01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Travel from Aktau through Mangystau’s stone valleys, salt flats, dunes and chalk pinnacles, combining off-road travel and camping with photography. Aerial photography and camps are subject to confirmation.
Salt flats and layered cliffs
Photograph the Tuzbair salt flats and the layered red formations of Kyzylkup in changing light.
Stone balls and white pinnacles
Explore Torysh, Sherkala, Airakty and Bozzhyra for distinctive rock formations and open desert landscapes.
Desert camps and sunrise
Travel between salt flats, canyons and dunes, camping near photography areas for morning and evening sessions. Camps depend on local conditions.
The journey in pictures
Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →
Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore
02 / IN GOOD COMPANY
A different way of seeing.
Leading photographers
XAVI Zhuang · View photographer profile →
XAVI Zhuang
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.
03 / THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light.
Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.
itinerary timings above are for reference only. The photography leader may make suitable adjustments according to local weather, conditions and other factors to achieve the best photographic results.
Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: Asia/Aqtau。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.
DAY 01Sep 28 · Asia/Aqtaucities across China → flight to Aktau
Depart via Almaty for Aktau, with the first night in flight or transit. Listed services are the instructor’s reference flights; meeting and transfer times require confirmation.
Accommodation:In flight or in transit
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02Sep 29 · Asia/Aqtauearly arrival in Aktau · Caspian city tour
After arriving in Aktau, leave luggage at Renaissance by Sulo and take time to rest. Early check-in availability and any charge require confirmation. Photograph the Caspian seafront and harbor in the afternoon and sunset in the evening, then stay at the hotel.
Accommodation:Renaissance by Sulo, Aktau
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03Sep 30 · Asia/Aqtaudesert expedition begins · stone balls, a legendary mountain and the Valley of Castles
Meet the local guide in the morning and enter the Mangystau desert. Walk through the Torysh Valley of Balls and marvel at its naturally formed spherical rocks. Look up at the legendary Sherkala Mountain, explore the Jurassic clays of Kok Kala, then camp overnight in the Airakty Valley of Castles.
Accommodation:Camping at Airakty
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04Oct 1 · Asia/AqtauKaratau and Tuzbair Salt Flats
Travel to Osary in the Karatau Mountains, then climb to the upper Tuzbair viewpoint for an expansive elevated panorama of the salt flats. Camp in lower Tuzbair for the night and await sunrise.
Accommodation:Camping at lower Tuzbair
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05Oct 2 · Asia/Aqtausalt-flat sunrise, canyon and dunes
Welcome sunrise over the Tuzbair Salt Flats as light spreads across the salt crust. Visit Ybykty Canyon, then continue to the Senek Dunes and their rolling golden sands. Camp overnight.
Accommodation:Desert camp; site to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06Oct 3 · Asia/Aqtaudesert oasis and the Caspian Sea
Visit the lively Onere Oasis, then drive to Kendirli on the Caspian coast to experience the distinctive meeting of desert and sea. Camp at Karynzharyk for the night.
Accommodation:Camping at Karynzharyk
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 07Oct 4 · Asia/Aqtaumorning landscapes of Karynzharyk and onward travel
Enjoy Karynzharyk's expansive early-morning scenery, with salt flats and towering cliffs particularly striking in the morning light. Continue toward the next part of the journey and camp overnight.
Accommodation:Desert camp; site to confirm
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 08Oct 5 · Asia/Aqtauthe Martian landscapes of Bozzhyra
Explore Bozzhyra, Mangystau's most spectacular landmark. From the upper viewpoint, take in an otherworldly panorama and its iconic fang-shaped rock pinnacles. Camp in lower Bozzhyra in preparation for sunrise.
Accommodation:Camping at lower Bozzhyra
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 09Oct 6 · Asia/AqtauBozzhyra sunrise · desert expedition concludes → evening departure
Flight: October 6, Aktau–Urumqi, FS7661 / 20:20 / 03:05 +1 day After a magnificent sunrise at Bozzhyra, conclude the desert expedition via Mount Bokty, Karagiye, Kazakhstan's lowest land depression, and the 'tiramisu' red rocks of Kyzylkup. Return to Aktau in the evening, with time for a meal and a brief rest in town, then transfer directly to Aktau Airport for the overnight flight home.
Accommodation:Overnight flight
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 10Oct 7 · Asia/Aqtauarrival back in China
Connect via Urumqi for the return journey; flights and connections require confirmation.
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefWhere we stay
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: In flight or in transit Day 2: Renaissance by Sulo, Aktau Day 3: Camping at Airakty Day 4: Camping at lower Tuzbair Day 5: Desert camp; site to confirm Day 6: Camping at Karynzharyk Day 7: Desert camp; site to confirm Day 8: Camping at lower Bozzhyra Day 9: Overnight flight
Getting there
The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. [Reference services] The instructor will take the following services: Outbound: September 28, Guangzhou–Almaty, CZ3083 / 16:15 / 19:45 September 29, Almaty–Aktau, DV730 / 00:40 / 04:00 Return: October 6, Aktau–Urumqi, FS7661 / 20:20 / 03:05 +1 day October 7, Urumqi–Shenzhen, CZ8923 / 09:50 / 15:00 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
04 / A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included.
Platform service fee to be confirmed
Deposit USD 2,239.59 Original CNY 15,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person
Included
A seat in an off-road vehicle and a professional driver throughout the trip;
All meals during the desert expedition: two meals on each of the first and last days, and three meals daily on other days, prepared in the field by the accompanying cook;
Camping equipment: tent space, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tables, chairs and tableware;
Travel accident insurance for the entire trip;
Starlink satellite internet equipment accompanies the group; connectivity depends on camp conditions.
An onboard generator supplying power for cameras and drones throughout the trip;
One night in a twin room at Renaissance by Sulo, Aktau, planned for September 29.
A one-day Aktau city tour, including lunch and dinner that day;
Not included
Round-trip international flights;
Kazakhstan visa fees, if required;
Single supplement;
Tips for guides and drivers;
Personal expenses and optional activities outside the itinerary;
Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.
05 / BEFORE YOU GO
Clarity before departure.
Availability and registration
Register your interest in this trip. Departure confirmation, availability, the final total and booking conditions require confirmation with the operator.
Cancellation and breach provisions
Before departure, participants and the organizing team may sign a written travel contract or give notice terminating the trip agreement. The contract is legally binding. If termination is requested more than 30 days before departure, excluding day 30, neither party is liable for breach. Days are calculated by subtracting the date the termination notice is received from the departure date; the same calculation applies below. If the organizing team terminates the agreement, all travel fees must be refunded without deducting visa or entry-permit fees. If a participant terminates after a visa or entry permit has been processed or a flight booked, the relevant visa, entry-permit and flight cancellation charges are deducted. The organizing team must refund the travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the termination notice. If either party terminates within 30 days of departure, including day 30, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If the organizing team terminates the trip agreement within 30 days of departure, including day 30, it must refund all travel fees without deducting visa, entry-permit or similar charges, and pay compensation according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: compensation of 2% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: compensation of 5% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: compensation of 10% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: compensation of 15% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: compensation of 20% of the total trip fee. If this compensation does not cover the participant's actual losses, the organizing team must compensate those actual losses. The organizing team must refund the full trip fee and pay compensation within 5 working days of receipt of the cancellation notice. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 30 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: 5% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: 15% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: 85% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: 90% of the total trip fee; If these percentages do not cover the organizing team's actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee. After deducting the business-loss charge, the organizing team must refund the remaining travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the participant's cancellation notice.
Trip information
[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] The amount is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [amount adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust amount if major fluctuations in international oil amount cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expense, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, amount and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amount or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves.
Fitness, equipment and conditions
Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.
