Altyn Emel NP, Charyn Canyon & Lakes of Tian Shan

Altyn Emel NP, Charyn Canyon & Lakes of Tian Shan

Days

4

From / per pax

US$ 484 US$

Locations

9

Start and end in Almaty

Main Locations

Altyn Emel

Altyn-Emel National Park, located in Almaty Province, is one of the largest national parks in Kazakhstan. It is known for spectacular scenery that includes mountains, sand deserts, sandstone formations, and steppes. The highlights of the park are the Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains.

Singing Dune, Altyn-Emel NP

Located in Altyn-Emel National Park, Singing dune is one of the most unique phenomena of nature. The area is referred to as the Singing Dunes on account of the rumbling sound emitted from the sand.

A light breeze gives a barely audible squeak, while strong gusts produce a more intense sound, similar to an organ.

The cause of this phenomenon is still a mystery, but scientists theorize that in hot dry weather the sand gets electrified due to friction and creates a certain sonic vibration.

In the Middle Ages, people who heard the singing of a dune, believed that it was the howling devil.

Aktau Mountains, Altyn-Emel NP

Limestone mountains Aktau is a geological museum under the sky. This is one of the most interesting and spectacular objects of tourism in the State National Natural Park “Altyn-Emel”. In Kazakh it means the White Mountains.

Mountains seem white only from afar. In the canyons of the mountains one can find naked multi-colored dome rocks, towers composed of colored layers alternate with dry canyons, filled with calcite crystals. Landscapes change constantly – bastions, towers, small towns, inaccessible castles and canyons, there is no end to them.

Charyn Canyon

Canyon Charyn is located on the territory of the Charyn National Park, created with the purpose of preserving natural and geological objects. The National Park was established on February 23, 2004. On the territory of the park there is a large number of rare and endangered species of animals listed in the Red Book.The most famous attraction of the park is Canyon Charyn. It is a picturesque natural place, which strikes with its unearthly landscapes. The depth of the canyon is 200 m. The height of the sheer mountains of the canyon reaches 150-300 m.

Lower Kolsay Lake

The Kolsay Lakes is a popular tourist destination. They are located in the Northern Tien Shan. The word “kolsay” means “lake in the gorge” and there are three of them: Upper, Middle and Lower. They are all quite deep, cool and scenic.

There is also the village of Saty, where you can stay in comfortable and authentic guest houses, try national cuisine, and see the everyday life of the Kazakh people.

The lower lake is located at 1818 meters above sea level and 80 meters in depth. It is accessible by road and has guest-houses, campsites, boats and horse riding.

Middle Kolsay Lake

The middle lake is located 8 kilometers upstream from the lower lake, at the height of 2252 metres.

It's the largest of the three, and reaches a depth of 50 meters. It is considered the most scenic of the three Kolsay Lakes.

Kaindy Lake

Kaindy Lake – a truly amazing example of the creation of nature. It is located among a huge coniferous forest at an altitude of more than 2000 thousand meters above sea level. It was formed by a landslide of a huge accumulation of limestone, as well as subsidence of the soil. The lake contains trunks of submerged Picea schrenkiana trees that rise above the surface of the lake. The area is often referred to as a "sunken forest". The cold water helps preserve the tree trunks, which are overgrown with algae and various other water plants.

Itinerary

Day 1

05:00 meeting at the hotel

06:30 breakfast at cafe

10:00 arrive at Singing dunes, exploring the area and resting

13:00 lunch

13:40 transfer to Aktau mountains

15:00 arrival and exploring the mountains

17:00 transfer to Basshy village

19:00 dinner and overnight at guest house

Day 2

08:00 breakfast

08:30 transfer to Charyn Canyon

11:30 arrive at Charyn Canyon. Walk 3 km into the Valley of Castles

12:00 short stop at the Charyn river

12:45 visit Panoramic view of Valley of Castles

14:00 lunch (lunchbox)

15:00 transfer to Saty village

17:00 arrival, excursion and walking around the village

20:00 dinner and overnight at guest house

Day 3

08:30 breakfast

09:00 transfer to Kolsay lakes

10:00 arrive at Lower Kolsay lake. Hiking to Middle Kolsay lake - 16 km, lunchbox

16:00 transfer to Saty village

17:00 arrival

20:00 dinner

21:00 free time, bonfire

Day 4

08:00 breakfast

08:30 transfer to Kaindy lake

10:00 arrival, walking around the lake

13:00 lunch

14:00 departure to Almaty

18:00 arrive at the hotel

All-inclusive

1 person - 1,431 US$

2 persons - 1,600 US$

3 persons - 1,767 US$

4 persons - 1,935 US$

What's Included
  • Transport
  • English-speaking guide / driver
  • Accommodation at guest house
  • Meals according to the program
  • Entrance tickets to national parks
  • Water
What's Excluded
  • International flights
  • Alcoholic drinks

Taxi

Price for an SUV with a driver (regardless of the number of people, up to 4 people)

US$ 1,302 US$

What's Included
  • Transport
  • English-speaking driver

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