The Aral Sea: ships in the sand
Stand beside rusting ships in what used to be sea, then walk the dam that is bringing the water back.
- Starts and ends
- Kyzylorda
- Distance
- 900 km by road
- Length
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Start time
- 08:00
- Season
- April, May, September, October
- Language
- English, Russian
- Level
- Average
- Options
- Group or private
Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.
Aral Sea, 4 days
This is a trip about what happened and what is being repaired. Fishermen in Aralsk tell their own story. You will hear it over fish soup.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kyzylorda
- Meet in Kyzylorda
- Drive to Aralsk along the Syr Darya
- Hotel in Aralsk
Day 2: Ship graveyard
- Aralsk fishing museum
- Ships on the old seabed
- Sunset on the sand
Day 3: Kokaral dam
- Kokaral dam and the North Aral shore
- Fish lunch with a local family
Day 4: Return
- Drive to Kyzylorda
- Drop-off
Times are a guide and can shift with season and road conditions. If weather or a road closure blocks a stop, your guide offers another one. Refunds do not apply to a stop skipped for safety.
Included
- Guide and 4x4
- Hotel nights
- Breakfast
- Museum entry
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Tips
Group or private
Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.
Group
$620per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $496.
Under 5: not on this trip.
Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in Kyzylorda.
Book a group seatPrivate
One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.
| Guests | Total | Each, about | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $2,100 | $1,050 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 3 | $2,140 | $713 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 4 | $2,185 | $546 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 5 | $2,270 | $454 | Minivan |
| 6 to 7 | $2,940 | $420 | Van |
| 8 to 12 | $3,990 | $333 | Minibus |
More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.
Book privatePick a date
There are no group dates in the next five months. Private trips run on any date in season.
Want your own date? Book private
Know this
- The wind is strong and the sand is fine. Bring a scarf.
- Long driving days on rough roads.
Not for everyone
- Not recommended for back problems.
Deposit and changes
- Group: 30% deposit. Free change up to 24 hours before.
- Private: $100 per booking. Free change up to 72 hours before.
- We cancel a group 48 hours ahead if fewer than 4 guests book or if weather or roads block it. You choose a new date or a refund.
- Balance goes to your guide on day one.