Aral Sea Day Trip from Aralsk 4th Oct - looking for an extra person to share costs

[Summer1997]

Hi everyone,

We are heading to Aralsk on 3rd October on the train and are looking to organise a day trip on 4th October around the area with particular focus on the Aral Sea catastrophe. We've been quote 100,000 KZT for a private tour but are looking to share the cost of the trip.

Below is the itinerary for the day trip:

Day 1
(Karasandyk hills, old Aqespe village, hot thermal spring) 300 km offroad, no public transport, 4x4 only

Drive northwest towards Kusmurun hills, then take a turn on dirt road heading to east end of Ustyurt plateou, stop at Kalbatau, then at Karasandyk hills.

Continue driving along the North Aral sea, visiting remain of last ships (only bottom) along the shoreline.
Then drive to hot thermal spring (+62°C all year around, stop for swimming),
Then drive to old Aqespe village. Aqespe was one of the biggest fishing villages, but after shrinking of the sea sand dunes start to bury the village, so locals had to move away and village is abandoned now. You can walk among the buried streets of old village.

Above mentioned places are located in northwest of Aralsk, and it really gives you impression of manmade disaster. When its dry we drove on the former seabed, where you can see salt plains, cliffs (former shoreline), herd of camels and horses, wild shrubs growing on salty seabed and of course, seashells which still spread all over.

Drive back to Aral.

Usually it takes 6-7 hours, and costs 100 000 KZT with an english speaking driver.

If anyone is interested in sharing this trip with us please get in touch!

Summer

[Sakon]

Hi,
Who organized this trip for you, please?