MANGYSTAU KAZAKHSTAN PHOTO TOUR
SEPTEMBER 18 - 27 2026
GUIDES
Isabella Tabacchi
Alessandro Cantarelli
WHEN
September 18-27 2026
PRICE
$ 3300 (~ EUR 2900)
DEPOSIT
$1500
Join Our Exclusive Mangystau Kazakhstan Photo Tour
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Kazakhstan Photo Tour across the pristine and surreal landscapes of Mangystau region. Designed for photographers and adventurers, this immersive photo expedition offers 10 unforgettable days of discovery, creativity, and connection with the ancient soul of Central Asia.
This tour is a true landscape photography retreat in the wilderness of the Mangystau region, near the Caspian Sea, in very remote places where you’ll experience the pure contact with nature and immortalize the beauty and the geological uniqueness of the alien South-Western Kazakh landscapes.
The locations we are going to visit are really remote. We will reach them with 4x4 land cruisers and sleep on the photo spots with tents (provided by us) under the starry sky. Meals are all included and our local guides will cook for us.
The only locations where we will sleep in beds is a beautiful Yurt Camp near the Valley of Castles (not real castles but actually very dramatic rock formations!) and the first and last night in a hotel in the city of Aktau.
Are you ready for this crazy adventure?
✅ What’s Included in the Mangystau Photo Tour
Professional landscape photography coaching by Isabella Tabacchi and Alessandro Cantarelli throughout the entire tour.
Daily photography coaching (on the spots, editing lessons and portfolio reviews)
All local transportation by 4x4 Land Cruisers by experienced local drivers
All accommodations:
Hotel in Aktau (first and last night)
Yurt Camp near the Valley of Castles
Tented camping in remote locations (tents and all camping gear provided)
All meals during the tour, including:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee
Camp-cooked meals by experienced local guides
Photography permits and access to all planned locations
Local guides and drivers familiar with the Mangystau terrain
Drinking water throughout the trip
Airport transfers to and from Aktau (SCO) Airport
Support with gear logistics and packing tips before departure
❌ What’s Not Included in the Mangystau Photo Tour
International flights to/from Aktau, Kazakhstan
Travel insurance (required – please ensure it covers adventure travel and medical evacuation)
Visa fees, if applicable for your nationality (usually not needed under 30 days but we will assist you in this if needed.)
Alcoholic beverages
Personal snacks or special dietary supplements
Souvenirs or personal shopping
Tips for local guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)
Camera equipment, batteries, and memory cards
Join Our Exclusive Mangystau Kazakhstan Photo Tour
A 10-Day Landscape Photography Expedition with Isabella Tabacchi
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Kazakhstan Photo Tour across the otherworldly and untouched desert landscapes of the Mangystau region. Led by award-winning landscape photographer Isabella Tabacchi, this 10-day adventure is designed for passionate photographers, nature lovers, and explorers who crave raw beauty, solitude, and visual storytelling.
Why Join the Mangystau Desert Photo Tour?
Nestled in the remote southwest of Kazakhstan, Mangystau is a hidden gem of Central Asia. Its surreal desert terrain, reminiscent of alien planets, is a dream for landscape photographers. During this tour, you’ll capture:
Martian-like plateaus and colorful canyons
Wind-sculpted limestone formations and sacred valleys
Golden sunrises, endless horizons, and magical night skies
The unique geological wonders of the Valley of Balls, Kharynzariq, Tuzbair, Bozzhira and Valley of Castles.
True Wilderness Experience with Comfort and Safety
This is more than just a photo trip, it’s a landscape photography retreat in the wild. Our expedition takes you far off the beaten path, where silence reigns and nature shows its ancient face. Here's what to expect:
Remote exploration by 4x4 Land Cruisers
Overnight stays in tents on location for optimal sunrise and sunset shots
Stargazing and astrophotography opportunities under the desert sky
Delicious meals prepared daily by our expert local guides
You’ll spend most nights under the stars, but we’ll also enjoy a well-deserved rest in a scenic Yurt Camp near the Valley of Castles and spend the first and last nights at a comfortable hotel in Aktau.
THE MANGYSTAU KAZAKHSTAN PHOTO TOUR LEADERS
Isabella Tabacchi is an award winning landscape photographer, internationally recognized for her evocative, emotional, and dreamlike photographic style.
Isabella explored all the most remote places in Mangystau in Kazakhstan and knows all the best photography spots and the secrets of these incredible remote places.
Isabella is Fujifilm GFX Ambassador and DJI SkyPixel Creator, has been part of the Grand Jury of the Hasselblad Masters 2021, received the title of Photographer of the Year in Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA).
Third prize winner in the International Landscape Photographer of the year 2020 and 2023, 1 place winner in the Xposure Awards in UAE, Top 10 Photos Winners in the DJI SkyPixel 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest.
The best photo gear for the Mangystau Kazakhstan Photo Tour
For this immersive landscape photography tour in Mangystau, Kazakhstan, it’s important to come well-prepared with the right photo gear to fully capture the dramatic desert scenery, vast canyons, and star-filled skies.
A full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is ideal for high-resolution landscape work. Bring a wide-angle lens (14–24mm or 16–35mm) for expansive desert vistas, medium lens (24-70, 24-120 mm) as well as a telephoto lens (70–200mm or longer) to isolate distant peaks and rock formations.
A sturdy tripod is essential for sunrise, sunset, and astrophotography, especially to face the very windy weather.
A drone to capture the incredible and colorful patterns and formations from above. Of course, it’s not essential for this photo tour but, if you have one, it’s recommended to bring one that can resist to the windy weather (better for example DJI Mavic 4 Pro and similar weight, not so much Mini). No license or permission is needed to fly in those places.
All the locations we will visit, are perfect for both camera and drone photography sessions.
We recommend polarizing filters to enhance contrast in the colorful skies of Mangystau and ND or GND in case you wish to make long exposures. Also pack extra batteries, dual memory cards, a remote shutter release, and lens cleaning kits, as fine desert dust is inevitable. This is a rare opportunity to shoot untouched terrain in changing light and weather, so the more prepared your gear, the more powerful your images will be.
