Embark on a breathtaking journey through the wild landscapes of Mangystau, a hidden gem of Central Asia, Qazaqstan. This exclusive photo tour invites you to explore surreal desert formations, vast steppe horizons, and ancient cultural landmarks—all through the lens of your camera.
Guided by experienced local experts and led by Arseniy Qashqarov, an internationally acclaimed landscape photographer, you’ll capture the essence of Mangystau’s untouched beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an enthusiast, this adventure offers the perfect blend of exploration, creativity, and technical mastery.
From learning advanced shooting and editing techniques to enjoying seamless logistics and cozy camps under starry skies, every detail is crafted to immerse you in the art of photography and the wonders of nature.
Day 1, 9 October: Arrival in Aktau
On Day 1 participants arrive in Aktau, a coastal city known for its dramatic landscapes and unique geological formations. You can get to Aktau on any flight this date, mostly via the capital – Astana or with connections via Turkish airlines. After settling into your hotel, take some time to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead. In the evening, we’ll meet at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner, where you’ll get to know your fellow photographers, learn about the itinerary, and enjoy a selection of local and international dishes. This is also an ideal time to discuss your camera gear, get tips on shooting in the desert and remote locations, and ask any questions about the upcoming days.Make sure your gear is fully charged, and don’t forget extra batteries, as remote locations can limit access to power sources. A portable charger, power bank and car charger can also be handy. We take generators to charge equipment on spot.
Accommodation: Hotel in Aktau
Day 2: Valley of Castles
In the morning we pack up and head to some of Mangystau’s most striking locations: the Valley of Castles (Ayrakty). With its bizarre and beautiful rock formations, this area is often described as a “castle” of rocks due to the shape of the towering spires. After setting up camp, we’ll spend the day capturing the fascinating rock formations from various angles, with plenty of time to experiment with different compositions.
Photography Tip: The unique shapes and textures of the Valley of Castles lend themselves well to both wide-angle shots and detailed close-ups. Look for dramatic lighting conditions and shadow play, especially in the late afternoon or early evening. Don’t forget to shoot from multiple perspectives to capture the full scope of the landscape. Take your drone too – it is spectacular from the air!
Accommodation: Cozy tented camp with twin beds (single is possible too), kitchen and support car. Starlink Wifi in the camp.
Day 3: Further Exploration of the Valley of Castles
Today, we’ll dedicate the sunrise to discovering the hidden corners of the Valley of Castles. As we explore further, we’ll encounter more stunning viewpoints and rock formations. The area’s isolation and rugged beauty offer the perfect setting for creative shots of both the landscape and the surrounding environment.
When photographing rock formations, use a polarizing filter to reduce glare from the sun. You can also experiment with long exposures to create a sense of motion in the wind-swept landscape or use the natural lines in the terrain to lead the viewer’s eye through the image.
Accommodation: Cozy tented camp with twin beds (single is possible too), Starlink Wifi in the camp.
Day 4: Exploring Tuzbair lake
Moving to Tuzbair salt lake, a vast white salt pan surrounded by dramatic chalk cliffs. At sunset, soft light reveals delicate textures in the salt crust while warm tones touch the limestone formations. This location is perfect for minimalist landscapes, strong leading lines, and striking contrasts between bright ground and sculpted rock. We explore different angles along the cliffs, capturing both wide epic scenes and abstract details of chalk textures.
Accommodation: Comfortable signature Camping with Twin beds.
Day 5: Boszhira Gorge
After a hearty breakfast, we head to Boszhira Gorge, one of Mangystau’s most iconic landscapes. Known for its towering cliffs and vast, open spaces, Boszhira is a paradise for landscape photographers. We’ll spend the day exploring this alien-like terrain, capturing sweeping vistas, the famous Boszhira Fangs, and the unique shapes of the rock formations that seem to emerge from nowhere.
Photography Tip: Golden hour is especially spectacular here, with warm light casting long shadows and highlighting the textures of the land. Try shooting with a wide-angle lens for expansive landscape shots and a telephoto lens to focus on details or distant features like the Boszhira Fangs.
Accommodation: comfortable stationery Camping with twin beds, Wifi in the camp – starlink
Day 6: Further Exploration of Boszhira
Today, we dedicate a full day to exploring the hidden gems of Boszhira Gorge. We’ll visit additional viewpoints and venture down to the “Ship” — a fascinating rock formation that resembles a ship sailing through the desert. The diversity of the area allows for multiple perspectives and plenty of opportunities for creative photography. For sunset we move to Boszhira teeth past the gypsum columns. Spectacular views to Utah 2.0 here!
Consider using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance the blue skies, especially when shooting rock formations and salt flats.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 7: Exploring Tiramisu Rocks
Sunrise at Boszhira Gorge at the bottom of the Teeth . The next stop will be the Kyzylkup Gorge, nicknamed “Tiramisu” for its colorful, layered rock formations that resemble the famous dessert. We’ll spend the evening camping near the Tiramisu rocks, a perfect spot for shooting at sunset and sunrise. The colors and unique layers in the rock formations are perfect for both wide-angle and close-up shots. In the evening, we camp again near the Tiramisu rocks, allowing for more creative opportunities during the golden hour and into the night. There is an easy option of shooting next to camping or hiking to a bigger “Nipples” canyon.
Photography Tip: For landscape shots at sunrise or sunset, use HDR (high dynamic range) photography to capture the full range of light from the bright sky to the dark shadows on the ground. This technique will help you create well-balanced images, especially in high-contrast environments like the desert.
Accommodation: Camping
Day 8: Return to Aktau
Sunrise we spend with super epic view to the layered cake mountain – Bokty. In the morning after breakfast, we pack up and make our way back to Aktau, a coastal city with a stunning rocky shoreline. Optionally walk along Aktau’s coastal cliff trail or just relax. Group dinner in Aktau restaurant. We will be in Aktau late evening.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9, 17 October: Final
Heading to the airport for our flights home. Any flight is ok that day.
Price: 4500 USD
Single supplement (hotels in Aktau and single Ger hotel – 500 USD)
Where do we stay
Modern camp with beds.
Photography Level
- Beginners and advanced photographers
- DSLR / mirrorless / drone support in some areas
Tour Include
- Comfortable vehicle logistics along the route (3 people per car + driver) – Mitsubshi Pajero or Toyota Land Cruisers
- Expert local guides with in-depth knowledge of Mangystau
- A photographer – English speaking guide accompanying you throughout the journey, expert in the area
- Meals along the route starting with first day dinner and finishing with last day breakfast in hotel
- Rental of personal gear: tent (double occupancy) and mat
- optionally we can provide you with a sleeping bag but ideally you bring yours
- Group equipment such as generator, refrigerator, tent, tables, chairs, gas, burners, lighting, and more -Big Kitchen tent will be provided.
Tour Exclude
- International flight and local flight to SCO airport (Aktau)
- Entry visa if applicable
- Travel insurance private
- Alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, tips
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop:
full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more :75% refund 60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Our Camp
We worked on our service to surprise you and make every minute of the trip enjoyable: a hot shower, comfortable modern tents with cots, a bio-toilet, a cozy штаб-tent dining area, bean bags, camping chairs, device charging stations, and much more.
Included:
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Satellite internet
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Hot shower
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Portable eco bio-toilets
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Charging stations for devices
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Chef-prepared meals
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Tents with cots
What to bring
the list will be provided to the guests
Disclaimer: We reserve the right to change the order of days and individual parts of the program without reducing the overall quality. Certain elements of the program may be canceled due to circumstances beyond our control. Actual travel times may differ from those indicated due to traffic, group punctuality, weather conditions, road situations, and other factors.
