Day hiking tour to Kairak waterfall in Turgen gorge
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Duration · 1 DAY
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Season · SPRING / SUMMER / FALL
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Activity · HIKING
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From USD $50
Customer reviews 
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Kairak waterfall is located in the Turgen gorge on the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park, 80 km east of Almaty. Turgen gorge is one of the most beautiful and long gorges in Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Turgen is known for its waterfalls, as well as unique reserve with Sievers apple trees - the genetic ancestor of all the apple trees on earth. The trail to the waterfall is as smooth as beautiful: you move along the mountain river with sparkling water, through deep mixed and spruce forests interspersed with flowering fields - across11 old bridges...
Route overview
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Almaty - Turgen Gorge - Batan forestry - Kairak Waterfall - Almaty
Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊
Type: hiking
Group size: min 1 - max 4
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Get insipired
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- Along its entire length (and this is one of the longest gorges of the range) it is covered with dense forests, beautiful at any time of year. In the spring you will smell the aromas of blossoming apple and apricot trees. In the summer - the smells of spruce resin and herbs. And in the fall you will be amazed by the magnificent variety of shades on the slopes - from green to red, from yellow to white. It is not without reason that the local name of these mountains - Alatau - translated from Kazakh means "motley mountains"
- This is rather easy and a very pleasant hike accessible to almost anyone. There are 8 kilometers in total from Batan (start point) to the waterfall, and there is no significant difference in height thus no any ascents, steep slopes and dangerous points. All you need is to enjoy the amazing wild nature around – spruce groves paved with endemic mossy grasses, colorful meadows full of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies
- You will be able to enjoy the wildlife, if start earlier - small deers (elik), wild goats, marmots, eagles and foxes often met along the trail
- The 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.
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What to expect
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- 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 a 2-hours drive to and back, sometimes on poor quality roads.
- This tour does not include meals, snacks and water supply. Please make sure you have some snacks and water for you.
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Itinerary
· Almaty - Turgen Gorge - Batan forestry - Kairak Waterfall - Almaty ·
Have started early in the morning from Almaty city, we follow the motorway in the direction of Turgen ravine, passing by Issyk village. The main road goes through famous Turgen trout farm, and after a short stop at National Park entry gates we continue driving up to Batan forestry where the asphalt road ends. Here, at a confluence of rivers Kishi-Turgen and Turgen, the hiking part of a tour starts. A good, wide path follows up the Turgen stream: it was initially designed to be used as a National Park’s road but the main bridge in Batan has been washed away by the mudflow, so now everyone can enjoy this nice walk to the Big Kairak waterfall!
There are 8 kilometers in total from Batan to the waterfall, and there is no significant difference in height thus no any any ascents, steep slopes and dangerous points. All you need is to enjoy the amazing wild nature around – deep spruce groves (Schrenk spruce) paved with endemic mossy grasses, ash-tree shrubs, colorful meadows full of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies…Having crossed 11 old bridges, we finally come at a confluence of Turgen and Kairak rivers where turn left and hike up for another 20 minutes through the spruce grove, following the Kairak river. Even there, inside a forest you can hear the voice of the falling water: Kairak waterfall appears suddenly, just around the last corner.
The Kairak waterfall is one of the biggest in the region: it’s height is more than 55 meters (70 in total) and it never dries. Thanks to the location, it still remains clear and untouched by civilization – in Kazak language its name is associated with sharpener (because the Kairak River in this narrow part of the gorge seems to cut through the rocks).
A way to the waterfall takes 2,5-3 hours of walking. Normally we spend another 30-40 minutes near the fall to take pictures and snacks. Way back takes another 2 hours, so you should consider 5-6 hours of walking in total.
After a hike we get back to Batan and drive to Almaty (2 hours)
Walking · 5 hours, ↑↓ 430m (1700m to 2130m), ↔ 16km
Driving · 4 hours, ↔ 160km
Service and prices
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Transfers
- comfortable private transportation, pick up and drop off in Almaty
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 Guiding
- English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
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 National Park's entry fees
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 Prices:
- $50 per person per tour - if there are 4 people in group
- $65 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
- $95 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
- $190 - 1 person (individual service)
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Price does
not include
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- accommodation (hotel), any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
- meals, snacks, water / drinks
- personal traveller’s insurance
- personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
- rent of personal clothes, shoes, gear etc.
- optional activities
- porters for personal belongings and backpack during the tour
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Important notes
- We are responsible for your safety in the activities described in the tour program. Horseback riding or other similar services provided by local residents on the spot - at your discretion and under your responsibility.
- Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only:
- foothhills (Turgen, Issyk), 1000m - 1600m ASL: +20..+35C degrees daytime, +10..+25C in the night
Temperatures in spring and autumn 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
- foothhills (Turgen, Issyk), 800m - 1700m ASL: +12..+22C degrees daytime, +3..+10C in the night
- We recommend having for this trip: trainers/hiking shoes/light boots (depending on a season), trekking socks, trekking pants, t-shirt with short or long sleeves (depending on a season), jacket (thickness depends on a season), raincoat, light down jacket in early spring and mid autumn, peaked cap, buff, hat, gloves for colder season, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, small backpack for day hikes, trekking poles, water bottle, snacks.
- There can be no cellular connection in certain places outside of the city (on the roads and in remote places).
- 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.
- In May and early June there can be ticks in the forests and bushes. If you come during that period, then please do not forget to take anti-tick repellent, or also treat your hiking shoes/clothes in advance.
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