The Aidarlyasha outcrop is a must-see for anyone interested in nature, history, or paleontology. The river has eroded the bank and exposed a sequence of rock layers. The cliffs look as if they were deliberately sliced open, like a giant layered cake, offering a clear view into Earth’s deep past.

These layers date back to the Carboniferous and Permian periods, between 350 and 290 million years ago. At that time, the Earth was dominated by the harsh supercontinent Pangaea, surrounded by the Panthalassa Ocean, with vast arid interiors and scattered wetlands. In the area that is now Kazakhstan, a sea once existed, and its traces remain in the rocks. Fossils of marine organisms – fusulinids, conodonts, mollusk shells, and shark teeth – are found here.

Aidarlyasha is part of a specially protected natural area, so visitors should follow basic rules: do not break the rocks, do not collect fossils, and leave no litter.

How to get there?

The Aidarlyasha outcrop is located 10 km (6 mi) west of the village of Akjar in the Aktobe Region and about 45 km (28 mi) east of the city of Aktobe. It sits on the right bank of the Aidarlyasha River and appears as a steep slope about 50 meters (164 ft) high. The site can be difficult to find without local knowledge, so it’s best to visit with a guide or ask residents of Akjar for directions.

Other tourist attractions near the Aidarlyasha Outcrop:

• Volchy Waterfall
• Shiyli Meteorite Crater
• Mausoleum of Kobylandy Batyr
• Jamanshin Meteorite Crater