The vanished lake
Lake Aral, on the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, before it disappeared, was the fourth largest lake in the world with harbors, fish farms, fishing boats and countless species of fish. Extensive irrigation works in the 1960s slowly drained the lake until Aral Sea was only a quarter of its original surface area and only 10% of its salt water. Meanwhile, the Aralkum sand and salt desert emerged with a total area of 38,000 km².
Monyak, port city in the sand
Visit Moynak, once the main port of the Aral Sea and now located in the desert, where numerous shipwrecks stranded on the sand recall more prosperous times. Along the way, you will see the remains of a lighthouse and pass the ruins of the abandoned settlement of Urga. Visit the desolate Ustyurt Plateau, jagged rock formations, deep canyons, ancient caravanserais and impressive cemeteries. Along the way, visit the settlement of Kurgancha Kala from the 13th century.
