Top 18 Natural Monuments in Kazakhstan

The canyon's massive chalk cliffs reach heights of up to 70 meters in places and stretch for 2.7 kilometers, with an average width of 140 meters. The canyon is located on the Tupkaragan Plateau in Mangghistau's Silicon Valley. The slopes consist of Paleogene and Lower Neogene deposits. The Paleogene is composed of massive, chalky marls, white chalk, and limestone. The cream-colored, sometimes dazzling white, walls reach heights of several dozen meters. At the bottom of the canyon lie some very large, fallen boulders. Archaeologists suspect that a deep river once flowed at the foot of the chalk cliffs. Today, the river is gone, but rainwater has collected in its reservoir, forming a pool. Thanks to the shade and moisture, a small grove or green oasis has formed among the cliffs. The Paleogene is the oldest period of the Cenozoic Era (the modern geological era), beginning about 66 million years ago and ending with the Neogene around 23.3 million years ago. It is the period after the extinction of the dinosaurs, during which mammals established themselves as the dominant land animals and evolved rapidly. Proboscideans evolved into the largest land mammals. Initially, the continents were isolated. Around 27 million years ago, a land bridge formed between Africa and Eurasia, allowing animals to spread. This continental drift also led to the formation of the Molasse Sea in the Alpine foothills of Austria. The climate was relatively warm at the beginning of the Cretaceous period and drier towards the end. The Paleogene encompasses the Paleocene, Eocene, and Oligocene epochs. The term "Tertiary" is no longer used; instead, Paleogene and Neogene are used.

The valley consists of numerous spherical rock formations scattered across a vast steppe landscape. Layers of clay and sand, polymictic quartz sands with glauconite, and interlayers of clay and spherical sand nodules. It's no wonder it's called the Valley of Stone Spheres: The area is home to a scattering of spherical mineral formations, nodules. The origin story of the strange spherical stones of the Mangghistau region includes a legend of enemy warriors who, thanks to the prayers of the local population, transformed into large, round stones. Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are small marine organisms that have been mineralized and, over millions of years, concentrically deposited many mineral layers—back in the Cretaceous period, when the sea level was about 170 meters higher. Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are tiny marine organisms that have mineralized and, over millions of years, have formed many concentric mineral layers – back in the Cretaceous period, when sea levels were about 170 meters higher. Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are tiny marine organisms that have mineralized and, over millions of years, have formed many concentric mineral layers – back in the Cretaceous period, when sea levels were about 170 meters higher. However, this does not diminish the uniqueness of Torysh, as the rounded stones found here have always been a source of surprise and fascination, sparking the imagination. Despite their rounded outlines (some are split in two), each stone is unique and has its own distinctive shape, stretching over a length of 20 kilometers – a wonder of nature. According to scientists, these spheres were formed about 120-180 million years ago. The largest of them reach a diameter of up to 4 meters.

Bozzhyra is a magnificent landscape in Kazakhstan. The remote mountain range in the western part of the Ustyurts Plateau shines from white to yellow, red, and brown. It consists of limestone and chalk cliffs and is known for its unique rock formations. The name means "gray-blue land" in Kazakh. Mount Bokty is depicted on the old 1,000-tenge banknote of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. It rises amidst a white salt pan, where fossils may also be found, a remnant created by weathering and erosion. The area is remote, and infrastructure is poorly developed. It is advisable to be well prepared, with shops and gas stations nearby.

A magnificent world between the Caspian Sea coast and the Ustyurt Massif. These mountains formed on the floor of a primeval sea. Weathering and erosion contributed to the creation of this protected area, which impresses with its extraordinary beauty and colors. The mountains are composed of chalk rock and are distinguished by their striking color layers, hence the name Tiramisu Mountains. The lightest colors are found at the foot of the rocks, alternating with pink and beige.

Beautiful setting - river & canyon

Panoramic view

On the glaciers from Kok Zhailau to Kazachki)

Great clear mountain lake without much tourism