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Following the Disappearing Aral Sea

Itinerary:

Nukus - Kungrad - Usturt Plateau - Sudochie lake - Aral sea - Moynak - Mizdakhan - Gaur kala - Nukus
Duration:

2 days / 1 night
Price:

on request

One of the largest inland salt water body on earth, Aral Sea lies in the northern western part of Uzbekistan with its northern water front as part of Kazakhstan. The major source of water for sea are two rivers Amudarya which drops its already drained water into the southern part of the sea while in the north Syrdarya is the major source. The constant degradation of water resources is posing a serious problem of its disappearance from the earth. The drying of Aral is also posing threat to the climatic system of the region which could be seen as far as the Himalayas and the arctic regions. The vast changes in the climate have brought about changes in the summers being reduced by 170 days, the salt carried by the winds is posing serious threat to not only the local population but also to the farthest regions of the arctic zone.

Tour program

Itinerary of «Following the Disappearing Aral Sea»

Day 1: Nukus - Kungrad - Usturt Plateau - Sudochie lake - Aral sea (450 km – 8 hrs)
Departure from Nukus at 8 o’clock in the morning, to discover the Usturt Plateau and Aral sea life.
Pass via Kungrad district – which used to be one of the trading centers on the Silk Road. Continue to the Usturt Plateau.
Stop at the Lake Sudochie, have picnic lunch.
Visit the fishermen’s house. Old fish factory Urga.
On the way visit the former Light House, see the settlement of the gas plant.
Visit airport on Usturt Plateau.
Stop to take pictures of beautiful Canyons and the collapsed land.
Arrive to the Aral Sea. Have a walk (1 hour) from the camping ground to the nearby Kurgancha-Kala – an old caravan sarai hidden in the hills of the Usturt. Set up the tent.
Dinner.
Overnight in the tent.

Day 2: Aral-sea - Moynak - Mizdakhan XIVc - Gaur kala - Nukus (400 km – 7 hrs)
Early wake up to take pictures of sun rise.
Have breakfast.
Transfer to Moynak village, which is known as "cemetery of ships” nowadays.
Drive on the dried bottom of the sea, pass the gas towers, arrive to Uchsai – Gas Plant.
Lunch at the Guest house in Moinak.
Visit the Ships’ Graveyard, local museum, watch the short video about Moinak life at the museum.
Drive to Khodjeli city to visit Mizdak-khan architectural complex of the XIV c and Gaur kala ruin that was destroyed by Shingiz-khan.
Arrive in Nukus around 5 p.m.
Details

Details of itinerary & map

Additional services and expenses (upon request):

Prolongation of the Aral Sea trip: from the first campground/descent continue driving along the edge of the plateau.
Visit Kasakh and Turkmen stone graves from the beginning of 20 century along the sandy road.
Stop from time to time to take pictures of the scenic Usturt & Aral Sea.
Arrive at the old military camp on the Sea shore.
Set up the tent.
Dinner.
Overnight in the tent.
Prices

Tour cost in USD

Price available on request.
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