Bozzhyra – Kazakhstan’s Monument Valley

Bozzhyra is a stunning location in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan. Nature has sculpted picturesque landscapes here that resemble Monument Valley in Arizona and Utah, USA.

The Bozzhyra tract lies on the Ustyurt Plateau, about 300 km from the regional capital Aktau, in a vast depression that was once the bottom of an ancient ocean. In Kazakh, "Bozzhyra" translates to “gray valley,” named for the color of the limestone and chalk formations known as chinks and buttes.

The main attraction of Bozzhyra is its massive, whimsical chalk rock formations that rise up to 200 meters above the valley floor. Over millions of years, water, sun, and wind—like master sculptors—carved away the excess, leaving behind fantastical stone monuments. Many of these formations have earned nicknames such as “Fangs,” “Submarine,” “Aurora,” “Yurt,” “Castle,” and “Dragon’s Crest.”

Bozzhyra is a paradise for photographers and travel bloggers. The monuments are especially breathtaking at sunrise and sunset, when the rocks glow in shades of yellow, orange, and pink.

You can admire this splendor from viewing platforms on the plateau, but we recommend spending the night in tents at the base of the majestic “Fangs” in the valley below. Sleeping under the dazzling constellations is an unforgettable experience for any traveler.

Nearby, you’ll find other attractions as well—like the beautiful Kyzylkup (Tiramisu) tract with its red-and-white layered hills, and just 15 km to the north, the revered Beket-Ata Mosque, a pilgrimage site visited annually by thousands from across Kazakhstan.