from 1 review
2 days
Specific Tour
3 people
English, Russian
Discover the dramatic story of the Aral Sea and the beauty of western Kazakhstan on this immersive two-day tour. Explore the Fishermen’s Museum, the remote village of Tustubek, the abandoned settlement of Akespe, and the village of Aqbasty. Visit the Kokaral Dam, the Kambash Lake, and the Chink cliffs.
Begin your journey at 9:00 in Aralsk with a visit to the Fishermen’s Museum, where you’ll learn about the rich history of the region and the impact of the sea’s decline. By 10:30, set off to the remote village of Tustubek. Upon arrival at 11:30, enjoy a peaceful walk along the shore, take stunning photos, and optionally embark on a boat ride across the Small Aral Sea.
At 13:00, savor a traditional lunch in a guesthouse, including a tasting of shubat, a fermented camel milk drink. The day continues with a scenic drive along Butakov Bay, leading to Akespe village. On arrival, you’ll explore the abandoned settlement and climb nearby sand dunes. At 19:00, dinner is served in a local guesthouse, followed by evening rest and stories shared by locals.
On Day 2, after breakfast at 07:30, depart for the village of Aqbasty. Explore its surroundings before heading to the Kokaral Dam at 11:00. Enjoy a photo walk around this significant hydrological site. Lunch follows in Karashalang village at 13:30. At 14:30, journey to the beautiful Kambash Lake for swimming and a relaxing nature walk.
On the way back, stop at the foot of the majestic Chink cliffs—“Qus Tumsik” and “Kara Sandyk”—ideal for photos. Visit a local thermal spring at 16:30, known for its healing properties, before returning to Aralsk by 17:00, with drop-off at your hotel or train station.
09:00 – Meeting in Aralsk. Visit to the Fishermen’s Museum in Aralsk. Learn about the history of the Aral Sea and the lives of local fishermen.
10:30 – Departure to Tastubek village.
11:30 – Arrival in Tustubek. Walk along the shore, photo and video shooting. Boat trip on the Small Aral Sea (optional).
13:00 – Lunch in a guesthouse (includes shubat tasting).
14:00 – Departure towards Akespe, following the scenic coastline of Butakov Bay.
15:30 – Stop at the foot of Chink cliffs “Qus Tumsik” and “Kara Sandyk” for photo and video shooting.
16:30 – Visit to the healing thermal spring. Walk and photography.
17:30 – Arrival in Akespe. Exploration of the abandoned village, walk through the sand dunes.
19:00 – Dinner at a guesthouse in Akespe. Evening rest, storytelling by the locals.
07:30 – Breakfast at the guesthouse.
08:30 – Departure to Aqbasty village.
10:00 – Arrival in Aqbasty village. Free time to explore the surroundings.
11:00 – Drive to the Kokaral dam.
12:00 – Arrival at Kokaral dam. Walking around. Photo and video shootings.
13:30 – Lunch at a guesthous in Karashalang village.
14:30 – Drive to Kambash lake.
15:30 – Arrival at the Kambash lake. Swimming, walking.
17:00 - Return journey to Aralsk. Transfer to the hotel or train station.
Review of the photo expedition to the Aral Sea