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.
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.
See remote landscapes and disappearing Aral Sea waters, as well as enjoy the dark sky with the Milky Way;
Stay in an authentic Karakalpak yurt close to the Aral Sea shore;
Explore the Ships Graveyard in Muynak.
09:00 – After breakfast in your hotel in Nukus, you will meet our guide in the hotel lobby and 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, the 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 the 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.
Breakfast: hotel (not included)
Lunch: local café in Muynak (included)
Dinner: picnic/camp style meals in Yurt Camp (included)
Overnight in the Yurts.
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.
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.
Breakfast: yurt camp (included)
Lunch: local café in Kungrad (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.
All Fees and Taxes
All Fees and Taxes
The guide will meet you in the hotel lobby, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
This tour involves extensive off-road travel, accommodation in a yurt camp, and outdoor walking tours. Please dress in comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for the season and weather conditions.
Important Notes:
Additional Information:
Special Requests:
Accommodation:
Hotels in Nukus are not included in the tour package. If needed, we can assist with hotel bookings upon request. Please contact us during the booking process for arrangements.
