The Karynzharyk Depression boasts stunning, otherworldly landscapes that seem lifted from a sci-fi movie. Its remote location in Mangystau makes it a full day's journey away, attracting only the most adventurous and well-prepared explorers.
Nestled in the southern reaches of Mangystau, near the western edge of the Ustyurt plateau and just 25 km from Turkmenistan, the depression spans 2000 square kilometers. Its lowest point dips 75 meters below sea level. This vast area includes the Kenderli salt marsh, covering 10% of the territory, the sandy Karynzharyk desert with dunes reaching 15 meters high, and the Onere mountains-islands, towering up to 150 meters, alongside the brackish Onere spring.The five mountains, particularly the trio known locally as the "Three Brothers," are remnants of the ancient Tethys ocean floor. Perched above the salt marsh, they create a breathtaking vista that changes with the weather and time of day. The landscape is especially mesmerizing after rainfall, when a thin layer of water over the salt marsh transforms it into a vast mirror.

The Airakty stand as a group of stunning mountains with sharp cliffs and unusual crevices that look almost handcrafted, yet are the remarkable results of water, wind, and time. Each mountain appears as a formidable fortress, their edges resembling towers, earning them the moniker “Valley of Castles”. This evocative name was coined by Taras Shevchenko, a Ukrainian writer and poet, who found himself exiled in Mangystau during the mid-19th century and also created the first drawings of these mountains.Formed from limestone, the Airakty Mountains were part of the ancient Tethys Ocean seabed around 40 million years ago. Tectonic activity eventually elevated the land, the waters receded, and over time, natural forces began sculpting the rock layers into their current forms. The mountains have undergone dramatic transformations due to rainfall and persistent winds, carving out the incredible reliefs we see on their sheer walls today. Although they are already millions of years old, the erosion continues; in a thousand years, their shapes will have changed, and in a million years, they might be gone altogether.

The Tuzbair salt marsh in Mangystau is a photographer's dream come true! The expansive white salt flats stretch to the horizon, bordered by towering white cliffs. These scenes offer countless opportunities for stunning photography, especially when mirages create the illusion of glistening lakes in the distance. After rainfall, the area transforms into a vast watery mirror that beautifully reflects the sky above."Sor Tuzbair," with "sor" meaning salt marsh in Kazakh, is a vast area measuring 15 by 4 kilometers. The cliffs are composed of ancient Cretaceous deposits from the Tethys Ocean, soaring over 60 meters high. The wind, water, and passage of time have sculpted the rocks into fantastic shapes, including the notable "Arch."The Arch at Tuzbair is a natural formation carved by erosion. Climbing through it is possible but challenging due to the steep and unstable terrain. Nearby, fascinating rock formations have also been shaped by natural forces over time.Yet, Tuzbair isn't just about the landscapes. It's a prime spot for fossil hunting, with remnants of the Tethys Ocean's marine life, like shark teeth and sea urchin skeletons, waiting to be discovered under a fine layer of sediment.

The Beket-ata Mosque, a revered pilgrimage site in Mangystau, was established in the 18th century by the renowned religious figure and Sufi, Beket Myrzagululy. Famed for his mystical life, the mosque sits in a remote desert area at the base of the Ustyurt Chink, 230 km east of Aktau.
This unique mosque, carved into a large rock, comprises four small halls. Some halls feature light windows in the ceiling; one contains Beket-ata's remains, another his staff, a third is the burial site of his sister, and the fourth is a women-only prayer hall. The halls' ceilings range from 2.7 to 3.5 meters high.Born in 1750 near Atyrau, Beket was drawn to religion and science from a young age. He studied under the famous Sufi Bakirjan-khoja in Khiva's Shergazi-Khan madrassah. Over seven years, he absorbed extensive knowledge, even memorizing the Koran in just two years. Returning to his homeland, Beket began constructing underground mosques, with his first, the Ak Mosque, built at 24. This mosque later became the final resting place for his family members.
Beket passed away in 1813 or 1814 and was interred in his namesake mosque. He constructed four mosques during his lifetime, with some historians suggesting up to seven. Beket's life inspired numerous legends, such as his ability to teleport and his seasonal retreats to his mosques. Renowned for his peaceful nature, he was titled "batyr" (hero) and revered as a "auliye" (saint). Today, he remains a venerated figure in Kazakhstan's history.

The Kok-Kala tract, alternatively known as Kokala, is an enchanting small gorge filled with strikingly bright and colorful rocks. Here, layers of multicolored limestone, clay, and ancient sediments come together to create a visual spectacle. Scientists have traced the origins of these rock formations back to the Jurassic period, connecting us to a world millions of years old. The name “Kok-Kala” itself translates to "Blue Fortress" or "Blue Mountain," adding a layer of intrigue to the site.As you draw closer to the Kokala Gorge, the light-colored rocks begin to stand out sharply against the surrounding orange-brown hills. This awe-inspiring landscape is the result of tectonic activity, which caused a massive layer of prehistoric rock to rise above the land. Over time, the combined forces of water, wind, and the passage of millennia have revealed this stunning natural wonder. While the gorge may not boast dinosaur bones or teeth, it provides a unique opportunity to explore the geological history of the epochs. Dark layers within the rocks bear traces of plants from the Jurassic era, with scientists dating these ancient forest remnants at 170-200 million years old.

Mount Sherkala stands as one of the defining symbols of Mangystau in Kazakhstan. This impressive limestone mountain rises majestically from the steppe, carrying a sense of mystery and allure. Numerous legends swirl around it, and from different perspectives, it can appear as a giant Kazakh yurt, an inverted bowl, or a sleeping lion. It’s this last image that has inspired its name—Sherkala, translating from Persian to "lion's fortress" or "lion's mountain".
Sherkala is situated about 180 kilometers from Aktau, the capital of the Mangystau region, and near the village of Shetpe (18 km away). The mountain itself stands at 307 meters tall (332 meters above sea level), stretching 1000 meters from north to south and 650 meters from east to west. A walk around the entire base of the mountain takes just about an hour. While its southern face presents a daunting, steep climb, the northern side is more gentle, featuring numerous small gorges and caves. Reaching the summit without specialized climbing equipment is practically impossible due to the steepness of all its sides.

Ybykty Canyon, a gem of the Mangystau region, may be small, but it packs a breathtaking visual punch with its winding, serpentine formations. Its cliffs twist and turn, creating unique silhouettes against the sky. The canyon walls feature an array of hole patterns that evoke images of honeycombs, bone textures under a microscope, or aerated chocolate, earning it the nickname "Ybykty Porous Gorge."Dating back to the Paleogene era, some 60-40 million years ago, Ybykty is a geological masterpiece once submerged beneath the Neotethys Ocean. Over time, rainfall has sculpted the limestone into sharp relief, while rains today still etch into the stone, leaving a canvas where moss and algae sketch out past water levels.The canyon's peculiar pockmarks were formed by ancient marine organisms or by chemical reactions deep in the ocean's pressure.

The Tamshaly Tract is a priceless gift of nature. This remarkable tourist destination is located in the Mangystau region, 35 kilometers east of Fort-Shevchenko.
Stretching 12 kilometers, the tract begins on the shores of the Caspian Sea on one side and is surrounded by steep cliffs on the other. It is believed that a river once flowed through this gorge, cascading down the cliffs. However, the river no longer exists. Today, only droplets trickle down the cliff edges, forming a small freshwater lake at the base.
Just 3 kilometers from Tamshaly lies the small village of Karagan, which was once an important point on a maritime trade route.What sets Tamshaly apart from other tourist attractions in Mangystau is its year-round accessibility. The area is alive with visitors in every season, and the canyon transforms with the passing months. In summer, it is lush and green, while in autumn, the landscape bursts into vibrant shades of yellow.

Onere Oasis is a water spring and the largest water source in the Ustyurt Reserve. The well was drilled during the Soviet era by Soviet engineers and geologists who were conducting research on the Kenderli salt marsh. The length of the stream from the Onere spring is 8 km.
The Onere spring is located on the Ustyurt Plateau in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan, within the territory of the Ustyurt Nature Reserve in the Karakiyan district. When the well was drilled, the water flooded the surrounding area, forming three small lakes with crystal-clear water. During the summer, these lakes offer a place to swim, and the area around the spring is a small desert oasis. Wild animals, such as wolves, foxes, and gazelles, come to the spring, and various birds migrate here. It's a great place for observing wildlife in its natural habitat.

The karst cave Balayuk, Bulyoiyk is located in the Aksaksaul tract in the southeast of the Ustyurt Plateau, south of the Kolyniyazkolka tract and 52 kilometers southeast of the Karynzharyk depression. Karst caves are rare in the plains of Mangyshlak, but they can be found in Ustyurt. The largest one is located 2.5 km southeast of the Balayuk necropolis, the cave was discovered in 1959 by S.E. Petrov and A.N. Slyusarev. The entrance to the cave is located in a karst depression 50 meters long, 6 - 15 meters wide, 7 meters deep. The cave consists of 3 halls 15-20 meters long, 8-10 meters wide and 15-30 meters high. The halls are connected by 40-70° inclined corridors. The halls are at a depth of 28, 75 and 120 meters. In the last hall there is a lake 20 meters long and 10 meters wide with water temperature from +10 to +13°. The taste of the water is salty and bitter. At the lake the altimeter shows a minus drop of 70 to 100 meters.