Embark on an unforgettable journey through the ancient lands of Kazakhstan, where every corner breathes history and the beauty of nature. Our route starts from Altyn-Emel National Park, where you will meet the Singing Barkhan - a unique natural phenomenon that produces a melodic sound similar to organ music, and the majestic mountains of Aktau and Katytau, reminiscent of the scenery of fantastic movies.
Next, we will head to the Charyn Canyon, a grandiose natural sculpture nicknamed “the little brother of the Grand Canyon”. Narrow trails and giant sandstone “castles” will take you to the mysterious world of natural wonders.
The next day we will explore the mountain lakes Kolsay and Kaindy - true treasures of the Tien Shan. You will walk along the picturesque shores where mountains are reflected in crystal clear water, and in Kaindy you will be amazed by its famous “flooded forest” standing like watchmen right from the depths of the lake.
The tour will be complemented by ethnic elements: overnight stays in cozy houses or yurts, dinners with Kazakh cuisine, traditional melodies and the atmosphere of complete harmony with nature. This journey will reveal to you the spirit of the Kazakh steppe and leave vivid impressions for a lifetime! Book this tour and become a part of the great history of nature and culture of Kazakhstan!
5 days
The total distance is 1700 kilometers.
Complexity
Level of difficulty - advanced
Type of travel
Ethno-tour
DAY 1
We will start from the city of Almaty at 5 am. In two hours we will be at the tamgaly tas petroglyphs near the Ili River. This is our starting point of the trip. Here we will spend 2 hours exploring ancient rock paintings, visit the Ili River, walk along the places with the best view and make a lot of beautiful photos.
The next stop is the village of Basshi, where we will have a delicious lunch in a guest house, which is steeped in Kazakh culture and life. After lunch we will go to the Singing Barchan, where we will be met with breathtaking views of sand dunes, with excellent panoramas for photo shoots. Then overnight stay and dinner at the hotel
Aktau Katytau. After a hearty breakfast we will go to the mountains of Aktau, which is located deep in the Kazakh steppes. The road from the hotel to the mountains will take 2 hours on off-road with beautiful views of endless steppes and wild animals. Then a walk through the labyrinths of this mountainous area to the most beautiful panoramic views of these lands awaits us. After the walk we will be driven to the lava mountains of Katytau and have lunch, then to the sacred 700 year old Willow.
After a hearty breakfast we will go to the town of Zharkent, where there is a Dungan mosque in Asian style, which is built without a single nail. The drive from the hotel to the village will take 2 hours. Next, we will have a walk around the mosque and museum.
After the walk we will drive to the wild Charyn canyon having lunch on the way. There we will have a long walk along the canyon trails and a chance to go down to the heart of the canyon. After that we will go to Saty village, which is located high in the mountains, where we will have dinner and overnight stay in a guest house.
Lakes Kolsay and Kaindy. After a hearty breakfast we will go to the lakes that are called the treasure of the mountains. The first one will be Lake Kaindy, the road to it will take an hour off-road drive. on the way we will be surrounded by breathtaking views of rivers and mountains. When we reach the lower parking lot we will have to make a choice how to get to the lake, there are 2 main options 1 on horseback 2 on ecotaxi. At the lake itself we will have a long walk through beautiful sites and panoramas.
Then we will go back to the guest house for lunch and then we will go to the Kolsai lake, where you will have time for solitude in nature or a walk along the picturesque trails.
On the last day of our trip, after a great breakfast we will go to the tourist center Charyn, it is a popular location for photos among tourists, because there are a lot of panoramic views and steep cliffs. after a long walk we will have a delicious tea, a little rest, and the road home. On the way we will stop at the village of Baiseit for a delicious lunch.