Itinerary

1. Day 1: Altamy - Lake Kapchagay

   • We will travel 60 km to Lake Kapchagay near Konayev city and enjoy the picturesque view of the lake from the bridge. 
   • We will make a stopover to take photos. After that, we will continue our trip to the Ili River to see the fortress that was built for the historic blockbuster about Kazakhstan, "NOMAD." 
   • We will have a one-hour hike there and then continue our trip to Basshi Village, where we will stay overnight in a local hotel and enjoy Kazakh national food.

2. Day 2: The Singing Dune - Aktau Mountains

   • We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at home before visiting The Singing Dune. This natural wonder offers picturesque views of the Ili River, and you may even spot some wildlife along the way. 
   • The unique feature of this dune is that it produces a roar similar to that of a jet taking off from the ground. If you are a skilled skater, you can skate from the Singing Dune or slide down on your feet or bottom to hear the roar.
   • After visiting the Singing Dune, we will continue our trip to the moonscape of the Aktau Mountains. These mountains never fail to take my breath away every time I visit them. 
   • Upon arrival, we will have lunch. The hotel provides lunch boxes for travellers upon request. After lunch, we will take a two-hour hike before sunset and then return to the hotel in Basshi village, where we will stay overnight.

3. Day 3: Zharkent - Chundja Town

   • After a hot (or cold, if you wish) shower and breakfast, we will travel to Zharkent city to visit some historic places. Following lunch in a local cafe, we will head to the hot springs near Chundja town.
   • After watching the sunset, you can enjoy a hot bath with mineral water. Taking a hot mineral water bath after a day trip provides maximum pleasure and relaxation. We provide meals and accommodation at the hotel in Hot Springs. 
   • This is a very popular place, so booking at least one month in advance is advisable.

4. Day 4: Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes

   • After breakfast and one last swim in the healing waters, we will travel to Charyn Canyon. The grandeur of this canyon never fails to impress me. We will descend into the gorge to experience the unreal natural museum displaying unique sculptures formed by nature. 
   • After a 1-hour hike, we will reach the Valley of Castles and picnic by the river. After some time for relaxation and enjoyment, we will return to our car by tourist bus.
   • Our journey continues to Kolsay Lakes, offering picturesque views of mountains, valleys, and rivers. 
   • Upon reaching the first Kolsay Lake, we will take a short hike and, if time allows, go boating at sunset. We will spend the night at a local guest house in Saty village.

5. Day 5: Kaiyndy Lake - Saty - Almaty

   • We wake up early and after breakfast, we head to the top of the mountains to watch the sunrise. We can enjoy a magnificent view of the valley and the river below from there. The trek to the top takes about 2-2.5 hours. 
   • After that, we will return in time for a local 4WD tourist vehicle to take us to Kaiyndy Lake. You can take a horseback ride to the lake or hike from the parking spot. 
   • The hike will take around 1 hour, while a horse ride will only take 30 minutes. To fully enjoy the trip, I recommend taking a horse to save your energy. 
   • At the lake, you will see a mysterious view of the lake with the tops of flooded fir trees on its surface. You can take a break at the lake or hike to the other side if you cannot resist seeing more.
   • We will have lunch in Saty village in a local cafe, and then we can go back to Almaty and see the White Canoyn on the way.