Tour Date: 10/4 – 19/4/2027 (10 days)
Tour Fee: RM 8,600
Booking Deadline: 1/2/2027
Travel Style: Road trip
Group Size: min 9 pax, max 15 pax
Age Limit: 16 – 60
Venture into Mangystau, a hidden gem in the remote southwest Kazakhstan, where landscapes echo that of Mars. Towering limestone formations, crimson canyons, colourful layered mountains, rolling sand dunes, and vast salt flats create a surreal, cinematic terrain.
This is a land of silence and mystery — home to ancient underground mosques, sacred sites, and remnants of Silk Road history interwoven with centuries of nomadic culture. Journey by 4WD through the dried-up ancient Tethys Ocean bed, camping under the stars, connect with the deserted raw nature. Enjoy a Martian escape without leaving the Earth.
*All images for reference only
Take an afternoon flight to Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty, upon arrival, claim baggage and transfer to the domestic terminal for another flight to Aktau, regional capital of Mangystau, in the country’s southwest, by the coast of Caspian Sea.
Meal: NIL
Wee hours arrival in Aktau, transfer to a hotel, sleep in. After breakfast, explore the city on foot. Aktau was built in the 1960s on deserted promontory of white rocks rising out of the Caspian Sea, without street name, divided into numbered micro-districts. The city’s water supply depended on desalination plants. Walk along the 1.5km “Rock Trail”, a landscaped pedestrian path along the rocky Caspian Sea shore. View the rooftop lighthouse perched on a high-rise residential building.
Meal: B
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast, embark on a 4WD journey into the wilds. Firstly, explore the mysterious ball-shaped rock formations in Torysh, then continue to a purplish gorge and onwards to mount Sherkala, known as the “Sphinx of Mangystau” with yurt-lookalike shape. Lastly, walk through castle-like rock formations at Airakty. Camp overnight under the stars in the dramatic landscape.
Meal: B/L/D
Accommodation: Camping tent
164km on-road & 62km off-road
After breakfast and dismantling tents, head to the stunning Tuzbair salt pan, where white salt flats stretch to the horizon, framed by towering white cliffs. The cliffs are composed of ancient Cretaceous deposits from the lost Tethys Ocean, nature forces shaped the chalk into interesting forms, such as imposing arches. Later, journey to the traditional Yurt Etno Camp for overnight stay, experience the nomadic lifestyle of the Kazakh people.
Meal: B/L/D
Accommodation: Yurt camp
230km on-road & 90km off-road
Journey to ancient necropolis of Karaman-Ata and visit the largest underground mosque in Mangystau, carved into the hillside from 11th century. Later, explore nearby Porous Gorge, before heading to oil and gas industrial town Janaozen for refuel and market visit with local products. Lastly arrive at Tiramisu Canyon, named for its multi-hues layered mountains that resemble the popular dessert.
Meal: B/L/D
Accommodation: Camping tent
260km on-road & 68km off-road
Today visit the isolated Bokty Mountain, with its fortress-like shape, standing alone in the vast steppe. Next stop at the Martian-like landscape of Bozjyra National Park, including the famous Dragon Crest resembling a dragon’s back. Later, walk to the camping site near Bozjyra Canyon, sleep in tent that unzipped to the stunning view of rock formation featured on the Kazakhstan’s 1000 currency note.
Meal: B/L/D
Accommodation: Camping tent
62km on-road & 50km off-road
Take a morning climb to Bozjyra Fangs to admire views of towering limestone formations. Later, a scenic drive through Bozjyra Cliffs, passing majestic rock formations and expansive plateaus. On arrival in Senek Dunes, take a peaceful walk on the undulating sands. Later, head to Karagie Hollow, one of the world’s deepest depressions. By evening, arrive in Aktau, check into a hotel for a good scrub down. Next day’s early morning transfer to airport.
Meal: B/L
Accommodation: Hotel
294km on-road & 40km off-road
Wee hours flight to Almaty, former capital of Kazakhstan, upon arrival transfer to hotel. Known as the Apple City where the fruit originated, today explore the city center on foot and by subway. Interest sites include Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, Green Bazaar. Optional to check out the Arasan Bathhouse for a unique spa experience. Take a cable car up Kok Tobe hill for sunset and panoramic view of the city.
Meal: NIL
Accommodation: Hotel
Morning free and easy, one could enjoy last minute shopping at the Green Bazaar, which offers a variety of nuts, dried fruits, fresh produce, and local souvenir. Late afternoon transfer to the airport, bid farewell to Kazakhstan.
Meal: B
Early morning arrival in Kuala Lumpur. End of tour.
A non-refundable deposit (unless tour cancelled by LevArt) of RM 2,600 is payable to secure booking. Balance fee RM 6,000 to be collected upon booking deadline or when the tour is fully booked.
*Security Deposit is refundable subjected to below conditions:
Full terms & conditions (eg: cancellation policy) please click here.
A nature lover, she guides forest tours, and started organic farming to lead a self-sustainable lifestyle. She’s interested in learning the relations between nature and humanity; she even traveled abroad to study the ancient ways of life of the American Indians. She believes nature shapes the culture and traditions of human life.
She thinks of travel as a process of cultural learning, which provides insights into human migration trail, just like the eco-system of a forest, where nature forces come in play. She cares about the world, not just the humankind, but also the nature and wildlife.
