«The Golden Ring» — A Circular Tour of the National Parks of the Almaty Region

09:00 — Meeting with the guide and departure

• Meeting at your hotel or apartments. Departure in our comfortable SUV to the Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park—the largest reserve in the region and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The road passes through picturesque steppe expanses and the Kapchagay Reservoir.

12:00 — Arrival in Basshi village. Lunch

• Arrival at the central headquarters of the national park, going through registration procedures. Lunch featuring local cuisine dishes.

14:00 — Departure to the Singing Barkhan

• A journey through the protected steppe, where the landscapes resemble scenes from wildlife movies. If you are lucky, you can spot kulans or goitered gazelles along the way.

15:30 — Arrival, excursion, and climbing the dune

• Getting acquainted with one of the 7 wonders of Kazakhstan. The Singing Barkhan is a giant sand mountain up to 3 km long and about 150 meters high, which inexplicably formed in the middle of a stony steppe. You will learn why this phenomenon has not been moved by the winds for thousands of years and climb to its crest. In dry weather, the sands of the dune emit a deep hum, resembling the sound of an organ or the drone of an airplane. A stunning view of the Ili River valley and the purple Katutau mountains opens up from the summit.

19:00 — Accommodation and dinner

• Return from the location, checking in. A hearty hot dinner and a rest in the unique atmosphere of the quiet, protected steppe await the guests.

08:30 — Breakfast

• Morning breakfast before departing to the Martian locations, preparation for the expedition day.

11:00 — Arrival at the Aktau Mountains. Excursion

• Excursion through the famous colored Aktau Mountains (translated as "White Mountains"). This is a unique paleontological site: millions of years ago, an ancient inland sea was located here, at the bottom of which sedimentary rocks accumulated for centuries. Today, wind and water have exposed the multi-colored layers of the canyons—from dazzling white and soft pink to bright red and ochre. The remains of prehistoric crocodiles, turtles, and ancient giant rhinoceroses—brontotheres—are still found here. Walks among surreal, cosmic landscapes await you.

13:30 — Lunch

• Lunch in a picnic format among the Martian canyons or upon return to the village.

16:00 — Visit to the 700-year-old willow

• A stop in the picturesque natural oasis of Kosbastau, where a true patriarch tree grows—a huge willow whose age exceeds 700 years. According to local legends, in the 12th century, the great commander Genghis Khan himself rested with his army in the shade of this tree during his campaign to Central Asia. It takes several people to hug its trunk.

17:00 — Return

• The way back to the hotel, free time for rest and sharing impressions.

19:00 — Dinner

• A hearty dinner, rest before transferring to the mountain lakes.

08:00 — Breakfast

• Breakfast, packing things, and departure from Altyn-Emel in the direction of Kungei Alatau.

12:00 — Arrival at Charyn Canyon. Lunch

• Meeting with the famous "younger brother" of the American Grand Canyon. A walking tour (about 2.5 km) along the bottom of the grandiose "Valley of Castles" awaits you. You will walk among sheer cliffs and clay towers. The excursion concludes at the turbulent and cool Charyn River, on whose shady shore a lunch awaits the guests. The climb back to the car is carried out by a local eco-taxi to save strength.

14:00 — Departure to Lake Kolsai

• Transfer in our SUV to the main mountain range of the region toward the high-altitude village of Saty.

16:00 — Arrival at Lake Kolsai-1

• Getting acquainted with the first of the Kolsai Lakes system, which is often called the "blue necklace of the Tien Shan." The lake is located at an altitude of 1,818 meters and is surrounded by a dense coniferous forest of unique Tien Shan spruce. Free time for rest: you can take a light walk along the eco-trails, rent a boat or a catamaran to ride on the mirror-like water, or go horseback riding.

18:00 — Accommodation in Saty village

• Transfer to the village, checking into the chosen accommodation format (comfortable traditional yurts or cozy double rooms).

19:00 — Dinner

• Traditional dinner, rest in the silence and coolness of the mountain air.

08:00 — Breakfast

• Morning breakfast before the final day of the journey, packing things.

09:00 — Departure to Lake Kaindy

• Departure to one of the most mystical and world-famous lakes.

10:00 — Arrival and excursion to Lake Kaindy

• Lake Kaindy (translated as "Birch") was formed very recently by geological standards—in 1911, when a giant landslide blocked the gorge as a result of the devastating Kemin earthquake. The icy mountain water flooded the coniferous forest, literally preserving the century-old spruces. A picturesque route with a length of 2 km (on foot or on horseback upon request) leading to the viewing platforms awaits you. An incredible picture will open up before you: dry tree trunks rise from the turquoise water like the masts of sunken ships, while their branches under the water are perfectly preserved.

14:00 — Lunch in Saty

• Return to the village, a hearty farewell lunch before the journey back.

15:00 — Departure to Almaty

• The way back to the metropolis. The road passes by the panoramic viewpoints of the Black Canyon, where we will definitely make a stop for beautiful photos.

20:00 — Arrival in Almaty

• Comfortable return to the city. Our guide will deliver you directly to the doors of your hotel or apartments.