How do tourists reach the Aral Sea from Nukus?

Tourists reach the Aral Sea from Nukus by arranging a guided 4×4 off-road excursion, because there is no public transport and no paved road leading to the current shoreline. The tough drive takes roughly 7 to 9 hours each direction, sometimes longer when the sand behaves.

To do it safely, travellers have to hire a specialised tour operator, equipped with rugged vehicles for off-road terrain and extra fuel supplies. The route usually goes north towards Kungrad, goes past the ship graveyard area in Muynak, then continues for hours across lonely, pathless ground over the Ustyurt Plateau. Because of the vast distance, many tours include a night at a desert yurt camp close to the waterline.