Tour from Almaty

Jeep expedition to Mangystau: Boszhira, Tuzbair and underground mosques

4.9 · 23 reviews

4-day jeep tour of the main attractions of Mangystau: the Boszhira plateau, Tuzbair canyons, Mount Sherkala and underground mosques.

WhenOn schedule, 4 days
Duration4 days / 3 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $403/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Jeep expedition to Mangystau: Boszhira, Tuzbair and underground mosques

Day 1

Meeting in Aktau and setting off on the route

The group meets in Aktau: meeting the guide, a briefing and departure by jeeps to the start of the route.

Days 1–2

Transfer and drive to the Boszhira Plateau

From Aktau to the Boszhira Plateau it is about 300 km — 4–5 hours by jeep, the last stretch on a dirt road. Stops are possible along the way to view landscapes and take short walks. By the evening of the first day we arrive at the first campsite.

Days 2–3

Exploring the Boszhira Plateau and Tuzbair Canyons

In the morning, the group explores the Boszhira Plateau with its white cliffs and viewpoints. Then transfer to the Tuzbair Canyons, where a walk along the canyon floor is planned. Overnight in a tent camp.

Day 3

Mount Sherkala and Underground Mosques

After breakfast, transfer to Mount Sherkala, which resembles a yurt in shape. Then visit the region's underground mosques. In the evening, return to the overnight stay.

Days 3–4

Spare Time and Optional Excursions

Depending on the weather and the group's condition, a reserve day is allocated for a more detailed exploration of attractions or for adjusting the program. In good conditions, a trip to viewpoints is possible.

Day 4

Return to Aktau

In the morning, break camp and drive by jeep to Aktau with short rest stops along the way. In the evening, the tour ends in Aktau.

What's included

What is included: Jeep expedition to Mangystau: Boszhira, Tuzbair and underground mosques

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 Mangystau jeep expedition

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
AM
Azamat M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ezdili v iyune na dzhipah. Boszhira i Sherkala - eto chto-to! Nochi teplie, no vetry silnye, palatki postavili bez problem. Pervye dva dnya pereezd, ustali, no vpechatleniya perekryvayut vse.

Verified review · Order #44918
ZK
Zhanna K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went in April, the weather was cool but tolerable. Aleksandr as a guide explained everything clearly. The only thing — one day there was a strong wind, we had to shorten the walk.

Verified review · Order #42658
AN
Alexey N.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In March, a jeep tour around Mangystau, Boszhira and Tuzbair are amazing, only the wind is strong.

Verified review · Order #41639
ID
Igor D.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Madina helped pick a date for October, my wife and I went on jeeps. The program is packed, but the views of Boszhira and Tuzbair are worth it. The underground mosques and Sherkala left a strong impression.

Verified review · Order #37838
SL
Sholpan L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In September we went by jeeps across Mangystau. We liked the Tuzbair canyons and the underground mosques. We got a bit tired from the long transfers, but there are lots of impressions.

Verified review · Order #37408
AK
Aliya K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went with a friend in September, liked the jeep trip, only there was wind during the overnight in the tent. The underground mosques and Mount Sherkala left an impression.

Verified review · Order #36746
VY
Viktoriya Ya.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My husband and I had long wanted to see Boszhira and Tuzbair, and finally decided. We chose this tour because it covers several interesting places at once, and we didn't regret it. Madina, the tour organizer, helped us get ready, told us everything about the meeting point and kept in touch on the road. The jeep ride was long, but the scenery outside the window was worth it. The weather in April was cool, especially in the mornings, so warm clothes came in handy. Overnight stays in tents were the most memorable — silence and stars. We got a bit tired from the transfers, but it was worth it.

Verified review · Order #31888
PR
Polina R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with my husband in April, the weather was changeable: hot during the day, and cool in the tent in the evening, thanks for the supply of warm jackets. The program is rich, especially memorable was the Tuzbair canyon, we walked along the bottom, the wind was strong, but the beauty is incredible. It's a pity we didn't manage to see everything because of the wind, but the guide reassured us that this is normal for April.

Verified review · Order #31336
DK
Dastan K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I signed up for the jeep tour in Nauryz, Madina gathered the group and kept in touch on the road, there was still snow at Boszhira.

Verified review · Order #31163
EP
Ekaterina P.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In November we went on a jeep expedition, the weather was cool, but the driver-guide knows the road well, the canyons are amazing. The walk in Tuzbair was wonderfully memorable, only sleeping in the tent was cold, you need to take warm clothes. I also liked the white rocks on the Boszhira plateau and the underground mosques, the guide told the history of each place. The road is long, but it's worth enduring for the scenery.

Verified review · Order #29892
FE
Fatima E.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In September we decided to go with colleagues to unwind. Sergey as a guide organized everything, told a lot of interesting things. The underground mosques impressed, but the tent camp was not very comfortable. Overall we liked it.

Verified review · Order #27219
MR
Madina R.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with my mom in September, the Tuzbair canyon and the Boszhira plateau are amazing.

Verified review · Order #26988
ZK
Zhanna Kh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went in June, it was hot but tolerable. Most of all we liked the underground mosques and Mount Sherkala. We got a bit tired from the road, but it was worth it.

Verified review · Order #24209
IP
Igor P.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I had long wanted to see Boszhira, and in June I gathered with friends. A jeep tour is the most convenient option to cover several places at once. The weather was hot, during the day we had to hide in the shade, but by evening it became comfortable. Most memorable were the white cliffs of Boszhira and the Tuzbair canyons. Overnight stays in tents are a separate pleasure, though there were many mosquitoes. The program is rich but not overloaded. Organization is top-notch, the guides know their stuff. I recommend it to those who are not afraid of long transfers.

Verified review · Order #23834
BK
Bakhyt Kh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I went in June, it was hot in the tent at night, but Boszhira and the underground mosques are amazing.

Verified review · Order #23361
AK
Askar K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ezdili v mae na 4 dnya. Mangystau krasavchik, osobenno Boszhira. No bylo vetreno, palatki chut ne uleteli. Vse ravno ponravilos.

Verified review · Order #23342
NR
Nursultan R.
Google ·
★★★★★

I took a vacation in May to take my father to Mangystau, the guide Andrey showed everything, the underground mosques impressed.

Verified review · Order #22174
YP
Yana P.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went with a friend for the weekend to take a break from the city. It's still cool in March, but the views of the Boszhira plateau impressed.

Verified review · Order #21019
TZ
Tatyana Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went in November, it was cold in the tent, but Boszhira and Sherkala impressed, rating 4.

Verified review · Order #19926
IT
Igor Ts.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went in September, Madina gathered us and kept in touch on the road, everything was clear.

Verified review · Order #17880
MR
Mariya R.
Google ·
★★★★★

I chose the tour spontaneously, wanted something unusual. Madina, the tour organizer, helped pick a date and book everything, answered all questions on WhatsApp. I went alone, but quickly found company in the group. In September the weather was excellent — warm but not hot. The jeep expedition across Mangystau left a lot of impressions: the Boszhira plateau, the Tuzbair canyons, Mount Sherkala, the underground mosques. Especially memorable was the overnight stay in a tent camp under the open sky. The only downside is the long transfers, but that is compensated by the views. Thanks to Madina and the whole team for the organization!

Verified review · Order #17399
YR
Yulia R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Went with my sister in honor of her birthday, the June heat didn't scare us — Boszhira is snow-white, like in the photos.

Verified review · Order #14742
OZ
Oksana Z.
Google ·
★★★★★

A friend suggested we go for the May holidays, I immediately agreed, because I had been scrolling through photos of Boszhira for a long time and didn't believe I would get there. We packed quickly, took warm clothes, and not for nothing — at night in the tent it was cool, jackets and sleeping bags saved us. The jeeps went confidently, although the road was bumpy in places. The white rocks of Boszhira look unreal at sunset, we lingered there for a long time with the camera. We walked along the bottom of the Tuzbair canyon, the wind was blowing, but the beauty around outweighed everything. I also remember the drive to Mount Sherkala — its shape really is like a yurt. We were tired from the long drives, but the impressions remained vivid.

Verified review · Order #13262

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the jeep expedition across Mangystau

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

Go for comfortable footwear for rocky trails and clothing suited to the weather — the route includes walks across the plateau and a descent to the bottom of the canyon. Take water, a light snack, a sun-protective hat, and a charged phone or camera. The guide will tell you before the start what exactly will be useful for your departure date.

The program involves a lot of time in off-road vehicles: from Aktau it is about 300 km to the Boszhira plateau — 4–5 hours by jeep, plus overnight stays in tents in the open field. On foot you walk across the plateau to the viewpoints and along the bottom of the canyon — the sections are rocky. If you have doubts about a specific participant, message us on WhatsApp and we will discuss it for your date.

The main movement is by off-road vehicle, and the walks are short: a stroll across the Boszhira plateau to the viewpoints and a descent-ascent in the Tuzbair canyon. These are not multi-kilometre treks, but your footwear should be comfortable. The guide adjusts the amount of walking on the spot according to the group and the weather.

Departures run according to the schedule, the tour lasts 4 days, and the program includes a reserve day in case of weather. We will clarify the specific months and the forecast for your date on WhatsApp. Before departure, the guide will tell you what clothing to take for the expected conditions.

On the last day we pack up camp in the morning and drive to Aktau, making stops along the way to rest, and in the evening the tour ends in Aktau. The drive from the camp to Aktau takes several hours by jeep, so the exact finishing time depends on the road and the weather.

The tour is offered as a group tour, departures run according to the schedule over 4 days, and the transport is off-road vehicles. If you want to go with your own group to Boszhira and Tuzbair, message us on WhatsApp: we will clarify what is possible for your date. We will reply regarding the group composition and departure options.

Booking is simply a message on WhatsApp, with no prepayment: you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card, or in cash. The price is $403 per person. Cancellation of the booking is free, and we will clarify the meeting point and time in Aktau for your date on WhatsApp.