Mount Bokty
Mount Bokty, standing at 165 meters (541 ft), is striped with pastel shades of white, yellow, reddish, and brown. This mountain looks like a layered cake due to deposits of cretaceous sandstones that piled up over one another forming layers of different colors. “Bokty” is a Kazakh word meaning “a pie.” The mountain indeed looks like an enormous pie standing in the middle of a flat salt pan.
Mount Bokty looks the most spectacular at sunset or sunrise when sun rays make the colors pop. It's an incredible sight to see and worthy of the challenge it takes to get there.
How to get there?
Mount Bokty stands 34 km (21 mi) northeast of the village of Senek and 250 km (155 mi) east of the city of Aktau. If you’re driving from Aktau, take the A-33 highway and head to the town of Zhanaozen. From there, drive to the village of Senek. Then follow the signs indicating that you are moving towards the Beket Ata Underground Mosque. You’ll see the mountain from the road – it’s visible from afar.
By the way, just 20 km (12 mi) to the east of Mount Bokty lays Bosjira Tract, Mangystau’s most spectacular sight. Near the village of Senek, you can marvel at the Tuyesu Sand Dunes.
A guided tour is highly recommended to navigate the region. A tour can take you to all attractions in the area and make sure you have the best impressions. If you prefer to travel independently, you’re going to need an off-road car. However, we do not recommend venturing into the desert alone.