Altyn Emel and Kolsai lakes tour
Tour 8: Altyn Emel and Kolsai lakes tour
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsai Lakes - Kaindy Lake - Almaty
Day 1: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Almaty
Today will be dedicated to the day tour to Issyk Gorge in the Trans-Ili Alatau, it located along the Kuldja tract. Thousands of years ago these land was one of the ways of Great Silk Road which ancient travelers passed through. En route, we will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK" of Kazakhstan. This museum is rich in the history of Saka-Scythisan tribe - the first nomadic tribe in the Central Asian territory. Even it has a large permanent exposition specially the Sakas civilization. Moreover, it is possible to see the copy of the Golden Man. Other valuable artefacts from this area: golden items, ancient ceramics pots, weapon, elements of horse equipment, the model of Saka burial mound. Further, you will drive to mountain Lake Issyk in the gorge with the same name. This lake has incredible color of turquoise. You can learn more about natural disasters happened during 1963 from your guide. We will make a picnic at the lake and fully enjoy the time in the arms of the nature. After return back to Almaty and rest in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty - Altyn Emel
After breakfast, carry on your tours to popular Altyn Emel National Park, where the famous Singing Dune is located. It is the huge Park with diverse landscape and Singing Dunes is appeared in the middle of steppe. The length is about 3 km and height can reach 120 meters. The sand is fine pure and its song during the wind reminds music of organ. On the top of the Dune, it is possible to have a great view of surrounding, famous in Kazakhstan. Violet Sogety and Boguty mountains stand out from snow peaks of Ketmen Range and Ili River can be seen from the south. On the east north you will see beautiful Big Kalkan and Small Kalkan slopes. You will be able to see dark-blue ridges of Jungar Alatau Mountains, Chulak Mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel from the north. During the dry and windy weather, you will enjoy the beautiful song of the Dune during your travel, even in a distance of several kilometers. After having enjoyed the site, transfer to Altyn Emel hotel. Dinner and night in a hotel.
Day 3: Altyn Emel
Today you will have full day of Altyn Emel sightseeing tour. It includes Katutau and Aktau Mountains, which are one of the main attractive places of Park. You will enjoy the picnic in the nature. Katutau is translated as Harsh Mountains, it is very old mountain with volcanic remains. The rocks are very soft and solved down very quickly. During the natural powers like water and wind, the shapes were carved on the rocks. There were found some sediments from the bottom of pre-historic Tethys Ocean. Entangled shapes of the mountain was the result of the environmental factors, popular in Kazakhstan. Aktau Mountain means White Mountain in Kazakh language. It is the pure example of paleontological deposit. In the colorful layer of these mountains, there were found the fossils of ancient animals, whose age is estimated as 25-30 million years. They are the giant rhinos, crocodiles, turtles and many others. The form of the Aktau reminds Egyptian pyramids and its orange, red and white colors lines make them magically beautiful. After enjoyable time during your travel, come back to Altyn Emel hotel.
Day 4: Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsai Lakes
After breakfast at 08:00, continue to Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River. Here you will explore the surrounding and have picnic. If you travel down Charyn and Temirlik River, you will be able to see the rare kind of Sogdian Ash-tree is growing, which is famous in Kazakhstan. According to specialists, it is a thousand years old tree. Drive further to famous Charyn Canyon. It is an otherworldly monument. The most popular part is called "Valley of Casttles". The history of the canyons go to Paleogene period. It is also similar to the Grand Canyon in North America, probably that's why Charyn is called as a little brother of it. The height of Charyn Canyon reaches to 150-300 meters. The erosion of the natural forces depicted giant castles, magical creatures and figures millions of years ago during the tour. It will take hours to explore the stunning beauty of this pure museum of the nature. After surprising beauty, drive to Saty settlement. Nigh in a guesthouse.
Day 5: Kolsai - Kaindy Lake - Almaty
After breakfast, check out from guesthouse and travel up to the Kaindy Gorge for a tour. The lake Kaindy located on the top of the gorge among the evergreen fir trees at the altitude of 2000m. The history of the lake goes back to the earthquake in 1911. Due to cascading during the earthquake, the natural dam blocked mountain water flowing down and make turquoise lake on the port of the forest. Even in the hot summer days, the water of the lake is extremely cold, making needles of flooded trees well preserved in Kazakhstan. The dried-out trunks of the trees rise above the surface of the water, looking like the masts of sunken ships. This charming scenery cannot be fully described by words; you will see on your own and remember it in your heart. After enjoying the surrounding, return to Almaty. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 6: Flight
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver transfer to airport.
Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter
Price per person:
02 pax - 915 $
04 pax - 650 $
06 pax - 590 $
08 pax - 485 $
10 pax - 435 $
Single - 95 $
Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 50 $
Half board - 125 $
Full board - 225 $
English speaking guide - 610 $ per group
Tour includes:
- Transportation
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Altyn Emel - "Aigaikum" Guesthouse
Saty village - Home stay
- Entrances fees
- Mineral water
Tour does not include:
- Full board meal
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide
