GOLDEN RING OF SEVEN RIVERS

Today you have an early breakfast and start your jeep tour across Almaty region. Your first stop is Altyn Emel National Park, located 250 km from the city, it is one of the biggest natural parks in Kazakhstan. The name “Altyn Emel” is originated from Mongolian language; the meaning is “Golden Saddle”. The park is a unique combination of diverse natural landscapes, from flat lands to high mountains, which determines the richness of its flora and fauna.
You arrive to Altyn Emel in the afternoon. After having lunch at the guesthouse, you are going to visit Aktau – the white chalk mountains aged 400 millions years. The other name of the mountain is “Lunar” because of its colors. Indeed, blue, white, pink, red and green colors together render it a charming alien touch.
After trekking at Aktau and taking photos at the vista point, you are taken to another natural attraction of the park – 700 years old osier. This is the most popular tree among old-timers. The whole look of the osier reminds the old, wise man that keeps the secret of the meaning of life.
In the evening, we come back to the guesthouse. After dinner, rest and overnight.

This day we continue to explore the beauty of Altyn Emel National Park. Our next site is Singing Dunes. This is another phenomenon of nature famous for the fact that when the weather is dry, the sand dune emits a sound similar to the tune of an organ. In addition, the dune is known for the beautiful views, overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Singing Dune is a popular tourist attraction and a “must see” location.
After we move to another National Park - Charyn, but before we visit Zharkent city - a small town just 30 km from the Chinese border. The town has several places to stop by, including a Dungan Mosque – museum, local church and local market (bazaar).
Lunch at local café.
Charyn canyon is one of the popular and magnificent natural attractions of Kazakhstan, located 220km to the east of Almaty. Charyn is also called a “small brother” of Grand Canyon in the US, as, comparably, the length of Kazakhstan canyon is only 154km, but the beauty of Charyn is unique and cannot be compared to elsewhere in the world.
After leaving Zharkent, within 2 hours of driving, we turn from the main road to the off-road that leads to “Valley of castles” – the main touristic point of Charyn. There we park the vehicle and start our 40 minutes’ walk inside the canyon until we reach Charyn river, where you can also find the “Eco Park” village - a complex of yurts, bungalows, summerhouses and open space café to enjoy the nature in the comfort. After exploring the area, we head back to the parking and drive further to Kolsay lakes.
We arrive to the guesthouse late in the evening. Time for rest and dinner.
 

Kolsay Lakes is a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests, these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above sea level. No surprise, this area has other names like “The Necklace of Tien Shan” or “Pearls of Zhetysu region”. You will love the landscapes and remember it for long.
This day you can do trekking from the first lake to the second Kolsay lake; it takes around 3-4 hours one way (lunch boxes included). Optionally, take a horseback ride instead and shorten your trip.
If you are not willing to walk, you can just enjoy the untainted nature of Kolsay with its fresh air, marvelous sceneries and ice-clear water. You can even rent a boat to sail on the lake.
Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.
 

After breakfast, checkout from guesthouse and take a ride to Kaindy lake – famous for its origin. It was found by result of strong earthquake in 1911. The landslide covered the gorge and water flooded into the coniferous forest. The water at lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the water. No words can describe this mystical magnificence; you have to see it with your own eyes.
Once we pass off-road area and stop by the slope, you are going for walking until Kaindy lake, where fascinating view of the lake opens from top of the hill. Alternatively, you can get there by horseback, as locals are happy to offer this service for you for additional charge.
On the way back we stop by local house in the village for a tasty homemade lunch.
Once you have partaken of your meal, take a seat, relax and enjoy your ride until we get back to Almaty.
Arrival to the hotel. Check – in and overnight.

After breakfast, we will drive across the city past its main sites, including the Railway Station, Abai Square and Palace Republic, Opera and ballet theatre, Astana Square, Sport Palace, Central Stadium, Kazakh Circus, Wedding Palace, Auezov Drama Theatre, Almaty Towers, and Nurlytau Business Center. After exploration of the sport, cultural and business areas of the city, you are going to visit the Big Almaty Lake. This lake is a mountain reservoir located in the Ili Alatau National Park at an altitude of 2,511 meters above sea level, 15 km south from the center of Almaty. The lake, as well as the vast majority of lakes in the Tien Shan mountains, appeared as a result of earthquakes. Depending on the time of year, the water of Big Almaty Lake changes its color – from light green to turquoise-blue. One the way back you will visit the only falcon farm in Kazakhstan – “Sunkar”, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks - hunting with them is one of the unique features of the Kazakh way of life. Five species of predators including golden and bold eagles, owl, vulture and falcon take part in the show and interact with the spectators.
Another stop on the way is the Park of the First President.
Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Early morning transfer to Almaty International Airport to take your flight back home.