Private Tour
2-Day Small Group Jeep Adventure Tour to Aral Sea in Nukus
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
If you’re drawn to remote and quiet places, the Republic of Karakalpakstan might fascinate you. The Karakalpaks were once nomadic and relied on fishing for their livelihood. However, the drying up of the Aral Sea has turned Karakalpakstan into one of Uzbekistan’s poorest regions. The capital, Nukus, feels almost empty, and traveling to the surrounding areas reveals struggling towns and barren landscapes.
On this tour, you’ll visit the main attractions outside Nukus, including the Aral Sea shore, the Usturt Plateau, the Muynak Ship Graveyard, the Sudochye Lake Natural Reserve, and the Mizdakhan Necropolis.
This tour also supports the local community, as we work exclusively with local staff, including guides, drivers, and cooks.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour involves long off-road travel, staying in a yurt camp, and outdoor walking tours. Please make sure to wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the season and weather conditions. We do not offer rental or sale of hiking or trekking clothing or equipment. Please note that during summer, this area can be very hot during the day, while in autumn and winter, the weather may be quite cold and windy.
Please ensure you bring all the personal medical and care items you may need for the duration of the tour, as there are no pharmacies or additional medical services available along the route. Kindly note that medical insurance is not included in this tour.
If you have any food restrictions or allergies, please inform us in advance so we can prepare lunchboxes and meals according to your requirements.
Small pets are welcome, but please inform us in advance if you plan to bring one so we can prepare the vehicles accordingly.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
D1 – Nukus – Muynak – Aral Sea Shore
Accommodations
Overnight in Yurt Camp close to actual Aral Sea shore.
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Lunch in a local cafe included
DINNER
Dinner
Picnic-style dinner at Yurt Camp included.
Muynak
After breakfast, you will start your journey to the actual shoreline of the drying Aral Sea. The first stop at your jeep journey will be the infamous ship graveyard of Moynak (Muynaq) city. Once Aral Sea shores were close to the city and it was famous for its fisherman and canned fish products. Later, water was gone and left all ships on its sea bottom. Lying on salty sand ships became a rusting attraction that reminds ones who visit it about the huge tragedy of the disappeared sea. Here you will visit the local museum of city history and ship graveyard itself. Later, you will continue to drive to the Aral Seashore. Upon arrival check-in to the yurt camp and rest. Here, far away from the civilization and big cities light pollution you could freely observe the dark sky with myriads of stars, end even Milky Way could be visible sometimes. The wind and sea waves will sing for you all night and you will discover what it's like to be a nomad at the edge of the world.
D2 – Aral Sea Shore – Usturt Plateau – Sudochye Lake – Mizdahan – Nukus
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Picnic-style lunch included.
Early breakfast in yurt camp. After breakfast, you will continue your Aral Sea journey with the end at Nukus city (~450 km 7H00M). Today your back road to Nukus will lay across Usturt Plateau, where you will see wonderful natural landscapes and survived local flora and fauna. Mysterious and inscrutable Usturt Plateau remains not only huge deposits of gas and oil but also many canyons and cliffs, with extraterrestrial design. Here you will have a stop to try camel milk in a local camel breeder’s family.
The next stop will be Sudochye Lake. The rich fauna of this lake and its shores is famous far beyond Karakalpakstan. Many scientists, fishermen, and hunters come to this place from all over the world. This lake is a key stop on the long way of various migrating birds, some of them are pink flamingoes, white swans, geese, and ducks.
Mizdakhan Necropolis
Then, you will have your next stop for Mizdakhan Complex. Mizdakhan is a necropolis of the city of ancient Khoresmians (4-2 century B.C.). Here gathered one of the most important mausoleums and archeological monuments of that time. Later, arrival to Nukus. End of the tour. Note: we do not include hotels in Nukus but we could offer booking of the hotels as per your request, please contact us during the booking.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
English Speaking Guide
Dinner
Air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodation in Yurt Camp with tourist registration.
Water
Accommodation in Nukus
Pickup points
Hotel Nukus
Ulitsa Karakalpakstan Nukus Uzbekistan
Hotel ROYAL NUKUS
street Karakalpakstan _ 4, Nukus Uzbekistan
Hotel Aziya nukus
Berdaq Shoh Ko'chasi 20 Nukus Uzbekistan
Nukus Airport
Nukus Uzbekistan
Jipek Joli Inn
Jipek Joli 4 Nukus Uzbekistan
Hotel Nukus Plaza
Turtkulskiy Hwy. / 60 Letiya Karakalpakstana 20 Nukus Uzbekistan
Hotel Jipek Joli
Saraev Street 29 N, Nukus Uzbekistan
Nukus Guest House
Shanarak, Dom 5 Nukus Uzbekistan
Options
2-Day Small Group Jeep Adventure Tour to Aral Sea in Nukus
Pickup included
Reviews
3 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unforgettable, beautiful experience
Jason T,,Aug 2, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow, what an amazing experience! From the moment our guide and our driver picked us up until the moment they returned us to the hotel in Nukus, this felt like one of the most special and memorable travel experiences of my life. I came to see the ship graveyard in Muynak, but I came away with so much more: remote ruins (both ancient and recent), spectacular scenery, and an appreciation for the vast emptiness of the Aral and adjacent Ustyurt Plateau. I will never forget the feeling of swimming in the Aral Sea (what’s currently left of it) or the profound beauty of watching the sunrise over the Sea from the yurt camp, situated on a promontory along the western shore. The tour was perfectly organized for those looking for the flexibility and independence of a private guide while still feeling like there’s support nearby if needed (these 4x4 vehicles are pushed pretty hard, the trails are long, desolate and unmarked, and you wouldn’t want to truly be stuck out here on your own!). I totally recommend this 2-day tour and it was—for all three members of my family (me, my wife and 13yo daughter)—the highlight of our trip to Uzbekistan.
Desert Road Trip
anuttam m,,May 16, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great trip across a new desert frontier to witness sunrise over a nearly extinct lake. The people of Karakalpakstan are very friendly. I was well taken care of by driver Azamat and guide Tomaris
Aral Sea experience
zuzannao539,,Aug 29, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just a few days ago I went to the Aral Sea with Mike's company and I am so happy having chosen them! The trip was very well organised and carefully prepared. The whole process of booking, payment and then starting the trip went very smoothly, and with no problems at all also because Mike is a very helpful person and replies nearly straight away to any email. There was no issue with adjusting meals to my needs even though I informed about it pretty late. I was also advised about the equipment I may need, received the detailed plan and answeres to all my questions. The trip guide was very professional, very knowledgable but also was super friendly and interesting to have a conversaton with. I was also very impressed with the skills of teh driver - the roads in the desert are in a terrible contiotion but it felt safe with him driving. Also the car was really comfortable so another big adventage as the journey takes long time. The remainings of the Aral Sea, the ship cementary and the area leaves you with a pessimistic impression and it's not the trip that you can call fantastic and amazing, but it is definately a must see and must do experince. I can strongly recommend this tour with Mike as the operator. Strong 5 stars!
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