Moynak ships graveyard — Local services in Republic of Karakalpakstan

Aral Sea

I would like to tell you about a recent trip to the Aral Sea. The trip was made at the end of November, in a rather cool season. Since we turned to the travel agency ‘Besqala’, the SUVs took us from Nukus at 9.30 a.m. Around 1 p.m. we drove to the Muynak and had lunch at a local family’s house. After lunch we visited the local history and Aral Sea museums. Next to the Aral Sea museum there is a ‘Ship Graveyard’, in which you can feel the whole tragedy of the Aral Sea.

Around 4 p.m. we left Muynak to the Yurt Camp at the Aral Sea. On the way, we admired the views and the beautiful sunset. If you have motion sickness, then I advise you to take medicine with you, since the road to the Aral Sea takes about 4 hours and you will drive off-road.

When we reached the Yurt Camp, it was already dark; we had dinner and at night we managed to see the starry sky. It was magical; I think everyone should see such beauty at least once in their life.

We spent the night in yurts, and they were quite comfortable and warm. Since it was almost winter, we watched the sunrise around 8.30 a.m., then we had breakfast and went to the shore of the Aral Sea. The shore was very close to the Yurt Camp, so we got there pretty quickly. The shore was very unusual, there was a lot of foam. I strongly advise you to visit the Aral Sea in the warm season, so you would have the opportunity to swim. On the way back, we visited several historical sites, and also stopped to admire the beautiful views.

Despite the tragedy, the Aral Sea is still extremely beautiful, so I highly recommend everyone...

Usual itinerary for Aral Sea/Desert tours, with famously fascinating boats out of their element, beached on sand with no water in sight. Description of environmental disaster made by men taking all they can without regard, not thinking what they are leaving behind for their children. Yet, if you decide against watching desert pass by for hours behind a window and really touch the desert, walk on its soft sands and stay in the city instead of stopping for a photo or two, you can stay in one of many Karakalpak families who share their homes with you, you will find as the sun slowly nears the horizon and all cools down, people who call this once famous for fishing and beaches, also begin livening, workers continue building homes, children playing in a peacefully slow fashion. A city drained of its lifeline adapting and prospering to new condition it now...

Remote place, very pictoresque/fotogenic, also very sad in a sense. The river becomes dry just before reaching the former lake. Watering needs in uzbekistan along the river are huge and the certainly will be no improvement. Bus to Moynoq leaves from Saransha avtovokzal around 8:50, be there at 8 to get a good place. Bus is 30000 som and 3.5 hrs along bad and dusty roads. Taxi from same place can be haggled down to 40usd and can be faster, about 2.5 hrs. In Moynoq take a taxi to shipyard. Bus back leaves at about 2:30, again better be there early or you may end up standing whole way. This way you have just about an hour to see the place. You can walk back, catch a taxi that brings other tourists or hail shared city taxi on the main street. Walk back isblong (4km). There is a nice (tasty) restaurant by the bus stop called...