2-Day Aral Sea Tour

Muynak Ship Cemetery

Mizdakhan Complex

Shore-Side Camping

From Sea to Desert: Explore the Aral Sea's Decline on a 2-Day Journey

Embark on a captivating 2-day adventure uncovering the tragic tale of the Aral Sea’s decline, one of Earth’s gravest environmental crises. Over five decades, the Aral’s waters receded over 200 km, revealing the vast ‘Aralkum’ desert. During this Aral sea tour, you will visit the Ship Cemetery and small museum in Muynak, and discover the area’s most impressive historical site Mizdakhan Complex near Nukus.

As part of this journey, you’ll also set up camp at the shores of the Aral Sea, where you’ll stay overnight. Gaze upon the stark expanse of the former sea, now transformed into the haunting Aralkum desert. It’s an unforgettable experience that allows you to intimately connect with the environment and witness the impact of this ecological disaster firsthand. This immersive adventure blends history, nature, and reflection, leaving you with a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of our planet.

Highlights of the Tour

Pause at Lake Sudochie, a birdwatcher's paradise, and witness the diverse migratory bird species that inhabit this serene oasis

Explore the ruins of Urga, an abandoned settlement with a mystique all its own

Witness the dramatic changes brought by environmental challenges, and set up camp by its tranquil shores

Embark on picturesque drives through changing landscapes, offering views of deserts, plateaus, and the Aral Sea's evolving shores

Immerse yourself in the region's history, exploring ancient ruins and learning about the cultural significance of each site

Day 1 – Transfer from Nukus though Lake Sudochie to the Aral Sea: From Nukus, drive to the Aral sea via the Ustyurt Plateau. Witness the sea’s drastic decline, explore the Sudochie region’s bird-rich lake, and encounter the abandoned Urga settlement. Capture impressive canyons en route, then set up camp by the Aral Sea. Walk the shores, swim, and savour a fireside dinner.

Day 2 – Aral Sea – Muynak – Nukus: After breakfast, drive via Muynak to Nukus. Traverse the new desert Aralkum, once Aral’s seabed. Explore Muynak, a former bustling fishing hub, now home to a ship cemetery and museum depicting Aral’s environmental changes. Lunch with a local family awaits. On the way to Nukus, explore Mizdakhan Complex and the ruins of Gaur Qala fortress. Return to Nukus by afternoon.
END OF THE TRIP

Click the “Itinerary” tab to see a detailed itinerary.

Trip Details

Tour Dates: Group departures are available every Sunday and Wednesday whole year round.
Seasonal Considerations: The optimal seasons for this tour are April to June and September to October.

Meeting Point and Time: In Nukus, meet at 7:40 AM at the Savitskiy Museum entrance. Upon request, small groups (2-3 participants) can be picked up from their hotels. The departure time is 8:00 AM.
Ending Point: In Nukus, you will be dropped off at the Savitskiy Museum entrance at around 5:00 PM. Upon request, small groups (2-3 participants) can be dropped off at their hotels.

Accommodations: You will stay overnight in the yurt camp near the Aral Sea, with private yurts allocated for each group (2-4 participants per yurt).
Meals: one breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.
Guided Tours: We will provide with English speaking tour guide for the whole duration of tour.
Transportation: Transfers with 4-wheel drive car:
- From Nukus to the Aral Sea via Lake Sudochie.
- From Aral Sea to Nukus via Muynak.
Entrance tickets: All entrance tickets per itinerary.
Registration: The registration will be issued by the Aral Sea guide, please present your passport upon arrival.

Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature.
Travel Insurance: We want you to have a safe and worry-free adventure, so we kindly ask all participants to have travel insurance. It’s a simple way to ensure you’re protected and can fully enjoy your activities with peace of mind.
Tips: Tipping is not mandatory but is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for the services provided by guides, drivers, and hosts. A general guideline is €4–€9 per person per day, depending on your satisfaction with the service.

Yurt Camp Details: The yurt camp is located close to the shores of Aral Sea. There are 30 yurts with a communal ablution block located separately. Bedding and towels are provided for your comfort.
Amenities: There are comfortable tapchans (traditional sitting platforms) and chairs for sitting
Cultural Experience: The tour includes visits to the Muynak settlement and local historical sites such as Mizdakhan and etc.

Transport Details: The tour is organized with 4-wheel drive cars. Each car can fit 3 clients and a tour guide.

Guide Information: English speaking local guide is provided for the tour. The guide meets you at 8 Am on the first day.

Minimum and Maximum Participants: The tour operates with a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum of 12 participants.

Fitness Level: The tour is suitable for participants with all fitness levels.
Age Restrictions: The 2-Day Aral Sea Tour involves extensive travel over uneven terrain, including long car rides on dirt roads and the former seabed. Participants should be prepared for up to 8 hours of driving per day, covering approximately 450 kilometers. Given these conditions, we recommend this tour for individuals aged 12 and above who are in good health and can comfortably handle prolonged periods of travel over rough terrain. While the tour is not physically strenuous, a reasonable level of endurance is beneficial to fully enjoy the experience. Please consider your personal comfort and health when deciding to join this adventure.

Clothing:
- Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October): Layered clothing to accommodate varying temperatures. Pack long-sleeved shirts, a light jacket or sweater for cooler mornings and evenings, and comfortable trousers.
- Summer (June-August): Lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton or linen shirts and trousers. A wide-brimmed hat or cap is essential for sun protection. Consider bringing a light scarf or shawl for additional coverage.
Footwear: Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good grip to navigate uneven desert terrain safely.
Other Essentials: Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a torch and a reusable water bottle.
Luggage Transport: You may leave your luggage in your hotel or in our storeroom in Nukus.

Luggage Transport: For the 2-day Aral Sea trip, participants are advised to bring only the necessary luggage for the 2-day/1-night journey. A secure storage room is available in Nukus where larger or excess luggage can be left safely for the duration of the tour.

2 day Aral Sea Tour weather chart

Please see the booking terms and cancelation policy clicking on this link: https://nuratau.com/terms-conditions/

Your 2-Day Aral Sea Tour Itinerary

Day 1 –Nukus – Ustyurt Plateau – Aral Sea (8 hours / 450km)
Start your journey at 8:00 AM, passing through the historical town of Kungrad, once a thriving Silk Road trading centre. Traverse the seemingly boundless Ustyurt Plateau, eventually reaching the shores of Lake Sudochie – a sanctuary for migratory birds, presenting a chance to glimpse rare species. Enjoy a lakeside picnic, soaking in the vibrant aquatic birdlife. Meander along the lakeshores, absorbing the serene beauty, before exploring the abandoned settlement of Urga, where traces of the past whisper among dilapidated structures. As the day unfolds, the road leads to the Aral Sea, offering breathtaking glimpses of immense canyons. Upon arrival, set up camp by the seashore, and enjoy a leisurely evening walk or a refreshing swim in the saline sea waters. In the evening, enjoy a fireside dinner, followed by a peaceful overnight stay in tents.

Day 2 – Aral Sea – Muynak – Nukus
After breakfast, embark on a captivating drive through the evolving Aralkum desert, once the bed of the receding Aral Sea. Arrive in Muynak, a former bustling fishing port, now adorned with a ship cemetery and an evocative local museum depicting Aral’s ecological journey. Immerse yourself in Muynak’s narrative before breaking bread with a local family for lunch. Resume your journey, heading back towards Nukus. En route, uncover the historical gems of Mizdakhan Complex in Hujayli – a collection of ancient mausoleums, madrassas, and caravanserais, spanning centuries of history. Round off the day’s exploration by visiting the intriguing ruins of the Gaur Qala fortress, a testament to times long past. Arrive in Nukus in the afternoon.

Map

Private Tour Enquiry

All our tours are available as private tours. To request private tour departure dates you can send us an enquiry here. Please fill in your details and select your preferred adventure tour in the form below and we will get back to you with available departure dates. Please note, private tours can depart from Samarkand or Bukhara.

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- Day Tour of Khiva Fortresses
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					Hiking and relaxing to recover from Silk Road After having had wonderful days at Sayyod Camp I want to review this experience . - It started perfectly with your very nice driver who picked us up in Bukhara. - the lunch in Nurota was very delicious, the location perfect, the sight interesting - the Camp is so nice, we loved our yurt, the place in the mountains, the pool (!) , it is kind of luxury mountain camping - the meals where very good and traditional and the people working there were all very kind and friendly. - both hiking tours were fantastic, the view, the nature, perfect after many days with all the Ms (mosquées, medreses,…), it was a wonderful break and the guide was also very nice! - the only thing we did not like was the trip to the lake. It was very time consuming ( ok, the villages on the way were interesting to see), and there was nothing but millions of huge grasshoppers, we could nor sit, walk nor swim and left after 3 minutes (trip of 2,5 hours) But all in all we totally enjoyed the stay in nature and the hiking tours and relaxing in the pool with mountain view!
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916susanneg
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					Hiking and relaxing to recover from Silk Road After having had wonderful days at Sayyod Camp I want to review this experience . - It started perfectly with your very nice driver who picked us up in Bukhara.- the lunch in Nurota was very delicious, the location perfect, the sight interesting- the Camp is so nice, we loved our yurt, the place in the mountains, the pool (!) , it is kind of luxury mountain camping- the meals where very good and traditional and the people working there were all very kind and friendly. - both hiking tours were fantastic, the view, the nature, perfect after many days with all the Ms (mosquées, medreses,…), it was a wonderful break and the guide was also very nice!- the only thing we did not like was the trip to the lake. It was very time consuming ( ok, the villages on the way were interesting to see), and there was nothing but millions of huge grasshoppers, we could nor sit, walk nor swim and left after 3 minutes (trip of 2,5 hours)But all in all we totally enjoyed the stay in nature and the hiking tours and relaxing in the pool with mountain view!
read moreread less
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916susanneg
6/13/2023