Mangystau Region route: Bozjyra, Valley of Balls and Aktau
The route through the Mangystau region includes key natural and cultural sites of the Mangyshlak Peninsula: the geological formations of the Bozjyra tract, the unique Valley of Balls, the coast of the Caspian Sea, the city of Aktau and the Karagiye depression with underground mosques. The route covers an area that is an open-air archaeological reserve.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Bozzhyrra tract
- End
- Karagie Depression
- Stops
- 5
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Bozzhyrra tract — Huge limestone cliffs and peaks over 200 m high, including the famous "fangs," were formed from marine sediments 60–70 million years ago and are considered the hallmark of the…
- Valley of Balls — Mysterious stone spheres with a diameter of up to 3 m. Their origin is still disputed; there are many scientific hypotheses and local legends.
- Caspian Sea — The largest landlocked lake on the planet, located on the border between Europe and Asia, containing about 44% of the world's lake water and boasting a unique ecosystem.
- The city of Aktau — Built in the 1960s, the city is known for its neighborhood system without street names. It is becoming a resort center and has an unusual attraction—a lighthouse on the roof of a…
- Karagie Depression — The lowest point in Kazakhstan (-132 m below sea level) and religious monuments, including the underground mosque of Beket-Ata, are important pilgrimage sites.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Lake Karakol outside the flamingo nesting season so as not to disturb the birds. Some flamingos stay here for the winter.
- Tip
- There are no street names in the city of Aktau - only microdistricts and army signs are used. Be guided by the numbers of microdistricts.
- Tip
- The Aktau Lighthouse is located on the roof of a high-rise building at an altitude of 73 meters above sea level - a unique landmark, a symbol of the city.
- Tip
- The Aktau embankment stretches for 1.5 kilometers along steep cliffs with observation decks, grottoes and caves.
- Transport
- A sea trip on a yacht is available on the Caspian Sea near Aktau - a popular way to relax at the resort.
- Tip
- The Karagiye Depression is the deepest depression in Kazakhstan (132 meters below sea level). There are underground mosques carved into the rocks.
- Tip
- The necropolis of Becket is an underground mosque, an object of pilgrimage. A descent on foot along a winding path for about 1.5 thousand meters is required.
- Tip
- The Aktau Mountains (colored chalk mountains) with a length of more than 10 km are formed by chalk of different colors, creating colorful layers of red and other shades.
- Tip
- Up to 175 species of waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds live on Lake Karakol, more than 20 are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.
- Tip
- The Valley of Balls (Torysh) is a mysterious place with stone nodules with a radius of up to 3 meters. The origin of the balls remains unsolved for 250 years.
- Tip
- The Bozjyra tract is known for two limestone peaks over 200 meters high, nicknamed 'fangs'. The age of the deposits is 60-70 million years.
- Avoid
- In the wild, there are urials and mountain sheep, rare Red Book species. Do not disturb the animals and avoid poaching activities.
Video on this route
Documentary film / Flight over Kazakhstan / Mangyshlak Peninsula / Kazakhstan from above