Travel to Kazakhstan: Tour 6

 

Travel to Kazakhstan: Tour 6

Day 1: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Almaty  
We are glad to welcome you in fascinating tour. Upon arrival to the airport of Kazakhstan you will be met and transferred to Issyk gorge. You will find this prominent sight along the Kuldja tract tat is famous for being the route of trading caravans many years ago. You will visit State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK" to see artifacts of history and culture of the Saka period, as well as a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. After it you will continue your tour to the altitude of 1756 meters above sea level where the wonderful Issyk lake is situated. During the tour you will be provided by the information that tells about colossal landslide that happened 10,000 years ago and made this fabulous sight tours to which are very popular. This disaster also created formation of the natural dam of 300 meters in height. Guide will tell you about the details of the natural disaster of 1963 while you are going to witness the water surface of the lake. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Almaty - Altyn Emel
Today you will be transferred to Altyn Emel National Park. Upon arrival you will enjoy the beauty of famous attraction in tours to Kazakhstan, the Singing Dune. The height of this sight is 120 meters and a length of about 3 km. If the weather is windy you will listen the melody of pure sand, the sound of which resembles the organ music. Before a sandy storm the dune sounds like a drum. On the top of this dune you will see the magnificent panorama view. In the south you can witness the Ili River and purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty then can be seen before Ketmen ridge. Here you will enjoy the beauty not only panorama view but also the Big Kalkan on the west, while from the east the Small Kalkan. In the north - violet-blue ridge of Jungar Alatau mountains, Chulak mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel are visible. You can hear the melody of these dunes for several kilometers. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 3: Altyn Emel
You will travel to the Katutau and Aktau mountains. Katutau Mountains or so called Harsh Mountains are already very fragile and can easily break under the physical impact. During the tour you will be impressed to know that here it is possible to witness the preserved volcanic outputs. Due to the water, time and wind the rocks got their shapes. In course of the tour you will learn that sedimentary rock of the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Due to the environmental factors, it took form of complicated figures and landscapes. Aktau Mountains that are also known as the White Mountains are the paleontological field in modern days where you can find  Paleogene layer the remains of ancient animals of 25-30 million years. Here were found remains of the giant rhinos, crocodiles, turtles. You will be impressed by the conical mountains that look similar to the Egyptian pyramids. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 4: Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Saty
Transfer to Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River.  In the lower reaches of the Charyn River and its tributary Temirlik there is a unique place, where relict species of Sogdian Ash-tree are growing. Botanists believe that these trees are over a thousand years old.  Transfer to Charyn Canyon. Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. You can spend hours walking among the strange towers and columns, being surprised by the wild imagination of the nature. Departure to Saty village. Overnight is in a guest house.

Day 5: Saty - Kolsai lakes - Saty
Kolsai Lakes - "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan" - represent a cascade of three lakes. The largest lake is accessible for all visitors. It is the most beautiful lake, having a lack of civilization and the abundance of mushrooms. Having arrived to Kolsay-3 Lake and got a brief instruction, you will start the trekking. The route lies on the bank of the lake and continues with the path through the pine forest, alpine meadows along pure mountain river flowing all the way down from Kolsai-2 Lake. The total walking distance between two lakes is about 7 km and usually takes 3-3,5 hours one way. An altitude rises up more than 400 m, from 1818 m above sea level at the first lake to 2250 m at the second lake. There is no category of difficulty and route is accessible for healthy, average-trained people. Enjoying your lunch in front of the cold and pure-clean lake in surroundings of magnificent mountain peaks is priceless after active trekking. In the afternoon we will walk back to Kolsai-3 Lake and driving back to Saty settlement. Arrival to the settlement. Overnight is in the guest house.

Day 5: Saty - Kaindy Lake - Almaty
You will comfortably reach Kaindy Lake the road to which takes 12 km. This lake is also known as the Birch lake that is encircled by forest on the altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The tours to this site are popular due to its origin. It was formed because of the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley in 1911. The water of the lake is crystal clear and very cold. Due to it you will be able to see the needles of the tress that were preserved under the water. This trees resemble masts of the submarine squadron. Overnight is in the guest house..

Day 7: Flight
Hotel breakfast and check-out. Transfer to the airport and departure.

Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter

Price per person:
02 pax - 1 120 $
04 pax - 785 $
06 pax - 680 $
08 pax - 565 $
10 pax - 515 $
Single - 150 $ 

Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 50 $ 

Half board - 150 $
Full board - 270 $ 

English speaking guide - 720 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
  Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Altyn Emel - "Aigaikum" Guesthouse
Saty village - Home stay
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour            

Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide