Tour of lakes in Kazakhstan

 

Name of tour: Tour of lakes in Kazakhstan
Itinerary duration: 6 days/ 5 nights

Day 1: Almaty
Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by your guide. He will drive you to Almaty city, the former capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty sightseeing tour is the combined experience to explore both city and the nature around it. You will visit the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and the other places of interest. Then you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and Shymbulak resort. Another destination to visitis the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level). The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer will take you to the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty - Issyk lake - Almaty
Issyk Gorge lies along the Kuldja tract, where hundreds of years ago the trade caravans travelled. Kazakhstan's territory had several branches of the Silk Road. On the way you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK", dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of Golden Man and Saka burial mound. Then the tour route will take you to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain lake Issyk, located in the valley with the same name. At the lake you will have a picnic and free time for recreation at nature. In the evening is transfer back to the city. Night is in the hotel.

Day 3: Almaty - Kolsai Lakes
Today you will have a walk from Kolsai lake 1 to Kolsai lake 2. Kolsai Lakes represent a cascade of three lakes and are considered to be the most beautiful in Kazakhstan. They are located at 1800m, 2250m, and 2700m above sea level. The largest lake is accessible for all visitors. Horse lovers can order horseback tour to this place. Vertical drop between the three lakes is about 700 meters. The lowest lake can be reached by car. But you should walk few kilometers along mountain trails to see the second and the third lake. They are also known as "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan". In the around mountains you can see Marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears. Arrive to Saty settlement. You will spend the night in the guest house.

Day 4: Kolsai Lakes - Kaindy Lake
In the morning you will travel to Kaindy Gorge to continue your tours. Sightseeing at Kaindy Lake. Kaindy Lake is situated among the pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. You will have free time for walking, hiking and horse riding. Overight in the guest house.

Day 5: Kolsai Lakes - Charyn Canyon - Almaty
Today you will drive to Charyn Canyons, the most visited place in tours of Kazakhstan. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan that many travellers adore. For million years wind, sun and water sculpted Canyons red sandstones to form todays shapes and shadows. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. After crossing the endless, wide-open plains , the canyon comes as a surprise. Seemingly out of nowhere, the landscape gets a third dimension. In the evening you will arrive to Almaty city. Night in the hotel.

Day 6: Flight
Transfer to the airport in the morning.