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Duration · 5 DAYS |
Season · SUMMER |
Activity · HIKING / ADVENTURE |
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From USD $970 Customer reviews |
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| 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!
For travel trade partners: This tour can also be integrated into longer, tailor-made Kazakhstan itineraries. Explore our B2B services →
Route overview
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Almaty - Bogdanovich glacier - Turgen gorge - Kairak waterfall - Charyn Canyon - Kolsai - Kaindy - Almaty Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ Type: hiking / adventure Group size: min 1 - max 6 |
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Get inspired |
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What to expect |
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| #GlaciersAlmaty | #TurgenFalls | #TurgenCamping | #KairakWaterfall | #Charyn | #KolsaiLakes | #KolsaiHiking | #Kaindy |
Itinerary
Day 1 · Almaty - Bogdanovich Glacier (or Shymbulak Peak) - 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.
The 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.
If the Bogdanovich Glacier route is inaccessible or unsuitable due to weather conditions, trail closures, access restrictions or participants’ physical abilities, the guides may choose an alternative hike to Shymbulak Peak from Talgar Pass. The final route decision is made by the guides on site, based on actual conditions and safety considerations.
Meals · lunch, dinner
Accommodation · glamping (camping) at Trekking Club camp
Walking features · 4 hours, ↑↓ 400m (3200m to 3600m), ↔ 13km (Bogdanovich Glacier route; alternative route details may vary)
Driving · 4 hours, ↔120km
Day 2 · Hiking in Turgen Gorge: Kairak Waterfall or Bear Waterfall alternative
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.
If the trail to Kairak Waterfall is inaccessible due to damaged bridges, trail closures or other safety-related restrictions, the guides will arrange an alternative full-day hike through Turgen Gorge, including Bear Waterfall and the scenic plateau above it. This point-to-point route between Stetson and Ak-Bulak offers a comparable hiking experience, with varied mountain terrain, forest trails and panoramic views. The final route and direction are determined by the guides according to actual conditions. Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation · glamping (camping) at Trekking Club camp Walking features · 5 hours, ↑↓ 430m (1600m to 2050m), ↔ 16km (Kairak Waterfall route; alternative route details may vary)
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 stunning views. Back to the car, transfer to the Kolsai area. Late afternoon arrival at a guesthouse in Saty. Accommodation, dinner and overnight.
Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation · guest house in Saty village (Kolsai area)
Walking features · 2 hours, ↔ 5km, no elevation
Driving · 5 hours, ↔ 265km
Day 4 · Hiking Kolsai-1 Lake to Kolsai-2 Lake
Breakfast at a guesthouse, transfer to the Kolsai-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 an indelible impression 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 · breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation · guest house in Saty village (Kolsai area)
Walking features · 6 hours, ↑↓ 450m (1800m to 2250m), ↔ 15km
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 a 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 a fantastic underwater landscape. After a lunch, we drive back to Almaty (4 hours).
Evening drop off at a hotel in Almaty.
Walking features · 2 hours, ↔ 5km, no elevation
Driving · 5 hours, ↔ 310km
Service and prices
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Guiding / Safety
Prices:Important notes
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