Tiramisu Mountains in Mangystau: Kazakhstan’s next tourism landmark

The name Kyzylkup often leaves visitors wondering what it has in common with the famous Italian dessert. According to one version, the nickname originated when an Italian traveler, exploring Mangystau with a local guide, compared the colorful hills to his favorite dessert, El.kz reports.

Stretching for over 10 kilometres along the plateau, the Kyzylkup tract occupies the site of a former lake bearing the same name. In Kazakh, Kyzylkup translates as “abundance of red.” After the lake dried up, millions of years of geological processes created the area’s layered sedimentary formations. Rich in iron minerals, these multicoloured rocks give the landscape an appearance more reminiscent of the Martian surface than the traditional Kazakh steppe.

Located just 20 kilometres from the renowned Bozzhyra tract, Kyzylkup is also situated near Mount Bokty, whose silhouette once appeared on Kazakhstan’s 1,000-tenge banknote.

Unlike the dramatic cliffs and steep escarpments of Bozzhyra, Kyzylkup offers gentler terrain, making it one of the most accessible and family-friendly natural destinations in the Mangystau region.

Photography and senic highlights

Unlike many of Mangystau’s natural landmarks, which are best photographed during sunrise or sunset, Kyzylkup presents different conditions.

Professional photographers recommend visiting on overcast days or under soft, diffused light, when the vivid colours of the clay formations become more pronounced. Under intense sunlight, the layered landscape often appears flatter and less vibrant in photographs.

Natural erosion caused by wind and seasonal rainfall gradually reshapes the upper layers of the formations. As a result, the canyon’s distinctive patterns continue to evolve and are expected to look noticeably different in the decades ahead.

Most guided tours bring visitors to a particular section of the canyon where the rock formations resemble familiar shapes, including a sphinx, various animals, and even human faces. From there, visitors may descend into the canyon or hike to nearby hilltops offering panoramic views across the surrounding steppe.

Getting there

Kyzylkup is located in the Karakiya District, approximately 300 kilometres from Aktau. The initial section of the journey follows paved highways, while the final stretch beyond Zhanaozen consists of unpaved roads with loose and, at times, slippery surfaces. Hidden patches of soft mud can pose challenges even for experienced drivers.

For this reason, most tour operators recommend visiting the area with an experienced local driver rather than relying solely on GPS navigation.

Given the limited natural shade across the plateau, sun protection including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and an adequate supply of drinking water is strongly recommended.

Summer actvities

Kyzylkup is well suited to both leisurely ecotourism and outdoor adventure. Visitors can choose from hiking trails of varying difficulty, off-road jeep tours along the surrounding escarpments, geological excursions, and specialized photography tours, which remain among the area’s most popular attractions.

Although the region is characterized by an arid climate, spring and autumn transform the canyon with seasonal vegetation and wildflowers, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Mangystau beyond its iconic ochre-coloured landscapes.