Unusual Places In Mangistau

Day 1: Kan'on Kapamsay ., Kochev'ye Udyuk, Kazakhstan to Airakty, Shetpe, Kazakhstan

Kapamsay Gorge. Shakpak-Ata (underground mosque); Torysh (valley of balls); Kokkala; Sherkala; Airakty Shomanay (valley of castles) Kapamsay Canyon A river once flowed at the bottom of the canyon, but it has dried up over time. At great depth, trees grow among the flint rocks, providing shade and coolness on hot summer days.The canyon's creamy, snow-white, and silvery cliffs reach 70 meters in height. Within the canyon is a huge grotto, in the roof of which rainwater has carved a hole, forming a grove of mulberry trees and hawthorns. The Shakpak-Ata Mosque is one of the sacred sites of Mangystau. Its name is associated with the Sufi elder Shakpak Ata, who possessed the gift of healing. During battles with enemies, sparks flew from his weapons, instilling wild terror in the enemy. This is why he received the nickname, which sounds like flint: shakpak tas. Torysh The area is also known as the Valley of Balls due to the spherical concretions found on the surface, ranging in diameter from 1015 cm to 4 meters. These concretions, 40 to 60 million years old, formed on the floor of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Kokkala Tract The tract is famous for its bizarre erosions of variegated and colored clays and the mountain gorge with spring water located in the immediate vicinity. The Kokkala Tract is a unique time tunnel back to the Jurassic period.which existed more than 140 million years ago. The Karatau mountain fold, rising from the bowels of the Earth, lifted layers that were buried under a thick layer of ocean sediments. Sherkala Sherkala is a solitary mountain of unusual shape. Viewed from one side, it resembles a huge white yurt, but from the other, Sherkala resembles a sleeping lion, resting its enormous head on its paws. The name Sherkala comes from the Persian, meaning "Lion Fortress." Airakty Shomanay (Valley of Castles) The area around Airakty resembles a mysterious desert city with ruined outcrops that resemble towers and castles with spires.