Where to get petrol near Ustyurt Plateau, Kazakhstan
 

I want to go South from Beyneu directly to Ustyurt Plateau, which is around 250km through the desert. After which I would like to roam around before going to the coast.

My bike does around 400-450km on asphalt which means that even with an additional 10l I'd be pushing my luck.

Is there anywhere I could purchase petrol in the desert?

Thanks

Hard to say.

On the main road from Beyneu to Shetpe there is no gas statin for 300km.
And this is a main road.

So I think it might be hard to get benzin where you want to go.

I would better take all the benzin with you what you might need to go there and come back.

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?

I do not really know, but I can not imagine that you find benzin there.

Also on OSm it says there is a gas station at Zhangaozen .

And if you have been in this area then you know there are really not so much gas stations, not even at the main route.

it's my first time. I read here that in Uzbekistan it's common to buy petrol in the black market. Apparently in Kazakhstan it doesn't work the same way

I've driven quite a bit off road in that area. You won't find fuel outside of Beyneu or Zhanaozen. You might get lucky and find an ancient ZiL truck with a generous driver but it would not be wise to rely on this. The same goes for water.

EO

Thank you so much.

any waypoints that you recommend in that area? Cool landscapes and anything worth visiting?

Beket Ata, Shopan Ata are two interesting pilrimage sites. There are nice limestone landscapes south of the road to Beket Ata, but the real jewel is the Karynzharyk Depression, part of Ust-Yurt National Park.

https://eurasiaoverland.files.wordpr...e-brothers.jpg

EO

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.

When I was in Say Otes last year, there was no fuel station.

Nothing between Beyneu and Shetpe

Is there a marked route or existing track out there, or is it navigation across open country? What's the terrain like? Thanks!

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!

"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

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

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....

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?

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.....:D

When I said I come prepared... Just bough a few estonian drinks in case it will prove itself necessary.

And a carton of Marlboro, just in case...

There are existing routes. I recommend you use Google Earth or similar and plot out a route with some way points. Terrain is mostly very dusty (bull dust / feche-feche) tracks, and a quite firm sandy section as you approach the park headquarters from the west. I kept a good distance from the building as I supposed (correctly as it would later turn out) that I was not supposed to be there. The terrain is harsh but not difficult, but I would not leave the existing tracks. There was a broken down truck near the edge of the escarpment which was missing a wheel and looked to have been there for some time. It was above 45º C when I was there in June 2014. The night spent totally alone on the ledge of the escarpment was one of the nicest nights of camping I have ever had.

https://eurasiaoverland.files.wordpr.../02/veh-12.jpg

EO

Thanks everybody!

Got my visa, am already in Russia and in Kazakhstan in a few days! Wish me luck

The area looks brilliant if you relish peace and tranquillity. I intend heading there next spring. If I get a free 30 day visa when I enter at Astrakhan spend two weeks in the area and exit via road to Nukus and back into Kazakhstan in the east, will I get a fresh 30 days or are the two weeks I have already had in Kazakhstan be taken off my 30 days. The other question is do I still need to register my visa once in the country.
Many thanks

Boycie

IIRC there were several new gas stations on road to Benyneu I was there a month ago. I did have to use rotopax about 20km to Benyneu but I was coming from Kuryk from ferry without stops and thought I had enough in tank.

I would not recommend going to Mungishlak alone on Strom it's not only sand but also fesh-fesh (locals call it "puhlyak") if you've never seen it will be a steep learning curve. If you know what it is you'll just turn back just saying.