Lakes of Kazakhstan
Tour 9: Lakes of Kazakhstan
Duration: 7 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Saty - Kolsai lakes - Kaindy Lake - Almaty
Day 1: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Almaty
Today will be a day tour to the most beautiful gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau. Issyk Gorge is located on the Kuldja tract. Centuries ago, the place was full of caravans from East and West, travelling on the Silk Road. En route you will have an opportunity to visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK", here you can see the large permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the Saka-Scythian tribe. Furthermore, there is a copy of the famous Golden Man and many other artefacts like ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of the burial mound belongs to Saka tribe. Further, you will go along the gorge to the Issyk lake, which is located at the altitude of 1756 m in Kazakhstan. the reason of formation about 10,000 years ago was colossal landslide. As a result, now you are able to see natural dam of 300 meters in height. Here you will relax at the brilliantly blue colored lake and enjoy birds singing around. Your guide will tell more about this place and abot disaster happened in 1963. After fully enjoyed the nature leisure, you will drive back to the city. Overnight will be in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty - Altyn Emel
In the morning, you will depart for a tour to the most popular Altyn Emel National Park. It is where the famous Singing Dune is located which you will visit during your travel. It is appeared in the middle of steppe, where you do not expect to see. The length of the Dune 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 panorama view of the terrain. Violet Sogety and Boguty mountains stand out from snow peaks of Ketmen Range and Ili River is perfectly visible on the south. From the east north you will see beautiful Big Kalkan and Small Kalkan slopes. You will be also able to see dark-blue ridges of Jungar Alatau Mountains, Chulak Mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel from the north, famous in Kazakhstan. During the dry and windy weather, you will have an opportunity to listen to song of the Dune, even in a distance of several kilometers. After having excursion, transfer to Altyn Emel hotel. Dinner and night in a hotel.
Day 3: Altyn Emel
The whole day you will spend a tour in the Altyn Emel Park. You will have time to discover Katutau and Aktau Mountains. You will also enjoy the picnic in the nature during the travel. Katutau Mountain (Harsh Mountain) is very old mountain with volcanic remains. The rocks are very soft and breaks down very quickly. Under the natural powers effects, the shapes were carved on the rocks. There were found some sediments from the bottom of pre-historic Tethys Ocean. Complex forms of the mountain was the result of the environmental factors. Aktau Mountain (White Mountain) t is the fine example of paleontological deposit. In the horizontal layer of these mountains, there were researched 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 stunning, popular in Kazakhstan. After enjoyable time, come back to Altyn Emel hotel.
Day 4: Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Saty
Today continue to Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River to have great tours. Here you will explore the area around and enjoy the picnic. In the lower of Charyn and Temirlik River, you will be able to see the rare kind of Sogdian Ash-tree. According to botanist, the age of the tree is one thousand years old. Later, drive to famous Charyn Canyon, popular in Kazakhstan. It is an extraordinary monument of the nature, not only Kazakhstan but also in the world. The most famous part of the canyon is "Valley of Castles". The canyons were created in Paleogene period. It is very similar to the Grand Canyon in North America, probably that's why Charyn is called as a little brother of it that travelers enjoy a lot. The height of Charyn Canyon reaches to 150-300 meters. The erosion of the natural forces formed giant castles, magical creatures and figures millions of years ago. In order to see all parts and enjoy stunning beauty, it will take hours. After amusing excursion, drive to Saty settlement. Night in a guesthouse.
Day 5: Saty - Kolsai lakes - Saty
Famous Kolsai Lakes are known as "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan" which you visit during your tour. It includes traveling to the three beautiful lakes on cascade level. The first and largest lake is available by everyone. It is a heavenly place for escaping from busy cities and enjoy gathering mushrooms. After arriving to Kolsai-I, you will start hiking after short briefing. The path to the Kolsai-II goes through the thick pine trees, white mountain river and lush alpine meadow. The approximate distance between lakes is 7 km. Usually the healthy and average-trained person can do one way in 3-3,5 hours. The elevation drop is about 400 m; it is from 1818 m to 2250 m above the sea level. After this trek, you will be honored by picnic with the view of snow-caped mountains mirrored on the magnificent lake, well-known in Kazakhstan. Afternoon, come back to first lake and return to Saty village for overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 5: Saty - Kaindy Lake - Almaty
After breakfast, travel to another great lake Kaindy. The history of the lake is very interesting and goes back to the beginning of XX century. Once when there was an earthquake, the side land of the mountain cascaded down and blocked river going down to the gorge during the tour. The water covered all the trees between mountains and created Kaindy Lake. Depending on the time of the day, the water changes its color into turquois of just mirroring spruce forest and snow-top mountains. Even in summer time the water of the lake is freezing cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water during your travel. High trunks of the threes make a feeling of sunken ship in the sea. We will have picnic lunch sitting by the water, enjoying the view and think about your dreams in Kazakhstan. Having fully enjoyed the virgin beauty of the nature return to Almaty. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 7: Flight
After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive to airport.
Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter
