Saura is a deep canyon with fresh water near the Caspian shore — a rare green oasis for Mangystau. Pond turtles live in its lake and streams, while tamarisk and steppe lilac grow along the canyon walls.
Saura is a canyon on the Caspian coast, 90 kilometres from Aktau: steep rock walls, a freshwater lake and streams. Against the burnt steppe and plateau it is a rare green oasis.
Tamarisk, Kazakh lilac and other steppe plants grow here, pond turtles live in the water, and in spring and autumn the canyon becomes a stop for migrating birds. In Mangystau, where surface water is almost unknown, such a combination is an exception.
There are traces of people nearby too: the remains of a Bronze Age fortress and an abandoned Soviet fishing settlement. The road to the canyon runs over dirt tracks, and the last kilometres need four-wheel drive.
Honest numbers before you take the wheel. We are not selling an adventure — we are explaining what you would be dealing with.
Driving here yourself requires four-wheel drive and a water supply: there are no fuel stations or services on the route.
Shots from our trips — click to enlarge
Leave the logistics to people who drive here all year round: prepared vehicles, satellite communication and a guide who knows where the ground holds and where it does not.
Maikin Kurgan (43rd km) → Blue Bay (the Devil's Finger) → Saura (lake) and 1 more stop
Karagiye → Onere (spring) → Karynzharyk and 24 more stops
The Karagiye Depression → Kyzylkup → Boszhira (upper plateau) and 14 more stops