Kazakhstan / Mangystau & the Caspian / Bozzhyra & the Ustyurt PlateauBozzhyra & the Ustyurt Plateau
White Cliffs and Fangs on the Edge of the Ustyurt
The most photographed landscape in Mangystau: white limestone cliffs and twin "fangs" rising from a dry basin under the escarpment of the Ustyurt plateau, about 280 km east of Aktau, the last stretch off-road. On the way are the striped hills of Kyzylkup and the Tuzbair salt flat. There are no villages, shops or signal; people come on a 4x4 tour of two or three days from Aktau, sleeping in tents or a yurt camp, with meals cooked by the crew. Best in spring and autumn; summer days pass 40°C and winter nights are freezing.
Highlights
- Sunrise on the Bozzhyra fangs
- The Ustyurt escarpment from above
- Kyzylkup's striped hills
- Tuzbair salt flat
- A night under desert stars
Things to do
- Bozzhyra viewpoints and the basin floorMorning · 4h
- Kyzylkup and Tuzbair on the wayAfternoon · 3h
- Sunset and stars at the campEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: April – June, September – October
Heads up
Mangystau Desert in Winter
Desert nights fall well below freezing and the Caspian wind is raw; snow or mud can make the tracks to Bozzhyra impassable for days. Few tours camp in winter: book a tour that sleeps in Zhanaozen guesthouses, or come from April.
Worth knowing
Steppe and Desert Heat
From June to August the south and west of Kazakhstan pass 35-40°C by day, more in the desert. Sightsee at dawn and in the evening, carry water, cover your head, and rest indoors after lunch.