Our team would like to introduce you to a fascinating region perched in the middle of Tien Shan. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, countries of nomads in the due heart of Central Asia, offer largely unexplored mountains with a splendid playground for all nature- and virgin land lovers.
This program is an ideal solution for those travelling from Almaty in the direction of Karakol and vice versa.
We offer 3 itineraries: 3-day tour with a hike on Kolsai Lakes, 2-day tour without a hike on Kolsai, and a 3-day itinerary with a visit to Altyn Emel.
Day 1. Almaty – Charyn canyon – Kolsai kolderi national park
07:00 early breakfast at the hotel and departure
10:00 arrival to Charyn canyon. Canyon has been described as the Grand canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep. Free time.
12:00 lunch (outdoor picnic). Free time. Departure to Saty village.
14:00 Arrival and check in at the guesthouse (DBL/Standard accommodation). Transfer to Kolsai lake 1. Kolsai Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals. Free time.
18:00 return to Saty village. Night stay at the guesthouse.
Day 2. Kaindy lake – Karakol
08:00 Breakfast at the guesthouse. Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off road).
09:00 arrival. Kaindy lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The rockslide “place of origin” can still be seen today, because it has not been overgrown yet. 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. Hiking around the lake. Free time
12:00 Return to Saty. Lunch.
14:00 departure to the border, border crossing formalities. Meeting with your driver (local, Russian speaking) and driving to Karakol (2 hours)
18:30 arrival to Karakol, transfer to the hotel. End of services.
*The route from Karakol is the following: Karakol – Kaindy Lake – Kolsai Lakes – Charyn Canyon – Almaty. The program and prices are exactly the same.
3 days with hike on Kolsai
Day 1. Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kolsai Kolderi national park
08:00 early breakfast at the hotel and departure
11:00 arrival to Charyn canyon. Canyon has been described as the Grand canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep. Free time.
13:00 lunch (outdoor picnic). Free time. Hiking on the top of canyon.
17:00 departure to Saty village. 18:00 arrival and check in at the guesthouse (DBL/Standard accommodation). Night stay at the guesthouse.
Day 2. Kolsai Kolderi national park
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
10:00 transfer to Kolsai lake1. Kolsai Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals. 13:00 lunch (outdoor picnic). Hiking from Kolsai lake 1 to Kolsai lake 2. Hike back.
18:00 dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse.
Day 3. Kaindy lake – Karakol
08:00 Breakfast at the guesthouse. Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off road).
09:00 arrival. Kayndy lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The rockslide “place of origin” can still be seen today, because it has not been overgrown yet. 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. Hiking around the lake. Free time
12:00 Return to Saty. Lunch.
14:00 departure to the border, border crossing formalities. Meeting with your driver (local, Russian speaking) and driving to Karakol (2 hours)
18:30 arrival to Karakol, transfer to the hotel. End of services
*The route from Karakol is the following: Karakol – Kaindy Lake – Kolsai Lake – Charyn Canyon – Almaty. The program and prices are exactly the same.
3 days with visit to Altyn Emel
Day 1. Almaty – Tamgaly tas – Altyn Emel
Early breakfast at the hotel. Trip to Altyn Emel National Park.
08:00 Tamgaly on Ily river (165 km from Almaty). Tamgaly tas – written cliffs, on Ily river. Located 170 km from Almaty, natural boundary consists of huge cliffs. It was a place where beautiful images of Buddha and Burhans were found. Visit Bes Shatyr. Free time. Departure to Altyn Emel National Park. Arrival to Basshy village. Check-in at the guesthouse (DBL/Standard accommodation).
14:00 Lunch at Basshy village.
15:00 departure to so-called Singing sand (also called whistling sand or barking sand). The dune is composed of light-coloured sand and has a length of about 3 km and a height of 150 m. In dry weather, sands emit a sound similar an organ melody. Since ancient times this place was considered supernatural. The legends explained the sound by the activities of the desert spirits, mythical animals, the bells of buried towns, underground rivers etc.
19:00 Returning to the guesthouse.
Dinner & night stay at the guesthouse (Basshy village).
Day 2. Altyn Emel national Park – Aktau & Katutau mountains
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
09:00 breakfast and trip to Aktau and Katutau mountain range.
10:30 Aktau mountains are located 80 km from the village that takes approximately 1,5 hours to reach them. The Aktau hills look supernatural. You will observe rock layers of white, red and orange colours across the range, known as a unique paleontological deposit with an estimated age of 25-30 million years.
13:00 Lunch boxes – outdoor picnic.
14:00 Katutau hills are less spectacular, but certainly interesting since it’s a good place to see argali. Ancient willow visiting.
18:00 Return to the guesthouse and dinner.
Overnight at the guesthouse (Basshy village)
Day 3. Charyn canyon – Karakol
08:00 early breakfast. Check out of the guesthouse. Departure to Charyn canyon
11:00 Charyn canyon. The canyon has been described as the Grand canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep.
12:00 Lunch boxes – outdoor picnic. Free time for your own.
14:00 Departure to Karkara – border with Kyrgyzstan, border crossing formalities. Meeting with your driver (local, Russian speaking) and driving to Karakol (2 hours)
18:30 arrival to Karakol, transfer to the hotel. End of services
*The route from Karakol is the following: Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Altyn Emel – Almaty. The program and prices are exactly the same.
Prices
2 days itinerary:
- 1 pax: 662$/pp
- 2 pax: 357$/pp
- 3 pax: 265$/pp
- 4 pax: 215$/pp
- 5 pax: 183$/pp
- 6 pax: 132$/pp
3 days with Kolsai hike:
- 1 pax: 902$/pp
- 2 pax: 488$/pp
- 3 pax: 349$/pp
- 4 pax: 285$/pp
- 5 pax: 243$/pp
- 6 pax: 214$/pp
3 days with Altyn Emel
- 1 pax: 948$/pp
- 2 pax: 523$/pp
- 3 pax: 390$/pp
- 4 pax: 320$/pp
- 5 pax: 276$/pp
- 6 pax: 246$/pp
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Accommodation in guesthouse on TWIN / DBL sharing basis
- Meals: day 1 LD, day 2 BLD, day 3 BL
- English-speaking guide-driver services (Almaty region)
- Transfer from Karkara border point to Karakol (Russian speaking local driver)
- Water – 1L per person per day
- Entrance fees for all mentioned national parks (except photo and video charges).
NOT INCLUDED
- Photo and video charges
- Alcohol + Beverages
- Horse riding from Kolsai lake 1 to Kolsai lake 2 (40 USD per person)
- Accommodation in Karakol and Almaty
- Portages at airports and hotels
- Tips and gratuities
- Any personal expenses
- Any services not included in the above itinerary
PS
- Important – early arrival are not included (by program).
- Additional supplements could be offered depending to the international flight tourist used.
