Tour dates
From
To
Condition
Group size
Pricing
4995,-
Schedule
Arrival in Aktau, transfer to hotel, rest and first city exploration
Mangystau steppe, Khanga Baba Necropolis & Kozdikara Lake
Kenty Baba Necropolis, Kapamsay Canyon, Shakpak Ata underground mosque, and sunset at Valley of Balls (Torysh). An absolute highlight day
Kokala formations, Sherkala (Lion Mountain), Kyzyl Kala ruins & Airakty Valley
Full day at Tuzbair Salt Flats — reflections, vastness and chalk cliffs
Chalk canyons of the Syndy region – transfer to Janaozen
Exploring the Ustyurt Plateau, Karynzharyk Depression, Tri Brata (Three Brothers) and Kendirli Salt Marsh
Sunrise in Karynzharyk, drive through Tiramisu Canyon, stop at Zhakpakty spring, arrival in Kyzylkup
Morning shoot in Kyzylkup, transfer to Bokty Mountain
Transfer to the iconic Bozjyra Valley
Sunrise in Bozjyra, visit Senek Sand Dunes, overnight in a traditional yurt camp in Kogez
Karaman Ata underground mosque, Porous Gorge, Karagiye Hollow, return to Aktau
Transfer to Aktau airport & return home
Partnership
A UNIQUE JOURNEY
Kazakhstan – “The Land of Nine Landscapes” – is a dream destination for landscape photographers. Its extreme diversity makes it a visual goldmine that never stops to surprise you.
Infinite steppes. Alpine peaks. Mountain lakes. Deep canyons. Chalk cliffs that look extraterrestrial. Multicoloured desert hills. Name it — Kazakhstan has it.
This country challenges you to master multiple photographic techniques, to constantly switch perspective and above all: to slow down, observe, and fully absorb the landscape.
SACRED NECROPOLIS
We venture deep into the Mangystau steppe, a remote and hauntingly beautiful part of the greater Kazakh steppe and the Ustyurt Plateau. This harsh landscape blends barren plains and semi-desert with dramatic geological features.
We visit the Kenty Baba Necropolis, one of the region’s most mysterious and important historical sites. Sacred since the 10th century, this isolated place is both a burial ground and a pilgrimage site, renowned for its striking architecture and ancient engravings.
VALLEY OF BALLS
Mangystau feels truly otherworldly. Vast chalk cliffs, limestone mountains, deep canyons and endless salt flats create a landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. Fossils of ancient marine life — whales, sharks and rays — hint at a time when this desert was once an ocean.
We explore the legendary Valley of Balls (Torysh), one of Kazakhstan’s strangest natural wonders. Thousands of perfectly round stone spheres, some up to four metres across, are scattered across the steppe. It looks like a giant’s abandoned bowling alley — or the surface of Mars. Sunrise and sunset here are pure magic.
EPIC WILDERNESS OF USTYURT
The Ustyurt Plateau is a vast clay desert covering nearly 200,000 km² across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It’s harsh, remote and spectacular. Expect towering multicoloured cliffs, fossils and surreal rock formations that feel untouched by time.
We photograph Tuzbair, a massive salt flat stretching 15 km long and 4 km wide, bordered by 60-metre-high cliffs sculpted into bizarre patterns. We also descend into one of the deepest depressions in the region: the Karynzharyk Depression, plunging some 75 metres below sea level.
TIRAMISU CANYON & BOZJYRA VALLEY
We save the most visually stunning locations for last. A landscape of intense, layered colours: reds, yellows and whites stacked like dessert layers. We explore its canyons and climb its slopes for sweeping views of a Mars-like world that transforms with the rising and setting sun.
Bozjyra is the undisputed icon of Mangystau. Towering white and pale-pink limestone spires rise dramatically from the desert plain. Minimalist, powerful and otherworldly — this is pure photographic poetry.
ACCOMMODATION, TRANSPORT & FLIGHTS
We stay in a mix of hotels and camps, using four-season tents. A professional cook accompanies the group and prepares all meals. Sleeping bags are not included, but can be rented through us. In Aktau and at select stops along the route, we stay in comfortable hotels.
Travel is by 4×4 vehicles, often off-road on unpaved tracks — an integral part of the adventure.
Flights to Aktau depart from Belgium, the Netherlands or an airport of your choice and are not included. Once departure is guaranteed, we provide a flight proposal, or you may book independently. Expect flight prices between €700 and €1,000, depending on routing and booking time.
CIMATE & CLOTHING
In November, the Mangystau steppe is already in winter. Expect cold, dry and windy conditions, with daytime temperatures between 2°C and 10°C and freezing nights.
Layered clothing is essential, as you’ll often be standing still for photography. Warm base layers, insulated footwear, gloves, a hat, and a wind- and waterproof jacket are required. Protecting your camera gear from cold, dust and moisture is equally important. More detailed gear advice will follow.
