Unique hydrological landscape complex and one of the most beautiful bays -
Shevchenko Bay is an original natural ensemble located in the Aral district of the Kyzylorda region. The coastal territory of the bay has turned into a popular destination for expedition routes in the middle of the steppe expanses. The site is located directly in the western part of the Small (Northern) Aral Sea, having a length of about 32 km and a width of about 39 km.
The large-scale preservation of this area, which is the largest bay of the Small Aral, became possible thanks to the implementation of the state program for regulating the Syr Darya River bed and preserving the Northern Aral Sea. It is located near such iconic sites as the famous Kokaral Dam, Butakov Bay, Zhalanash village, and the colorful fishing village of Tastubek.
Today, this bay is considered one of the most popular places for ecological leisure, scientific expeditions, and immersion into the pristine atmosphere of the Aral region. The surrounding territory attracts researchers from all over the world, creating a single tourist axis with the coastline of the Small Aral. At the same time, at a considerable distance from this water zone, the endless expanses of the desert and historical locations of the dried-up Big Aral Sea stretch out.
Tour - Magic of the Small Aral: Journey to the Heart of the Receded Sea (5 Days).
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How to get there and visit -
Shevchenko Bay is located in the western part of the Small Aral Sea, Aral district, Kyzylorda region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 46°31'16"N 60°12'12"E
The transport logistics of the area make it easy to reach Shevchenko Bay from the city of Aralsk. Only a prepared four-wheel-drive SUV is suitable for the trip, as a difficult dirt and sand road passes along the western shore of the bay.
Drivers must carry an additional supply of fuel, drinking water, navigators, and satellite communication devices.
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History
The history of this place began in 1849, when under the leadership of Lieutenant Alexei Butakov, the first scientific expedition to describe the Aral Sea was conducted. In the course of the research, the largest bay was named Paskevich Bay in honor of the Field Marshal of the Russian Empire, Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich.
In 1961, the site was officially renamed in honor of the Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Grigorievich Shevchenko, who took a direct part in that legendary expedition of Butakov as an artist, sketching the coastal contours.
By the beginning of the XXI century, the Small Aral Sea had dried up so much that the neighboring Butakov Bay was practically separated from the main body of water, and Shevchenko Bay itself faced the threat of complete disappearance.
The salvation for the region came in 2005, when the famous Kokaral Dam was put into operation. This hydraulic structure blocked the Berg Strait and stopped the waters of the Syr Darya River from draining uselessly into the Big Southern Aral. Thanks to the dam, the water level in the Small Aral rose significantly, and Shevchenko Bay was saved from drying out. Within the framework of state environmental projects, further construction of hydraulic facilities is planned here to raise the sea level to 46 meters, which symbolizes the triumph of conservation technologies.
Information
Shevchenko Bay is organized as a complex multifunctional space divided into three distinct thematic zones. Excellent conditions have been created here for ecological monitoring, expedition tourism, setting up tent camps, and observing wild fauna.
Ecologists and scientists pay special attention to preserving the cleanliness of the water basin: the waters of the bay are regularly patrolled, and water salinity indicators are measured after the floods of the Syr Darya. The duration of stay in this wilderness is regulated by the rules of expedition tours. It is recommended to travel along the coast of the bay exclusively in prepared four-wheel-drive SUVs, and to have a supply of fuel, drinking water, and satellite communications with you.
Conclusion
Shevchenko Bay on the Small Aral is a magnificent natural bridge connecting the dramatic history of the environmental disaster of the last century with the triumph of modern nature restoration. A visit to this landscape giant allows guests of the Kyzylorda region to feel the full importance of preserving the planet's water resources.
The bay remains the main reference point for scientific, educational, and expedition tourism in the Aral region. Tourist routes through the Northern Aral definitely include this point in the lists of mandatory places, allowing everyone to touch the living history of geographical discoveries.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Kerderi Mausoleum and ancient settlement;
• Akespe village;
• Akbasty village;
• Barsakelmes Island;
• Barsakelmes Nature Reserve;
• Lake Barsakelmes;
• Butakov Bay.
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