Kazakhstan · Caspian · Mangystau · Founder-led

The Limestone
Road

One of the most otherworldly landscapes on earth. Canyons, salt flats, multicoloured mountains, and almost no one else out there.

Duration
~10 Nights
Desert Nights
4–5 Wild
Led by
Founder
Experience
None Req.
Next Departure
2027 TBC

The Adventure

Not Like Any Desert You've Seen Before.

The Mangystau region of Kazakhstan is jaw-dropping in a way that's hard to describe until you're standing in it. Multicoloured canyons, vast salt flats, chalk formations, Caspian coastline, Bactrian camels wandering across the steppe. It feels genuinely alien — because it used to be.

The Ustyurt Plateau, which dominates the region, was the floor of the ancient Tethys Ocean over 100 million years ago. As the ocean receded and tectonic plates shifted, the seabed was pushed upward, leaving behind compressed limestone, chalk and clay formations layered in extraordinary colours. You can still find fossilised shark teeth and sea urchin skeletons in the cliff faces. Wind and water have been carving the plateau ever since.

20–28 June 2026 we head into the Mangystau for the first time. This is a recce, a small founder-only trip to scope the route, find the best camps, and meet local contacts. Follow along on Instagram for live updates from the field. The full Limestone Road adventure opens for booking once we return, targeting May or June 2027.

01
June 2026: Recce, Live from the Field.
Founder-only trip to scope the route, find the camps, meet local fixers. Live updates on Instagram from 20 to 28 June. Watch us figure it out in real time.
02
2027 Adventure: Interest Open.
Exact dates and pricing confirmed after the June recce. Targeting May or June 2027. Register interest and you'll be first to know and first in line.
03
The Most Otherworldly Landscape We Run.
Salt flats, limestone canyons, chalk formations, Caspian coast and Bactrian camels. Nothing else looks like this.

The Landscape

An alien world four hours from a city.

The Mangystau feels remote, and it is. But Aktau, a mid-sized city on the Caspian Sea, is always within a few hours' reach. We start there: hotel on the coast, vehicles loaded, then into the dust the next morning.

The plateau sits between the Caspian and Aral Seas and spans over 200,000 square kilometres across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Kazakh section, the Mangystau, is the most dramatic. The cliffs at Bozzhyra drop 100 metres into ancient canyon floors. The Tuzbair salt flat glimmers white under the Caspian sun. The Karynzharyk depression sits 75 metres below sea level, the second deepest depression on earth.

The Silk Road passed through here in the 6th century. Underground rock mosques are carved into the cliff faces. Bactrian camels wander across the steppe as if you aren't there. This is one of the least-visited landscapes of this quality anywhere on earth.

How It Works

Same Scarab DNA.
Different Planet.

The self-drive 4×4 format is identical to Morocco. Vehicles waiting in Aktau. Tibet leads from Car 1, coaches over the radio, manages all safety. You drive, set up camp, take turns cooking.

The terrain is different, less technically demanding on the driving, but arguably more rewarding on the eye. Salt flats, canyon tracks, dune fields, open steppe. The most otherworldly landscape we run. Worth every kilometre.

The Shape of the Trip

~10 Nights. Aktau to the Mangystau and Back.

This is a recce, the exact route evolves as we discover it. Below is the intended shape of the week.

DAY 1
DAY 1
Fly into Aktau. Hotel on the Caspian coast.
Collect vehicles, load equipment. Last proper shower for a while.
⌂ Hotel, Aktau
DAY 2
DAY 2
Stock up. Desert briefing. Head into the Mangystau.
Last supermarket run, radios tested, into the dust.
★ Wild camp
DAYS 3–7
SUN–THU
Deep exploration. Salt flats, canyons, dune fields.
Each day a discovery. Routes decided by what we find. Camp where it's beautiful.
★ Wild camp ×4–5
DAYS 8–9
FRI–SAT
Return to Aktau. Boutique hotel. Caspian sunset.
Hot showers, good food, debrief on what we found.
⌂ Hotel, Aktau
DAY 10
FINAL DAY
Fly home.
You've helped build something. The desert hangover hits somewhere over Europe.
→ UK

Included

What to bring

A sleeping bag, a head torch, and basic outdoor clothing. That's it.

Not Included

Dates & Availability

Book Your Place

Max 4 vehicles per departure · Recce guests get priority on future Kazakhstan trips
Recce · Live from the field
20–28 Jun 2026
Recce · Founder-only · Live updates on Instagram
Follow along as we scope the Mangystau in real time. The recce isn't bookable, but you can be first in line for the 2027 adventure that follows.
Follow on Instagram Get 2027 dates first
Interest open
2027
May or Jun · ~10 nights · Full expedition
Exact dates and pricing confirmed after the June 2026 recce. Register your interest and you'll be first to know when they open.
Register Interest Ask Tibet

Common Questions

FAQs

What's different about Kazakhstan vs Morocco? +
The landscapes are completely different: salt flats, limestone canyons, chalk formations and steppe rather than sand seas. Less technical on the driving, but arguably the most otherworldly landscape we run. Far less visited than Morocco. The Scarab format is the same: self-drive 4×4, wild camping, founder-led.
When will 2027 dates and pricing be confirmed? +
After our June 2026 adventure we'll confirm exact dates and pricing for the 2027 departures. Register your interest now and you'll be the first to know, and first in line to book.
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan? +
UK and most EU passport holders can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days. We'll confirm requirements for your specific nationality when you book.
How do I get to Aktau? +
Most routes go via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Frankfurt. Aktau airport (SCO) has regular international connections. We'll advise on the best flights once you're booked.
Can I come solo? +
Absolutely. Solo travellers are paired with another solo for the vehicle. You can share a hotel room or upgrade to a private room.
The Limestone Road — Kazakhstan
Recce 20–28 Jun 2026 · Expedition 2027 · Interest open
2027 — Register Now
Register Interest