Singing Dune - Aktau hills - Temirlik and Bestamak canyons - Kolsay - Kaindy - Charyn - Bartogay Lake - Turgen falls - Issyk Lake
Adventure trip around Almaty, 7 days (SPRING/FALL)
Almaty – Altyn-Emel National Park (Singing Dune, Aktau colorful mountains, Katutau volcano) - Temirlik and Bestamak canyons - Kolsay Lake - Kaindy - Charyn canyon - Bartogay Lake - Turgen waterfalls - Issyk Lake - Almaty
| Season |
March - May, September - November |
| Duration of a tour |
7 days, 6 nights |
| What's interesting |
Singing Dune, Aktau mountains, Charyn canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy, Bartogay lake, Turgen falls |
| Photo and video |
Altyn-Emel NP pictures, canyons photo, Sogdian ash-tree |
| What to take |
Hiking shoes/trainers, high socks, long trekking pants, shorts, sandals, t-shirt with long and short sleeves, thermo-underwear (top and bottom), wind/waterproof jacket and pants, warm jacket, peaked cap, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, backpack for day hikes, personal hygienic set |
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Day 1
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Drive from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park. Arrival Bas'shi village, Park's entry procedures. Lunch and drive to Singing Dune. Hiking by the Dune's ridge, which is the best point to observe the Great Kazak Steppe and Ili river. Late afternoon back to Bas'shi village, accommodation at a guest house. Dinner and overnight.
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Day 2
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Breakfast at a guest house. Drive from Bas'shi to the next Altyn-Emel attraction - Aktau colorful mountains famous for its "Martian" landscapes. Lunch and hiking by the rainbow chalky hills and canyons, 3 hours. Set a tent camp at the foot of the hills, take dinner and stay overnight in tents (tent camping).
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Day 3
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Breakfast with incredible scenery of Aktau hills in the sunrise. Drive to Katutau volcano, lunch in the red crater surrounded by the intriguing rock formations. Drive from Katutau to Temirlik canyon. Set a tent camp inside a Sogdian ash-tree grove. Dinner and overnight in tents (tent camping).
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Day 4
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Breakfast in Temirlik and drive to the entrance of Bestamak canyon, next from a series of Charyn canyons. Bestamak, also known as Red Canyon, invites its rare visitors to appreciate the beauty of the tortuous cliffs looking like they were fashioned and brightly painted by some unknown artist. Hike by the canyon takes 3 hours. Take lunch and drive to Kolsay National Park. Arrive Saty village in the evening, take dinner and stay overnight at a guest house.
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Day 5
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Breakfast at a guest house. Drive to Kaindy Lake. Hiking around the famous Underwater Forest. Lunch at a lakeshore, enjoying the view of an ancient pine grove "growing out" of green waters at a height of 1800m ASL. Drive from Kaindy the First Kolsay Lake also called "Saty". Excursion around the lake, reflecting the sunset. Back to the guest house. Dinner and overnight.
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Day 6
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Breakfast at a guest house, drive to Charyn National Park. Hiking by the canyon's most attractive part - Valley of Castles, known for its fantastic colorful rock formations. Lunch in Charyn and drive to Bartogay Lake. The Lake, bordering Asy plateau from the east, remains the best bird watching point of Almaty region. We set a camp at a lakeshore, take dinner and enjoy the wildlife all the rest part of a day. Overnight in tents (tent camping) in Bartogay.
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Day 7
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Breakfast. Drive from Bartogay to Turgen gorge. Hiking to the Bear waterfall (1,5 hours). Drive to Issyk highland lake, lunch at a lakeshore. Late afternoon drive back to Almaty city.
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Prices: N/A
The price includes:
- all transfers according to the itinerary: Almaty – Altyn Emel NP - Temirlik and Bestamak canyons - Kolsay NP - Charyn - Bartogay - Turgen - Issyk - Almaty
- guided hikes and excursions in Altyn Emel National Park (Singing Dune and Aktau hills), in canyons (Charyn/Bestamak), in Kolsay and Turgen
- accommodation at guest house in Bas'shi village (Altyn-Emel NP), 1 night, double rooms
- accommodation at a guest house in Saty (Kolsay NP), 2 nights, double rooms
- tent camping (Aktau, Temirlik, Bartogay), 3 nights (double tents, sleeping bags and mats, tableware and kitchen gear, lighting etc.)
- meals: full board, 3 meals a day (7 lunches, 6 breakfasts, 6 dinners). Vegetarian menu is also available.
- drinking water
- National parks and special areas entry fees and permissions
- English-speaking guide
Price does not include:
- international flights (to/from Almaty)
- accommodation/entertainment in Almaty
- airport meetings and transfers
- rent of personal clothes/shoes, hiking gear (like backpacks)
- personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
- menu does not include soft and alcohol drinks, snacks
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