6-days Spring /Autumn adventure tour by Almaty region

Duration · 6 DAYS

Season · SPRING / FALL 

Activity · ADVENTURE / HIKING

              From USD $990

Customer reviews   reviews

 

 

  

Aktau colourful mountains
Valley of Castles, Charyn Hike along the Singing Dune’s ridge SUV taxi to Kaindy Kolsai Lake
Altyn Emel NP inside Temirlik canyon Kaindy Lake Moon Canyon view

  

Route overview
 Get inspired Itinerary Service and prices Important notes

 

Spring and autumn in Almaty are a great time to enjoy the diverse steppe and foothill landscapes, explore the amazing deserts and canyons. Although the highland areas are usually inaccessible due to snow, you will have the opportunity to visit the most iconic natural attractions of the region: Kolsay and Kaindy lakes, the Singing Dune and the colorful Aktau mountains. Come in early May to see tulips and poppies blooming, because Kazakhstan is their homeland! This is also the best period to explore ALL the canyons of the Charyn River and relax in the thermal springs.

 

 Route overview

Almaty - Altyn Emel NP - Singing Dune - Aktau hills - Zharkent - Chunja - Temirlik Canyon - Bestamak Canyon - Kolsai Lake - Kaindy - Charyn Canyon - Almaty 

Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊

Type: adventure / hiking / SUV

Group size: min 1 - max 6 

 

get inspired

Get insipired
  • Almaty offers a whole range of landscapes - from glaciers and the highest peaks of the Tien Shan to deserts. Spring and autumn are the best time to explore the Altyn-Emel National Park, known for its amazing natural phenomena - the Singing Dunes, the ancient Katutau volcano, the chalky mountains of Aktau with their Martian views.
  • In spring, the endless Kazakh steppe blooms. In late April and May, you will witness the blooming of tulips and poppies. This is a truly unforgettable sight - vast expanses covered with a carpet of yellow and red flowers.
  • Explore all the tributaries of the Charyn River - the famous canyons. Not only the most popular Valley of Castles, which is often compared to the Grand Canyon, but also the lesser-known canyons of Temirlik, Bestamak (Red), Zhabyr (Yellow or Moon) - all of them are unique and worthy of your attention.
  • Don't miss the interesting historical sights of our region - such as the famous Zharkent mosque, built without a single nail in the Chinese style.
  • Visit the pearls of the Kungey Alatau ridge - Kolsay and Kaindy lakes. And relax in the thermal springs with a view of the mountains!
  • 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 long journeys on poor quality roads, especilly in Altyn Emel and Charyn areas. In some parts it can be a full off-road.
  • We pay special attention to food on the tour. Breakfasts and dinners are served in guest houses. Lunches can be organized as a picnic (in the conditions of the hike/drive) 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. 

 

  #SingingDune
   #AktauMountains   #ZharkentMosque   #CharynCanyons   #Charyn   #KolsaiLakes   #AltynEmel   #Kaindy

 

Itinerary

Day 1 · Almaty - Altyn Emel NP: Singing Dune - Bas'shi

Morning start in Almaty, drive to Altyn Emel NP northern entry via Konaev and Saryozek towns. Park's entry procedures in Bas'shi, drive to the Singing Dunes with a stop at Oshaktas dolmens. Excursion around and a hike along the Dune's sharp ridge. Lunch with a great desert's view. Drive back to Bas'shi, accommodation at a guest house. Dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · guest house in Bas'shi village 

walking features    Walking · 1,5 hours, ↔ 2.5km, ↑↓ 140m (515m to 655m)

driving   Driving · 7 hours, ↔ 355km

 

 

Day 2 · Altyn Emel: Aktau mountains - Katutau volcano - 700-years old willow

Breakfast at a guest house, drive to another attraction of Altyn Emel: Aktau colorful hills. Hike along the cliffs and plateaus of Aktau, offering incredible Matian views. Back to the car, drive to the Katutau volcano, lunch in the crater. Drive back to Bas'shi via the 700-years old Willow Tree and famous oasis. Late afternoon arrival to the same guest house. Dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner 

accommodation    Accommodation · guest house in Bas'shi village 

walking features    Walking · 3-4 hours, ↔ 9km, ↑↓ 160m (555m to 716m)

driving   Driving · 4 hours, ↔ 165km

 

 

Day 3 · Bas'shi - Tiger Mountains / Zharkent - Chunja thermals

Breakfast at a guest house, drive further to the east. There are 2 different routes available: on the way to Chunja (which is the final point on this day) we can either visit Tiger Mountains and enjoy the fantastic multi-colored views of the desert. Or, we can come via Zharkent town and its famous mosque built in chinese style. Depending on the option chosen, the lunch will be served around noon - in a picnic style if we stop in Tiger Mountains, or at a local cafe if we go thru Zharkent.
In the afternoon we arrive in Chunja and the rest of the day relax near the hot/warm/cool pools in the Chunja Thermals. Dinner and overnight at a SPA guest house in Chunja.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch

accommodation    Accommodation · SPA guest house in Chunja

driving   Driving · 4 hours, ↔ 260km

 

 

Day 4 · Chunja - Temirlik Canyon - Bestamak (Red) Canyon - Saty

Breakfast at a SPA guest house, drive to the canyons. First stop is at Temirlik canyon - one of the cliffs of Charyn River. After checking Temirlik, we take lunch and move to another canyon called Bestamak (Red Canyon) known for its amazing landscapes and wildlife. After a hike along Bestamak, we get back to the car and head to the Kolsai area. Late afternoon accommodation at a guest house in Saty (entrance to the Kolsai Lakes NP). Dinner and overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner 

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

walking features    Walking · 4 hours, ↔ 14km, ↑↓ 160m (915m to 1075m)

driving   Driving · 4 hours, ↔ 240km

 

 

Day 5 · Visit Visit Kolsai-1 Lake and Kaindy

Breakfast at a guest house, drive to Kolsai-1 Lake - the biggest of the whole cascade. Take a short excursion around to see it from different sides. Take lunch at a local cafe and drive to the Kaindy gorge. Take a hike around the famous lake with a sunken 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. 
Late afternoon back to the same guest house. Take dinner and stay overnight.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch, dinner

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

walking features    Walking · 2 hours, ↔ 5km

driving   Driving · 3 hours, ↔ 35km

 

 

Day 6 · Visit Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles) and get back to Almaty

Breakfast at a guest house, drive to the last and the most popular canyon of Charyn - Valley of Castles. Come to the main NP entry and hike down along the cliff to the river. Take lunch inside a canyon with great views, surrounded by the relic Sogdian ashes. Back to the parking, drive to Almaty.

meals    Meals · breakfast, lunch

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

driving   Driving · 4,5 hours, ↔ 310km

  

Service and prices 

 driving  Transfers

  • all transfers according to the itinerary, pick up and drop off in Almaty

 accommodation   Accommodation

  • accommodation at guest house in Bas'shi village (Altyn-Emel NP), 2 nights, double rooms (sharing basis)
  • accommodation at a SPA guest house in Chunja, 1 night, double rooms (sharing basis)
  • accommodation at a guest house in Saty (Kolsay NP), 2 nights, double rooms (sharing basis)

 meals   Meals

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

 guiding   Guiding

  • English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
  • All guided hikes and excursions according to the itinerary: in Altyn Emel National Park (Singing Dune and Aktau hills), in Charyn canyons, in Kolsay and Kaindy

 NP fees  National Parks and other special areas entry fees and permissions

  • Altyn Emel NP
  • Charyn Canyons NP
  • Kolsai Lakes NP
  • Kaindy Reserve
  • Zharkent mosque-museum entry tickets

prices   Prices:

  • $990 per person per tour - if there are 4-6 people in group
  • $1150 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
  • $1280 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
  • $2150 - 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 clothes, shoes, gear etc.
  • optional activities 
  • porters for personal belongings, suitcases and bags during the tour
  • menu does not include:
    - 1 dinner in Chunja - at own expense and choice
    - 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 Spring and Fall in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only, for April and late September
    - steppes/semideserts (Charyn, Altyn Emel, Chunja), 250m-700m ASL: +18..+28C degrees daytime, +5..+15C degrees in the night
    - foothhills (Saty, Kolsai area), 800m - 1700m ASL: +12..+22C degrees daytime, +3..+10C in the night
  5. We recommend having for this trip in mid-season conditions: hiking shoes/boots, a few pairs of high socks, slippers, long trekking pants, shorts, a few t-shirts (with long and short sleeves), thermo-underware (top and bottom), warm jacket (like thick fleece), light down jacket, wind/waterproof costume (raincoat and pants), peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, hat, gloves, 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 guest houses in remote villages.
  7. 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.
  8. There can be ticks in steppes and deserts. You may take anti-tick repellent, or also treat your hiking shoes/clothes in advance.
  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. Suitcases with wheels will not be accepted.

 

 

 

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