Kazakhstan: a journey to Mangystau, another planet

First day

travel from Italy on an international flight. What awaits us is an outdoor vacation of pure adventure, a trip designed for those who want to experience nature in its most authentic form, letting themselves be guided by the slow pace of the steppe and the immensity of the landscapes of Mangystau, one of the most fascinating regions of Kazakhstan. Arrival in Aktau the following morning is the gateway to a remote, spectacular and still little-known territory, ideal for those seeking a trekking experience, itinerant camping, off-road exploration and landscapes that seem to belong to another planet.

Second day

Arrival in Aktau, meeting with the local team, anddeparture by off-road vehicle to the Tupkaragan Peninsula overlooking the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. Stop for a shared breakfast, then first excursion to the Zhygylgan Fault, known as "the Fallen Earth": an impressive geological fracture that will enchant you. Here we will look for fossilized footprints of ancient animals among layers of rock exposed by time, evidence of remote eras. We continue to rock mosques and necropolises carved into the rock, among the most evocative places of worship in the Mangystau region. In the afternoon, we reach Kapamsay Canyon, where we will set up our first tented camp, surrounded only by wonder and silence.

Third day

Stone spheres and rock castles
We leave our camp, walking between walls sculpted by time. The scenery opens up onto the incredible Torysh Valley: an almost extraterrestrial place where hundreds of huge stone spheres dot the landscape. These "stone balls," a geological rarity in Mangystau, tell the ancient story of a vanished sea, transforming the valley into an art gallery. In the afternoon, we reach Kokkala and then continue towards the sacred Sherkala mountain, symbol of Mangystau. We end the day with a walk in the Jylshy chalk canyon. We are now ready to set up our tented camp among the imposing formations of the Ayrakty–Shomanay mountains, also known as the Valley of Castles for its pinnacles and rock towers reminiscent of ancient fortresses.

Fourth day

From the endless steppe to the salt lake
After breakfast, we climb the ridges of Ayrakty–Shomanay, a panoramic terrace from which the steppe appears endless. The journey continues to Tuzbair, the immaculate salt lake. Along the way, we stop for lunch in a small village, an authentic opportunity to experience everyday life in Mangystau and, last but not least, take our first well-deserved shower of the holiday. In the afternoon, we reach the cliff overlooking the Tuzbair salt lake: from here, it looks like a mirage, a liquid expanse of white and silver. We set up camp right on the shores of the lake, where the sunset is reflected in the water, creating one of the most iconic views of the entire trip.

Fifth day

Towards the stone cathedrals of Bozzhyra
In the morning, we explore Lake Tuzbair, walking along its shores. Then we begin a long transfer tothe Ustyurt Plateau. On the way, we visit the Beket-Ata sanctuary, one of the most important spiritual places in Mangystau: a rock mosque set in a deep gorge. We continue to one of the most eagerly awaited destinations of our outdoor adventure in Mangystau: Bozzhyra Canyon. From the edge of the cliff, the view is breathtaking: towers, pinnacles, and white walls rising up in the desert like natural cathedrals. We descend into the heart of the canyon to set up camp: here we will spend two nights, immersed in one of the most spectacular settings in western Kazakhstan.

Sixth day

Inside the kingdom of Bozzhyra
This day is entirely dedicated to exploring Bozzhyra Canyon, one of the most spectacular and iconic landscapesof the Ustyurt Plateau. We will walk among white spires, enormous natural amphitheaters, and passages that seem to come from a primordial world, with evocative names such as the famous Dragon's Crests. The view changes from every vantage point: distant dunes, white cliffs, and crags shaped by time. It is a place where it is impossible not to stop and listen to the silence. At sunset, the walls are tinged with pink, orange, and gold: a natural spectacle that remains etched in your eyes and memory.

Seventh day

The Tiramisu Mountains at sunset
We bid farewell to Bozzhyra with one last walk through its surreal scenery, then head towards another iconic landscape of Mangystau: the Kyzylkup hills, known as the Tiramisu Mountains. Overlapping layers of clay and chalk create lines of color ranging from white to red, beige to brown, creating a chromatic effect reminiscent of the famous dessert. Not far away stands Mount Bokty, a pyramid-shaped mountain considered one of the geological wonders of Mangystau. In the afternoon, we will walk among the rounded shapes of the Tiramisu Mountains, perfect for those who love photography and geological trekking. Our last camp will be here.

Eighth day

From the dunes to the Caspian Sea
After our last walk among the gentle curves of the Tiramisu Mountains, we head towards the Tuyesu barcane dunes, waves of golden sand shaped by the wind that mark the border between the steppe and the desert. We have lunch in a local village, enjoying simple traditional Kazakh dishes, and in the afternoon we return to Aktau, overlooking the Caspian Sea. A refreshing shower (finally!), a little rest, and a traditional Kazakh dinner bring this adventure through canyons, deserts, and unimaginable mountains to a close. It is our last embrace with Mangystau, which has enveloped us with sand, wind, light, silence, and wonder.

Ninth day

Our suitcases will be light, but our hearts will be full: desert dust, immense skies, white canyons, intense trekking, and indelible memories of the wildest parts of Kazakhstan. We take a taxi from Aktau airport for our return flight to Italy.