Kazakhstan’s wild masterpiece Mangystau

Today it’s time to say goodbye to civilisation, after breakfast we will set off towards the Torysh, also known as the Valley of Balls. After driving for a couple of hours on a good road, it’s time to go off-road. Torysh, the Valley of Balls, is a place where nature’s imagination seems to have run wild. Scattered across the barren steppe are hundreds of giant stone spheres, some cracked open, others perfectly round, like relics of another world. In the quiet light of dawn or dusk, these mysterious formations cast long shadows, turning the land into a surreal sculpture gallery, timeless, silent, and full of wonder.

Later, we will drive towards Sherkala and camp here. Sherkala, also known as the “Lion Mountain”, rises solitary from the steppe, its massive formation shifting colours with every hour of light. For photographers, it’s a dream: dramatic silhouettes, soft pastels, and endless minimalist frames where the mountain stands as a lone guardian against the vast emptiness. We will be shooting at sunset and at dawn.

The drive to Airakty, the Valley of Castles, feels like entering a fairytale carved in stone, towering cliffs and ridges shaped like ancient fortresses. As the sun begins to set, the rock walls catch fire in shades of gold, orange, and crimson, creating dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. For photographers, this place is pure magic: sweeping panoramas, intricate details of eroded textures, and silhouettes of the “castles” against a glowing sky. Every frame holds both grandeur and mystery.

For the overnight, we will return to the yurt camp, shower is possible.

We will drive on crazy off-road. Tuzbair Salt Marsh is a land of silence and wonder, a lake without an outlet, embraced by fantastical rock formations. From the cliffs above or the marsh’s edge, the landscape reveals its secrets: stones shaped like the roots of an ancient tree, the curling tail of a dragon, or jewels glittering in the soft light of the setting sun. Hidden below lies a natural arch, like a doorway into another world.

For photographers, Sor Tuzbair is a playground of endless perspectives, where every angle holds the promise of something rare and unforgettable. As the sun sinks into the horizon, we will capture its last glow, share dinner beneath the vast steppe sky, and fall asleep in tents surrounded by this dreamlike scenery.

It’s a true test of driving skills for the driver, and without maps, finding the way here would be nearly impossible. But no need to worry, we are in safe hands.

Boszhira is the crown jewel of Mangystau, a landscape that feels sculpted for photographers. Towering white limestone cliffs rise like giant fangs from the desert floor, their sharp edges glowing in the golden light of sunrise and sunset. From above, sweeping valleys and ridges form breathtaking patterns, while from below, the sheer scale of the formations makes every frame dramatic.

For photography, Boszhira offers endless possibilities: wide panoramas that capture its vastness, intimate studies of textures and erosion, silhouettes of camels or travellers against the cliffs, and night skies where the Milky Way seems to rest on the peaks. Every angle feels cinematic, every shot a story waiting to be told.

We will spend two nights here, giving us time to explore and capture its many moods of this place.

Now it’s time for another surprise. During the daytime, we will visit the village to freshen up and take a shower. In the afternoon, we arrive in Tiramisu.

Tiramisu (Kyzylkup) Gorge and Mount Bokty are a feast for the eyes and the lens. These unique rock formations, standing close to each other, dazzle with their rich palette — from pure white to deep reds and fiery oranges. The cliffs appear as though painted in delicate, colourful layers, each line telling a story of time and earth.

For photographers, this landscape offers endless inspiration: sweeping panoramas that capture the full spectrum of colours, abstract close-ups of layered textures, and the play of light as the sun softens into evening. Mount Bokty, with its striking pyramid-like shape, becomes especially dramatic against the wide open sky.

We will spend some time early in the morning before breakfast photographing the landscapes in the surroundings. After breakfast, we will spend a few hours photographing the few shepherds who live in the area, against the magnificent snow-peaks in the background.

After lunch, we will visit Kol Suu Lake, a 1.5 hour horse ride away. The way to lake is magnificent, and involves riding along (and subsequently crossing) a river that originates from the lake. We will spend leisurely time in the lake. On our way back, we break the journey half-way to photograph the landscapes..

On our final morning in camp, we will wake up beside the Tiramisu mountains, capturing the soft shades of sunrise. After freshening up, we will begin our drive back toward civilisation. Late afternoon, we will be in the city of Aktau. Farewell dinner.

ime to leave this remote part of Kazakhstan and head back home.