Ustyurt Plateau

The Ustyurt Plateau is a vast natural marvel stretching over 200,000 square kilometers between the Caspian and Aral Seas, reaching across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. This unique plateau is defined by its monumental cliffs, which rise 100 meters high, displaying remarkable, layered rock formations sculpted over millions of years by wind and water. These breathtaking cliffs attract travelers worldwide, with popular destinations on the Kazakh side in Mangystau and along the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan.

The plateau’s formation dates back 20 to 60 million years, although its origins reach even further—more than 100 million years—when the area lay submerged beneath the ancient Tethys Ocean. Over time, layers of limestone formed under the immense oceanic pressure, and eventually, tectonic shifts elevated the ocean bed to form the plateau. Today, in the exposed lower and middle rock layers of the Ustyurt, you can find fascinating remnants of ancient marine life: fossilized sea urchins, ichthyosaur bones, and shark teeth tell the story of a prehistoric seafloor.

In Kazakhstan, the Ustyurt Plateau can be explored at several scenic locations, each showcasing different aspects of this ancient landscape:

• Tuzbair Salt Marsh: Set beneath the stunning white cliffs of the plateau, this expansive salt flat gleams brightly due to its abundant chalk deposits. Tuzbair’s pristine landscape offers an ethereal experience for visitors, especially as the light reflects off its stark white surface.

• Bozzhyra Tract: Known for its incredible erosion-carved cliffs and stunning gorges, Bozzhyra is one of the most famous spots in Mangystau. Here, wind and water have fashioned towering formations and free-standing mountains, giving the landscape a surreal, almost otherworldly appearance that has made it a favorite among tourists and photographers alike.

• Karynzharyk Depression: This area is distinguished by its sprawling salt marsh and picturesque, isolated mountains, making it one of the Ustyurt Plateau’s most remote and striking locations. Its unearthly landscape, often described as resembling another planet, offers visitors an unforgettable, secluded experience.

In Turkmenistan, the Ustyurt Plateau covers a smaller area near the border and remains largely inaccessible to travelers. In Uzbekistan, visitors can admire the eastern cliffs along the diminishing shores of the Aral Sea, a somber but stunning reminder of the Aral’s retreat.

For those eager to journey from Kazakhstan’s Ustyurt Plateau to Uzbekistan, there are two main travel options. The first is a road trip: drive to the village of Beyneu, turn towards the Kazakh-Uzbek border, and head to Nukus or Kungrad. This route spans approximately 980 km, requiring about 13 to 15 hours of travel time. Alternatively, you can take flights: from Aktau to Almaty or Astana, then to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and finally to Nukus. Though longer and requiring layovers, this route covers a total distance of around 3,600 km and offers a different perspective on Central Asia’s interconnected beauty.

Whether you visit the iconic cliffs of Bozzhyra, traverse the salt flats of Tuzbair, or witness the vanishing Aral Sea, the Ustyurt Plateau offers an extraordinary experience, presenting one of the world’s most fascinating and ancient landscapes across three countries.