Karynzharyk Depression

The Karynzharyk Depression is the most famous and popular destination among tourists embarking on a wild journey through the vast expanse of the Ustyurt National Reserve. Karynzharyk is a unique natural site where salt flats replace sand and clay, giving visitors the sensation of being on another planet.

Towering over the landscape are the mountains known as “Three Brothers” or “Three Batyrs.” A stunning panoramic view opens up over the Karynzharyk Depression from the ledges that loom over its edges. These inselbergs in the center of the natural wonder constantly change appearance, depending on the time of day, the angle of sunlight, the presence of clouds, or the rain-induced water and salt mirrors that cover the area.

The Karynzharyk Depression is located in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan. The plateau housing this natural creation lies near the borders of three countries: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. To the west of Karynzharyk, about 150 kilometers away, is the Caspian Sea coastline, with the nearest town being Zhanaozen. The depression is situated on the boundary between the Ustyurt Plateau and the Mangyshlak Peninsula.

Karynzharyk is positioned on the dividing line between the Kendirli Sor lowland and the Ustyurt Plateau. The depression is part of the Ustyurt National Reserve, and the natural objects within the reserve’s boundaries are under state protection. The reserve spans 223,342 hectares and is home to rare species of flora and fauna.

Karynzharyk is situated in the southwest of the Mangystau Region. The terrain here lies 75 meters below sea level, nestled under a steep cliff of the Ustyurt Plateau at 280 meters below the average elevation. This location is typical of the coastal area near the Caspian Sea.

During rainfall, the Karynzharyk Depression, due to its landscape features, becomes covered with a thin layer of water at the foot of its inselbergs. Higher up, closer to the rocky cliffs that surround this place, rainwater saturates the surface, making the terrain loose and soft. After the rainwater evaporates, salt flats are left behind.

The relief of Karynzharyk is formed by marine and lacustrine sediments, alluvial-proluvial and deluvial-proluvial facies, including sands, sandstones, loam, and clay, as well as gravel. Limestone deposits are also present in the region, with some layers reaching thicknesses of up to 100 meters.

The Karynzharyk Depression stretches from west to east for 85 kilometers. On its western edge lies a desert of the same name, while the entire length of this natural site is marked by rocky escarpments. These slopes are home to a species of wild sheep known as mouflon.

At the bottom of the depression lies the famous Kendirli Sor, a salt flat lake that completely dries up during the hot season, leaving a cracked surface. During the rain, this surface holds water, preventing it from seeping deep into the earth.

The sor occupies the lowlands of the Karynzharyk Depression, stretching for 80 kilometers at the base of the Ustyurt Cliff in the central and southern parts of the reserve. The sor’s width ranges from 10 to 15 kilometers, depending on the location. The salt flat is covered by a salty crust, beneath which lies a clay foundation that emits a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide.

In the central part of the depression stand five inselbergs. These rock formations, with flat summits, are primarily composed of limestone. Three of them, standing close together, are called the “Three Bogatyrs,” with heights reaching up to 150 meters. The inselbergs near Kendirli Sor were formed due to exogenous factors over centuries.

To the north of the Karynzharyk Depression lies another rocky formation, the Karamaia Mountain, which rises 100 meters high and stretches for 15 kilometers from east to west. This mountain range earned its name due to the unique shape of the landscape and the dark color of the soil. According to geological studies, Karamaia was formed by a powerful volcanic explosion about 70 million years ago. Coal deposits are found near this rocky formation.

Vegetation in the region is mainly represented by ephemerals with very short growing seasons. These herbaceous plants can be found at the foot of Karamaia Mountain. To the east of the mountain, there are several salty springs. Gazelles graze at the foot of the mountain, and higher up, you may encounter Ustyurt mouflons. Birds of prey, such as eagles, vultures, and bearded vultures, nest in the area.