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An update from Evaneos
Aral Sea

Aral Sea (Kazakhstan)

Practical information about Aral Sea

  • Viewpoint
  • Port
  • Desert
  • Lake
  • Essential
5 / 5 - One review
How to get there
16 hours on the road between Tashkent and Moynoq
When to go
Avoid the middle of summer or the dead of winter because of extreme temperatures
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Reviews of Aral Sea

Timothée D. Travel writer
285 travel articles

An inland sea straddling Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea has now almost dried out, exposing a landscape of desolate desert.

My suggestion:
Moynoq is perhaps the best starting point for exploring the nearby Aral Sea, a town at the edge of the country, in the middle of nowhere.
Summary:
Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world, the Aral Sea has shrunk by more than 90% due to large Russian irrigation projects which pumped out almost all of its water. A desolate landscape remains: sand dunes with sparse plant growth topped with a number of rusty freighters left in the disappearing water, whilst wild camels move around between them. A beautiful landscape in some ways, yet depressing in others as it symbolises the terrible impact humans have on the environment. In any case, a visit to the Aral Sea (or Aral Lakes as it is said today) is required during a trip to Uzbekistan, whether it is to observe the  scenery or  simply for a wake up call.