Aktau, Kazakhstan

Aktau is the center of Mangistau, a desert region in southwestern Kazakhstan. This port city on the Caspian Sea is the capital of Kazakhstan's oil and gas industry and the starting point for Mangistau adventure tours. Established in the mid-20th century on barren land due to nearby rich uranium deposits, Aktau has grown into a vibrant city.

Aktau Tours

Aktau is a small city that can be explored in a day. While it lacks spectacular sights, it boasts several monuments and a scenic coastline known as the "Rock Trail". Notable monuments include a model of the MiG-21 airplane, the Eternal Flame, the Mermaid, the Columbus Caravel, and a monument to Taras Shevchenko. The "Melovoy" lighthouse, installed on a residential building, is also worth visiting, though it has been inactive since 2012.

Tours in Aktau are a warm-up for the larger Mangistau tour. If you're short on time, you can take one-day tours to nearby attractions like the underground mosque Shakpak-ata or the Torysh Valley of Balls. For a longer excursion, consider a one-day trip to the Bozzhyra tract, 270 km from the city, ideally with an overnight stay to fully appreciate its beauty.

How to Get to Aktau

Flying is the best way to reach Aktau and Mangistau. Aktau Airport, 25 km from the city, offers domestic flights from Almaty and Astana, as well as international flights from Moscow, Tbilisi, Baku, Istanbul, and other cities. Driving to Aktau is long and tiring, with distances such as 900 km from Atyrau, 990 km from Nukus (Uzbekistan), 2800 km from Astana, and 2900 km from Almaty (via Uzbekistan). A train station in the nearby village of Mangistau is another option, though less convenient.

Brief History of Aktau

In 1956, uranium deposits were discovered near the future site of Aktau. By 1959, buildings for miners appeared, and by 1961, houses for 2,500 residents were constructed. Initially known as "Guriev-20" in secret USSR documents, the settlement was renamed Aktau in 1963, then Shevchenko a few months later in honor of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. In 1973, the world’s first nuclear reactor with a desalination system was launched, providing water and electricity to the city. After the USSR's collapse, Aktau reverted to its original name and shifted from uranium mining to oil and gas production. Today, it is Kazakhstan's largest oil production center, attracting investments and new developments.

Entertainment and Food in Aktau

Aktau offers several beaches with crystal-clear waters of the Caspian Sea and resort facilities along the coastline. The city features parks, alleys, a botanical garden, and pleasure boats at the wharves. Shopping centers provide a variety of goods, from clothes to electronics. Dining options include traditional Kazakh cuisine, Russian and European dishes, and fast food. Prices range widely, with meals costing from $3-4 to $40-50, depending on the establishment.

Is Aktau Safe?

Aktau is a quiet and peaceful city, though street lighting is limited, and the only police observation post is at the beginning of the Rock Trail. The crime rate is low, but standard travel precautions should be observed: do not leave belongings unattended and avoid walking in poorly lit areas at night.