Altyn Tour

Tour 2: Altyn Tour
Duration: 7 days
In short: Almaty – Issyk – Tamgaly Tas  – Altyn Emel – Kolsai – Kaindy – Charyn – Almaty

Day 1: Almaty
Driver will take you to Almaty for sights. In the central part of Almaty you will start your tour. Guide will tell you about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. One of the sights is famous for locals - the Green Bazaar. There you will not able to surpass temptation to buy something. There you will have a chance to see how eastern market works. There you can find oriental sweets but don’t forget to haggl. Then you will visit Panfilov park one of the oldest parks in Almaty. Zenkov Cathedral is located there it’s one of the most splendid and unique wooden building. Then you will see Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame wew build in honor of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After the city tour our next destination is Medeo Gorge.  This place is famous for the world's highest mountain skating rink and dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflows. After that you will go to Kok – Tobe hill and there you will visit the tallest TV tower in the world is located and exactly only there you will have opportunity to see the most beautiful scenery of mountain road.  In Kok Tobe Park you can walk along the winding paths of the park, enjoy attractive panorama view of the city from a special observation platform and visit the national souvenir shop. The ending happens with a short trip from the top of the hill to the city center along the famous Almaty cableway. Night in the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
Today you will go to see the place where hundreds of years ago the trade caravans travelled - Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge that lies along the Kuldja tract. On the trip there you will find out new information about  nature and history of this region and see the burial mounds of Sakas tribe, where the famous "Golden Man" was found, which has become the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. You will visit such places as the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, there you are going to see the expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Sakas period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound.  In your trip you are going to see to the beautiful mountain Lake Issyk with the altitude 1756 meters above sea level, that lays in the valley with the same name. The lake appeared about 10,000 years ago because of the following reason: colossal landslide, in result formation of the natural dam of 300 meters in height reveled. There you will soak of the unique beauty of its turquoise water surface and the Issyk Gorge during it you will able to listen to the details of the natural disaster of 1963. You will have a picnic there and some free time for enjoying the nature. Night you will spend in the hotel. 

Day 3: Almaty – Tamgaly Tas – Altyn Emel
Your next destination is Tamgaly Tas that lays on the Ili River. In Tamgaly Tas you will see images of Buddha’s and texts in Tibetan, Kalmyk and other languages which are mostly prayers that are carved on an old rocks. No one knows when and how these drawings appeared and who was the author: scientists trying to solve this mystery for over 150 years. Upon arrival in Tamgaly Tas, when you arrive your guide will tell you many interesting things about this amazing place, then you will be able to go around and soak in the beautiful views. On the opposite side of the river, you will have opportunity to see the set in the style of medieval Kazakhstan that was built for the filming “The Nomad” film. On the end of the tour, driver will take you to the Baschi village. And lunch will be at the hotel. Driver will take you to Altyn Emel National Park to the Singing Dune. Singing Dune has height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km. It lies between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan. This place calls so because sandy hill consists of very fine pure sand, That begin "sing" in windy weather and its sound brings to mind the organ music. But until sandy storm the dune sounds like a drum. From the top it you can view the beauty of the grand panorama. In the south, a thin strip of the Ili River is visible, as well as the purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty, emerging from the white peaks of the Ketmensky ridge.In the west, the horizon is blocked by the steep slope of Big Kalcan, and Small Kalcan is blocked from the east. To the north is the purple-blue ridge of Jungar Alatau, the Chulak Mountains, Matai and Altyn Emel. If the weather is dry and windy, the sand dune will "sing" your song to you, which can be heard even a few kilometers away. Dinner and night will be at the hotel.

Day 4: Altyn Emel – Saty – Kaindy
From Altyn Emel arriving to Kolsai Lakes at 12:00. Going to have Lunch after it transfer to Kaindy Lake. Admiring the sights there. Kaindy Lake or so called birch lake is situated in pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is well known for its sources. It was made in 1911 because of the powerful earthquake that caused the landslide blocked the alley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water in the lake is very cold, that is the reason the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and apparent through the translucent surface of the water, and dry stalks of spruce go to the surface of the water, like the mast of a submerged squadron. You will be too breathtaking for describing it with words. All this arcane magnificence of the lake - you need to go there and see everything with your own eyes. Driving to Saty township and the night will be in the guest house.  Dinner will wait you in this place. Nihht you will spend in guest house.

Day 5: Saty – Kolsai Lakes
After the waking up at 7 o’clock and having breakfast you will go to trekking from the lake Kolsai-1 to the lake Kolsai-2. Lunch you will have during your trekking on the way. Kolsai Lakes also calls the "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan" is a cascade of three lakes. The largest lake of them is available for all visitors. It is the most splendid and magnificent lake that has not a civilization but has a lot of mushrooms. Here you can do horse riding tour to this place. Small lake here is the highest and locates on the border of spruce and alpine meadows it amazes with its harsh alpine beauty, as well as rich flora and fauna. The vertical difference between the three lakes is about 700 meters. The lowest lake can be reached by car. But you have to go a few kilometers along the mountain trails to see the second and third lake. Sure enough, tourists want a great vacation in these places - berries, mushrooms and fishing. The water in the lakes is cold and clean, and rainbow trout lives here. It’s a fish that lives only in running or spring water. In the surrounding mountains you can see deer, mountain goats, wolves and even bears. Road back to the guest house. Haaving dinner and spending night there.

Day 6: Saty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
After breakfast going back to Almaty at 09:00am. You are going to visiting Charyn Canyon on the way. This Canyon is a natural complex; the uniqueness of this place is that it is only in Kazakhstan. It was formed during the Paleogene and resembles the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in North America, although it is inferior in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon reaches 150-300 meters. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. The extraordinary incision of the area is striking: numerous gorges form a thick chaotic network. Wind and water have created a lovely "Valley of Castles" where you are always surrounded by bizarre towers made up of sedimentary rocks. The valley’s length is more than 2 km; width is 20-80 meters. For millions of years nature has created a unique architecture, gently and slowly erecting magnificent castles. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley - more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years the nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly. You can walk for hours among strange towers and columns, surprised by nature 's wild imagination. The time of arrival to Almaty is 19:00. 

Day 7: Flight
After breakfast you will do check – out till 12:00 and then transfer to airport.
 

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 305 $
04 pax – 835 $
06 pax – 640 $
08 pax – 535 $
10 pax – 475 $
Single – 140 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 45 $ 

Half board – 105 $
Full board – 170 $ 

English speaking guide – 675 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
            Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
            Saty – Homestay
            Altyn Emel – Guesthouse
- Museum admissions
- Mineral water supply            

Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide

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