3-day Mangystau tour: 9 natural sites with camping
Nine geological formations across three days, camped in the desert
A 3-day group tour of Mangystau's natural sites combines nine attractions (circular rock formations, lilac clay badlands, castle-shaped hills and dragon-crest canyons) with 4x4 transport, two nights camping under open sky, and meals featuring local camel products. Live guides speak English and Russian. Pickup from Aktau Airport or your hotel is included. Not suitable for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Aktau to Valley of Castles
- Meet at Aktau Airport or hotel
- Drive to Valley of Balls (Torysh)
- Lunch at local café near Valley of Balls
- Walk at Jurassic Clays (Kokkala)
- Visit Sherkala Mount
- Explore Airakty Valley of Castles
- Camp and stargaze at Valley of Castles
Day 2: Bozjyra National Park Exploration
- Breakfast at camp
- Hike to castles and scenic views
- Camp assembly during hike
- Drive to Bozjyra National Park
- Lunch with local cuisine en route
- Visit Bozjyra Mars Panorama
- Visit Bozjyra Dragon Crest Top View
- Overnight camping in Bozjyra valley
Day 3: Bozjyra to Aktau Return
- Breakfast with Bozjyra view
- Visit Bozjyra Fangs Formation
- Drive to Bokty Mount
- Visit Tiramisu Canyon Kyzylkup
- Drive to Zhanaozen for late lunch
- Continue drive to Aktau
- Tour ends with drop-off in Aktau
The experience
The tour runs on a fixed schedule across three days, starting at 10 AM from Aktau Airport or your hotel. Day one covers five stops: the Valley of Balls (Torysh), where spherical rock formations resemble dragon eggs; Jurassic Clays (Kokkala), a walk through lilac-colored badlands; Sherkala Mount, a single peak with its own geological story; and Airakty Valley of Castles, where castle-shaped hills rise against the horizon. You camp that night overlooking the castles with a clear view of the starry sky.
Day two begins with a morning hike up to the castles while the camp crew assembles your next site. The group then drives to Bozjyra National Park, stopping for lunch with horse sausage and local salads. Inside the park you visit the Mars Panorama, a landscape of striking geological formations, and the Dragon Crest Top View, a mount shaped like a ship's hull. The second night's camp sits in Bozjyra's canyon, surrounded by beige canyon walls that give the park its name.
Day three takes you to the Bozzhyra Fangs Formation (a 20-minute walk to the viewpoint), then Bokty Mount, which resembles an overturned ship. Your final stop is Tiramisu Canyon Kyzylkup, named for its striped dark brown and white layers. From there, the drive back to Aktau takes four to five hours, with a late lunch break in Zhanaozen. You arrive in Aktau by 6 PM, dropped at your hotel or the airport.
Transport is in air-conditioned 4x4 jeeps. Accommodation is tent camping with mat, sleeping bag, bedsheet and pillow provided. Travel accident insurance and all fees and taxes are included in the price.
What’s included
- Travel accident insurance.
- all fees and taxes.
- pickup from Aktau Airport or your hotel.
- 4x4 air-conditioned transport throughout.
- two nights tent camping with mat, sleeping bag, bedsheet and pillow.
- three days of meals (lunch daily, dinners and breakfasts at camp).
- live guide in English or Russian.
Before you book
Operated by RedMaya Travel
Is this one for you?Book this if you speak English or Russian and want a shared group experience with a live guide covering nine natural sites across three fixed days.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What exactly is the Valley of Balls, and why do the rocks look like that?
The Valley of Balls (Torysh) is a geological formation where perfectly circular and half-sliced rocks rise from the desert floor, resembling dragon eggs. The formations are a natural result of erosion and weathering over millions of years, creating these distinctive spherical shapes.
Do I need camping experience to sleep in a tent for two nights?
No. The tour provides all camping equipment (tent, mat, sleeping bag, bedsheet and pillow), and the campsites are set up for you. The camps are located at scenic overlooks: one in Airakty Valley of Castles and one in Bozjyra National Park's canyon.
What language does the guide speak?
The guide speaks English and Russian. If you speak one of these languages, you can follow the commentary throughout the tour.
How much driving is involved each day?
Day one involves driving between five stops and ends with camping. Day two includes a morning hike, then driving to Bozjyra National Park with three stops inside it. Day three has a 20-minute walk to the Fangs viewpoint, then a four- to five-hour drive back to Aktau with a lunch stop in Zhanaozen.
Is pickup from Aktau Airport included?
Yes. The tour includes pickup from either Aktau Airport or your hotel at 10 AM on day one. You are dropped at your hotel or the airport in Aktau at 6 PM on day three.
What meals are provided during the tour?
Lunch is provided on each of the three days. Day one lunch is in the Valley of Balls; day two lunch features horse sausage and local salads on the way to Bozjyra National Park; day three includes a late lunch in Zhanaozen. Dinners and breakfasts are included at the campsites, and camel milk products are available as part of the local cuisine experience.