2-day Aral Sea Expedition (From Nukus) Ship Cemetery • Ustyurt Plateau • Yurt Stay • Desert Lakes • Remote Villages
About this tour
Great for adventure lovers, photographers and those who are interested in the Aral Sea catastrophe
Day 1 — Moynaq to the Aral Sea
Departure from Nukus in the morning.
Visit the ship cemetery in Moynaq and the local Aral Sea museum to understand the history of the Aral Sea disaster.
Traditional lunch at a local house in Moynaq.
Continue driving across the former seabed of the Aral Sea toward the dramatic landscapes of the Ustyurt Plateau, with stops at canyons and a nomadic cemetery.
Arrive at a yurt camp and settle in.
Short drive to the Aral Sea shore for sunset, photos, and optional swimming (weather permitting).
Dinner at the camp and overnight stay under the stars, with a chance to see the Milky Way.
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Day 2 — Sunrise & Return Journey
Sunrise over the Aral Sea.
Breakfast at the camp, then departure.
Visit Kurgancha Kala, then continue to a Soviet-era village (KS7), where you can see local life and try fermented camel milk.
Next stop is Sudochye Lake, a desert oasis with rich birdlife and ruins of an old fish factory.
Lunch in Kungrad district.
Visit the sacred Mizdakhkan Necropolis before returning to Nukus.
Drop-off at hotel, airport, or train station.
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Highlights:
* Moynaq ship cemetery
* Crossing the Aral Sea desert
* Ustyurt Plateau landscapes
* Overnight yurt stay
* Sunset & sunrise at the Aral Sea
* Sudochye Lake wildlife
* Authentic local village life
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Nukus, Uzbekistan to Moynaq, Uzbekistan
This 2-day expedition takes you from Nukus deep into the heart of the former Aral Sea region, combining history, desert adventure, and authentic local culture. Begin in Moynaq with a visit to the haunting ship cemetery and Aral Sea museum before crossing the vast Aral Sea desert toward the dramatic cliffs of the Ustyurt Plateau. Along the way, explore canyons, nomadic heritage sites, and remote landscapes rarely seen by travelers. Spend the night in a traditional yurt camp near the Aral Sea, enjoying sunset views, desert silence, and a clear night sky filled with stars.
Day 2: Moynaq, Uzbekistan to Nukus, Uzbekistan
On the second day, witness sunrise over the sea before continuing your journey through unique cultural and natural sites, including Soviet-era settlements, Sudochye Lake’s wildlife oasis, and the sacred Mizdakhkan Necropolis. The trip ends with a return to Nukus after a full immersion into one of Central Asia’s most powerful and remote landscapes.
What's included
A professional driver on a 4x4 Toyota Land cruiser, fuel for the car, Food (two lunches, one dinner, one breakfast) drinking water in the car Yurt stay Entrance tickets to the Aral Sea museum in Muynak
Tips for the driver, alcohol or fizzy drinks,
Languages spoken
What to know
A good pair of shoes, a hat and a pair of sunglasses are “must have”s a sleeping pillow is good for your neck on the off road conditions
Route & locations
Nukus, Uzbekistan to Moynaq, Uzbekistan