbing the quiet power of this otherworldly land, return to Aktau, where the sea meets the steppe — and your journey ends.

Start in the mysterious Valley of Balls, where thousands of stone orbs lie like scattered pearls. Trek through the vividly layered canyons of Kok Kala, a journey into Earth's geological memory. Gaze upon the proud silhouette of Sherkala, rising like a watchtower of ancient myths. Finish the day in Ayrakty, where wind-carved cliffs resemble medieval castles suspended in time.

Begin high above the white vastness of Tuzbair, where the viewpoint delivers a sweeping panorama across a chalky abyss. Then descend to the salt marsh itself — a glistening white wasteland of cracked earth and reflected skies, where time feels frozen and footsteps echo through silence.

Climb the rich, layered Tiramisu Hills of Kyzylkup, where the desert turns into dessert. Admire the bold, sculptural form of Bokty, standing proud like a stone guardian. Then enter the breathtaking realm of Bozzhyra, starting with the glowing Mars Panorama and ending at the Ridge, where the desert stretches beyond sight. Return to Aktau, where the steppe meets the sea, bringing your desert tale to a close.

Kick off in Torysh, where thousands of near-perfect stone spheres rest mysteriously on the steppe. Move on to Kok-kala, a rugged limestone tract where colors and contours shift with every step. The powerful Sherkala rises like a myth wrapped in rock — its walls echoing ancient tales. Wrap up in Airakty, a valley sculpted by the wind into towers, spires, and battlements that belong in a dream.

Revisit Airakty at dawn, watching golden light pour over its walls like molten metal. Then, shift gears as you enter Bozzhyra, where the Martian Panorama reveals a rust-colored abyss. Hike up to the mythical Dragon’s Crest, where wind-carved ridges resemble the spines of a sleeping beast — a perfect place to sit, breathe, and feel small under the vast sky.

Stand beneath the iconic Bozzhyra Fangs, two limestone spires that claw at the sky like prehistoric teeth. Journey on to Bokty, whose layered profile shifts colors with the light. Then explore Kyzylkup, whether from its dramatic gorge or the top of its sweetly layered hills. Pause for a meal in Zhanaozen, then return to Aktau, leaving the stone steppe behind — but not forgotten.