Mangyshlak trekking.

“I think you travel to search and you come back home to find yourself there” 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Short description of route an excursion trip from Aktau to Zhanaozen:

Aktau – Zhanaozen - tomb of the saint kostam - necropolis and underground mosque Shopan ata (X - XIII c.c.).

Distance of route: 206 km.
Season: from April 1, 30st till September.
 Best time for excursion: April, May, June, September.
Duration of tour: 1 day. 

Detailed program an excursion trip to mosque Shopan ata:

Walking holidays to Mangyshlak.

Aktau - Town of Zhanaozen - necropolis Shopan ata (X - XIII c.c.) (206 km).
Transfer: Актау - depression Karagie - town Zhanaozen - settlement Kyzylsai - tomb of the saint Kostam (204 km). Departure at 7.00 from Актау. Our way lays on southeast through the deepest depression of Kazakhstan - Karagie, which on 132 meters below a sea level.
Further ours way to small city of oilmen Zhanaozen. After Zhanaozen, our way lays to settlement Kyzylsai after settlement asphalt comes to an end, we turn on the left on грейдерную road. On this macadam road we shall go up to valley Oglandy.
Soon to the left of road parking for motor vehicles, here is tomb of the saint Kostam, visiting of the mausoleum, photographing. Further our way lays to underground mosque and necropolis Shopan ata - traditional place of pilgrims which go to mosque Beket ata.
Transfer: tomb of the saint Kostam - necropolis Shopan ata in valley Kyzylsu (2 km). Arrival on necropolis Shopan ata. Walk to underground mosque Shopa -ata, past mazars and necropolis Shopan ata.
Photographing of necropolis and underground mosque, ritual walk by the top part of underground mosque.
The end of walk ritual. Transfer to Актау (206 km).

Note:
The author program is Alexander Petrov. Copying and introduction - only from the sanction of the author - petrovsra@mail.ru

Alexander Petrov
photos.