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22 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nowherer
Thanks for the quick reply.
I wouldn't be looking to come back the same way, but rather going to the West, for instance Senek. I presume there is some petrol there... I don't think my V-strom can handle dunes too well, but through the North there seems to be some beaten tracks.
Near Senek do you know anywhere where there will be petrol?
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I did not understand which route are you planning to take: asphalt or offroad?
Coming from? Going to? Visiting what?
I was in Senek last month: I don't remember seeing any gas station, but probably you can find some fuel.
There are definitely gas stations in Zhanaozen, Shetpe and Beyneu, maybe Say Otes too.
Senek is some 50 kms from Zhanaozen on asphalt.
As EO says, water is the main problem: keep this in mind if you want to visit the area.
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22 Sep 2019
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When I was in Say Otes last year, there was no fuel station.
Nothing between Beyneu and Shetpe
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23 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crisidsto
I did not understand which route are you planning to take: asphalt or offroad?
Coming from? Going to? Visiting what?
I was in Senek last month: I don't remember seeing any gas station, but probably you can find some fuel.
There are definitely gas stations in Zhanaozen, Shetpe and Beyneu, maybe Say Otes too.
Senek is some 50 kms from Zhanaozen on asphalt.
As EO says, water is the main problem: keep this in mind if you want to visit the area.
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Thank you. I will come from Beyneu to South. At Ustyurt Plateau I intend to go West towards Zhanaozen. I'm mainly interested in landscapes.
Thanks to EurasiaOverland too!
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23 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nowherer
[...] I will come from Beyneu to South.[...]
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"From Beyneu to south": this is the point.
Except from the main asphalt road, it is all dirt tracks.
It is a rough area and very sparsely populated.
I don't think I would try the harder stuff alone, not on a Vstrom, and specially not without TONS of water.
Way more water than what you think you will need.
Take care and enjoy, but please do a lot of research before going
Last edited by crisidsto; 23 Sep 2019 at 16:46.
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23 Sep 2019
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I understand. If the track is mainly beaten, it will be OK, the only thing I'm not comfortable with is sand, in which case I will reroute or even abort. I will bring more than enough food and water for a few days and will have 10l fuel reserve, which should last at least 150km more than the tank, which in itself will last the whole 300km I intend to do off the radar.
I'm not ashamed to quit. I will do what I can. The plan is VERY flexible and I never schedule daily mileage goals/destinations or even book the return flight. Everything's out in the open. As of now, this is the route:
https://www.google.nl/maps/dir/talli...8079!3e0?hl=en with the detour at Beyneu
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23 Sep 2019
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Well, I did what I feel I had to do and I advised you about the region: take care and then report us how it went.
What I can add is that, on the main asphalt road (the one in your map), some 80 or 100 kms coming from Beyneu there is a small sign with "Beket Ata + some kms" on it (maybe 140?), on the left.
I did not tried and did not checked it, but it looks like THAT is the direct track south.
From Beket Ata to Zhanaozen is now half dirt and half asphalt: they were building the road 1 month ago, so maybe it is already all asphalt.
Some 10-15 kms south of Beket Ata (coming from Beket Ata) there is a great viewpoint on the left (on the right if you are going to Beket Ata)
Unfortunately I did not visited Karynzharyk Depression, so I have no info about that, but pictures looks great.
Around 70 kms north of Aktau there is a nice spot on the beach close to abandoned village of Saura
A lot of beautiful landscapes also north and west of Shetpe: Sherkala mountain and nearby region, Shakpaktasay canyon...and more and more..
But remember: water....
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23 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crisidsto
Well, I did what I feel I had to do and I advised you about the region: take care and then report us how it went.
What I can add is that, on the main asphalt road (the one in your map), some 80 or 100 kms coming from Beyneu there is a small sign with "Beket Ata + some kms" on it (maybe 140?), on the left.
I did not tried and did not checked it, but it looks like THAT is the direct track south.
From Beket Ata to Zhanaozen is now half dirt and half asphalt: they were building the road 1 month ago, so maybe it is already all asphalt.
Some 10-15 kms south of Beket Ata (coming from Beket Ata) there is a great viewpoint on the left (on the right if you are going to Beket Ata)
Unfortunately I did not visited Karynzharyk Depression, so I have no info about that, but pictures looks great.
Around 70 kms north of Aktau there is a nice spot on the beach close to abandoned village of Saura
A lot of beautiful landscapes also north and west of Shetpe: Sherkala mountain and nearby region, Shakpaktasay canyon...and more and more..
But remember: water....
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I really appreciate your input. My main concern is safety. This is why I got myself a PLB, just in case, a fuel filter, spare spark plugs... I'm no hero and I'm sure, should the visa come through, this will be the best trip of my life so far. But I do want to continue next year.
Thanks for the POI, I will put them on.
Security wise, Western Kazakhstan, is it safe? Just rererewatched Long Way Round and that's where they were threatened by a guy with a gun... This was 15 years ago, but still... Did you feel safe there?
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23 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nowherer
Security wise, Western Kazakhstan, is it safe? Just rererewatched Long Way Round and that's where they were threatened by a guy with a gun... This was 15 years ago, but still... Did you feel safe there?
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Forget that.
Longwayround was made as a movie.
Everything was spectacular.
I have been several time in Kasachstan and in my opinion it is safe.
it is only dangerous if you party with locals, for your liver.....
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