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Three yurts on a beach at sunset. 1
A calm sea at sunset with a visible contrail in the sky. 2
A historic cityscape with numerous domed and arched buildings, including a prominent dome structure. 3
A vast canyon with layered rock formations and a clear sky. 4
A spiral staircase with red and white striped railings and intricate patterns. 5

3-Day Small Group Jeep Adventure Tour to Aral Sea & Usturt Plateau in Nukus

By Irene Plus Travel LLC
10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
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Overview

The drying up of the Aral Sea has transformed Karakalpakstan into one of Uzbekistan’s most unique and hauntingly beautiful regions. On this unforgettable tour, you’ll discover the hidden treasures beyond Nukus, including the breathtaking Aral Sea shore, the dramatic Usturt Plateau, the legendary Muynak Ship Graveyard, the serene Sudochye Lake Nature Reserve, and the historic Mizdakhan Necropolis.

For those who appreciate the beauty of untouched landscapes and seek authentic experiences, Karakalpakstan offers an adventure like no other.

By joining this tour, you’re not just exploring—you’re giving back. We proudly support the local community by partnering exclusively with local guides, drivers, and cooks to ensure your journey is both meaningful and impactful.

Activity location

  • Nukus
    • Nukus, Uzbekistan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Nukus
    • Nukus, Uzbekistan

Check availability

Sorry this activity isn't available on Thu, 30 Jul
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Activity itinerary

Day 1: D1 – Nukus – Usturt Plateau – Barsa Kelmes – Sudochye Lake – Aral Sea Shore

  • 2 stops
  • Meals: lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in the Yurts (up to 5 pax per yurt).

Nukus

  • 3h
After breakfast in your hotel in Nukus, you will meet by our guide in hotel lobby and will start your journey to the actual shoreline of the drying Aral Sea (~450 km, 7H00M). En route you will pass by Khojeli and Kungrad districts, which were the trading centers during Silk Road period. Will pass Soft drink Plant and Gas Chemical Plant. The first stop at your jeep journey will be the Barsakelmes, the huge natural saltpit, where the soft drink plant takes it’s main resource.

Sudoche Ko'l

  • 3h
After, you will head up to Sudochye Lake and visit abandoned Light House hill. The rich fauna of this lake and its shores is famous far beyond Karakalpakstan. 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. Then, you will visit the abandoned settlement of Russian and Polish victims of Stalin’s repression regime. Here you could see ruins of the hospital, cane houses, and old Fish Factory. 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 civilisation and big cities light pollution you could freely observe the dark sky with myriads of stars, end even Milky Way could be visible sometimes. Breakfast: hotel (not included) Lunch: local café on route (included) Dinner: picnic/camp style meals in Yurt Camp (included) Overnight in the Yurts (up to 5 pax per yurt).

Day 2: D2 – Aral Sea Shore – Keinchiyak Mis (Soviet Military Camp) – Kurgancha Kala – Aral Sea Shore

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight in the Yurts (up to 5 pax per yurt).

Ustyurt Platosi

  • 6h
On this day you will have an early wake-up option for taking pictures of sunrise above the disappearing sea. After breakfast, you will drive to Keinchak Mis, which is located abandoned Soviet Military Camp (Please note it is not an Aralsk-7, located at Vozrozhdenia Island). On the way, we will have a photo stop at the nomad’s cemetery. Here you could take stunning shots of Great Canyons. Upon arrival at the Military Camp, you will have a visiting tour. Also, here is the best place for swimming, if the weather will allow, you could freely spend some time free-swimming here. After the visit, back to the Yurt Camp for lunch and rest. After rest, you could visit Kurgancha Kala, an old Caravanserai and Fortress of the 12th- 13th century, hidden among the hills of the Usturt Plateau. Back to Yurt Camp for dinner and overnight. Breakfast, lunch & dinner: picnic/camp style meals in Yurt Camp (included) Overnight in the Yurts (up to 5 pax per yurt).

Day 3: D3 – Aral Sea Shore – Komsomolsk – Moinak – Mizdakhan Necropolis – Nukus

  • 2 stops
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch
  • Accommodation: Not included

Muynak

  • 3h
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 via Komsomolsk settlement, where you will see wonderful natural landscapes and survived local flora and fauna. Here you will also have a stop at Kubla Usturt village to try camel milk in a local camel breeder’s family. Drive by the dried bottom of Aral Sea, nowadays Aralkum Desert, we will arrive to infamous ship graveyard of Moynak (Muynaq) city. Here you will visit the Moynak Museum of City History and Ship Graveyard itself. 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.

Mizdakhan Necropolis

  • 3h
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 archaeological monuments of that time. Later, arrival to Nukus. End of the tour. Breakfast: picnic/camp style meals in Yurt Camp (included) Lunch: local café in Muynak (included) Dinner: local café in Nukus (not included) 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.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Nukus
    • Nukus, Uzbekistan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Nukus
    • Nukus, Uzbekistan

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