5-days summer hiking / adventure tour by Almaty region

Duration · 5 DAYS

Season · SUMMER 

Activity · HIKING / ADVENTURE

              From USD $825

Customer reviews   reviews

 

 

  

Kolsai-2 Lake
inside Charyn canyon Glacier hike Kaindy Lake with sunken forest Turgen glamping site
Kolsai-1 Lake around the lake Turgen waterfalls hiking in Tien Shan

  

Route overview
Get inspired Itinerary Service and prices Important notes

 

Experience the incredible diversity of Almaty region landscapes through the eyes of an active traveler. Walk along the snow-capped glaciers of the Northern Tien Shan in the middle of a hot summer. Feel the coolness of dense forests and enjoy the noise of the largest waterfall. Meet the dawn surrounded by mountains in our famous camping in the Turgen gorge. Walk along the beautiful trail between the two Kolsai lakes and take pictures near the famous sunken forest of Kaindy. And finally, descend from the cloudy heights into the colorful desert canyons of Charyn!

 

 Route overview

Almaty - Bogdanovich glacier - Turgen gorge - Kairak waterfall - Charyn Canyon - Kolsai - Kaindy - Almaty

Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊

Type: hiking / adventure 

Group size: min 1 - max 6 

 

get inspired

Get insipired

  • Enjoy all the diversity of landscapes that Almaty has to offer - from glaciers to deserts.
  • Experiense 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.
  • Kazakhstan remains to be a country not yet spoiled by tourists - so feel real Kazakh hospitality and do not miss the chance to meet the wildlife
  • This tour is organized on request and only for you. The guide accompanying you throughout the tour will focus on your needs, interests and safety. You can fully enjoy personalized service and comfort.

what to expect

What to expect

 

  • Kazakhstan is a huge country, distances are long, roads are not always up to standard and traffic can be chaotic. Even though we use new comfortable cars with experienced drivers, you should be prepared for several long journeys on poor quality roads.
  • We pay special attention to food on the tour. Excellent breakfasts and dinners are served in our campsite and in guest houses. Lunches can be organized as a picnic (in the conditions of the hike) or in a local cafe.
  • The conditions in the guest houses are basic, but quite comfortable: we accommodate in double rooms with WC/shower facilties in each room. Accommodation at a camp is in double tents; shower and toilets are at territory. The cost of the tour is based on shared accommodation. Single accommodation is possible for an additional fee.

 

  #GlaciersAlmaty   #TurgenFalls   #TurgenCamping   #KairakWaterfall   #Charyn   #KolsaiLakes   #KolsaiHiking   #Kaindy

 

Itinerary

Day 1 · Almaty - Bogdanovich glacier hike - Turgen camp

Morning pick up in Almaty, drive to Medeo skating rink where take a cable car to Talgarsky pass (3200m) via Shymbulak ski resort. Hike to the Bogdanovich glacier 3600m and back to the pass, 4 hours in total.
T
he trail starts at 3200m and passes the zone of glaciers with almost no vegetation. In the beginning it goes along the left side of the gorge, by the ground track. Then comes to the left side moraine of the glacier and finally leads to the tongue of the glacier. Along the way you will admire the views of Chkalov and Fizkulturnik peaks, covered by "hanging" glaciers called Ayak and Til. The tongue of the glacier offers a stunning panorama of the northern walls of the peaks Komsomol, Amangeldy and Pioneer. We get back to the pass along the same way, take a cable car down to Medeo. After a lunch - transfer to Turgen gorge. Late afternoon arrival at Trekking Club camp in Turgen. Accommodation, dinner and overnight at a camp in "glamping" style. 

meals    Meals · lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · glamping (camping) at Trekking Club camp

walking features    Walking features · 4 hours, ↑↓ 400m (3200m to 3600m), ↔ 13km

driving   Driving · 4 hours, ↔120km

 


 

Day 2 · Hiking to the Kairak waterfall in Turgen gorge

Breakfast at a camp. Hiking to the Kairak waterfall, which is the biggest one in this area (70m tall) and never dries. There are 8km from the confluence of Turgen and Kishi-Turgen rivers (campsite) to Kairak, so the hike takes up to 5 hours in total. The path is so smooth and comfortable that nothing will prevent you from enjoying the views of flowering meadows and dense spruce forests all the way to the fall. Back to the campsite in the late afternoon. Hot shower, dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · glamping (camping) at Trekking Club camp

walking features    Walking features · 5 hours, ↑↓ 430m (1600m to 2050m), ↔ 16km

 


 

Day 3 · Turgen - Charyn Canyon - Saty

Breakfast at a camp, transfer to the Charyn Canyon. National Park's entry procedures. Hiking along the canyon called Valley of Castles known for its fantastic colorful rock formations, 2 hours. We will hike down the cliff up to the Charyn riverbank. Take lunch in Charyn, with a stunning views. Back to the car, transfer to the Kolsai area. Late afternoon arrival at a guesthouse in Saty. Accommodation, dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · guest house in Saty village (Kolsai area)

walking features    Walking features · 2 hours, ↔ 5km, no elevation

driving   Driving · 5 hours, ↔ 265km

 


 

Day 4 · Hiking Kolsai-1 Lake to Kolsai-2 Lake

Breakfast at a guesthouse, transfer to the Kolasi-1 Lake (30 min). Hiking from the First Kolsay Lake called "Saty" to the Second one - "Mynzhylgy". There are 8km between the lakes, and the whole hike takes 6 hours. The nature of Kungey Alatau mountains with its mysterious spruce forests and deep turquoise lakes will leave indelible trace in your memory.. Lunch in the form of a picnic at a Lake-2 lakeshore. Late afternoon back to the same guesthouse. Dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · guest house in Saty village (Kolsai area)

walking features    Walking features · 6 hours, ↑↓ 450m (1800m to 2250m), ↔ 15km

driving   Driving · 1 hour, ↔ 10km

 


 

Day 5 · Visit Kaindy Lake and get back to Almaty

Breakfast at a guesthouse, transfer to the Kaindy Lake. Hiking around the lake with the famous sunken forest, 2 hours. This unique basin (length is 400m) lies at a height of about 1800m above sea level, in the zone of dense spruce forest. The lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The uniqueness of the lake is that after the rise of natural dam that blocked the gorge, water that filled a basin has formed a lake but has not destroyed the spruce that had been growing in this place along the river. The upper parts of the trees sticking out of the water lost lateral branches and bark, and the wood became white. The lower part of the “drowned” pines retained branches that were overgrown with algae under the water, thus created fantastic underwater landscape. After a lunch we drive back to Almaty (4 hours).
Evening drop off at a hotel in Almaty.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch 

walking features    Walking features · 2 hours, ↔ 5km, no elevation

driving   Driving · 5 hours, ↔ 310km

  

Service and prices 

 driving  Transfers

  • all transfers according to the itinerary, pick up and drop off in Almaty
  • cable car tickets Medeo – Talgarsky pass and back for all group members 
  • SUV taxi to Kaindy Lake

 accommodation   Accommodation

  • accommodation at a Trekking Club camp in Turgen, 2 nights (sharing basis, double tents) 
  • accommodation at a guest house in Kolsai NP, 2 nights (sharing basis)

 meals   Meals

  • 5 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 breakfasts 
  • drinking water

 guiding   Guiding

  • English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
  • All guided hikes according to the itinerary (glacier hike, waterfall hike, Kolsai lakes hike, Charyn, Kaindy)

 NP fees  National Parks entry fees and permissions

  • Ile-Alatau NP
  • Charyn Canyons NP
  • Kolsai Lakes NP
  • Kaindy Reserve

prices   Prices:

  • $825 per person per tour - if there are 4-6 people in group
  • $875 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
  • $990 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
  • $1850 - 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 traveller’s and trekker’s insurance 
  • personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
  • rent of personal hiking clothes, boots, gear etc.
  • porters for personal belongings, suitcases and bags during the tour
  • menu does not include soft and alcohol drinks, snacks, beverages

Important notes

  1. We are responsible for your safety in the activities described in the tour program. Horseback riding, boating (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 a 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:
    - steppes/semideserts (Charyn, lowerlands), 250m-700m ASL: +28..+42C degrees daytime, +25..+35C degrees in the night
    - foothhills (Turgen, Saty), 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/boots, a few pairs of socks, sandals or slippers, long trekking pants, shorts, a few t-shirts (with long and short sleeves), thermo-underware (top and bottom), warm jacket (like thick fleece), wind/waterproof jacket or costume (raincoat and pants), peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, hat, gloves, headlamp, water bottle, backpack for day hikes, personal hygienic set with a small towel.
  6. There can be no cellular connection in certain places outside of the city (on the roads and in remote places). No wi-fi available at a camp and at a guest house. 
  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 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.

 

 

 

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