Michelin Pelletier, 64, from Boulogne-Billancourt, France, photographer, photojournalist, correspondent
I’ve been traveling for 44 years. Before coming here, I’d visited about 75 countries.
A month ago I saw an article in the daily Le Monde presenting Kazakhstani landscapes, the Mangistau region. I was to visit the US national parks for the fifth time, but having read the article I changed my plans.
I’ve traveled to Almaty and Mangistau regions. Mangistau is an unexplored extraordinary region that impressed me by its uniqueness. The Almaty region is great indeed. Anatoly Savichev guided me there. My heart’s in Mangistau.
My heart’s in Mangistau
Aktau Mountains
Aktau Mountains located in the Altyn Emel National Park are full of various colors: red and gray, yellow and green stones are marvelous. I liked this place most of all.
This area is better to be visited in early spring or autumn, as it’s hot and dusty in summer. The emerald green grass and flowers blooming will make you fell in love with Aktau.
Winter lovers can visit the mountains in February to walk safely along the snow-covered slopes.
Observatory in the Almaty region
I’ve visited the observatory in the Almaty region bordering Kyrgyzstan. There I saw magnificent landscapes with snow and mountains. There’re telescopes and a space station at the Astrophysical Institute station by the Big Almaty Lake.
The area is picturesque both in winter and summer, though in winter there are fewer people for bad roads.
Tuzkol Lake
Tuzkol salty lake looks like a pearl sparkling in the evening.
It’s better to be visited in July for flowers blooming and horses grazing on zhailau. You’re welcomed to admire the view of Khan-Tengri.
The Bozzhyra Mountains
I fell in love with the Bozzhyra white mountains in Mangistau. It’s an incredible view, I’d never seen anything like this anywhere, even in South America.
You’d better come here with a local guide. The best time to visit is spring, early summer and autumn. It's very hot in the middle of summer. You can visit Beket-ata and Sholpan-ata mosques on your way to the Bozzhyra.
Ethnoaul in Mangistau
There’s an ethno village with luxurious restaurant-yurts and a yurts for overnight, convenient toilets and showers in Mangistau.
Ethnoaul is 70 kilometers away from Aktau. There’s the Torish valley with nodules, the Valley of Castles and Sherkala mountain not far from the village.
Photos are at Michelin Pelletier and Anatoly Savichev’s personal archive.
We’re grateful to Kazakh Tourism for their assisting.
