The Most Dramatic Landscape in Kazakhstan
Mangystau is unlike anywhere else in Kazakhstan — or on Earth. This remote region in the country's far west was once the floor of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
Over millions of years, tectonic shifts, wind, and water sculpted it into something extraordinary: chalk plateaus with towering limestone fangs, canyons striped in red and white, valleys filled with perfect stone spheres, and salt flats that stretch to the horizon.
Add underground mosques carved into rock centuries ago, fossils of prehistoric sharks, and sunrises over the Valley of Castles — and you have one of Central Asia's most unforgettable destinations.
Add underground mosques carved into rock centuries ago, fossils of prehistoric sharks, and sunrises over the Valley of Castles — and you have one of Central Asia's most unforgettable destinations.
Travel Tips & Local Insights
travel insights and local tips for exploring Kazakhstan beyond standard tourist routes
The trail starts above the Gunny Ethnic Village. This easy and scenic circular route runs through the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park.
The route is about 5 km long, with no steep ascents or descents.
The trail winds through pine and birch groves and thickets of wild apple trees.
The route is about 5 km long, with no steep ascents or descents.
The trail winds through pine and birch groves and thickets of wild apple trees.
⚠️ Important!
Mobile reception here is very weak. I recommend paying the entrance fee in advance via Kaspi Payments by selecting the Maralsay eco-post.
(If you don’t have Kaspi, ask a local resident to do it for you in advance and send you the receipt — you’ll need to show it to the ranger at the entrance.)
This trail is not a popular one, so you’re unlikely to meet other tourists along the way — but you might encounter wild animals such as roe deer, wild boars, or squirrels. Please stay alert!
Mobile reception here is very weak. I recommend paying the entrance fee in advance via Kaspi Payments by selecting the Maralsay eco-post.
(If you don’t have Kaspi, ask a local resident to do it for you in advance and send you the receipt — you’ll need to show it to the ranger at the entrance.)
This trail is not a popular one, so you’re unlikely to meet other tourists along the way — but you might encounter wild animals such as roe deer, wild boars, or squirrels. Please stay alert!
For me, travel is not only about the destination itself, but also about how the journey is organized: logistics, pacing, safety, comfort, and attention to detail. I mainly work with small groups and focus on creating experiences that feel natural, well-planned, and far from generic tourism.
What started 20 years ago as a personal passion for mountains and travel gradually became a professional path and the work I dedicate most of my life to.
What started 20 years ago as a personal passion for mountains and travel gradually became a professional path and the work I dedicate most of my life to.
For more than 8 years, I have been organizing and guiding private tours across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Most routes take guests through mountains, canyons, national parks, high mountain passes, and remote locations that are difficult to experience through standard tours.
Alexander Bubenin
Meet the Guide
- Price per person from
1400$ - What's Included
- Airport transfers
- English-speaking guide on 4WD – all time
- All national park entry fees, meals, water, and accommodation along the route
- All activities in the itinerary
- Not Included
- Personal expenses and purchases during route stops
- Medical travel insurance
- Hotel accommodation in Almaty before and after the tour
Submit your request
and embark on this
unique journey
and embark on this
unique journey