KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY REGION ESSENTIALS IN 4 DAYS
Request a quoteNomadistan offers you a condensed immersion in the heart of the natural wonders of the Almaty region.
In four intense days, discover the essentials of southeast Kazakhstan, between vertiginous canyons, high-altitude lakes, and spiritual testimonies carved in stone.
Your journey begins with the Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs, where millennial Buddhist carvings watch over the banks of the Ili River, in a striking steppe setting. Then, head to Altyn-Emel National Park, which will unveil two of its emblematic sites: the multicolored mountains of Aktau, remnants of an ancient seabed, and the mysterious singing dune, whose vibrations resonate like natural music in the desert silence. The journey continues with the spectacular Charyn Canyon, nicknamed the "little brother of the Grand Canyon," whose ochre cliffs sculpted by the elements offer a fascinating spectacle. Next stop: Kaindy and Kolsai lakes, jewels nestled in the Tian Shan Mountains, where sunken forests, turquoise waters, and alpine landscapes await you.
A short circuit that allows you to grasp the essence of the Almaty Region's beauty.
Tour images
Detailed Itinerary
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DAY 1: Tamgaly-Tas Petroglyphs and Singing Dune of Altyn Emel National Park
We begin our adventure by heading about 120 km north of Almaty, on the banks of the Ili River. The Tamgaly-Tas site ("carved stones" in Kazakh) is renowned for its unique rock carvings, notably representations of Buddhist divinities, such as Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha Amitabha, and the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. These works testify to the Buddhist influence in the region and offer a valuable glimpse of the spiritual practices of past eras.
We then head toward Altyn-Emel National Park. It houses a famous singing dune, known as Aigai-Kum ("screaming sand" in Kazakh). This natural formation, 3 km long and 150 m high, produces in dry weather a sound resembling an organ's hum or an airplane's roar, a phenomenon due to the friction of sand grains against each other. Despite constant winds, the dune remains surprisingly stable and hasn't changed position for centuries.
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DAY 2: Aktau Mountains and Katutau Volcanic Formations
We continue today our exploration of Altyn Emel National Park. The Aktau Mountains are famous for their unique geological formations. These mountains display multicolored strata, ranging from white to red through green and blue, creating a spectacular landscape. The sedimentary deposits, several million years old, have been sculpted by erosion, revealing astonishing shapes and colors. This region is also rich in fossils, offering a valuable glimpse of the prehistoric fauna that once inhabited the region.
Near the Aktau Mountains are the volcanic formations of Katutau, whose name means "frozen mountains" in Kazakh. These rock formations, resulting from intense volcanic activity millions of years ago, present lunar landscapes with fantastic shapes. The solidified lava flows and eroded volcanic structures offer a fascinating geological spectacle, testifying to the region's tumultuous history.
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DAY 3: Charyn Canyon and Saty Village
We completely change environment with the discovery of Charyn Canyon. Extending 154 km along the eponymous river, it's often compared to the American Grand Canyon, although smaller in size, due to its remarkable rock formations. These formations have earned the nickname "Valley of Castles", as they evoke medieval fortresses. The Charyn River, which winds at the canyon bottom, is surrounded by willows and poplars, some of which are rare species. After a walk in the canyon depths, we reach Saty village, where we'll be welcomed by our hosts for the night.
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DAY 4: Lower Kolsai Lake and Kaindy Lake
We have breakfast with our hosts before setting off to discover the "Pearl of the Tian Shan", a nickname given to the set of three Kolsai lakes. These lakes, with turquoise brilliance, are nestled in the heart of the mountains, surrounded by conifers, giving them the appearance of true jewels. We walk around the first lake, located at 1,820 meters altitude, the largest and deepest of the three.
We then head toward Kaindy Lake, located at 2000 meters altitude. This lake was formed in 1911 following a powerful earthquake that caused a landslide. The sudden flood that resulted submerged a forest of fir trees, whose trunks still emerge from the lake's surface, more than a century after their immersion. We have the impression of facing a ghostly forest. What makes Kaindy particularly fascinating is its depth, reaching 30 meters in some places, as well as its spectacular turquoise waters, resulting from light refraction and mineral composition.