About Aral Sea

Plan your visit to the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan before it’s too late. The “Sea of Islands” on the border of Uzbekistan was once the world’s fourth-largest lake, with an area of 68,000 square kilometers (26,300 sq mi). Soviet irrigation projects diverted the rivers that once fed the lake, and it is now slowly disappearing.

 The Aral Sea was once dotted with more than 1,100 islands, but it is now less than 10% of its original size. It was split into four lakes, of which one basin has completely dried. The eastern basin of what was once the beautiful Aral Sea is now the Aralkum Desert. An area that was once underwater is now low brush and salt flats.

Swimming and fishing in the Aral Sea may prove challenging at times. The lake recedes approximately 200 m each year. Ongoing efforts are being made to save and replenish the remaining lake. 
 

Must See

There are many attractions in and around the Aral Sea. A few of these are:

  • Aralsk harbor
  • You will notice half-destroyed buildings
  • Railway tracks
  • Industrial warehouses 
  • Desert
  • Fishermen’s Museum

How to reach

Wondering how can you reach the Aral Sea, well it's not that easy to get to the Aral Sea itself as it is a long and arduous way through the desert.

 The best alternative is to arrange for an SUV or jeep tour.

Or you can Fly to Kzyl-Orda. The travel time will be12 hours 26 minutes including the 1-hour transfer.

From there you can take a bus which takes 1 hour 7 minutes by bus. The frequency is once every 10 minutes and costs you 384.734 KZT  to 1,154.20 KZT.

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Tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, pack appropriate clothes
  • Carry adequate water as it is a long drive  
  • Make sure you spend an entire day here
  • Try to commence your day as early as possible to beat the crowd and the heat
  • Do visit Sudochye Lake and the water basin 
  • Do not forget your hat and sunscreen 
  • Do pack your camera  
  • Do take some snacks for the journey.

Visit Time

Sunday:            Open 24 hours.
Monday:           Open 24 hours.
Tuesday:          Open 24 hours.
Wednesday:     Open 24 hours.
Thursday:         Open 24 hours.
Friday:              Open 24 hours.
Saturday:          Open 24 hours.

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

3 to 4 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Scattered Clouds 17.95°C

 

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