Duration · 2 DAYS

Season · SUMMER 

Activity · ADVENTURE / HIKING

              From USD $380

Customer reviews   

Almaty - Issyk Scythian Museum - Issyk Lake - Turgen Gorge - Bear Waterfall - Trekking Club camp - Assy Plateau - Almaty

Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊

Type: adventure / camping

Group size: min 1 - max 6

Get inspired

• Explore the Northern Tien Shan foothills: visit the Scythian museum and burial mounds at Issyk, admire Lake Issyk and walk to Bear Waterfall in the forested Turgen Gorge.
• Feel like a nomad on Assy Plateau: see summer pastures, grazing horses and traditional yurts, and learn about the highland way of life.
• Explore the Scythian heritage of the Issyk area: visit the museum and royal burial mounds, then discover ancient rock carvings on Assy Plateau.
• Discover Issyk Lake and enjoy a scenic walk to Bear Waterfall in Turgen Gorge, surrounded by spruce forest and mountain streams.
• Take an exciting off-road tour to the Land of Nomads - Assy plateau, located at 3.000 meters above sea level. Enjoy your best picnic in the nature with exquisite dishes and views of snow-capped peaks.
• Experience a real eco-glamping on a separate "island" surrounded by mountains at our camp in Turgen gorge. Our camp became a Finalist of 2019 Top100 Sustainable Destinations Award! We are proud to be on the list of World Greenest Places.
• This private tour is organized on request. Your guide will focus on your interests, comfort and safety throughout the journey.

What to expect

• The tour combines comfortable transfers, short walks and a genuine off-road journey on Assy Plateau. Mountain roads can be rough, and weather conditions may change quickly at altitude.
• Freshly prepared meals are served at our campsite; lunches are arranged during excursions, as picnics or at a local café depending on the route.
• Accommodation is in shared, fully furnished double tents at Trekking Club camp, with showers and toilets on site. Single occupancy is available for an additional fee.

   Transfers

• all transfers according to the itinerary, pick up and drop off in Almaty
• off-road tour by Assy Plateau

    Accommodation

• accommodation at a Trekking Club camp in Turgen, 1 night (sharing basis, double tents) 

    Meals

• 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
• drinking water

    Guiding / Safety

• English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
• Guided hike and excursions according to the itinerary
• A comprehensive group first-aid kit is carried on every tour and is always easily accessible — with the guide at all times, whether in the vehicle or in the field
• All tours are continuously monitored by our coordination team. Guides maintain regular mandatory contact with the office, ensuring real-time awareness of the group’s location, progress and overall situation throughout the tour
• Clear communication is a core part of our safety system. For larger groups, radio communication is used between guides, vehicles or sub-groups to ensure smooth coordination at all times
• All vehicles used on our tours undergo regular technical inspections and additional in-house checks before and after each trip. Each vehicle is equipped for the specific route and conditions, including off-road travel and remote areas, with an on-board kit for unexpected road situations.

   National Parks and other areas entry fees and permissions

• Ile-Alatau NP
• Assy Reserve
• Issyk Scythian Museum admission tickets

   Prices:

• $380 per person per tour - if there are 4-6 people in group
• $395 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
• $530 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
• $890 - 1 person (individual service)

Price does

not include

• international flights to/out Almaty
• any visa/migration issues, fees and support, if applicable 
• accommodation (hotel), meals and any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
• airport/train/bus station meetings/transfers 
• personal travel insurance
• personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
• rent of personal clothes, shoes, gear etc.
• porters for personal belongings, suitcases, backpacks and bags during the tour
• menu does not include soft and alcohol drinks, snacks, beverages

1. We are responsible for your safety in the activities described in the tour program. Horseback riding, rafting (services provided by local residents on the spot) - at your discretion and under your responsibility.
2. The cost of the tour is based on shared accommodation. Single accommodation is possible for an additional fee. Please inform us in advance if you want to require single accommodation.
3. Let us know in advance if you have any specific food requirement (like vegetarian menu or food allergies)
4. Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only:
   - foothills (Turgen, Issyk), 1000m - 1600m ASL: +20..+35C degrees daytime, +10..+25C in the night
   - mountains, 1700m - 2700m ASL: +15..+25C degrees daytime, +5..+15C in the night. Can be cooler when raining.
   - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: +10..+20C degrees daytime, 0..+10C in the night. Can be cooler when raining/snowing.
5. We recommend having for this trip in summer conditions: hiking shoes/trainers, socks, sandals or slippers, long trekking pants, t-shirt with long and short sleeves, thermo-underware (top and bottom), warm jacket (like thick fleece), wind/waterproof jacket (raincoat), peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, hat, gloves, headlamp, water bottle, small backpack for day hikes, personal hygienic set with a small towel.
6. There can be no cellular connection in certain places outside the city (on the roads and in remote places). No wi-fi and no cellular coverage are available at a camp. 
7. In early June, there can be ticks in the forests and bushes. If you come in June, then please do not forget to take anti-tick repellent, or also treat your hiking shoes/clothes in advance.
8. In remote places like Assy and villages, there may be a problem with paying with cards. If you plan to buy some small items or souvenirs, make sure to have cash - Kazakh Tenge.
9. This tour is based on SUVs, which have limited trunk space. Limit your belongings to one duffel bag and one small backpack per person.
10. Turgen camp accommodation: there are fully furnished big tents with beds, mats, pillows, sleeping bags and linen in each. For the nights in tents you should only have appropriate clothing, please check the list above. At a camp we do not provide accessories for washing and hygiene, towels, slippers or robes. If you plan to visit Scythian sauna at a camp (it is ordered / paid separately on site and is not included in tour package), then please make sure to have bath accessories with you. More info on Turgen campsite facilities is at the CAMPING section.