After meeting your guide in the hotel lobby, you will set off to explore the most sacred sights of Western Kazakhstan. Your first stop is the Karagiye (Karakiya) Depression, 132 meters deep, the largest dry depression in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the 5th largest in the world. This natural landmark is a deep bowl, bordered by steep, precipitous slopes and stretching 85 km long and 25 km wide. The valley of the depression is dotted with ravines, gullies, hollows, gorges, and snow-white mountains rise around it. The bottom of the basin is covered with salt marshes. In the center of the basin there are many picturesque remnants that form the Valley of Figures. The depression continues to grow and change, deepening and acquiring new contours. Karagiye is not only a popular tourist site in Kazakhstan, but also a protected natural area. The territory of the depression is part of the Karagiye-Karakol State Nature Reserve, which also includes Lake Karakol, inhabited by flamingos and serving as a haven for many other birds.

Next stop is the Shopan-Ata Mosque, one of the oldest architectural monuments, which has been under the protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 1982. This is the burial place of the great Sufi philosopher and mystic Shopan-Ata, one of the students of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Also, according to legend, Shopan-Ata was the spiritual mentor of Beket-Ata, a famous Kazakh religious figure and Sufi.

After the first mosque, you will go to the burial place of Oglandy-ata. The necropolis stretches along the hill, its most ancient part, dating back to the 17th-18th centuries and visible on the modern day surface, is represented by burials. The modern mausoleum was erected over Oglandy’s grave and is located at the entrance to the necropolis and has simple architectural forms and an unusual shape of an elongated dome.

This is followed by an organized break and lunch.

Lastly, you will see the Beket-Ata mosque. In Western Kazakhstan, people believe that just the mention of Beket-Ata can ward off trouble, and prayer in the mosque works a miracle. To get inside, you need to go down 1,500 meters underground.

At the end of the trip, together with the guide, you will return to the hotel in the city of Aktau.

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

◉  Accommodation in prepared SUVs;

◉ Driver-guide;

◉ Accommodation in 2-bed tents;

◉ Entry fee to the territory of the GNPP (State National Nature Park and Reserve);

◉ Camping equipment (sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad);

!! Tourists actively participate in setting up and dismantling the camp

◉ WATER (for the entire route);

◉ MEALS (Breakfast – in the camp, Lunch – snacks at the locations, Dinner – hot food in the camp).

THE PROGRAM EXCLUDES:

◉ International air tickets;

◉  Transfer on the first day;

◉  Single accommodation (in hotels, motels)

◉ Meals in the city;

◉ Personal expenses.

RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN PLANNING YOUR TRIP:

◉ The temperature in the city and outside it is different, so when going outside you need to wear warm clothes;

◉ In addition to cold weather, the temperature can rise significantly, so we recommend taking hats and sunscreen with you.

IMPORTANT:

◉ Some changes are allowed in the program, with the exception of reducing the number of booked excursions;

◉ If the place of visit is closed to visitors, it will be replaced with an alternative;

◉ In certain places, photography and video shooting may be prohibited.

PAYMENT:

Payment must be made no less than 25 days before the planned date of arrival of the group of tourists, by transferring funds to our bank account according to the invoice

CANCELLATION FEES:

Cancellation prior 30 days – no charges apply

Cancellation prior 20 days – 50% charge of the total price

Cancellation prior 7 days – 100% charge of the total price