Cost Estimate and Online Booking

prices and reservations

tour information

Key Details

Included Features

Booking Procedure

Clothing Recommendations

Tariffs and service levels

Purchase Instructions

Why Choose Us?

Cancellation Policy

9 Days

Distance

1705 km

1700 km

5 km

Starting Point: Kyzylorda Airport

Tour Duration: 9 Days

Tour Dates: June 9-17, 2025

Group Tour

Age restriction: 16+

Difficulty: Challenging

This tour takes you through remote, sparsely populated areas and demands physical resilience and prior experience in similar adventures

Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel

If you have any specific dietary requirements, please inform us at the time of booking so that we can make appropriate arrangements. Local cuisine typically includes lamb or beef, dough, and milk products

Group Size: 5-9 people

What's Included in the Price?

Kyzylorda Airport pickup and drop-off; transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodation in a tent camp (4 nights), guesthouse (2 nights), and a hotel (2 nights)
Meals (lunch and dinner on Day 1, three meals on Days 2-9)
Drinking water
Services of a professional English-speaking guide
Environmental and entry fees, including a permit for visiting Barsakelmes Nature Reserve
Cook services (for groups of 7 or more participants)

Not Included:

Plane or train tickets to/from Kyzylorda
Personal expenses of tour participants
Visa services and registration in Kazakhstan (if required)
Insurance

Booking Procedure

Select the tour you want to book.
On the tour page, use the calendar to choose your desired date and the number of participants. Fill in your personal information and click the Buy Online button.
To secure your booking, you need to pay the full cost of the tour. For details on the online payment process, refer to the Purchase Instructions tab.
After payment, save your voucher and the electronic receipt containing your order details and payment information.

Alternative booking options:

You can also book a tour by contacting our managers and paying in cash or via bank transfer. To reach our managers, click the round button in the lower right corner of the screen or message us on WhatsApp at +7 (700) 348-00-00 (responses available in English).

Alternatively, you can call us at:

+7 (727) 326-96-16, +7 (702) 006-57-87 (Almaty)

+7 (7172) 76-00-56 (Astana)

Essential items for your tour:

Comfortable clothing (such as shorts, pants, leggings, a T-shirt, or a light long-sleeved sweater). A waterproof and windproof jacket and pants.
A cap or hat for sun protection.
Trekking boots or sneakers with hard soles and high lacing.
Change of shoes for camp (light sneakers).
Several pairs of socks + a pair of warm socks.
Several sets of underwear.
Swimming suit.
Personal backpack.
Head-torch.
Sleeping bag (+10°C).
Eating utensils: fork, spoon, cup, plate, water container, and thermos.
Sunscreen.
A personal first aid kit.
Personal hygiene kit.
Insect repellent.
Energy bars or other snacks.

Tour Pricing Options

The prices for this tour are based on the Standard tariff, which includes reliable tourist transport in good condition, the services of an experienced guide and driver, hotel stays, and meals.

In addition to the Standard tariff, we offer the following options:

Economy: We provide lower-class vehicles for transfers, and accommodations consist of more budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses. This option is ideal for tourists looking to minimize costs.

Note: Be cautious of companies that misrepresent their Economy tariff as Standard. These companies may offer lower-priced tours with poor service quality, such as outdated vehicles and inexperienced guides. They might also operate illegally and neglect essential safety standards.

Comfort: This option features high-comfort vehicles in excellent condition, with the most experienced guides accompanying tourists. Tourists stay in high-class hotels.
VIP: Luxury transport is provided, and guests stay in upscale hotels. Premium services are offered throughout the entire trip.

If you wish to adjust your tariff, please inform your manager before booking the tour.

For more information about our rates and transport options, refer to this section.

Purchase Instructions

Choose your desired date and fill in all required information. The total order amount will be displayed based on your selections.
Click the Buy Online button to be redirected to a secure payment page. Here, enter your bank card details to complete your payment.

We accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, and other electronic payment systems. The total amount will be charged in the national currency of Kazakhstan – tenge. The conversion to Kazakhstani tenge will occur at the official exchange rate set by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the day of payment. You can view the current exchange rates for the Kazakhstani tenge against other currencies on this page.

Once your payment is successful, an electronic receipt with your order details and payment information will be sent to the email address you provided. Additionally, you can download and print a voucher for the paid service during your browser session. Please ensure you save this voucher.

For details about the payment service and the security measures for electronic transactions, refer to this page.

Why Choose Us?

Highly Qualified Staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.

Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact.

Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.

Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself.

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel the tour before June 1, 2025, 50% of the total cost will be retained.
If you cancel the tour after June 1, 2025 or do not show up, 100% of the total cost will be retained.

*Please note that if a cancellation notice is received outside of our working hours (evening, night, or weekends) and our managers have not confirmed receipt of your cancellation or change request in writing, the company reserves the right to consider the request when business hours resume. Therefore, we encourage you to notify us of any changes or cancellations as early as possible.

During non-working hours, you can try to reach us through our duty phone, corporate email, or corporate messengers. Duty managers monitor these channels and can respond promptly. If you have the contact information for your guide, driver, or other responsible parties (often listed in your voucher), we recommend reaching out to them directly as well.

Tour Schedule

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

The expedition begins with a meeting at Kyzylorda Airport, followed by lunch at a local café. Afterward, a 4.5-hour (320 km) drive will take you to the small town of Novokazalinsk. Accommodation will be in a simple yet comfortable hotel, where you can enjoy dinner and rest.

Overnight stay in a hotel
Driving distance for the day – approximately 320 km (200 mi)

After an early wake-up and breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to Kazalinsk. Here, you’ll step back into the Soviet era as you explore an alley lined with monuments of Soviet leaders and visit several pre-revolutionary houses, including the Gani Muratbaev Museum.

Next, we’ll travel to Jankent, where you can wander through the ruins of this ancient city. The journey continues to the village of Karateren, with stops at notable sights along the way. Upon arrival in Karateren, you’ll settle in for the night at a local guesthouse.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse
Driving distance for the day – approximately 120 km (75 mi)

Today, we will explore Barsakelmes Nature Reserve, accompanied by an inspector-guide. Along the way, we'll visit the remains of the medieval Aral-Asar settlement. After sightseeing, you'll enjoy lunch before heading to the next historic site – the Kerderi Mausoleum. After exploring the mausoleum ruins, we'll make a brief journey to the ranger's hut where you will spend the night. After setting up camp, you'll enjoy dinner and relax for the evening.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 150 km (93 mi)

Today, we will explore the northwesternmost part of Barsakelmes Island, which is actually no longer an island due to the Aral Sea's desiccation. Here, you’ll witness the stark aftermath of the Aral Sea's environmental disaster. The site also features a monument honoring Lieutenant Alexei Butakov’s expedition. Butakov conducted hydrographic research of the Aral Sea in 1848-1849, producing its first accurate map and documenting the soil, terrain, flora, and fauna of Barsakelmes and other islands in the area.

In the evening, we will return to the village of Karateren, where you can relax in a sauna, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight in a local guesthouse.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse
Driving distance for the day – approximately 170 km (106 mi)

After breakfast, we'll head to Kokaral Dam. Driving along the dam, you'll enter the heart of the Aralkum Desert, the former seabed of the Aral Sea. Along the way, we'll make several stops at the striking eastern cliffs of the Ustyurt Plateau, with lunch served during one of these breaks. By sunset, we'll arrive at Tushybas Bay, where we’ll set up camp along the shoreline. You'll then enjoy dinner and spend the night in the tent camp.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 160 km (100 mi)

After an early wake-up and breakfast, we will depart for the village of Akespe. Along the way, we will make several stops at Ustyurt Plateau, with one of the stops including lunch. By evening, we will arrive at Butakov Bay, once home to abandoned ships. We will set up camp in a scenic location with views of the sea, followed by dinner and a restful evening.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 150 km (93 mi)

In the morning, we will depart for Aralsk. Upon arrival, you will visit the Museum of Local History and the Museum of Fishing, followed by lunch. Afterward, we will continue our journey to Fort Raiym. After exploring the fort, we will take a short drive to Lake Kamystybas, where you will stay overnight in a guesthouse or at the tent camp. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night by the shore of Lake Kamystybas.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 190 km (118 mi)

After breakfast, we will depart for Kyzylorda. Along the way, we will stop for lunch and visit the Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex. We will then continue our journey to Kyzylorda, arriving late at night. Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in a hotel or transferred to the airport.

Driving distance for the day – approximately 350 km (217 mi)

The expedition traverses a region with limited infrastructure, so resolving technical issues may take extra time. Additionally, the itinerary may be adjusted if certain parts of the route become impassable. All changes are made at the guide's discretion, with decisions made on-site based on the situation. We recommend planning for at least one extra day as a buffer for any unforeseen circumstances. If all goes smoothly, you can enjoy this day relaxing on the beach.

Copy

Day 1

The expedition begins with a meeting at Kyzylorda Airport, followed by lunch at a local café. Afterward, a 4.5-hour (320 km) drive will take you to the small town of Novokazalinsk. Accommodation will be in a simple yet comfortable hotel, where you can enjoy dinner and rest.

Overnight stay in a hotel
Driving distance for the day – approximately 320 km (200 mi)

Day 2

After an early wake-up and breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to Kazalinsk. Here, you’ll step back into the Soviet era as you explore an alley lined with monuments of Soviet leaders and visit several pre-revolutionary houses, including the Gani Muratbaev Museum.

Next, we’ll travel to Jankent, where you can wander through the ruins of this ancient city. The journey continues to the village of Karateren, with stops at notable sights along the way. Upon arrival in Karateren, you’ll settle in for the night at a local guesthouse.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse
Driving distance for the day – approximately 120 km (75 mi)

Day 3

Today, we will explore Barsakelmes Nature Reserve, accompanied by an inspector-guide. Along the way, we'll visit the remains of the medieval Aral-Asar settlement. After sightseeing, you'll enjoy lunch before heading to the next historic site – the Kerderi Mausoleum. After exploring the mausoleum ruins, we'll make a brief journey to the ranger's hut where you will spend the night. After setting up camp, you'll enjoy dinner and relax for the evening.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 150 km (93 mi)

Day 4

Today, we will explore the northwesternmost part of Barsakelmes Island, which is actually no longer an island due to the Aral Sea's desiccation. Here, you’ll witness the stark aftermath of the Aral Sea's environmental disaster. The site also features a monument honoring Lieutenant Alexei Butakov’s expedition. Butakov conducted hydrographic research of the Aral Sea in 1848-1849, producing its first accurate map and documenting the soil, terrain, flora, and fauna of Barsakelmes and other islands in the area.

In the evening, we will return to the village of Karateren, where you can relax in a sauna, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight in a local guesthouse.

Overnight stay in a guesthouse
Driving distance for the day – approximately 170 km (106 mi)

Day 5

After breakfast, we'll head to Kokaral Dam. Driving along the dam, you'll enter the heart of the Aralkum Desert, the former seabed of the Aral Sea. Along the way, we'll make several stops at the striking eastern cliffs of the Ustyurt Plateau, with lunch served during one of these breaks. By sunset, we'll arrive at Tushybas Bay, where we’ll set up camp along the shoreline. You'll then enjoy dinner and spend the night in the tent camp.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 160 km (100 mi)

Day 6

After an early wake-up and breakfast, we will depart for the village of Akespe. Along the way, we will make several stops at Ustyurt Plateau, with one of the stops including lunch. By evening, we will arrive at Butakov Bay, once home to abandoned ships. We will set up camp in a scenic location with views of the sea, followed by dinner and a restful evening.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 150 km (93 mi)

Day 7

In the morning, we will depart for Aralsk. Upon arrival, you will visit the Museum of Local History and the Museum of Fishing, followed by lunch. Afterward, we will continue our journey to Fort Raiym. After exploring the fort, we will take a short drive to Lake Kamystybas, where you will stay overnight in a guesthouse or at the tent camp. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night by the shore of Lake Kamystybas.

Overnight stay in a tent camp
Driving distance for the day – approximately 190 km (118 mi)

Day 8

After breakfast, we will depart for Kyzylorda. Along the way, we will stop for lunch and visit the Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex. We will then continue our journey to Kyzylorda, arriving late at night. Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in a hotel or transferred to the airport.

Driving distance for the day – approximately 350 km (217 mi)

Day 9

The expedition traverses a region with limited infrastructure, so resolving technical issues may take extra time. Additionally, the itinerary may be adjusted if certain parts of the route become impassable. All changes are made at the guide's discretion, with decisions made on-site based on the situation. We recommend planning for at least one extra day as a buffer for any unforeseen circumstances. If all goes smoothly, you can enjoy this day relaxing on the beach.

Kyzylorda

Jankent

Kerderi Mausoleum

Barsakelmes Island

Kokaral Dam

Akespe Village

Fort Raiym

Korkyt Ata Memorial Complex

The Aral Sea

The city of Kyzylorda is located on the banks of the Syrdarya River. While the Syrdarya is not as long as the world’s largest rivers, measuring 2,212 km (1375 mi), it is considered a significant waterway in the desert region where Kyzylorda lies. Historians suggest that in ancient times, an oasis thrived near the Syrdarya, and tigers lived in the area. Today, camels are the primary wildlife there. Kyzylorda was founded in 1820 and briefly served as the capital of the Kazakh ASSR from 1925 to 1927.

Jankent, or Yangikent, emerged in the early centuries AD. The city was first mentioned in written sources as a major trading hub along the caravan route connecting Central Kazakhstan to Khwarazm and the Volga region. Jankent flourished during the Middle Ages, and in the 10th-11th centuries, it served as the capital of the Oghuz state. The city boasted a palace, a large Oghuz garrison, bazaars, and temples. The northwestern part of the city, where the citadel once stood, is still well-preserved, and the gates are clearly visible. Excavations and research at the site continue to this day.

The Kerderi Mausoleum, discovered by archaeologists in 2001 on the exposed bottom of the Aral Sea, dates back to the 10th-13th centuries. Today, the ruins consist of an oval mound standing just over two meters high. Among the most fascinating discoveries at the site were two gold earrings adorned with leopard head motifs.

Barsakelmes Island is surrounded by countless stories, many of which are fantastic and often unbelievable. The origins of these tales may stem from the name itself, which translates to "if you go, you won’t come back" in Kazakh. Some rumors suggest the existence of a zone where the space-time continuum is disrupted, while others claim the area is a hotspot for unidentified flying objects. In short, the island’s remoteness and the limited information available have given rise to numerous myths and legends, attracting various seekers of the paranormal.

In the late 1980s, the northern part of the Aral Sea separated from the southern part due to the sea's shallowing. Water continued to flow from the Small Aral to the Big Aral through the narrow channel between them. Two attempts were made to build a dam to block this channel. The first, a sandy dam constructed in 1992, was washed away just a year later. In 1997, a second sandy dam was built. However, in 1999, a storm destroyed this dam as well. In 2001, the Kazakh government sought a loan from the World Bank to build a more durable dam. As a result, the Kokaral Dam was completed in 2005. This project significantly raised the water level in the Small Aral, reviving life in the region and even altering the local climate.

Akespe is a fishing village often described as "covered in sand." Once a thriving village, it has seen a dramatic decline with the drying up of the sea. Today, the village can only be reached by SUV, as there has been no proper road for some time. Life in the village is marked by an eerie silence, occasionally interrupted by the sounds of human activity and speech. About one and a half kilometers from the village, there is a radon spring, where hot water flows directly from the ground. Known for its healing properties, the spring attracts people from various regions, hoping to cure their ailments.

Fort Raiym, also known as the Aral Fortification, was built in 1847, becoming the first Russian military fort in the Aral Sea region. In 1848, the Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko visited the fort, and his drawing provides us with an image of what the fortification looked like. In 1851, the fort’s inhabitants moved to Kazalinsk, although a port continued to operate for several more years. Fort Raiym was officially abandoned in 1854.

In 1980, a memorial complex dedicated to the 9th-century Turkic poet and composer Korkyt was established in southern Kazakhstan. Korkyt is renowned as the inventor of the kobyz, a traditional bowed instrument. The monument was designed not only by an architect but also by an acoustic physicist. Together, they placed a structure of metal pipes at the center of the monument. When the wind blows, the pipes produce sounds reminiscent of the kobyz.

The Aral Sea was once comparable in size to Ireland, teeming with aquatic life and rich vegetation. The region's economy flourished thanks to numerous ports and a thriving fishing industry. Today, the landscape resembles the barren surface of Mars. Despite this, the Aral Sea remains a popular destination for tourists, offering a strikingly beautiful yet haunting environment. However, visitors to this site of ecological disaster must exercise caution: staying on the seashore for more than 24 hours is not recommended due to the harsh conditions.

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