Kok-kala Tract, Mangystau

Driving along the road to Mount Sherkala, you might notice a large light-colored spot on the brownish slopes, standing out brightly in the landscape. If you turn off the highway and drive 3 km on a good dirt road, you'll find yourself in front of a modest yet majestic gorge known as Kok-kala, meaning "blue fortress" in Turkic.

Kok-kala stands out from other Mangystau attractions due to its unique origin. Unlike many other regional landmarks that owe their appearance to the ancient Tethys Ocean, Kok-kala formed on land. Here, you'll find imprints of a forest that thrived during the Jurassic period, about 170-200 million years ago, rather than shark teeth and sea urchin skeletons.

While you won't find dinosaur bones here, you will discover small stones imprinted with the stems and leaves of prehistoric trees. The colorful and bizarre rock formations add to the tract's allure. You can wander through the winding gorge, climb to its summit, and explore the surrounding area. It's especially beautiful in spring when the steppe is covered in a green carpet.

Kok-kala Gorge is often visited during trips between other popular Mangystau attractions like the Torysh Valley of Balls and Sherkala Mountain. The direct route from Aktau to Kok-kala is 200 kilometers, while it's only 10 kilometers from Sherkala.