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Expedition

Mangystau by 4x4: chalk, salt and silence

Five days on a plateau with almost no people. You sleep in yurt camps and under the stars.

All trips

Starts and ends
Aktau
Distance
1100 km by road
Length
5 days, 4 nights
Start time
08:00
Season
March to May, September to November
Language
English, Russian
Level
Hard
Options
Group or private
Book a group seat · $690Book private

Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.

Mangystau, 5 days, illustrated
Mangystau, 5 days
About

Mangystau, 5 days

4x4 drivingHikingCampingStargazing

The hardest trip we run, and the one people talk about longest. Roads are tracks. Phone signal is a rumour. The guide navigates by the shape of the cliffs.

Itinerary

Day 1: Aktau

  1. Meet in Aktau
  2. Beket-Ata, an underground mosque in the rock
  3. Shakpak-Ata, camp

Day 2: Valley of Balls

  1. Sherkala mountain
  2. Torysh, round stones the size of cars
  3. Camp

Day 3: Bozzhyra

  1. Drive to Bozzhyra
  2. Chalk spires and the Ustyurt plateau edge
  3. Sunset on the cliffs

Day 4: The plateau

  1. Airakty and the plateau tracks
  2. Tuzbair salt flat
  3. Night walk, no lights for 50 km

Day 5: Back to Aktau

  1. Drive out
  2. Caspian shore
  3. Drop-off in Aktau

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

  • Land Cruiser and driver-guide
  • Camp or yurt nights
  • All meals
  • Water

Not included

  • Flights to Aktau
  • Tips
  • Sleeping bag hire ($15)
Prices

Group or private

Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.

Group

$690

per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $552.
Under 5: not on this trip.

Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in Aktau.

Book a group seat

Private

One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.

GuestsTotalEach, aboutVehicle
2$2,350$1,1754x4 or minivan
3$2,395$7984x4 or minivan
4$2,445$6114x4 or minivan
5$2,540$508Minivan
6 to 7$3,290$470Van
8 to 12$4,465$372Minibus

More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.

Book private
Group dates

Pick a date

Fri 30 Oct2 seats leftMon 2 Nov2 seats leftFri 6 Nov4 seats leftMon 9 Nov4 seats leftFri 13 Nov4 seats leftMon 16 Nov4 seats leftFri 20 Nov4 seats leftMon 23 Nov4 seats leftFri 27 Nov2 seats leftMon 30 Nov4 seats leftMon 1 Mar3 seats leftFri 5 Mar4 seats left

Want your own date? Book private

Know before you go

Know this

  • Nights drop near freezing in spring and autumn.
  • There is no phone signal for most of the route.

Not for everyone

  • Not recommended for back problems. The tracks are rough.
  • Not allowed for guests with serious medical conditions.

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.