Visit to the Beket-Ata Necropolis
Tours to Mangyshlak

On September 8-9, 2000, a commemoration of the Holy Sufi Beket-Ata took place in Mangyshlak, Oglandy Valley. It was dedicated to his 250^th birthday. Beket-Ata is known in the Muslim world as a prophet to whom all Creation was open. As legend says, Beket-Ata lived in the second part of the 18th century. He was born in the present-day location of Kulsary village in Atyrau region.

When he turned 14, Beket-Ata came to visit the ashes of the highly honored sage, Shopan-Ata, to receive his blessing. A legend says that Shopan-Ata was a follower of the Holy Khodja Akhmed Yassawi. Acording to the legend, Shopan-Ata had found a staff of Yassawi's and later built a mosque on that spot in present-day Senek region.

The staff gave birth to a tree that still grows near the mosque and is 800 years old. On the third day, the young boy heard an instruction that he was meant to study. Then Shopan-Ata went to distant Khiva, where he studied in a madrasah. When he reached his 40th birthday, he became a Sufi and started teaching the Koran to children. He walked many roads till he one day returned to Mangystau. He healed people, giving them health and long life. Using his wisdom, he was able to settle arguments so that both sides remained satisfied. He preached justice and kindness.

A Sage and Holy man, he also was a brave warrior, who performed many feats during battles with the Kalmucks. Beket-Ata built 4 mosques: one in Kulsary called the White Mosque; the second carved in limestone rocks, 20 km from Beyneu village; the third in Baishatyr region on the Ustyurt plateau and a fourth underground mosque, carved out of a limestone mountain in the Oglandy Valley - the latter is the one we will visit. It consists of seven rooms. They have perfect acoustics. Beket-Ata is buried near the mosque. Beket-Ata Necropolis is a spiritual, historical and architectural memorial.

The Program:

Travel itinerary: Aktau - Zhana Uzen' - Senek village - Shopan-Ata Necropolis - Shakpakty pass - Oglandy Valley - Beket-Ata Mosque - Aktau

Day 1. Transfer: Aktau - Zhana Uzen' (New Uzen') - Senek village - Shopan-Ata Necropolis (10th-13th cc.) - Shakpakty pass - Oglandy Valley - Beket-Ata Mosque (320 km., 7-8 hours).
Early departure from Aktau. Our route runs to the southeast in the direction of Zhana Uzen' on a good asphalt road. We will pass the small town of Zhana Uzen', then Senek village, after which we turn to the left onto a back road and drive for about 15 km. To the right, Shopan-Ata Necropolis can be seen - it is a traditional stop for piligrims heading to the Beket-Ata mosque. There is a well with drinking water nearby. From here we will drive up to the plateau on so-called "steps". There are precipices to the left and right of the plateau. Arrival at Beket-Ata mosque, accommodation in guesthouse. Rest. Evening prayer in the mosque. Dinner and night in guesthouse.

Day 2. Breakfast. Excursion to the place where Beket-Ata lived. Descent from the plateau takes about 1 hour, elevation changes up to 200 meters. As the legend says, Beket-Ata lived with his sister in limestone rooms. Their "house" consisted of two rooms and a kitchen. Argali horns were placed in the chimney and smoke from the kitchen was colorless for that reason. After excursion, we return to Aktau. Transfer: Beket-Ata - Aktau (320 km, 7-8 hours). Box lunch en-route.

Cost of program includes:	Cost of program does not include:
all transfers by "UAZ" car; guide and cook service; entrance and ecological fees; box lunch and dinner on the 1st day; breakfast and box lunch on the 2nd day; necessary kitchen equipment; mineral water en-route.	tips; medical expenses and health insurance; additional excursions not indicated in the program; personal expenses; alcoholic drinks; phone calls.

We hope you like the program and assure you that we are absolutely open to any suggestions to increase the range of our services for the entire satisfaction of our clients and are happy to meet your special requirements.

You can alter the duration of your tour and places of visits by adding one of the extensions. Our tour operator will work closely with you or your travel agent to carefully prepare an itinerary based on your stated interests.

Reserve tour now >>>