Journey through the Aral Sea and to Astana

Silkroad Rally: Through the Kazakh steppe - Aral Sea & Astana

After the historic cities of Uzbekistan, the Silkroad Rally leads into a completely new world: the endless Kazakh steppe. This stage is all about vastness, solitude and the forces of nature. With the Aral Seaone of the largest environmental phenomena in the world, and the futuristic capital Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan) we experience two completely different facets of Kazakhstan.

The Kazakh steppe: endless expanses

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, and much of it consists of seemingly endless steppe. There are no roads here, no landmarks - just the open sky and the eternal landscape. For the rally, this means one of the most challenging stages, requiring maximum concentration.

What makes the steppe so special?

• Absolute width - No fences, no houses, just nature

• Extreme conditions - from sweltering heat to sudden storms

• Nomadic life - On the way we meet Kazakh shepherds with their yurts and horses

The Aral Sea: The vanished sea

Once one of the largest lakes in the world, the Aral Sea has become a symbol of environmental destruction. In recent decades, the lake has almost completely dried up due to massive water extraction. What remains is a surreal-looking desert landscape with old shipwrecks sticking out of the sand like stranded ghosts.

Sights at the Aral Sea:

• Moynaq - a former port city that now lies in the middle of the desert

• Shipwreck cemetery - a sad but fascinating testimony to the decline of water

• The small Aral Sea - a part of the lake that was saved by environmental measures

After this impressive scenery, the rally continues into a completely different world: Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Astana: The city of the future

Astana is the complete opposite of the rough, lonely steppe. With its futuristic skyscrapers, artificial parks and impressive monuments it almost looks like a backdrop from a science fiction movie.

Highlights in Astana:

• Baiterek Tower - the city's landmark with a spectacular view

• Khan Shatyr - a huge transparent tent with a shopping center and artificial beach

• Hazrat Sultan Mosque - one of the largest mosques in Central Asia

• Expo site - Ultra-modern architecture with the huge glass dome building "Nur Alem"

• Akmola steppe at the gates of the city - Impressive nature just a few kilometers away

Heading east

The Kazakh steppe, the Aral Sea and Astana mark another major section of the Silk Road Rally. From here, the adventure takes us further and further east - into the last major stages on the way to Mongolia.

Stay tuned and experience the Silkroad Rally up close!