Tour to the Aral Sea - Around the Small Aral Sea - Karateren village - Aralsk
The Aral Sea (anciently the Sea of Oxianus) was a large, endorheic salt lake in Central Asia.
Due to prolonged desiccation, the lake broke up into several significantly smaller parts at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The remnants have since formed the Northern Aral Sea, the Western Aral Sea, the Barsakelmes Island between them, and the Aralkum Desert. All are located within the Aral-Caspian Depression in the Turan Lowland basin and are shared by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and parts of both countries.
The Aybugir Sea, located slightly south in Turkmenistan and originally connected to the Aral Sea, was cut off earlier. Due to the continental climate, semi-deserts and deserts predominate. The desiccation of the lake, which has been expanding since approximately 1960, represents one of the world's largest man-made environmental disasters.
- Distance of the route:
546 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
July - September
- Group size:
not more 12 persons
- Days & nights:
4 days - 3 nights
Tour itinerary:
The city of Aralsk – the village of Zhalanash – the village of Tastubek – the fishermen's camp Tastubek (109 km).
When leaving the city of Aralsk, our road will lie to the northwest, and after about five kilometers, the asphalt road stops, and then we will travel by grader to the village of Zhalanash. About thirty kilometers from the village, on the left side of the road, we will see the beautiful cliffs of the Saryshoky tract, the northern ledge of the Small Aral Sea, and stop to take photos.
We reach the village of Zhalanash after 63 kilometers, and drive up to the house where camels are being prepared for our further trip to the cemetery of the Lost Ships. Before the trip, we are treated to tea according to Kazakh traditions at the camel owner's house. Along the way, we photograph local flat-roofed houses and villagers engaged in their crafts.
The camel ride to Zhalanash Bay will take six kilometers. There was a drainless salt lake called the Aral Sea, of which nothing remains now. After we finish our camel ride, we go to the ships and take photos. We will have lunch at the cemetery of sunken ships, lunch boxes are waiting for us.
After lunch, we will move to the village of Tastubek, in the vicinity of which there is a fishing camp on the shore of the Small Aral Sea. After 38 kilometers, we reach the place, walk and swim in the salty waters of the Aral Sea, as well as take part in fishing. After we finish fishing, we return to the village of Tastubek, check into a guest house, have dinner and relax.
Tastubek village – Akespe village – Akbasty village – Karateren village (253 km).
After breakfast, we head north to the village of Akespe. Our road will run along the eastern part of Butakov Bay, and will lead us to the northernmost cliffs of the Small Aral Sea. During our journey, we will stop to take photos of various beautiful landscapes.
After driving forty-six kilometers, we reach the thermal spring, which is located three kilometers from the village of Akespe. We walk, take pictures. Next, we will go to the village, take pictures on the nearby sand dunes, and have lunch on the seashore.
After finishing lunch, we head to the village of Akbasty, moving along the western side of the Small Aral Sea. In the village, we replenish water reserves in the well, which is located in the western part of Akbasta. Next, we will have a trip to the Kok-Aral Dam. It has a hydraulic gate, which makes it possible to discharge excess water, which, in turn, helps regulate the level of the reservoir, and separates the Small Aral Sea from the Large One.
After inspecting the dam, it is seventeen kilometers long and six meters high. After completing the inspection of the dam, we leave for the village of Karateren. We stay in a guest house, have dinner and relax.
Karateren village – Karashalan village – Bogen village – Amanotkel village – Kombash Lake (98 km).
After breakfast, the first thing we will do is stop at the Aklaksky hydroelectric complex. This hydroelectric complex is located on the Syrdarya River and was built to fill a number of lakes located above the dam. We walk and take pictures. After visiting the hydroelectric complex, we will go to the fishing village of Bogen, where we will visit the local mosque and school, which was built in 1954, and it is located between the dunes. After Bogen, on our way we will meet a bridge over the isthmus between two lakes Kombash and Laikol.
There are about a dozen lakes in this area, such as Sarykkol, Zhalanashkol, Karakol and others. Upon arrival in the village of Kosjar, we go to the factory, the equipment of which was brought from Israel, and the fish hatchery. After the trip to the factory, the road to Lake Kombash awaits us. Arriving at the lake, we stay in a yurt camp. We have lunch and relax, swim in the lake, go boating. In the evening, we will have dinner by the campfire on the lake shore. Performance of local musicians and performance of Kazakh songs. We rest in yurts.
Lake Kombash – the city of Aralsk (86 km).
After breakfast, we will leave for the city of Aralsk. When we get to the city, the first thing we will do is stop at the city museum. Then we will have lunch at a local cafe, after which we will visit the museum dedicated to fishermen, as well as the museum of ships of the Aral Flotilla, then we will visit and inspect the railway station and the surrounding monuments.
After the railway station, we will visit several monuments, including the monument to Abulkhair Khan and the monument to Zhibek and Tolegen. After that, we will visit several more sights of the city of Aralsk, such as the stele "Kazakhstan", the monument to the fisherman and the horse of Przhevalsky, our tour will end with a visit to the alley of heroes. After finishing the tour, we have dinner at a local cafe and go to the railway station.
The city of Aralsk – the village of Zhalanash is 63 km away.
Zhalanash village – cemetery of "Lost ships" - 6 km
Cemetery of the "Lost Ships" - Tastubek village - 32 km
Tastubek village – Tastubek fishermen's camp – 4 km.
Fishermen's camp – Akespe village - 61 km
Tastubek village – Akespe village – 55 km.
Akespe village – Akbasty village – 100 km.
Akbasty village – Karateren village – 98 km.
Karatern village – Lake Kombash – 98 km.
Lake Kombash is 86 km from the city of Aralsk.
Moving in UAZ cars or jeeps, there may be no air conditioners, there will be dust in the car interiors during the moves.
The optimal number of tourists for such a tour is no more than 12 people, the same number of people is optimal for camel rides.
The way to the village of Zhalanash from Aralsk, also from the Kok-Aral dam and to the village of Bogen, lies along a grader road, which in some places has one lane, the gravel on the road is poorly fixed, therefore the recommended maximum speed is no more than 60 kilometers per hour.
In the village of Tastubek, the toilet in the house of local residents is located outside the house. There is no shower in the house, there is a rural bathhouse where you can wash with hot water. To spend the night in the guest house, you will be offered to sleep on the floor of the house on mattresses with bedding in a separate room for several people. A guest house is a house in which the owners of this house also live.
Accommodation in a yurt camp on the shore of Lake Kombash. Accommodation in yurts for 5-6 people, toilets (without toilets and these are not toilets) are located outside the recreation area.
Photogallery:
