Mangystau travel buddy :)

[ClaraCroft]

Hello!
I will be travelling solo to Kazakhstan probably the first week of August (still not defined).
Anybody up to see for 2/3 days Mangystau desert and share the cost?
Feel free to reach me out on my email: [email protected]

Ciao:)
Clara

[TheNonFlyingDutchman]

I’m not your travel buddy, but I did a tour last month. I don’t know your budget but… I tried a lot of tour companies and they all charged a lotttt of money for english tours. Even getting a russian tour as a european was still quite expensive, and I didn’t want to go with a big tourbus, just with a jeep or smth. In many instances in KZ I noticed that the image of any european is “big bank account” and they try to charge you accordingly (for tours etc)

In the end I could join a group of brits where 3 spoke fluent Russian. The 2 guides were nice guys and I saw the main (incredible!!!) things in a day for about 35eu. This is in contrast with multi-day tours ranging from 350+1500eu. Take into account that this was about 8 people in 2 jeeps with the drivers being guides. I think it’s worth contacting them through instagram (how most tour companies promote themselves in Aktau) @mangystau_tour. You can ask for Damir and say that Martin the tall Dutch guy gave you his contact. He will know.

Again, there are a lot of very nice tourguides there (even guys that paint landscapes on location!) but I was looking for a very affordable option and didn’t care much how well I could communicate with the guides. Hope this helps you

Other contacts: @plus362kz @mangystau_safari or a great guy on telegram called пикассо (picasso). Not sure if his telegram handle is the same, my phone doesn’t let me share his contact.

[ClaraCroft]

Hi Martin,

Thank you so much for your answer!! This is very helpful, I will contact these people you mentioned )

Yes, I saw that the prices are insane! Also for other tours I was checking on in Almaty, many tour operators just give the price and if you say you won’t take it because it’s too much, they want to sell it for half

In the worst case I think I will just arrive in Aktau and check if it’s possible to do something, otherwise I will catch my Baku flight in advance.

Thank you again
Clara

[Papachango7]

Thanks Martin. This is very helpful.

[Papachango7]

Hi Clara.
I am Kevin, in Canada. I could be interested in the Mangystau pending the price. Arriving late on August 4th.
K.

[ClaraCroft]

Hi Kevin!
I found a tour, looks very good and the price reasonable (compared to other options). It’s 380€ for 3d/2n.
Please email me if you want more info

Ciao!
Clara

[Dulat]

Hi guys!

I’m local jeeper from Aktau. Can help you to find comfortable off road vehicle and experienced drivers directly excluding travel agencies. I’m sure both parties will win from it. Feel free to email me [email protected]

[Valentin123]

Hello all,

I will also be in Aktau in the first week of August, and am also interested in exploring Mangystau desert.

Feel free to reply if you're interested in sharing a tour!

[jannewer]

Hi Clara,

would you share the tour company you found with me?
I'm still looking for an English speaking tour and haven't got any answers yet from the companies I've contacted.

[lngql]

Hello! I’m Laura, also travelling alone. I’m thinking of doing Mangystau the next few days. If anyone has a tour lined up soon, I’d love to join