Green Ring Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Route: Almaty -Altyn Emel -Kolsai lakes

Day 1 Almaty

Arrival in Almaty and transfer to Hotel Otrar 3 *.

4 hours city tour. Overnight in Almaty

Day 2 Almaty — Altyn-Emel National Park

09:00 departure to Altyn-Emel National Park. In the heart of Central Asia, 250 kilometers from Almaty and south of the ridge Jungar Alatau, lies the largest national park in Kazakhstan, the Altyn-Emel. The territory of the national park covers the western foothills of the Jungar Alatau, the bald mountains Katutau, Aktau, Ulken and Kschi-Kalkany. One of the highlights is the Singing Dune, a sand dune that rises out of nowhere out of the flat steppe landscape.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Guest House in Basshi (B,L,D)

Day 3 Altyn-Emel National Park

You spend the day in the national park and company a hike through the beautiful natural scenery of the Aktau and Katutau mountain ranges. Not far from this hiking dune are the Aktau Mountains. These are majestic chalk mountains. The uninhabited blue, red, white, pink, and green erosion-like slopes, reminiscent of a lunar landscape, are so unusual that it is difficult to avert the eye. The reason for the amazing mountain landscape is that these mountains once rose from the seabed. They are over 400 million years old, 30 kilometers long and form an impressive natural spectacle, which you will get to know this afternoon. Lunch — lunchbox

Dinner and overnight at the Guest House in Basshi (B,L,D)

Day 4 Altyn-Emel National Park — Zharkent — Kolsajsikije – Osjora (Kolsay lakes)

After breakfast, move towards to Zharkent (118 km) The Russian land conquests by the Chinese were ended here in 1882. At that time, the city was located on the direct border between Russia and China, which can still be seen in numerous buildings nowadays. Visiting the mosque, which unites elements of Chinese and Central Asian architecture in an impressive manner and was built by Chinese master builders without a single nail. Lunch in Zharkent. Continue of the trip to the three high mountain lakes of Kolsay in the northern Tien Shan Mountains.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Saty (B,L,D)

Day 5 High mountain lakes in the Tien Shan mountains — Kolsajsikije – Osjora (Kolsay lakes)

Today you visit Kolsajskije Osjora, the three high mountain lakes in the northern Tien Shan mountains.

The area of ​​the three mountain lakes is ideal for hiking. You will only walk to the first of the three lakes. The lakes are at different altitudes and are among the treasures of the northern Tien Shan. At 1818 m altitude you will discover the lowest of all three lakes, the Sata. The largest and at the same time most beautiful is located at almost 2250 m altitude, the Mynzhylgy, it is the middle of the three lakes. Only 600 m higher is the highest Kolsai lake. You have enough time for a little walk, to relax and to enjoy the nature, before you continue to the next village. Lunch on the way as a lunch box.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Saty (B,L,D)

Day 6 Kolsajskije Osjora — Charyn Canyon — Almaty

Return via the Charyn Canyon to Almaty (200km). The drive from Saty to Charyn Canyon takes about 4 hours. From the entrance of the canyon you start a short hike through the canyon. The Charyn-Canyon, also known as the little brother of the Grand Canyon in America, extends 154 km along the river of the same name and awaits its visitors with gigantic rock formations. The age of the gorge, which is up to 300 meters high, is estimated at over 12 million years. The Charyn Gorge has a huge variety of flora and fauna. There are more than 1500 plant species, of which 17 are considered almost extinct. We also have more than 60 mammal species, over 100 breeding birds and 25 species of reptiles. You have about two hours to hike the canyon on your own before you drive to Almaty (drive takes about 3 hours).

Lunch on the way as a lunchbox. Overnight at hotel in Almaty (B,L)

Day 7 Flight home

Transfer to the airport. Flight home.

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