“Why fly to space?” - a foreigner showed unusual footage from Mangystau

Tengrinews.kz — Renowned French blogger Alvin spent a week exploring the Mangystau region, later claiming that the expedition completely transformed his perception of the planet. The traveler shared his insights on both the highlights and challenges of the trip.

Third visit to Kazakhstan

French blogger Alvin creates videos that blend travel with fashion. In his projects, he seeks to pair unique stylistic looks with the natural landscapes of various countries.

"I strive to harmonize them in my videos and photos to not only showcase my style but also to introduce people to unique locations, revealing the full beauty of the countries I visit," he shared.

The trip to Mangystau marked his third journey to Kazakhstan. Having previously visited Almaty twice, Alvin noted that those experiences were precisely what motivated him to return.

"Last year, I visited Almaty twice and immediately fell in love with the country, especially its people. I felt like a very welcome guest here. I had heard a lot about Mangystau, but it was too far to reach from Almaty. So, I knew for certain I would come back to explore Western Kazakhstan," Alvin explained.

Over the course of eight days, the French traveler visited:

• Aktau, Zhanaozen, and Karynzharyk;
• Kyzylkup (the "Tiramisu" tract) and Mount Bokty;
• Bozjyra, Tuzbair, and Senek;
• Sherkala, Airakty, and Torysh.

Each location left a unique impression: the majestic Bozjyra prompted deep reflection on life, the Kyzylkup canyon gave him chills, and the landscapes of the Karynzharyk hollow reminded him of the set of a sci-fi blockbuster.

"There were so many vibrant colors, and the multicolored sky at sunset awakened something powerful within me. When I arrived at the Karynzharyk hollow, I was completely stunned and mesmerized by a sight worthy of a science fiction movie. So, my top three are Kyzylkup, Karynzharyk, and Bozjyra," Alvin said.

Top highlights

Among the primary advantages of traveling to Mangystau, Alvin highlighted the peaceful, wild, and entirely untouched nature. He also noted the lack of tourist crowds, the hospitality and kindness of locals that made him feel at home, and, of course, the delicious food.

One of his most vivid memories was his first night camping in a tent near the Karynzharyk hollow. Prior to this trip, Alvin had never spent a night in a tent, and the experience proved more challenging than expected.

"I set up my tent near the Karynzharyk hollow as darkness fell. The night was horrific: a massive storm broke out with huge gusts of wind, and I wasn't used to that—it was my first time sleeping in a tent! Then I heard the eerie footsteps of animals; they came very close and started brushing against the outside of the tent (I think they were jackals). That night, I seriously thought I was going to die," he shared.

The Language Barrier

The trip was not without its difficulties. According to the blogger, the most significant inconvenience was the language barrier.

"I don't speak Kazakh, so it was hard to express myself. I think if I knew the language, the trip would have been even better," Alvin said.

Other regional characteristics included long distances and challenging road conditions.

Traveling between attractions took considerable time, and the off-road terrain often turned the journey into a true ordeal.

Additionally, upon arrival, Alvin experienced a brief delay at customs.

"The officers took me aside to inspect my bag and ask about the purpose of my visit. I understand they were just doing their jobs, but it made me a bit uneasy," the traveler noted.

Before his trip to the west, Alvin primarily associated Kazakhstan with Almaty and its mountains.

Mangystau completely reshaped his view of the country.

"Here, I discovered a completely different Kazakhstan—one that is even wilder. It felt like being inside a movie where everything around me was on a colossal scale," Alvin said.

According to him, it is places like these that serve as a reminder of how many amazing corners remain on Earth.

"Astronauts dream of exploring space, but right here on Earth, some of the most beautiful places in the universe are hidden. I’ve seen only a tiny fraction of Kazakhstan. There is still so much left to discover here," the blogger concluded.

Following his trip to Mangystau, Alvin is already planning his fourth visit to Kazakhstan.

His bucket list of dream destinations includes:

• Barsa-Kelmes Nature Reserve;
• Kyzylorda;
• Baikonur Cosmodrome;
• Astana;
• Tarbagatay;
• Altai.

Advice for those traveling to Kazakhstan

Following his trip, the Frenchman shared several recommendations for travelers:

• Try to learn some Kazakh. It will help you understand the people better and make your trip even more memorable;
• Be open-minded. Immerse yourself in the culture, try the local cuisine, and live like the locals do;
• Consider the scale. Kazakhstan is massive, and seeing everything in one go is impossible. Plan either one long tour with many stops or divide locations into several trips: East, West, North, and South separately.

Notably, Canadian traveler Serena recently visited Kazakhstan. In just 10 days, she managed to tour several cities, traveling partly by hitchhiking. She shared her impressions of the roads, people, and safety, and also spoke about what surprised her the most.