Uzbekistan Aral Sea Tour
Aral Sea Tour (see also informations about Aral Sea and Karakalpakistan Region)
3 Days | Spring, summer, autumn
Tour itinerary: Nukus, Kungrad, Usturt Plateau, Sudochie lake, Aral Sea, Muynak, Mizdakhan, Gyaur-Kala
3-Day cultural, adventure and active tour to Aral Sea, located at the boundary of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. As far back as half a century it was a closed salt-water lake, so huge that could not be called otherwise but a sea. The Aral Sea was home to 34 fish species, and its waters were furrowed by ships and fishing flotillas. Its seashore was interspersed with fishing communities, a dozen of fish factories, two fish canning plants and about a hundred of fish pick-up points. Nearly 60,000 tons of fish were harvested annually in the Aral Sea. The region’s life was going swimmingly, the country was flourishing … The local community still remembers these times, but the place where ships were furrowing, now became a desert, covered with alkali soils and dried sea weeds, abandoned piscatorial settlements, rusting skeletons of abandoned ships. The Aral Sea tour leaves a mixed feeling of admiration with breathtaking views of “Martian” landscapes of the Aral Desert and Ustyurt Plateau, and that of sadness felt looking at the opened wounds of this land.
Day 1: Tashkent – Nukus
Transfer to local airport for a morning flight to Nukus. Arrive in Nukus, transfer to hotel. Check-in at noon. At your leisure, visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum. The museum hosts the world's second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art and exposition of Karakalpak applied arts items. Spend your free time by taking a walk in the city center to see the statue of Karakalpak poet Berdakh, Nukus City Hall, and Drama Theatre. Overnight at hotel.
*Guide for sightseeing tour in Nukus is not included and is available upon request.
Day 2: Nukus – Kungrad – Usturt Plateau – Sudochie lake – Aral Sea
Meet your guide and driver to start a full day trip to Aral Sea through Usturt Plateau. The distance till the water line of Aral Sea is 450 km and it takes approximately 8-9 hours to cover it. Pass via Kungrad district, which used to be one of the trading centers on the Silk Road. On the way, see remains of a lighthouse; pass by the ruins of abandoned settlement Urga. Photo stop at the Lake Sudochie. Have a picnic lunch on the way. Continue driving on the immense Usturt Plateau. Arrive at the Aral Sea late in the afternoon. Set up the tent. Camp-style dinner. Overnight in tent.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Aral Sea – Muynak – Mizdakhan – Gyaur-Kala – Nukus – Tashkent
Early wake up to take pictures of sun rise. After breakfast head back to Nukus. Stop to take pictures of beautiful canyons and the collapsed land. Drive on the dried bottom of the sea. Stop in Muynak to have a look at the former port with abandoned ships in the sand – “Cemetery of ships”. In Muynak, visit Local History Museum (might be closed without prior notice). Picnic lunch. On the way to Nukus, stop at Mizdakhan memorial complex and Gyaur-Kala Fortress. Arrive in Nukus. Transfer to local airport. Departure to Tashkent. Arrive in Tashkent. Transfer to hotel. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Note:
Due to weather condition, the overnight in tents usually starts from 15 April till 15 October.
Other days the overnight takes place in a guest house at Moynak.
Price includes:
1. Airport transfers in Nukus. For Aral Sea trip 4WD type of vehicle (max. 3 persons + 1 guide in one car, airport transfers 1-3pax sedan car);
2. Accommodation in Nukus based on double/twin room sharing, breakfast included;
3. Tent with sleeping bag and kitchen equipment;
4. Entrance fees to the Savitsky Art Museum, Local History Museum and Mizdakhan memorial complex;
5. Escort guide for Aral Sea trip;
6. Meals as per itinerary.
Price does not include:
1. Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
2. Round-trip tickets for flight Tashkent-Nukus-Tashkent;
3. Hotel charges for additional services;
4. Travel insurance.
