Almaty region is located in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan. In the Kazakh language, Zhetysu means seven rivers. Kazakh poets were inspired by this place. They called it the heaven on the earth and it’s not without a reason. This place is so different from other parts of Kazakhstan, that it seems like an amazing oasis, hidden in the Asian steppes.

In this tour, you will see fascinating Alatau mountains, reveal the secrets of Charyn Canyon and admire the view of high lakes. Need more? Singing sand dunes, red mountains, mysterious rock paintings are waiting for you.

Discover hospitality of the south city

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, where living about 9% of the country’s population. It also used to be the former capital of the country, until 1997 when it moved to Astana. The city has many interesting sights worth to visit. Almaty region is a must visit place for first-time visitors of Kazakhstan.

Admire the view of high lakes – Big Almaty Lake and Kaindi Lake

Big Almaty Lake, 30 km from Almaty, is located in the gorge of river Big Almatinka, at height of 2511 m above sea level. The lake is in a hollow, surrounded from different directions with mountain tops.

The Kaindy Lake is located in a middle of a coniferous forest 1867 meters above the sea within Almaty region. It is famous because of its origin. The earthquake created a natural dam which blocked the water and created a mystical view. Most of the spruces, being surrounded by mountain water, are preserved perfectly because of the coldness of the lake. That’s why spruce stems stay there like masts of the sunken ships.

Reveal the secrets of Charyn Canyon

The Charyn Canyon has the length about 150 km and in some places, depth is going up to 300 m. Here is situated Valley of Castles, that due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing, almost man-made structures.

Mysterious Altyn-Emel

According to legend, the merchant Baibosyn, who drove the caravans along the Silk Road, stopped here for the night and stuck his staff into the ground. And when he woke up, he found a young seedling in place of the staff.

Altyn-Emel is a national natural park located in the Ili River Valley. The Park was founded to preserve a unique natural complex with archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, rare and endangered species of animals and plants. The Park has a total area of 520,000 ha.

Here is also located red and white coloured mountains called Aktau-Katytau mountains. These mountains are famous for its unique appearance. It was probably created by small volcanoes, erupted and immediately cooled down million years ago. Aktau is red and white mountains in a shape of a pyramid. Katytau is red mountains that have preserved well the remains of volcanic eruptions.

Signing Sand dune

Another phenomenon of the Altyn Emel national park is Signing Sand dune. The name of this dune was given because when the wind blows from the west dispersing the sands, one has a feeling that the pipe organ is playing in the heart of the desert. The Signing Sand Dune phenomena emerged thanks to the wind that had been blowing for million years from Ili river bringing sand to Altyn Emel park.

Besides these, you will see Besshatyr, the complex of Saco mounds, which is a historical monument (12th -11th centuries BC). In total there are 18 royal burrows from 8 to 70 meters in diameter, and from 2 to 20 meters in height are concentrated in the area of 2 sq.km. A chain of 45 immovable stone fences lies to the West of the royal tombs from North to South, on which carved are drawings of animals.

Moreover, you will go to the Ili river, the largest river in this region. Here is located amazing rocks where engraved unique pictures of three Buddhas (dated back to the 14th – the 16th century), the hight of the highest Buddha is 400 m. In total, there are 18 rocks with engraved on it signs, including pictures of three Buddhas.