Golden ring of Zhetysu

At first, Golden ring of Zhetysu tour starts with a visit to Big Almaty Lake. Big Almaty Lake is located in the gorge of river Big Almatinka, at height of 2511 m above sea level, in 28, 5 km to the south from Almaty.

Then, there will be an excursion to Tamgaly. It is the biggest and known collection of petroglyphs of Kazakhstan. Tamgaly is located in the tract Tamgaly. It is the most famous center of the 50 centers of petroglyphs of Semirechye, the basin of Lake Balkhash.

After that, you will visit the Turgen Gorge in the Ili-Alatau National Park. It is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The gorge has hot springs, a trout farm, waterfalls and thick forests.

Visit to Ili-Alatau National Park will be followed by Assy plateau. The plateau is located at heights of 2800-3200 meters. Since ancient times, it is being used as pasture. Scientists found remains of ancient humans, who lived here more than 5000 years ago. The well-known in Kazakhstan mountain observatory also located at Assy plateau.

Also, we will cover the Canyon. The Charyn has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep.

And finally, we will visit the Ili River. It is the largest river of Semirechye, flowing from east to west. The site, which extends our alloy – is a rocky canyon, unique in the presence – only on the Ili River. Four attractions – the Genghis Khan crossing, the rock “Devil’s finger”, a decorative fortress built for the filming of “Nomads” movie and finally the tract Tamgaly-Tas, where you can see traces of the Buddhists in the territory of Semirechye – five rocks with Buddha image.

Duration	12 days / 11 nights
Season	March to October

Day 1

Almaty

Arrival to Almaty. Transfer to hotel. Check-in.
Meeting with guide in Almaty and transfer for city tour. City tour starts from old part of city and includes main sightseeing of Almaty.

Day 2

Almaty

After breakfast depart to excursion at the Big Almaty Lake (about 30 km from Almaty)
Big Almaty Lake is located in gorge of river Big Almatinka, at height of 2511 m above sea level, in 28, 5 km to the south from Almaty.
Transfer to Falconry farm “Sunkar”
Viewers get a lot of information about the history of falconry, the biological features and the way of life of birds of prey.
Drive back to city.

Day 3

Almaty

Drive to Camel Farm (2 hours)
Tasting of the national drink, made from camel milk named “shubat’.
Drive to Tamgaly 70 km via Khanshengely
Excursion in Tamgaly – The biggest and known collection of petroglyphs of Kazakhstan, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the tract Tamgaly. It is the most famous center of the 50 centers of petroglyphs of Semirechye, the basin of Lake Balkhash.
Overnight stay in Almaty.

Day 4

Almaty

Transfer to Issyk lake – (65 km)–Many archaeological monuments, barrows, burial grounds Golden Man were found here. Visit Issyk museum.
Lunch in Issyk. After lunch departure to Turgen gorge (25 km)
Turgen Gorge in the Ili-Alatau National Park (90 km from Almaty) is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The gorge has hot springs, a trout farm, waterfalls and thick forests. Accommodation at camping club.

Day 5

Almaty – Assy plateau

Transfer to Assy plateau (near Turgen). The plateau is located at heights of 2800-3200 meters. Since ancient times, it is being used as pasture. Scientists found remains of ancient humans, who lived here more than 5000 years ago. The well-known in Kazakhstan mountain observatory also located at Assy plateau. Accommodation at camping club

Day 6

Assy – Kolsay

Transfer to Kolsay Lakes (about 250 km)
Arrival to the 1st Kolsay Lake (275 km from Almaty). Trek to the 2nd Kolsay Lake (about 8 km). Such kind of beauty cannot be found anywhere. Here you can enjoy the unsurpassed forest. These lakes are situated in the eastern part of the picturesque Kungei Tau gorge, 300 km from Almaty. Lunch, dinner and overnight in a guesthouse

Day 7

Kolsay

Transfer to Kaiyndy Lake (20 km from Kolsay). It’s a very young lake that appeared only in the beginning of the last century as a result of the 1911 earthquake. Lunch during excursion. Drive back to the guesthouse.
Dinner, overnight in guesthouse.

Day 8

Charyn

Transfer to Charyn canyon (about 80 km from Kolsay lakes). The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep.
Afternoon transfer to Altyn emel national park (60 km), visiting of singing dunes. Overnight in Kazakh yurts.

Day 9

Altyn – Kapchagay

After breakfast departure to Aktau, Katytau colored mountains (about 60 km).
Lunch during excursion.
Drive to Kapchagay city. Accommodation at hotel.
Visit casino (if you want)

Day 10

Ili river gorge – Almaty

Transfer to Ili river.
The Ili River is the largest river of Semirechye, flowing from east to west. The site, which extends our alloy – is a rocky canyon, unique in the presence – only on the Ili River. Four attractions – the Genghis Khan crossing, the rock “Devil’s finger”, decorative fortress built for the filming of “Nomads” movie and finally the tract Tamgaly-Tas, where you can see traces of the Buddhists in the territory of Semirechye – five rocks with Buddha image.
Departure to Almaty. Dinner at the city.
Accommodation at hotel. Rest. Overnight.

Day 11

Almaty

Departure to Gunni ethno center (40 km from Almaty)
Ethno center “Gunni” – is a great way of life, traditions and customs of nomadic Kazakh people. We have tried to transfer the aura of the past, which is stored in the history of our present, and realized all this in the creation of the base.
After show at ethno center depart to Almaty.
Dinner at the city. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.