2-Day Aral Sea Adventure – From Nukus to the Vanishing Shoreline
Explore the Ustyurt Plateau, the haunting beauty of the Aral Sea, and the lost world of Muynak
Step into one of the world’s most dramatic environmental landscapes — where salt, silence, and history converge.
This unforgettable 2-day expedition takes you deep into Karakalpakstan’s remote desert frontier, across the stark Ustyurt Plateau to the haunting shores of the Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest inland sea on Earth and now one of its greatest ecological tragedies.
On this tour, you’ll:
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Witness the raw beauty of desert canyons and salt plains
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Visit the ghost town of Muynak, home to a ship cemetery where boats lie stranded in the sand
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Camp on the edge of the disappearing sea, stargazing beside a campfire
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Encounter the rich birdlife at Lake Sudochie
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Explore ancient ruins like Urga, Mizdakhan, and Gaur Qala, echoing civilizations long gone
This is more than a tour — it’s a rare chance to explore a place where natural history and human impact collide, and where the silence of the desert tells a thousand stories.
Whether you’re a photographer, an adventurer, or a traveler seeking places untouched by mass tourism, the Aral Sea will leave you awed, humbled, and transformed.
Day 1 – Nukus → Ustyurt Plateau → Aral Sea (Approx. 7 hours / 350 km)
Departure: 08:00 AM from Nukus
Begin your journey across the remote deserts and forgotten civilizations of Karakalpakstan. Travel through the ancient Silk Road town of Kungrad, once a vibrant trading hub, before ascending onto the vast Ustyurt Plateau – a windswept and dramatic steppe land.
🐦 Lake Sudochie – A Hidden Bird Sanctuary
Stop by the serene shores of Lake Sudochie, a magnet for migratory birds.
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Watch for rare and seasonal species.
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Enjoy a lakeside picnic surrounded by nature.
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Explore the atmospheric ruins of Urga, a once-thriving settlement where time stands still.
🏜 Into the Canyons of the Aral Sea
Continue your drive through surreal landscapes shaped by millennia of wind and water, arriving at the edge of the Aral Sea. Along the way, witness towering canyons, salt flats, and endless horizon lines that blur the borders between sky and land.
🏕 Evening by the Aral Sea
Upon arrival, set up camp beside the receding shoreline.
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Enjoy a leisurely walk or a dip in the saline waters.
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Gather around the campfire for a traditional dinner under the stars.
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Overnight in a comfortable yurt camp, surrounded by silence and sky.
Day 2 – Aral Sea → Muynak → Nukus
After breakfast, head into the Aralkum Desert – a new desert created by the shrinking of the Aral Sea. What was once a seabed is now a surreal, sandy landscape etched with ecological memory.
⚓ Muynak – Echoes of a Vanished Sea
Arrive in Muynak, a once-thriving port turned desert outpost.
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Visit the haunting Ship Cemetery, where rusting vessels now lie stranded in sand.
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Explore the Muynak Regional Museum, which tells the story of the Aral’s tragic ecological transformation.
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Enjoy lunch with a local family, offering a glimpse into the resilience of the people who remain.
🕌 Mizdakhan Necropolis & Gaur Qala Fortress
On the return journey to Nukus, stop at:
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The Mizdakhan Complex in Hujayli – an evocative site filled with ancient mausoleums, Sufi shrines, and caravanserai ruins, some dating back to the 4th century BC.
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The nearby Gaur Qala Fortress, now weathered and crumbling, yet still echoing the grandeur of long-lost kingdoms.
Return to Nukus in the late afternoon. Tour ends with drop-off at your hotel or airport.
| Number of People | Price per person $ |
|---|---|
| 1 | 400 |
| 2 | 300 |
| 3 | 250 |
Price Includes
- Accommodation: Spend the night in a traditional yurt camp near the Aral Sea. Each group will be provided with a private yurt (2 to 4 people per yurt), offering a comfortable and authentic desert experience.
- Meals: The tour includes 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be arranged upon request — please inform us in advance.
- Guided Experience: An English-speaking tour guide will accompany you throughout the entire journey, providing insights into the region’s history, culture, and ecology.
- Transportation: All transfers are provided in a 4WD vehicle, including: Day 1: Nukus → Lake Sudochie → Aral Sea Day 2: Aral Sea → Muynak → Nukus
- Entrance Fees: All entry tickets to sites and museums mentioned in the itinerary are included.
Price Not Includes
- Personal Expenses: Any personal purchases or items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., snacks, souvenirs, laundry, etc.).
- Travel Insurance: For your safety and peace of mind, we recommend that all participants arrange their own travel insurance before the tour. It’s a simple but essential way to ensure protection in case of unexpected situations during your journey.
- Tips & Gratuities: Tipping is optional but appreciated. If you’re satisfied with the service, a typical guideline is €4 to €9 per person per day, shared among your guide, driver, and hosts.
Booking & Payment Terms
Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of written acceptance and a deposit of 30% of the total trip cost. Following your acceptance of the quotation, an invoice detailing the deposit payment instructions will be sent via email.
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days prior to departure, without the need for a reminder. For bookings made less than 30 days before departure, full payment is required at the time of confirmation.
Client Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your booking, the following terms apply:
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More than 45 days before departure: Full refund minus a $100 administrative fee per person
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44 to 30 days before departure: 50% of the total trip cost will be retained
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29 to 15 days before departure: 75% of the total trip cost will be retained
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Less than 15 days before departure: No refund
Please note:
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Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email.
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The date we receive your cancellation will determine the refund amount.
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No refunds will be issued for any trip that is interrupted, shortened, or unused due to personal reasons.
Cancellation by Jahongir Travel
In rare cases, Jahongir Travel may be required to cancel a trip due to force majeure (e.g., political instability, safety concerns, etc.). In such instances, a full refund of all payments made will be issued. However, no further compensation or additional claims will be considered.
Additional Info
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Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
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Not wheelchair accessible
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Stroller accessible
Bek
Your travel advisor
+998 94 077 13 03
booking.jahongir.travel@gmail.com