After breakfast, we begin our journey towards the breathtaking Karynzharyk Depression, one of Mangystau’s most surreal landscapes. On the way, we’ll stop in Zhanaozen city for lunch — a small, lively town that serves as a gateway to the desert. It’s a good moment to refuel, stretch your legs, and capture a few shots of local life before heading deeper into the vast Kazakh steppe.

Our next stop is the Onere water source, a fascinating oasis in the middle of the arid plateau. This natural spring provides a striking contrast to the surrounding desert and is often visited by wild camels and birds — a perfect opportunity for unique photographic compositions.

By late afternoon, we’ll reach Karynzharyk, known for its immense salt flats and the iconic “Five Mountains” (The Buttes) rising dramatically from the desert floor. Here, we’ll set up our camp and prepare for a spectacular sunset photoshoot, capturing the warm tones of the desert as the light fades.

If weather conditions allow, we’ll stay out under the night sky for a night photography and astrophotography session, making the most of the crystal-clear atmosphere and complete absence of light pollution — an unforgettable experience in the heart of Mangystau’s wilderness.

We’ll wake up before dawn to capture the sunrise over the Karynzharyk Depression, one of the most breathtaking moments of the expedition. As the first light touches the salt flats and the distant Buttes begin to glow, the entire landscape transforms into a surreal palette of soft blues, pinks, and gold. It’s the perfect time to experiment with composition and long exposures while the desert still rests in silence.

After our morning shoot and breakfast at camp, we’ll pack up and start the drive back toward Zhanaozen city for lunch. This stop will give us a short break to recharge, organize our gear, and prepare for the next photographic highlight of the journey.

In the afternoon, we continue our adventure toward the Tiramisu Rocks, a striking and little-known geological formation named for its layered colors that resemble the famous dessert. As the sun begins to set, these layers come alive — glowing with warm tones of orange, cream, and brown. It’s a dream location for landscape photographers, offering unique patterns, textures, and an unforgettable sunset session.

After the shoot, we’ll set up camp nearby, enjoy dinner under the stars, and rest for the night surrounded by the otherworldly silence of the Mangystau desert.

We start the day early to capture the sunrise at the Tiramisu Rocks — a moment when the soft morning light reveals the delicate layers and textures of these unique formations. The contrast between the warm glow of dawn and the deep shadows of the desert creates a dreamlike atmosphere, ideal for fine-art landscape photography.

After breakfast and a short break at camp, we begin our journey toward one of the most spectacular and iconic locations of Mangystau — the Bozzhyra Canyon. The drive itself is an experience, as the terrain gradually changes from flat steppes to dramatic cliffs and vast white plateaus. Along the way, we’ll make short stops for photos and refreshments.

By late afternoon, we’ll reach Bozzhyra, a place that feels like another planet. Towering limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and the legendary “fangs” of Bozzhyra rise from the desert floor, glowing under the golden light. As the sun sets, the colors shift from soft creams to fiery reds, offering one of the most unforgettable sunset photography sessions of the entire tour.

We’ll set up our camp nearby and spend the evening sharing stories, reviewing the day’s shots, and enjoying dinner under a sky filled with countless stars. For those who still have energy left, the crystal-clear atmosphere makes night photography and star trails absolutely magical here.

We’ll rise before dawn to capture the sunrise over Bozzhyra Canyon, one of the most dramatic landscapes in Kazakhstan. As the first light spills across the valley, the towering cliffs and rock spires ignite with soft gold and pink tones, creating the perfect moment to experiment with contrast, depth, and aerial perspectives for those using drones.

After our morning session, we’ll enjoy breakfast at camp and take some time to rest or explore the area from different vantage points. The middle of the day is perfect for a workshop-style break — reviewing images, discussing techniques, and learning more about desert light dynamics and color balance in extreme conditions.

In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the Bozzhyra Fangs Top, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the entire Mangystau region. Standing at the edge of the plateau, we’ll witness a panoramic view of the canyon below and the two massive “fangs” rising proudly from the white desert floor.

As the sun begins to set, the landscape glows in surreal hues — soft orange, dusty blue, and deep shadow — offering an extraordinary sunset photography session that feels almost cinematic. We’ll end the day back at camp, enjoying dinner and quiet conversations under a sky filled with millions of stars.

We’ll start our morning early, greeting the day with a sunrise from the top of Bozzhyra Fangs — one of the most breathtaking views in all of Kazakhstan. As the sun slowly rises above the horizon, the canyon below glows in pastel tones, unveiling the raw beauty and textures of the desert.

After our session, we’ll enjoy breakfast and begin our journey toward Kyzylsay Village, a small, authentic Kazakh settlement where we’ll stop for lunch. This is the perfect opportunity to experience local hospitality, taste homemade dishes, and capture portraits and scenes of rural life.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue toward one of the most iconic landscapes of Mangystau — the Tuzbair Salt Flats. Descending to the bottom of the salt flat, we’ll set up camp and prepare for a spectacular sunset photoshoot surrounded by a vast white expanse that reflects the sky like a mirror.

As the light fades, the horizon melts into endless gradients of pink and blue — a truly surreal scene. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a peaceful evening in the silence of Tuzbair, with opportunities for night photography under the stars.

We’ll rise before dawn to capture the sunrise at the bottom of Tuzbair Salt Flats, where the reflective surface creates mesmerizing patterns of color and light. This is one of the most magical scenes of the entire journey — a mirror-world sunrise unlike any other.

After breakfast, we’ll head toward Sherkala Mountain, also known as the “Lion’s Fortress.” This iconic, isolated rock formation rises majestically from the desert and is steeped in local legends. It’s an extraordinary location for mid-day photography, offering endless compositions with shadow and scale.

In the afternoon, we continue to the Airakty Castles, a breathtaking valley of eroded sandstone formations that look like ancient fortresses. As the sun sets, the rocks glow in warm tones of gold and red, providing one of the most dramatic backdrops for landscape photography in all of Mangystau.

We’ll set up our camp in the valley and enjoy another peaceful night under the stars.

We’ll start our final morning with a sunrise photoshoot at the Airakty Castles, where the soft golden light enhances the dramatic contours of the sandstone formations. It’s the perfect way to close our journey with one last burst of inspiration and creativity.

After breakfast, we’ll head to Torysh — the Valley of Balls, one of the most mysterious landscapes of Mangystau. Covered with perfectly round stone spheres scattered across the desert, this place feels like an open-air museum of natural wonders and geological puzzles. It’s an ideal spot for creative compositions, textures, and drone shots.

After exploring and photographing the valley, we’ll have lunch on the way and begin our return to Aktau city, where comfortable beds and a warm shower await. In the evening, we’ll celebrate our adventure with a farewell dinner, sharing memories, laughter, and the best images captured during our unforgettable Kazakh expedition.

Heading to the airport for our flights home. Any flight is ok that day.