Tour from Almaty

Stones and shrines of Mangystau

4.8 · 22 reviews

An individual jeep tour to the Tuzbair chalk cliffs, the Boszhira plateau and the underground mosques of Mangystau.

WhenOn request, 4 days
Duration4 days / 3 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $492/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Stones and shrines of Mangystau

Day 1

Meeting in Aktau and transfer

Meeting the guide in Aktau, then a car transfer to the start of the route. Accommodation in a field camp or hotel, gear preparation.

Days 1–2

Transfer to Tuzbair

Transfer to the Tuzbair chalk cliffs, setting up camp. Walk to viewpoints, exploring the cliffs and surroundings.

Day 2

Exploring Tuzbair

A full day to explore Tuzbair: walks across the plateau, visiting gorges and chalk formations. In the evening, return to camp.

Days 2–3

Transfer to Boszhira

Transfer to the Boszhira plateau, accommodation in camp. Evening walk to a viewpoint to take in the landscape.

Day 3

Boszhira Plateau

A day on the Boszhira plateau: radial hikes to scenic spots, exploring mountain formations. Picnic in nature.

Days 3–4

Underground mosques

Transfer to the underground mosques, a tour of the shrines. Return to camp, evening program.

Day 4

Return to Aktau

Transfer to Aktau. End of the tour.

What's included

What is included: Stones and shrines of Mangystau

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the private Mangystau tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
AL
Asem L.
Google ·
★★★★★

Went with my sister in September, wanted to see the chalk cliffs that had long been recommended. The weather was warm, T-shirt during the day, windbreaker in the evening. Overall liked it, but the jeep ride is bumpy in places.

Verified review · Order #48445
TL
Tatiana L.
Google ·
★★★★★

My husband and I went in September, we wanted to see the chalk cliffs. The manager helped choose a date and organized everything. The weather was comfortable, warm during the day, cool in the evening. The underground mosques and the views of Boszhira were especially memorable. The drives were a bit tiring, but it was worth it.

Verified review · Order #48211
ID
Irina D.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went on this tour with our family. In autumn the weather was good, warm during the day, cool at night. The scenic spots of Tuzbair and Boszhira are very impressive. Although the road is long, the transport is comfortable. Staying at the night camp was interesting but preparation is needed. The guide told us a lot. We brought our own food. Overall liked it, I recommend it to friends too.

Verified review · Order #47818
ER
Elena R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Aleksandr as a guide led us through all the points of the route, told a lot about the shrines. In June it was hot during the day, but the nights were cool, the wind saved us. I liked that the program includes both nature and history.

Verified review · Order #44188
KM
Kristina M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour for the May holidays with my husband, wanted variety after the city. Anzhelika helped gather the group and clearly explained the meeting point, communication on the road was constant. In April it was cool on the plateau, but the sun and the views of Boszhira made up for everything. The underground mosques were especially memorable.

Verified review · Order #42663
AK
Asem K.
Google ·
★★★★★

My sister-in-law and I went in April, Madina helped with the booking. The weather was warm, only cool in the evening. We liked Tuzbair and the underground mosques.

Verified review · Order #42641
ZK
Zarina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My s sestroy reshyli poehat' na vesnu, hotelos' posmotret' na melovye utyosy. Ezdili v aprele, pogoda byla peremetchivaya, no dlya marshruta eto normal'no. Tuzbair ochen' moschnyj, osobenno na rassvete. Boszhira drugaya, bolee ploskaya, no tozhe krasivaya. Podzemnye mecheti ostavili sil'noe vpechatlenie, tishina tam osobaya. Dzhip po bezdorozh'yu idyot uverenno, hocha tryast. Nochevat' v lagere interesno, no nado gotovit'sya k holodu. V obschem, poezdka stala nastoyaschim pereklyucheniem.

Verified review · Order #42107
DK
Dauren K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I had long wanted to see Mangystau, and finally my brother and I got together in October. The route is packed: Tuzbair, Boszhira, underground mosques. The jeep ride is bumpy in places, but the guide drove carefully. At the camp it was cool at night, the sleeping bag came in handy. The food is simple but filling. On the downside — one day a strong wind picked up, and we had to cut the walk on the plateau short. Overall the trip left good impressions, especially the sunrise over the chalk cliffs.

Verified review · Order #39225
VO
Viktoriya O.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Friends invited us to celebrate my vacation, and the four of us went. In June, it's hot on the plateau during the day, but the wind saves you.

Verified review · Order #33593
AK
Arman K.
Google ·
★★★★★

Got out with friends on the May holidays. The jeep handled the off-road confidently, the Boszhira plateau and Tuzbair were memorable for a long time.

Verified review · Order #32601
DZ
Dauren Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

With friends we decided to spend the weekend unusually, chose this tour in September. The weather was excellent, hot during the day, but fresh in the camp in the evening. Most of all we liked Tuzbair and the underground mosques. The jeep road is bumpy in places, but tolerable.

Verified review · Order #27882
AM
Aigul M.
Google ·
★★★★★

In June we went with family, the weather is hot but tolerable. Most memorable were the chalk cliffs and underground mosques.

Verified review · Order #23964
AY
Alina Ya.
Google ·
★★★★★

My friend and I got together spontaneously, wanted to disconnect from the city. Ilyas led the group confidently and told a lot about the places. In June it's hot during the day, but by evening it gets cool at the camp. The only thing is the long drives.

Verified review · Order #23916
KT
Karina T.
Our website ·
★★★★★

A colleague and I took the tour spontaneously to distract ourselves from work. The manager quickly confirmed the date and answered all questions on WhatsApp. In April it was warm during the day, but the wind on the plateau is strong, so a jacket didn't hurt.

Verified review · Order #21921
ZK
Zarina K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went with a friend in April to celebrate her birthday, had long wanted to see the chalk cliffs. The tour is private, which is very convenient. First a meeting in Aktau, then a jeep and camp. Tuzbair amazed with white rocks, we walked on the plateau all day. We were at Boszhira in the evening, the sunset over the landscape is simply magical. The underground mosques made a special impression, quiet and prayerful. At night in the camp it's cool, the sleeping bag came in handy. Organization is clear, everything according to the program.

Verified review · Order #21871
SS
Saule S.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My husband and I chose this tour for our anniversary, we wanted something unusual. In April, it was cold at night in the camp, I regretted not taking a second thermos. But the views of Tuzbair made up for everything.

Verified review · Order #21586
SK
Sholpan K.
Google ·
★★★★★

Went with friends in October, wanted beautiful photos. Nights at the camp were cold, but the views of Boszhira are worth it. The guide organized everything clearly.

Verified review · Order #19427
IN
Irina N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

My husband, friends, and I had long wanted to see Boszhira, and finally made it in October. The driver handled the jeep excellently on the off-road, carefully and with humor. The weather was cool but sunny; however, we got cold at night in the camp and should have taken warmer sleeping bags. Tuzbair impressed with its chalk cliffs, we walked on the plateau and looked at the canyons. At Boszhira in the evening we climbed to the viewpoint — the view is stunning. The underground mosques are a separate story, they have a special atmosphere. The food was simple but filling. The long drive to Aktau on the last day slightly spoiled the impression. Overall, the tour is worthwhile, but be prepared for field conditions.

Verified review · Order #18500
NL
Nurzhan L.
Google ·
★★★★★

Went in October with friends, Madina picked the date and arranged everything. The weather was cool but dry. The chalk cliffs of Tuzbair impressed. Got a bit tired from the long drives, but it was worth it.

Verified review · Order #18335
SP
Svetlana P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In September, we went with colleagues to change the scenery. The Boszhira plateau and underground mosques impressed even those who went without much enthusiasm.

Verified review · Order #17437
MK
Madina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In June we went with my husband for our anniversary. The chalk cliffs of Tuzbair and the underground mosques made a strong impression.

Verified review · Order #14926
YI
Yana I.
Google ·
★★★★★

Went with my sister in April, wanted solitude. Madina helped pick a date and explained everything about the booking.

Verified review · Order #12167

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the «Stones and Shrines of Mangystau» tour

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

The key things are footwear for walking on stone and chalk and clothing for the weather, because you spend your days on the plateau and in the gorges. Add water, a light snack, a hat and sun protection, and keep your phone or camera charged. We will tell you the exact set for your date in WhatsApp — the weather on the plateau changes, and the guide will also give advice before departure.

The days are structured so that walking outings happen every day: walks to viewpoints, across the plateau and in the gorges, plus radial outings to scenic spots. This is not a sports hike, but it is also not a walk around the city — part of the day you are on your feet, part in the off-road vehicle. If you doubt your strength, write to WhatsApp, and we will discuss the pace for your group.

The format is individual, so we adjust the pace and stops to your group, but the route includes transfers in an off-road vehicle, overnight stays at camp or a hotel and walks over rocky terrain. The decision should be made based on how the participants feel. Write to WhatsApp with who is going and what travel experience you have — we will give you honest advice.

Departure dates are on request, the tour lasts four days, so you choose the season to suit your schedule. We will clarify the specific weather for your dates in WhatsApp closer to the trip, and the guide will advise before departure on how to dress. A universal tip is layers of clothing and sun protection.

The programme starts in Aktau: meeting the guide and the transfer to the beginning of the route in the off-road vehicle. The exact meeting time depends on the date, so we will confirm it in WhatsApp once we settle on the day. The tour ends with a return to Aktau — according to the program, this is the fourth day.

The $492 per person includes transport along the entire route, the accompaniment of an experienced guide and the organization of all stops. Separately, you pay for personal expenses, meals if not specified, and entrance tickets to individual sites. The guide will tell you the details for specific points before departure.

Booking is simply a message in WhatsApp: without prepayment and without payment at the time of booking. You pay on the day of the trip in a convenient way — Kaspi, card or cash. Cancellation of the booking is free, so if your plans for Mangystau change, just write to us.