Tuzbair Salt Pan
Tuzbair Salt Pan is a vast flat expanse of land on the Ustyurt Plateau, Mangystau Region. Tuzbair is surrounded by white limestone buttes and its surface is covered with salt. In spring, the rains fill the salt pan with water and turn it into a shallow lake that reflects the sky and the surrounding buttes creating an incredible view. In summer, the water dries out leaving a salt-covered surface that stretches as far as you can see. The area is perfect for camping, as you can marvel at stunningly beautiful sunsets and dawns and make amazing photographs in different lighting conditions.
Locals call this salt pan “sor Tuzbair.” “Sor” in Kazakh means the type of shallow salt marsh that does not drain into any sea. Tuzbair is covered with water only in spring. In summer, the water evaporates and the salt marsh becomes covered with a dense crust of salt on which you can walk. However, it’s better not to drive there, as cars often get stuck.
Weathered rocks of Tuzbair sometimes take peculiar shapes. For instance, there is a chalk arch – photographers’ favorite location. There you can also see a butte whose shape resembles the Great Sphynx of Giza. Another landmark is created by human hands. These are two stone structures that were used to catch saiga antelopes. The locals call them “arans.” In the 19th century, arans were used for their intended purpose, but now they are only historical monuments.
Some tips for visiting Tuzbair
- The best time to visit is late April or May. During this period wild tulips bloom and there is a small chance of night frosts. However, nights here are always cool so bring warm clothes if you plan to camp. In summer the temperature sometimes rises to +45oC (113oF).
- You’ll probably walk a lot so wear comfortable shoes. In spring, it is recommended to wear rubber waterproof high-top boots.
- Sometimes it gets very windy so take windproof clothes with you.
- Tuzbair is very remote from any settlements so bring enough water (3-5 liters per person per day) and food.
- In sunny weather, be sure to wear a hat and sunglasses because snow-white surroundings can cause glare and impair vision.
- Tuzbair is one of Mangystau’s many natural wonders. Some of them are located nearby, for example, the Ustyurt Plateau, the Manat Pass, and the Brown Hills. The Manat Pass contains the tomb of Man Ata, an ancient saint revered in Zoroastrianism. Also, the Manat Pass is an easy way to the Sisem Ata Necropolis. Brown Hills are worth visiting too. These are low limestone hills. Sand, clay, and quartz crystals gave them unusual colors.
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How to get there?
Tuzbair Salt Pan is located 250 km (155 mi) away from the city of Aktau. The road will take you approximately 5 hours. The salt pan lies to the south of the Say-Utes (in some maps – Otes) village that stands on the Aktau-Beyneu highway.
In dry weather, you can drive any type of car to reach the salt pan. On a rainy day, there is a chance of getting stuck.
If you want to see a panoramic view of Tuzbair, you need to drive up from the western side of the Ustyurt Plateau. The distance is about 1-1.5 km from the Manat Pass. The viewing platform has steep edges without protective guarding, so you should be careful.
We recommend that you use the services of travel agencies. Their drivers know how to reach the most interesting locations in the safest way possible. If you plan to get to the chalk arch, you’ll especially need an experienced driver. The salt pan’s surface seems solid at first glance but under the upper crust, there is often a swamp.
Other tourist attractions near the Tuzbair Salt Pan:
• Ustyurt Plateau
• Ustyurt Nature Reserve
• Sisem Ata Necropolis
• Mausoleum of Man Ata
• Shopan Ata Underground Mosque
• Tuyesu Sand Dunes
• Bosjira Tract
• The Town of Zhanaozen
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