Only a handful of tourists visit Mangystau every year, making it one of the last destinations in the world to be truly off the beaten path. With its otherworldly landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Mangystau has captivated me from the very first second.
To visit this remote region, you need a guide and a jeep (and a sense of adventure). I can't recommend our guide Askhat and our driver Bekzat enough! They created a wonderful itinerary for us and were great hosts throughout the five days. Find Askhat here: indyguide.com/host/askhat1 (By the way, thank you Askhat, for the amazing drone footage)
Our tour lasted four full days, with a drop-off at the Uzbek border on day 5. The cost (including everything) was $2,200 for two people. With an additional $100 per person you'll have enough to spend the night in a hotel (if like me, you are not into camping) and for personal extras.
I hope you enjoy this video and, if you do end up visiting Mangystau, please please please be respectful of the environment. It's a pristine area that hasn't felt the negative effects of tourism yet, and it should stay like this.