Mangystau , Sherkala Mountain and Valley of Balls

The Mangystau region is located in the south-west of the country and includes the Mangyshlak peninsula. It has a large part of Kazakhstan’s Caspian coast. It also borders the neighbouring countries of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The region is famous for its magnificent and mysterious wild nature, which includes the Sherkala Mountains, the Bozzhyra Tract, the Ustyurt Nature Reserve, the Mangyshlak Gulf, the Valley of the Balls and the city of Aktau on the Caspian Sea. The main cities include Zhanaozen and Fort-Shevchenko. The Mangystau region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas and minerals.

Mangystau Region covers an area of about 165,600 square kilometres (64,000 square miles) and has a population of about 785,000 people (2023). The highest point is Otpan Mountain at 556 metres. The lowest point is the bottom of the Karagie cave, 132 metres below sea level.

The region has a wide range of climatic conditions. North Mangystau is cold in winter because of the Ustyurt Plateau, which is mostly above sea level. Overall, the climate is continental with cold winters and mild summers. The average temperature is -3°C in January and +26°C in July. The average annual rainfall is 150 millimetres (5.9 inches).

The Ustyurt Nature Reserve is a transboundary clay desert shared by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It lies between the Dead Kultuk, Mangyshlak Peninsula and Kara-Bogaz-Gol of the Caspian Sea in the west, and the Aral Sea, Amudarya Delta and Lake Sarygamysh in the east.

Sherkala is well known as the Lion’s Castle (from Persian). The natural wonder that resembles a piala yurt or sprinx. The height of Sherkala mountain is 332 metres.

The Valley of Balls, the mysterious natural wonder known as Torysh is a valley near the village of Shetpe and the mountain Sherkala in western Karatau. The area has many spherical rock formations that have formed naturally in the sedimentary rock through a process of concretion. The spheres vary in size, but most are 3 to 4 metres in diameter. The spheres are thought to be concretions, a hard, compact mass formed by the precipitation of minerals.

Finally, the Bozzhyra Tract is one of the most beautiful and picturesque destinations in Mangystau region, where you can enjoy the Martian view. The tract is located at the bottom of the Ustyurt plateau. It is highly recommended place and unforgettable feelings is quaranteed.

Please feel free to contact us to book the best planned Mangystau tour which includes the best highlights of the region and meet local people and experience their cultures and traditions. The best activities are a jeep tour, climbing, hiking and horse trekking. We look forward to meeting you!