Zhygylgan & the Castles — a Two-in-One Day
The Zhygylgan collapse, the Heart Lake, Kapamsay, the spheres and the castles.
Route map
A sketch, not a navigator: it shows the order of stops and the direction of the day.
- Zhygylgan“the fallen land”
- Lake Kuzdykaryheart-shaped; 4 km walk with a climb
- Kapamsay Canyon
- Valley of Spheres
- Kokkala
- Sherkala
- Airakty-ShomanaiValley of Castles
How the day goes
- 07:00Door pickup in Aktau
Hotel or apartment — at the address you give us.
- ≈ 09:30Zhygylgan
“the fallen land”
- ≈ 11:00Lake Kuzdykary
heart-shaped; 4 km walk with a climb
- ≈ 12:45Kapamsay Canyon
- ≈ 14:15Valley of Spheres
- ≈ 15:15Lunch and hot tea
Outdoors with a view or at a café on the way.
- ≈ 16:00Kokkala
- ≈ 17:30Sherkala
- ≈ 19:00Airakty-Shomanai
Valley of Castles
- ≈ 22:30Back to Aktau
We drop you off at the same address.
Times are approximate and depend on weather, roads and the group's pace.
What's included
- Prepared 4×4Ready for off-road and long drives
- Driver-guideKnows the roads, legends and the best photo spots
- Lunch and hot teaIn the steppe with a view or at a café on the way
- Water for the whole dayStill water, as much as you need
- Personal expensesSouvenirs, café beyond lunch
- AccommodationA one-day tour — you sleep at your place
From our trips
Shots from our past trips — guests, cars, stops and sunsets. Tap to browse.
FAQ
How many people per car?
The price of 170,000 ₸ is per car for up to 3 guests — the most comfortable option. A 4th guest can join for an extra 20,000 ₸. Larger groups travel as a convoy of several cars.
Can I bring children?
Yes, from age 5. We keep children close at cliffs and high viewpoints — parents are responsible for their safety.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, a windbreaker, a power bank and an ID. For mosques — a headscarf and modest clothing.
What if the weather turns bad?
We watch the forecast and, if needed, change the order of locations or move the date with your agreement.
I'm travelling alone — can I join a group?
We don't form groups of individual travellers, but we can look for companions for your date after a 20% deposit. If a group forms, the car price is shared.
Similar routes
Ybyktysay, Castles & Spheres
- Ybyktysay
- Airakty-Shomanai
- Sherkala
- Kokkala
- Valley of Spheres (Torysh)
Canyons & a Rock Mosque
- Kapamsay Canyon
- Shakpak-Ata
- Shakpaktysay Canyon
- Valley of Spheres
- Akespe