MANGYSTAU

There is essentially no hiking involved, our 4x4 Land Cruisers with 10+ years experienced local drivers can reach all the photography spots, and we camp directly on location. The only two exceptions are: a 20–30 minute hike up to one viewpoint of Bozzhira Medium, and a 10-minute walk on the hills for the iconic Tiramisu mountains view. Both are easy and non-technical. If you have a drone, you can alternatively photograph these spots from the car.

We keep groups small for a fully personalized experience. Maximum 12 participants per group. Two departures are available: May 13–22 (10 days) and September 25–October 3 (9 days), 2027.

Essential: full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide-angle lens (14–24mm or 16–35mm) for expansive desert vistas, standard zoom (24–70mm), sturdy tripod (carbon fiber if possible, 1.60–1.70m, ~2kg), remote shutter release, extra batteries, memory cards, polarizing filter, ND filters (6–10 stops), and lens cleaning kits, fine dust is inevitable. Recommended: a drone (DJI Mavic 4 Pro class or similar, no license or permit needed in Kazakhstan, you can fly as high as you wish). The tour is not just for drone photography, incredible camera shots are possible everywhere.

May and late September are two of the best windows in Mangystau. In May, daytime temperatures are typically 20–28°C (68–82°F), with nights around 10–16°C (50–61°F). Late September into early October is similar to spring: days around 18–25°C (64–77°F), nights 8–14°C (46–57°F) on the open plateaus. Conditions are dry with strong sunlight. Bring breathable day clothing, a warm down jacket for mornings and evenings, and thin gloves for sunrise shoots.

The first and last nights are in a hotel in Aktau with private rooms and hot showers. All other nights we camp directly on the photography spots in private tents (tent, pillow, mattress, and sleeping bag all provided). In the middle of the tour, we book hotel rooms for a few hours in a town for a proper shower. The desert will become more comfortable than your home, we have tables, chairs, refrigerators, a kitchen tent, and incredible local chefs.

Yes, all meals are included throughout the tour. Our chefs prepare traditional Kazakh specialties and international dishes. We have refrigerators in the cars and bring water, coffee, tea, and even shubat (camel yogurt). You will eat very well in the middle of the desert.

You can book online by card: pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,290 per person (30%) to secure your seat, or pay in full. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the tour start date. The full price is $4,300 per photographer in a shared twin room, or $5,300 with a single room.

Most foreigners from the USA, Canada, Europe and many other nationalities do not need a visa for stays under 30 days. Make sure your country is not an exception by checking the official government website. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates is required. While Kazakhstan is increasingly card-friendly, carry some cash (Kazakhstani Tenge) as remote areas may only accept cash, we will visit a currency exchange on arrival.

Fly to Aktau International Airport (SCO). The main airlines serving Aktau are Pegasus Airlines and Azerbaijan Airlines, with Istanbul SAW as the best connecting hub. We can book your flights for you for an extra fee of €150, just let us know when booking the tour.

We strongly advise comprehensive travel insurance covering adventure travel and medical evacuation. Mangystau is very remote and evacuation distances can be significant. We can arrange travel insurance for you, just let us know when booking and we will send you the options and fees.