"The Golden Ring of Zhetysu: A Journey to Dunes, Lakes, and Mountains"
5 days
Individual, group tours
Languages: English, Russian
what included:
Our most popular and eventful tour covers the most fascinating natural, cultural, and historical landmarks of the Zhetysu (Semirechye) region. This route has gained popularity due to its diverse landscapes, unique natural sites, and rich historical heritage.
Over five days, we will visit three national parks: Altyn-Emel, Charyn, and Kolsay Lakes.
Total distance over five days: 1,500 km.
Over five days, we will visit three national parks: Altyn-Emel, Charyn, and Kolsay Lakes.
Total distance over five days: 1,500 km.
- As part of this tour, we will visit:
- The most popular viewpoints of Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles and upper viewing platforms)
- Four remote and rarely visited locations on the right bank of Charyn Canyon
- Kolsay Lake
- Kaindy Lake
- The Singing Dune
- Akтау Mountains
- Katuтау Mountains
- The 700-year-old Willow
- The Mosque in Zharkent
Transport: Well-equipped, comfortable SUV
Water: 1.5L per person per day
Three meals a day
Entrance tickets to national parks
Accommodation in a private room at a guesthouse.
Various options are available for consideration.
Various options are available for consideration.
Tour Details
Altyn-Emel is a unique national park in Kazakhstan, renowned for its rich nature, historical heritage, and stunning landscapes. The park is located in the Almaty region, between the Zhetysu Alatau mountain range and the Ili River
The White Mountains of Aktau are famous for their multicolored layers of sedimentary rock, dating back millions of years. Resembling Martian landscapes, they attract tourists and photographers alike.
The Katuatau Mountains are ancient volcanic formations with bizarre shapes and remnants of lava flows. This area is perfect for hiking.
The Katuatau Mountains are ancient volcanic formations with bizarre shapes and remnants of lava flows. This area is perfect for hiking.
The Singing Dune is one of the most famous natural phenomena of Altyn-Emel. This sand dune, about 150 meters high and 3 kilometers long, produces sounds resembling an organ when the wind blows across its slopes.
Charyn Canyon is one of the most astonishing natural formations in Kazakhstan, located 190 km from Almaty in the Almaty region. Often called the "younger brother" of the Grand Canyon, this breathtaking place captivates every traveler with its stunning beauty and uniqueness.
Kolsay Lake is one of Kazakhstan’s most stunning natural landmarks, located 300 km from Almaty at an altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level within Kolsay National Park. The lake is famous for its picturesque nature, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Kaindy Lake is a unique natural phenomenon nestled in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains of Kazakhstan. This extraordinary lake captivates travelers with its surreal beauty, unusual landscape, and mysterious atmosphere.
Kaindy Lake is a unique natural phenomenon nestled in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains of Kazakhstan. This extraordinary lake captivates travelers with its surreal beauty, unusual landscape, and mysterious atmosphere.
Мечеть в Жаркенте — это уникальный памятник архитектуры, известный как Жаркентская мечеть, расположенный в городе Жаркент, Алматинская область, Казахстан. Это один из самых выдающихся образцов архитектуры Центральной Азии XIX века, который сочетает традиции восточной, китайской и исламской архитектуры.
Семисотлетняя ива — это уникальное дерево, известное как "Саксаульская ива" или "Дерево Улькен-Агаш", что переводится как "Большое дерево". Оно является природным памятником и одной из главных достопримечательностей парка. Высота ивы составляет около 10 метров, а её ствол достигает в окружности три метра. Крона дерева раскидистая, что делает его особенно впечатляющим.
5-Day Tour Program:
Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake & Charyn Canyon
Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake & Charyn Canyon
Day 1:
Altyn-Emel – Aktau & Katutau Mountains, 700-Year-Old Willow
Altyn-Emel – Aktau & Katutau Mountains, 700-Year-Old Willow
08:00 – Departure to Altyn-Emel National Park, arrival in Basshi village, ticket purchase & registration
12:30 – Lunch at a café
13:30 – Drive to Aktau Mountains
15:00 – Hike through the canyons of Aktau Mountains, climb to scenic viewpoints
18:00 – Visit the 700-Year-Old Willow
19:00 – Check-in at a guesthouse & dinner
12:30 – Lunch at a café
13:30 – Drive to Aktau Mountains
15:00 – Hike through the canyons of Aktau Mountains, climb to scenic viewpoints
18:00 – Visit the 700-Year-Old Willow
19:00 – Check-in at a guesthouse & dinner
Day 2:
Singing Dune, Valley of Sculptures, Zharkent Mosque-Museum
Singing Dune, Valley of Sculptures, Zharkent Mosque-Museum
08:00 – Breakfast
08:30 – Departure to the Singing Dune
12:00 – Return to Basshi village, lunch at a café
14:00 – Drive to the Valley of Sculptures
15:30 – Walk through the Valley, exploring unique rock formations
17:00 – Departure to Zharkent
17:30 – Visit Zharkent Mosque-Museum
18:30 – Dinner at a café
19:30 – Check-in at a hotel
08:30 – Departure to the Singing Dune
12:00 – Return to Basshi village, lunch at a café
14:00 – Drive to the Valley of Sculptures
15:30 – Walk through the Valley, exploring unique rock formations
17:00 – Departure to Zharkent
17:30 – Visit Zharkent Mosque-Museum
18:30 – Dinner at a café
19:30 – Check-in at a hotel
Day 3:
Singing Dune, Valley of Sculptures, Zharkent Mosque-Museum
Singing Dune, Valley of Sculptures, Zharkent Mosque-Museum
08:00 – Breakfast
08:30 – Departure to the Singing Dune
12:00 – Return to Basshi village, lunch at a café
14:00 – Drive to the Valley of Sculptures
15:30 – Walk through the Valley, exploring unique rock formations
17:00 – Departure to Zharkent
17:30 – Visit to Zharkent Mosque-Museum
18:30 – Dinner at a café
19:30 – Check-in at a hotel
08:30 – Departure to the Singing Dune
12:00 – Return to Basshi village, lunch at a café
14:00 – Drive to the Valley of Sculptures
15:30 – Walk through the Valley, exploring unique rock formations
17:00 – Departure to Zharkent
17:30 – Visit to Zharkent Mosque-Museum
18:30 – Dinner at a café
19:30 – Check-in at a hotel
Day 4:
Kolsay Lake 1 & Kolsay Lake 2
Kolsay Lake 1 & Kolsay Lake 2
08:30 – Breakfast
09:30 – Arrival at Kolsay Lake 1, walk along the lake shore
10:30 – Trekking to Kolsay Lake 2 (approx. 3.5 hours at an average pace)
15:30 – Return journey
18:00 – Arrival at the guesthouse in Saty village, rest and dinner
09:30 – Arrival at Kolsay Lake 1, walk along the lake shore
10:30 – Trekking to Kolsay Lake 2 (approx. 3.5 hours at an average pace)
15:30 – Return journey
18:00 – Arrival at the guesthouse in Saty village, rest and dinner
Day 5:
Kaindy Lake
Kaindy Lake
08:30 – Breakfast
09:00 – Departure to Kaindy Lake
09:30 – Arrival at the parking area, 2 km trek to the lake
(Horseback riding or taxi transfer to the lake available, not included in the price)
10:00 – Visit six scenic spots around the lake (shoreline, upper viewpoints, river inflow) – 2-hour exploration
13:30 – Return to the guesthouse with a stop at the Chilik River Valley viewpoint, lunch
14:30 – Departure to Almaty with a stop at the Black Canyon viewpoints
19:00 – Arrival in Almaty
Additional Experiences (not included in the price):
Photo session in traditional Kazakh costumes with a golden eagle (available at both lakes)
Pedal boat rental at Kolsay Lake
09:00 – Departure to Kaindy Lake
09:30 – Arrival at the parking area, 2 km trek to the lake
(Horseback riding or taxi transfer to the lake available, not included in the price)
10:00 – Visit six scenic spots around the lake (shoreline, upper viewpoints, river inflow) – 2-hour exploration
13:30 – Return to the guesthouse with a stop at the Chilik River Valley viewpoint, lunch
14:30 – Departure to Almaty with a stop at the Black Canyon viewpoints
19:00 – Arrival in Almaty
Additional Experiences (not included in the price):
Photo session in traditional Kazakh costumes with a golden eagle (available at both lakes)
Pedal boat rental at Kolsay Lake
Tour price
- 1 tourist665 000 KZT1
- 2 tourists745 000 KZT2
- 3 tourists860 000 KZT3
- 4 tourists965 000 KZT4
- 5 tourists1095 000 KZT5
- 6 tourists1185 000 KZT6
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