In April 2022 and May 2025, I guided a small group of adventurers through western Kazakhstan. After a day in Aktau, the capital of Mangistau Province, we set off on a jeep safari into the heart of the Mangyshlak Peninsula. Despite being well-traveled and having seen countless remarkable places worldwide, we stood speechless at the edge of the deep gorge before Bozjyra. None of us had expected such extraordinary beauty and breathtaking vistas. Throughout our journey, the region's natural wonders and unique atmosphere kept us in constant awe.
The peninsula sits atop the Ustyurt Plateau, which extends into Uzbekistan. Having guided a small group near the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan in 2021, I can say that while that region's scenery was beautiful, the Kazakh portion of the plateau is even more spectacular.
Five million years ago, this region lay beneath the ancient Tethys Ocean, which carved out surreal cliffs and caves in stunning hues. Today, the Mangyshlak Peninsula spans both desert and semi-desert landscapes, with a harsh, dry continental climate. Without rivers or freshwater springs, it stands as an integral part of the vast Ustyurt Plateau.
The peninsula falls within Kazakhstan's Mangystau Province, whose capital and largest city is Aktau (formerly Shevchenko). Visitors typically enter the region through Aktau, with Turkish Airlines providing direct flights from Istanbul—a convenient alternative to routing through Almaty or other Kazakh cities.
The peninsula showcases an array of magnificent landscapes. Its highlights include sweeping clay deserts, salt pans, limestone mountains, and dramatic canyons. The region radiates such otherworldly character that it could easily serve as a backdrop for films set on alien planets.
Mangistau Gallery April 2022
Millions of years ago, the Tethys Ocean covered this land. Today, its remains, including fossils of long-extinct species, are easy to find. We spent hours searching for fossils.
The Bozjyra (also Boszhira) chalk mountains showcase two distinctive pointed peaks with a picturesque castle-like wall at their base. Another highlight is the "Valley of Spheres," featuring mysterious spherical rock formations. The region holds several other natural wonders: Mount Sherkala, a snow-white rock formation that appears to transform as you circle it; the Kapamsay Canyon; Jygylgan, or "the fallen ground"; the Ayrakty-Shoman valley; the salt lake Tuzbayyr; and the vast Ustyurt plateau. The colorful Kyzylkup mountains—nicknamed "Tiramisu"—are also unmissable. To properly explore these marvels, allow at least a week and make sure to travel in well-equipped jeeps. Though this remote area takes some effort to reach, the journey rewards visitors with an unforgettable adventure—quite possibly the trip of a lifetime.
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