Travel program
Day 1. Almaty - Altyn Emel
Departure from Almaty at 08:00. Transfer to the Tamgaly tract of Tas, located on the Ili River.
Tamgaly Tas is a unique monument of the distant past, where images of buddhas and texts in Tibetan, Kalmyk and other languages, which have basically a prayer meaning, are engraved on the ruins of the rocks. When, under what circumstances these drawings appeared, who is their author is unknown: for over 150 years scientists have been trying to unravel the mystery of the origin of these mysterious images. Upon arrival in Tamgaly Tas, your guide will tell you a lot of interesting things about this amazing place, you can stroll around the neighborhood, as well as on the opposite bank of the river Ili to see the scenery in the style of medieval Kazakhstan, built for the filming of the film "The Nomad".
After the end of the tour - moving to the village of Bashshi, located in the territory of the National Park "Altyn Emel", lunch in the village. After lunch - an excursion to the Singing Barkhan.
Singing barkhan, reaching a height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km, is a few kilometers from the Ili River between the Bolshaya and Maly Kalkan mountains. This sandy mountain consists of the tiniest purest sand, which, with gusts of wind, begins to "sing", and its sound resembles the sounds of an organ. Before the beginning of sandstorms the barkhan produces a sound similar to a drumbeat. From the top of the barkhana a grandiose panorama of the surrounding countryside opens up. In the south, there is a thin strip of the Ili River, the purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty, beyond which the ridges of Ketmen look out over the white peaks. From the west, the horizon covers the precipitous side of the Great Kalkan, from the east - the Lesser. And in the north behind it is visible a lilac-blue ridge of spurs of Dzungarian Alatau, Chulak, Matai and Altyn-Emel mountains. At their foot stretches a foothill valley, cut into thin strips of dry channels of rainwater. If the weather is dry and windy, then the barkhan will sing you his song, which is spread over several kilometers ...
Return to the village of Basshi. Dinner and overnight in the village.
Day 2. Altyn Emel
Breakfast and check-out at 09:00 hr. To the mountains of Aktau and Katutau. Lunch (picnic) during the excursion.
Cretaceous mountains of Aktau (White Mountains) are a world famous paleontological deposit. In the layers of Paleogene lacustrine sediments, well-preserved remains of ancient animals are found whose age is estimated at 25-30 million years. Among the finds are the remains of giant rhinoceroses, crocodiles and turtles. The mountains of Aktau represent a spectacular spectacle of variety of shapes and shades. In the mountains of Katutau (Harsh mountains) there are several extinct volcanoes, where the most original forms of volcanic formations (frozen lava) have been preserved. There are also various outcrops and coloring (yellow, red, violet, etc.) of rocks and variegated clays, which give a unique appearance to the landscape of the mountains. The mountains of Katutau are the most waterless, steep and gloomy, characterized by steep slopes and numerous gorges. There is the largest number of argali and mountain goats. In the gorges there are many rock carvings with scenes of hunting and animals.
Dinner and overnight in the village of Basshi.
Day 3. Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - the village of Sata
Breakfast at 08:00. Transfer to the Charyn canyon. Lunch at a local cafe on the way to the canyon. Excursion in the "Valley of Castles"
Charyn Canyon is a natural natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan, but all over the world. It was formed during the Paleogene era and resembles the Grand Canyon of Colorado in North America, although it is inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon reaches 150-300 m. It is struck by the extreme dismemberment of the relief: numerous beams and ravines form a dense, disorderly network. Wind and water have created here the most beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are surrounded all the time by towers of bizarre form, composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley is more than 2 km, width is 20-80 m. For millions of years, nature has created a unique architecture, diligently and slowly built majestic castles. You can wander for hours on the outlandish towers and pillars, marveling at the wild fantasy of nature.
Departure from the canyon around 16:00 in the village of Saty. On arrival, accommodation at the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 4. Kolsai Lakes
Breakfast and check-out at 08:00 o'clock to the lake Kolsai-1. Trekking (7 km one way, 3.5 hours one way) from Lake Kolsai-1 (1818 m above sea level) to Lake Kolsai-2 (2250 m above sea level) and back.
Kolsai Lakes - "Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan" - represent a cascade of three lakes. The largest and most accessible for tourists - the most beautiful, is characterized by a lack of civilization and an abundance of mushrooms, and lovers of horseback riding can book a horse route here. Upper - small, located on the border of spruce and alpine meadows, admires its harsh highland beauty, as well as a rich flora and fauna. The difference in altitude between the three lakes averages about 700 meters. You can reach the lower lake by car. But to see the second and third lakes, you will have to walk a few kilometers on foot along mountain trails. Undoubtedly in these places tourists have a great rest - berries, mushrooms, fishing. The water in the lakes is cold and clean. There is a rainbow trout - a fish that lives only in flowing or spring water. In the mountains there are marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears.
Picnic in nature and return to the village of Sata. Dinner and overnight at the guest house.
Day 5. Lake Kaindy
Breakfast at 08:00. Transfer to the Kaindy gorge. Excursion around the vicinity of Lake Kaindy.
Lake Kaindy (Beryozovoe) is located among the magnificent coniferous forest at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 as a result of a strong earthquake, which caused a landslide, which blocked the gorge by a natural dam, and the water flooded it. The water in the lake is very cold, why the needles of the trees are well preserved and can be clearly seen through the transparent surface of the water, and the dry trunks of the flooded firs tower above the water surface, like the masts of an underwater squadron. All this mystical splendor of the lake can not be conveyed in words, it is necessary to visit there and see everything with your own eyes.
Picnic in nature and return to the village of Sata. Free time in the afternoon, hiking in the surrounding area at will. Horseback riding is also possible (for an additional fee). Dinner and overnight at the guest house.
Day 6. Settlement of Sata - Lake Issyk - Almaty
Breakfast at 08:00. Transfer to Issyk. Lunch at a local cafe. After lunch - an excursion to one of the most beautiful gorges of the Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk.
The route of the excursion will take you to a height of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful high-mountainous lake Issyk, which is located in the same gorge. The lake was formed about 10 thousand years ago as a result of a colossal mountain collapse, which resulted in the formation of a natural dam about 300 meters high. On the shore of the lake you can enjoy the unspeakable beauty of the Issyk Gorge and the turquoise water surface, as well as hear the details of the natural disaster of 1963.
On the way back from the lake you will get acquainted with the history and nature of this region, as well as with archaeological monuments of Sak culture - burial mounds, where the famous "Golden Man" was found, which became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Issyk", where you will get acquainted with the expositions devoted to the history and culture of the Saka period, among them a copy of the Golden Man and gold products, ancient ceramics, weapons, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of the Sak burial mound in section.
Departure to Almaty. Arrival to the city around 7:00 pm.
The cost of the program: 1590 USD per person, with a group size of 2 people
For group applications, discounts are given
The cost of the program is INCLUDED:
1. Double accommodation in a hotel or a guest house of the Altyn Emel park
2. Double accommodation in a guest house in the village of Sata
3. Moving on the program on a comfortable minibus
4. Guide and excursion services according to the program
5. Environmental fees and entrance fees along the route
6. Meals: lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast and lunch on Day 6, three meals a day on other days
7. Drinking water 1L per person per day
The cost of the program is NOT INCLUDED:
1. Accommodation in Almaty, if required
2. Meals not indicated in the program and / or not included in the cost of the program
3. Surcharge for single accommodation (113 USD)
4. Horseback riding, boating
5. Visa support and registration in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if required
6. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program
Note.
In the event of currency fluctuations or changes in local government taxes, as well as changes in the cost of fuel, air tickets, we reserve the right to change the value. The firm reserves the right to change the time and sequence of excursions without changing the whole program of the tour. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
