Golden Ring of Jetysu
5 days of nature and culture travel
This is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the nature, culture and cuisine of Kazakhstan. Mountains, steppes, lakes, canyons, hot springs, overnight stays in yurts and authentic Kazakh cuisine are waiting for you.
Altyn-Emel National Park: Explore Kazakhstan's largest national park and its dramatic desert landscapes.
Singing Dune: Climb this natural phenomenon and hear its mysterious "song".
Aktau and Katutau Mountains: Admire the cretaceous hills and volcanic formations.
Charyn Canyon: Go down to the Valley of Castles and enjoy a picnic by the river.
Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes: Discover the surreal beauty of Kaindy Lake and hike to Kolsai Lake.
Chunji Hot Springs: Relax in the mineral springs under the starry sky.
Kazakh villages: Immerse yourself in the local lifestyle in the villages of Bashi and Saty.
Local flavors: Try "Kurt" (cheese) and "Koumiss" (mare's milk).
Campfire Evenings: Reflect on daytime adventures with herbal tea under the stars.
Route program
8:00
The adventure begins with a meeting from your hotel in Almaty or from the airport. After meeting with the guide, we set off on a trip in a comfortable SUV.
Along the way, we will make several stops to taste the traditional Kazakh cheese Kurt and take pictures with the picturesque landscapes.
12:00
We reach our first destination, the village of Bashshi, which takes about 4 hours.
After checking into the hotel, we will enjoy lunch.
17:00
After our exploration, we relax with a cup of hot tea before heading to the volcanic mountains of Katutau.
The unique rocks formed by wind, sun and water are the perfect place for photographs. On the way back to the hotel, we will stop at a 700-year-old willow tree and taste the mineral spring water.
19:00
Traditional dinner at the hotel.
13:00
Then we head to the foot of the ancient ocean, from which the Cretaceous Mountains of Aktau were formed millions of years ago.
The off-road trip takes about 1.5 hours. Once there, the guide will guide you through various routes of varying difficulty levels, telling you about the history of these stunning mountains.
7:00
The day starts with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.
8:00
After packing up, we set off to conquer the Singing Dune, which is an hour off-road.
Upon arrival, we will climb to the top of the dune, which offers a magnificent view of the Ili River and the surrounding mountains. The guide will explain the origin of the sand and demonstrate how to make the dune "sing".
11:00
After returning to the parking lot and having a cup of tea, we head to Zharkent, which is a 2-hour drive through the Tiger Mountains.
Along the way, we will stop to admire the scenic views.
13:30
In Zharkent, we will taste the delicious local dish lagman in a cafe, and then we will go to the mosque of Zharkent, made entirely of wood.
We will also take a walk through the lively market where fruits and fresh bread are sold.
14:30
After visiting the mosque, we will continue to the Chunja hot springs, an oasis in the middle of the steppe.
18:00
Upon arrival at the hot springs, you will have the opportunity to soak up the mineral pools with temperatures from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius, most of which are open around the clock.
It's a great place to relax under the stars.
19:00
We end the day with a traditional dinner at the hotel.
8:30
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel.
9:30
After packing up, we head to Charyn Nature Park to explore its canyons, stopping in Chunju for packed lunches on the way.
13:00
Then we descend into the Bestamak Canyon, a wild and colorful analogue of Castle Valley Canyon. It will take about 40 minutes to walk through the canyon, and we will enjoy relaxing by the roaring Charyn River.
14:00
After leaving Bestamak, we head to the most breathtaking viewing platform on the Charyn River and the Valley of Castles. This is the perfect place for unforgettable photos.
17:00
We cross several passes and head towards the Moon Canyon, a mountainous clay maze unlike any other. The guide will tell you about it, and you will have time to take more photos.
18:00
We leave behind the scenery of the canyon and head to the village of Saty, where we will spend the night in a guest house and get acquainted with the local culture. A traditional Kazakh dinner will end the day.
7:30
Start the day with breakfast at the guest house.
8:30
After packing up, we will go to Lake Nizhny Kolsai, from where we will go hiking to Lake Sredny Kolsai. The hike takes about 3 hours each way.
12:00
Upon arrival in Sredny Kolsai, lunch awaits us, which we have prepared in advance. The guide will show you the best places to take photos and prepare hot herbal tea.
17:30
After returning to the guest house, we will enjoy a traditional dinner and spend the evening around the campfire. We will also have time to explore the village.
8:00
After breakfast, we drive to the magical Kaindy Lake, located in Kungei-Alatau. The off-road trip to the lake will take about an hour. Once there, we will explore three key viewing platforms that offer the best view of the lake.
13:00
After returning to Saty for lunch, we will pack our bags and go to the valley of castles of the Charyn Canyon. After admiring the panoramic views, we will descend into the canyon and reach the Charyn River.
The guide will tell you about the canyon's origin and offer you a cup of tea by the river. You can return to the parking lot on foot or take a taxi.
17:00
On the way back to Almaty, we will make stops to take photos at sunset and visit the bazaar in the village of Bayseit.
19:00
The guide will drop you off at your hotel or at any other address in Almaty, marking the end of the tour. The memories of this trip will stay with you for many years to come.
Included in the price
- Transfer on a comfortable 4WD SUV with fuel
- Services of an English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees
- Food
- Accommodation in hotels
- 1.5liters of drinking water per person for every 3 days
Not included in the price
- Alcohol
- Personal expenses
- Boating and other activities