Tour itinerary: Almaty – Altyn-Emel – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Season: Spring – Summer – Fall
Days: 3 | Nights: 2
This 3 days tour in Kazakhstan, to discover picturesque beauty of the Altyn Emel National Park and the enchanting chilling Charyn Canyon are two of the most impressive natural sights of Kazakhstan. Get a ticket to a retreating journey, discover the fascinating picture of the most majestic places of Almaty region - the nature, the fresh air and the views.
The nature of Kazakhstan is mostly desert'ish and mountain'ish. The water is crystal clear and air is full of coniferous and flower scents.
Welcome to the wild Kazakhstan! Welcome to Central Asia!
09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel in Almaty.
Transfer to Altyn Emel National Park (~ 3hrs).
Upon arrival picnic lunch.
Start exploration of the national park visiting:
- Kyzylauyz petroglyphs located in the gorge Taigak.
- Sightseeing tour at Besshatyr burial mounds is the main sight of the national park. Burial mounds are concentrated at the territory of 2 sq.km and could have a height from 2 to 20 m.
Easy hiking at the park area, nature exploration.
Resting time in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Baschi village.
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Continue exploration of Altyn Emel National Park famous for its rich flora and fauna but also for Singing Dunes (barchans).
Nature phenomenon, that many scientists still try to get the reasonable explanation, is crescent-like barchan of about 120 m high. The dune has a length of more than 3 km that produces distinctive melodically rumbling sounds "singing" when the wind blows.
Picnic lunch at nature.
- Transfer to Katutau and Aktau Mountains. It's considered that many years ago this place was a bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
Easy hiking at the park area, nature exploration.
Resting time in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Baschi village.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River.
Picnic lunch at nature.
Transfer to Charyn Canyon that is often called "Valley of Castles". The length of the valley is more than 2 km, the width is 20-80 meters. It looks like the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in North America.
Time for walking among columns and towers made by nature.
Transfer to Almaty (261 km, ~ 4hrs) passing the bridge through the river Ili in vicinities Kapshagay of a water basin.
Arrival in Almaty in the evening.
Arrival in the hotel in Almaty.
End of the tour.
- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms in guesthouse in Baschi;
- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations /borders;
- English-speaking escort guide for Altyn Emel trip;
- Full board meals: breakfasts and dinners at the guesthouse; 2 picnic lunches;
- Single entry tickets to the natural sights as per program;
- Tourist tax per person.
- International flights to-from Almaty; - Accommodation, meals and transport in Almaty (can be added by request);
- Kazakhstan e/visa (if required);
- Personal/travel insurance; portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.
