Expedition · 6 days · base Kyzylorda

Aral Sea Expedition

Six days into the most dramatic ecological story of the 20th century — from Kyzylorda through the steppe and chinks of the Ustyurt to the ghost ships of the Aral and the restored Small Aral Sea.

6 days · base Kyzylorda ~1,500 km · 4×4 Apr–Jun · Sept–Oct 2–10 guests
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Duration

6 days

Season

Apr–Jun · Sept–Oct

Group

2–10 guests

Distance

~1,500 km

Difficulty

Moderate (remote)

Base

Kyzylorda

6days

From Kyzylorda to the Aral

A loop through steppe, dam and dry seabed before returning to the railhead.

1,500km

Of remote 4×4 traverse

From the Syr Darya delta out across the dry seabed and the Ustyurt chinks.

12m

The Small Aral has risen

Since the Kokaral Dam was built in 2005 — the rare ecological recovery this route witnesses.

Route Overview

Six days into the most dramatic ecological story of the 20th century.

Departing from Kyzylorda, the route moves north through steppe and delta — visiting the Korkyt Ata memorial, Kamystybas Lake (flamingos, pelicans), the Kokaral Dam (which reversed the drying of the Small Aral Sea), Barsakelmes Island, and the ghost ships of Vozrozhdeniya Island. Then east across the Ustyurt Plateau's chalk escarpments to the northern chinks, fossil shark teeth, and the former fishing capital of Aralsk.

Key Highlights

What you carry away

  • Kokaral Dam — the conservation victory that raised the Small Aral Sea by 12 metres since 2005
  • Ghost ships of Vozrozhdeniya Island — last vessels of the Aral Sea fleet, stranded on the dry seabed
  • Barsakelmes Island — former island, now a steppe peninsula; surviving wildlife reserve
  • Eastern Ustyurt chalk chinks — dramatic cliffs with fossilised marine life visible in the rock face
  • Aralsk port museum — the most complete documentation of the sea's disappearance and partial return
  • Shark tooth fossils in the northern chinks — remnants of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean

Itinerary

Day by day

Day 01Into the delta

Kyzylorda → Kokaral Dam — first night on the restored sea

Around 450 km north through the Syr Darya delta to the dam that reversed the Aral's decline.

  • Morning — Kyzylorda → Korkyt Ata Memorial (singing steel kobyz monument).
  • Midday — Lake Kamystybas — flamingos, pelicans, swimming.
  • Evening — Kokaral Dam. Camp beside the restored Small Aral Sea.
Day 02Ghost ships

Kokaral → Vozrozhdeniya — out onto the dry seabed

~290 km of off-road across former water, medieval ruins, and stranded ships.

  • Morning — Kokaral Dam → Kerderi (medieval ruins on former seabed, discovered 2001).
  • Midday — Barsakelmes Island oasis.
  • Evening — Ghost ships of Vozrozhdeniya Island (border registration on-site). Camp at Large Aral.
Day 03Ustyurt chalk

Barsakelmes → Kulandy — onto the eastern plateau

~120 km off-road through escarpments and fossil chalk.

  • Morning — Barsakelmes → Eastern Ustyurt Plateau chalk escarpments.
  • Midday — Izenty chalk outcrop — fossilised marine life in the rock face.
  • Evening — Arrive Kulandy. Camp.
Day 04Chinks & hot springs

Kulandy → Akespe — cliffs above an emptied sea

~280 km along the eastern chinks to a hot-spring camp on the Small Aral shore.

  • Morning — Eastern Ustyurt chinks — chalk cliffs above the dry seabed.
  • Midday — Big Aral Sea viewpoint → Chernyshev Bay.
  • Evening — Akespe Hot Springs — bathing on the Small Aral shore. Camp Akespe.
Day 05Aralsk & the museum

Akespe → Aralsk — the fishing port that lost its sea

~130 km past shark-tooth fossils and rusted anchors to the most complete record of the Aral's history.

  • Morning — Northern Aral chinks — shark tooth fossils in cliff faces.
  • Midday — Former Aral Sea bed — dry salt flat, rusted anchors.
  • Evening — Aralsk port museum — the sea's history and partial return. Hotel Aralsk.
Day 06Return through the steppe

Aralsk → Kyzylorda — closing the loop

~460 km, around six hours back along the Syr Darya.

  • Morning — Depart Aralsk.
  • Midday — Return transfer through Syr Darya steppe.
  • Afternoon — Arrive Kyzylorda. Expedition concludes.

Before you book

How the expedition runs

Six days of remote 4×4 travel across the Syr Darya delta and the dry Aral seabed. Light on the body, demanding on logistics — every camp, permit and border registration is handled in advance.

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Activity level

Moderate — long vehicle days through remote terrain. Walking is short and optional at each stop. Suitable for guests comfortable with off-road travel and basic camp conditions.

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Camp & meals

Five nights — four camps along the route plus one hotel night in Aralsk. Full board from Day 1 dinner to Day 6 breakfast. Tents and sleeping bags provided where needed.

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Access & transfers

Private 4×4 expedition vehicles throughout. English-speaking expedition guide. All entrance fees, NP permits and on-site border registration handled by us.

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Season

April–June and September–October. We will advise the best dates for your group — spring brings the lakes alive with birds; autumn opens the chinks to long, clean light.

Pricing

Per person, by group size

All prices per person · Private departure · Full board included where stated · Excludes Kyzylorda hotel

2 persons

$2,170

Private departure, maximum attention

4 persons

$1,380

Most popular group size

6+ persons

from $1,040

Best value per person

Included

What's in the price

  • Private 4×4 expedition vehicles all 6 days
  • English-speaking expedition guide
  • 5 nights accommodation (camps Days 1–4 + hotel Day 5)
  • All meals: Day 1 dinner → Day 6 breakfast
  • All entrance fees and permits (NP + border registration)
  • Camp equipment (tents, sleeping bags where needed)

Not included

What sits outside

  • International / domestic flights
  • Kyzylorda hotel pre/post expedition
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Train tickets Almaty–Kyzylorda
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

Begin

Six days. Ghost ships. A sea brought back.

Private dates, your group, your pace. We reply within 48 hours, in person — usually with three options shaped around your brief.

Request a Private Expedition →
48 h reply window 24/7 operations desk during the visit One team — design to host