When you think of travel bucket lists, names like Paris, Tokyo, and New York may come to mind, but what if we told you that an underrated gem is just waiting to blow your mind? Kazakhstan has definitely been on our radar for its breathtaking landscapes, interesting history and rich cultures like its untamed wilderness. And if you’re wondering why you should care about Kazakhstan, this photographer’s lens is putting this Central Asian wonder on the map. Meet Bali-based photographer Daniel Cordon, whose Kazakhstan photos will make you pack your bags for this gem this year!
untamed beauty of kazakhstan
Renowned photographer Daniel Cordon is one of the most talented landscape photographers in the world. While in Bali, he often turns his attention to the most overlooked and spectacular aspects of nature. In this case, he focuses his attention on the untamed beauty of West Kazakhstan.
Bosjhira Sky
Urochishche Boszhira is one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. It is a whole series of rocks of different sizes and shapes, located at the bottom of a huge valley.
Captioning this incredible photo on Instagram, he wrote, “Bojira’s teeth moving with star trails above! About 250 30 second photos were merged to get these trails. I left my camera on overnight and Woke up before sunrise due to very strong winds.” Credit: Instagram/Daniel Corden
Bosjira ‘Fangs’
Located within the Ustyurt Plateau, Boszhira is a valley surrounded by striking chalk cliffs, towering rock formations and vast expanses of arid plains. Its most iconic feature is the pair of towering limestone peaks, often called the “Fangs”, which rise dramatically above the plateau, creating a surreal and mysterious atmosphere.
giants of kazakhstan
“Landing on Mars! This is what it feels like to stand before the amazing giants of Bozhira in West Kazakhstan.”
The nearest towns to Bosjira are Aktau and Zhanaozen. You can reach there only by off-road vehicles. The distance from Zhanaozen to Bosjira is approximately 150 km (93 mi); From Aktau to Bosjira – about 300 km (186 mi). Credit: Instagram/Daniel Corden
a world unlike any other
“A collection of the most bizarre formations in West Kazakhstan. Certainly why fly to Mars after that? The variety of colors and shapes here from the air is incredible.”
We agree with Daniel. The region is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from vast plains and rolling hills to the Ural River, which obliquely divides Europe and Asia. This geographical difference provides travelers with the opportunity to stand at the crossroads of two continents.
valley of palaces
Daniel Cordon captioned this photo on Instagram, “Valley of Palaces in West Kazakhstan. Blessed with an epic sunrise this morning, the sky was blazing for over an hour that November morning.” The Cheryn Canyon (also known as the Sharyn Canyon) extends for 154 km along the Cheryn River in the area of the Cheryn National Park, about 200 km east of Almaty, near the border with China. The most interesting place for tourists is the Valley of the Palaces, the length of which is about 2 km, width – 20-80 m. Credit: Instagram/Daniel Cordon
Dinosaur eggs?
“These are extremely unique formations that look like alien or dinosaur eggs – actually built around ammonites. I’ve only seen something like this before in New Zealand (the Moeraki boulders), but there’s a canyon here with literally thousands of There are people!” Credit: Instagram/Daniel Corden
