Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Ustyrt (Ust-Yurt) National Park, Mangystau Ustyrt (Ust-Yurt) National Park, Mangystau
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree4Likes
  • 3 Post By danielsprague
  • 1 Post By danielsprague

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 602
Ustyrt (Ust-Yurt) National Park, Mangystau
Last month I made the long trip across the steppe to the Ust-yurt National Park. I had no information about it, only waypoints from Google Earth. It's around 170 km drive through uninhabited territory on tracks (like very remote parts of Mongolia). It was as hot as hell, and far dustier, but the scenery....

Islands in Lake Kendilisor, in the Karynzharyk Depression:



The 'Three Brothers'



Sunset from the fantastic camping spot on the rim of the depression:



There are signs (in Kazakh only) saying to keep out, but hell, I wasn't going to turn around after driving all day.

I combined the trip with a visit to the pilgrimage sites of Shopan Ata and Beket Ata, which are a very rewarding Kazakh cultural experience.

Kazakhstan = not a boring country!

More info on the trip here:

www.facebook.com/eurasiaoverland
__________________
4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960
Last edited by danielsprague; 20 Jan 2016 at 19:48.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 502
Mangystau is an area I would like to visit since years..after looking at your pictures, my desire to explore it has become even bigger!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Jul 2014
Knight of the Holy Graal's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mantova, Italy
Posts: 566
Absolutely awesome, thanks for sharing your pics!!!
__________________
Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jul 2014
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
There is a cool report from the Russian Off-Road People who went there on motos in early May last year here too:

OFFROADPEOPLE
Last edited by colebatch; 10 Jul 2014 at 00:07.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 602
Thanks guys!

Mangystau really surprised me. I was expecting all harsh semi-desert and terrible heat, but found the western part (the peninsular area north of Aktau) to be wonderful. The roads are SH!T, but the steppe is wonderful, it's very much like Mongolia, just find a track and follow it until a new one heads where you want to go. I'd go so far as to say that if you were hankering for a repeat ofthe Mongolia experience, but don't have the time to haul yourself halfway across Eurasia, then Mangystau is a good substitute for a quick adventure on the steppe.

Culturally, it's almost certainly the richest area in Kazakhstan, and then there is the glorious Ustyrt Plateau and National Park.
__________________
4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Jul 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: slovenia
Posts: 6
When is the best time to visit Mangystau region(not too hot or too cold)?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 602
At a guess, I would say late April to late May, after the damp winter and before the heat of summer.
__________________
4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Jul 2014
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by danielsprague View Post
Culturally, it's almost certainly the richest area in Kazakhstan.
To be fair thats a bit like saying Wimbledon Hill is the most mountainous part of London.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
not all those who wander are lost | two earthlings ride around the world Rockwell Ride Tales 84 7 Dec 2014 15:23
Karinjini National Park Tim Wood Australia / New Zealand 3 19 Sep 2012 00:49
Taman Negara National park Boags West and South Asia 2 30 Aug 2012 14:14
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:28.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top