Discover The Aral Sea With Ayimtour: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Tour

Are you planning a trip through Central Asia? If so, we have a fantastic tour for you! Ayimtour presents an unforgettable journey to the disappearing Aral Sea. Join us as we travel through rocky deserts, dried oceans, and medieval towns before arriving at the Ustyurt Plateau. Spend a night in traditional and comfortable Karakalpak yurts and admire stunning morning views as the sun rises over the ocean. This overnight tour will take you to places that have been inaccessible to the public for years, and you will visit ancient archeological sites, learn about abandoned ships, and hike to remote desert settlements.

In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to plan your trip to the Aral Sea with Ayimtour.

Overview of the Tour

The tour starts in Khiva, Uzbekistan, and takes you on a journey to the Aral Sea. You will first travel through rocky deserts, dried oceans, and medieval towns before arriving at the Ustyurt Plateau. At the plateau, you will have the opportunity to stay overnight in traditional and comfortable Karakalpak yurts. Admire the stunning morning views as the sun rises over the ocean. You will also visit camel herders to sample camel milk and see the ruins of an ancient Russian City.

Highlights of the tour include:

Archeological Sites

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit two ancient archeological sites. Mizdakhan, a necropolis dating back to the 4th century BC, is situated on a hill overlooking the desert. Gyaur-Kala, a fortified ancient settlement, is located on the Ustyurt plateau.

Abandoned Ships

Learn about the abandoned ships at the Aral Sea ship cemetery. Once a bustling fishing port, the Aral Sea is now a dried-up shell of its former self, with rusted ships littering the barren landscape.

Hike to the Remote Desert Settlement

Hike to the remote desert settlement of Kubla-Ustyurt. You will experience the vast and beautiful desert landscape, which is of great historic importance to the region.

What’s Included in the Tour

The following items are included in the tour:

• Lunch
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Tent equipment and/or all other amenities at the yurt camp
• Guide’s services
• Travel insurance
• Hotel stay

The tour starts in Khiva or can arrange pick-up, providing flexibility for travelers.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning a trip to Central Asia, a tour to the Aral Sea with Ayimtour is an unforgettable experience. You will visit ancient archeological sites, learn about abandoned ships, hike to remote desert settlements, and experience the vast and beautiful desert landscape of Central Asia. Book the tour today at viator.com, and join us on this adventure.

A Complete Guide to Planning Your Tour to the Aral Sea

The Aral Sea, located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was once one of the largest lakes in the world, but has drastically decreased in size due to human intervention. Despite the ecological disaster, the area remains a unique and fascinating place to visit for adventurous travelers. If you’re planning a tour of the Aral Sea with Ayimtour, here is an insider’s guide to the best attractions, dining spots, cultural experiences, local history, and off-the-beaten-path suggestions.

Attractions

The Aral Sea region offers many unique attractions, including:
– The Aral Sea itself, where once there was water, there is now desert, mud, and partially submerged shipwrecks. Take a boat tour to see the remnants of this once-great lake and learn about its ecological disaster.
– Muynak, an eerily abandoned town where fishing used to thrive. Take a walk around the former port and see the rusted-out boats that have been left to rot on the desert floor.
– The Mizdahkan Necropolis, an ancient burial site that dates back to the 4th century BC. This unique site is made up of 6,000 tombs carved into the rocky terrain.

Dining Spots

The local cuisine in the Aral Sea region is heavily influenced by the nomadic cultures that once dominated the area. Traditional dishes include:
– Shashlik, a skewered meat dish grilled over an open flame and usually served with bread and pickled vegetables.
– Laghman, a noodle soup with meat and vegetables.
– Manty, steamed dumplings filled with meat and spices.

For a unique dining experience, try the yurt camps that are scattered throughout the region. These traditional nomadic tents offer up a taste of the local culture along with their delicious food.

Cultural Experiences

The Aral Sea region has a rich cultural history that is still evident today. Some cultural experiences to take part in include:
– Shearing sheep, a traditional activity that still takes place in many of the small villages throughout the region.
– Attending a Beshik-Tuyi, a traditional naming ceremony for a newborn baby. This is a great way to see the local customs and traditions firsthand.
– Visiting the Karakalpak Museum of Applied Arts in Nukus. This museum showcases unique and beautiful Karakalpak textiles, ceramics, and other handicrafts.

Local History

The Aral Sea region has a rich and complex history that is worth exploring. Some historical sites to visit include:
– Fortresses built by Alexander the Great during his conquest of the region in the 4th century BC.
– The Kyzyl-Kala Fortress, a mudbrick structure that dates back to the 3rd century BC and served as a military stronghold for many years.
– The ruins of Toprak-Kala, an ancient city that was once a thriving center of trade and commerce.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path and explore the Aral Sea region like a true adventurer, here are some suggestions:
– Take a hike in the Ustyurt Plateau, a vast desert landscape that is littered with strange rock formations and canyons.
– Visit the Chilpak Pyramid, a mysterious ancient structure that is still being studied and debated by archaeologists.
– Take a dip in the Sudochie Lake, a cool and refreshing oasis in the middle of a hot and arid desert.

In conclusion, if you’re planning a tour of the Aral Sea with Ayimtour, be sure to include these attractions, dining spots, cultural experiences, local history, and off-the-beaten-path suggestions in your itinerary. You’ll get a truly unique and unforgettable experience in this stunning and otherworldly region.