From Aktau, a city lulled by the Caspian sea, the roads lead to an underground mosque and necropolis called Shakpak-Ata. From then this adventure will guide you to Torysh valley, a place where spherical stone formations found their home. 3-4 m in diameter, they started to be formed 180-120 million years ago. After a lunch the journey continues to Kokala valley filled with multicolored rocks. On the way to the last valley of that day, Araicty valley, there is a stopover at Sherkala Mountains. Meaning “Lion’s City”, it is as important for locals as Eiffel Tower for Paris or the Statue of Liberty for New York. Shaped as a yurt, a traditional Kazakh dwelling, it is a symbol of Mangistau region. The journey ends at Airacty valley or Valley of Castles due to the mountains looking like fairy-tales castles with towers and fortress walls. And if it’s Spring, the Sodgiana tulips bloom among the rocks.