Mystery of Aral – Blessed Travel

Extension Tour: Mystery of Aral

Embark on a journey to the ecological disaster zone, which has become Uzbekistan’s most surreal location. A jeep tour along the bottom of the dried-up sea, an overnight stay in a yurt under the endless starry sky, and the famous “Ship Graveyard” await you. This is a trip to the edge of the world that changes your outlook on life.

Home / Mystery of Aral

Expedition to Aralkum: Where the Water Used to Be

This tour is not a classic vacation; it is a true 4×4 jeep adventure. We will drive where there are no roads or mobile connection to witness the grandeur of the Ustyurt Plateau and the tragedy of the Aral Sea. You will descend to the bottom of the former ocean, touch the rusty ships in Muynak, and see the mystical Mizdakhan Necropolis.

Awaits you is a complete break from civilization: an overnight stay in a traditional yurt, dinner by the campfire, and landscapes resembling Mars. We take care of all the complex logistics, including flights to Nukus, so you can safely touch this harsh beauty.

Yurts — traditional nomad dwellings. One yurt accommodates 4–6 people; men and women are accommodated separately.
Important: The camp has only 5 yurts for 2 people; please notify in advance if a 2-person yurt is required.*

Questions left? We are always in touch! Contact Us!

Journey Details, Itinerary & Info

Day 1. Tashkent ✈️ Nukus — Muynak — Ustyurt Plateau Canyon — Aral Sea (Jeep Tour)

Transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Nukus (according to the flight schedule).*
Arrival in Nukus and start of the journey to the ecological disaster zone — Aral Sea (450 km, about 8 hours).
The route passes through an area without mobile connection and hotels; this is an adventure tour on 4×4 jeeps.
First stop — Muynak. Formerly the city was located right on the shore of the Aral Sea; today the sea has receded by more than 100 km.
Visit:
- Ship Graveyard
- Muynak Museum, showing a 10-minute video about the history of the Aral Sea (in English).
Lunch at a guest house in Muynak (simple meal).
Continuation of the journey along the dried seabed of the Aral Sea and arrival at the Ustyurt Plateau Canyon, offering impressive views of the disaster zone.
Next — transfer to the Yurt Camp near the shore of the Aral Sea.
Dinner at the yurt camp (prepared by the family running the camp).
Overnight in yurts.
* The route may be changed depending on the Uzbekistan Airways flight schedule.

Day 2. Aral Sea — Sudochye Lake — Mizdakhan Necropolis — Nukus ✈️ Tashkent (Jeep Tour)

Breakfast at the yurt camp.
Return to Nukus (450 km, about 8 hours).
On the way visit:
- Ancient caravanserai Kurgancha-Kala (XIII century)
- Kubla-Ustyurt village (old name — Komsomolsk-on-Amur)
- Sudochye Lake
- Abandoned village Urga with a former cannery
- Cemetery of the repressed from Stalin’s times
- Old lighthouse
Lunch at a cafe in Kungrad city (simple meal).
Next, visit to the mystical Mizdakhan Necropolis, where you will see:
- Unique Karakalpak burials
- “Clock of the Apocalypse”
- Nazlum-khan Mausoleum (XII–XIV cc.)
- Erezhep-Khalifa Mausoleum
- Ruins of Gyaur-Kala, destroyed by Genghis Khan (exterior view from the cemetery territory).
Transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Tashkent (in the afternoon).*
Arrival in Tashkent, transfer and hotel check-in.
* Schedule may change according to Uzbekistan Airways decisions.

Day 3. Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
End of the program.

✅ What We Include:

Logistics: Air tickets Tashkent — Nukus — Tashkent and 4×4 jeep transport (Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado).
Accommodation: 1 night in a traditional yurt on the Aral Sea shore (or plateau).
Meals: Full board (2 lunches on the road, 1 dinner by the campfire, 1 breakfast at the camp).
Impressions: Entrance tickets to the Muynak Museum and visit to Mizdakhan Necropolis.
Service: Professional drivers familiar with the seabed route.

❌ Paid Separately:

Accommodation: Single yurt supplement (+$30).
Personal: Alcoholic beverages and souvenirs.
Other: Expenses not specified in the program.

Expedition Romance. You will stay in a real yurt camp in the middle of the Aralkum Desert.

Atmosphere: A complete break from civilization. Instead of city noise — the crackle of a campfire and dinner with like-minded people, and instead of a ceiling — an endless starry sky.
Comfort: Authentic Karakalpak yurts with beds and clean linens. This is a true nomad experience, but with basic facilities available on the camp territory.
Location: The camp is located at the epicenter of events — at the foot of the Ustyurt Plateau or on the former seabed, where sunrises look completely alien.

Visa:

For citizens of most European, Asian, and CIS countries, a visa to Uzbekistan is not required (visa-free entry for up to 30–60 days). Only a valid international passport is needed.

Currency:

The local currency is the Sum. It is best to bring US Dollars (new banknotes, clean, without marks) or Euros. Visa/Mastercard cards work in the capital, but cash is required at bazaars.

SIM Card:

Right at the airport, we will help you purchase a tourist SIM card (Uztelecom/Beeline) for $5–10. 4G coverage is excellent in all cities and even on highways.

Dress Code:

Uzbekistan is a secular country. There is no strict dress code. However, when visiting mosques, it is recommended to cover shoulders and knees (applies to both men and women).

Safety:

Uzbekistan is ranked among the top safest countries in the world. You can calmly walk around night Bukhara or Tashkent; the locals are very friendly and hospitable.

Haven’t found the perfect route? Become the Author of Your Own Journey!