Country of wild lakes. Altai auto-trekking in Kazakhstan. AT-2
Tours to Kazakhstan

Travel itinerary: Almaty - Medeo - Shakelmes mountain - Kein-Kerish mountain - Buran village - Terekty village - Mramorny pass - Tikkabak pass - Markakol lake - Guba bay - Yazevoye lake - Bukhtarma reservoir - Ust-Kamenogorsk - Almaty

Variant one. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk by air. Reserve tour now >>>

Day 1. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to hotel Otrar ****, accommodation. City sightseeing: visit to the 28 Panfilov guardsmen memorial, Cathedral, Museum of national musical instruments, National museum, Medeo gorge, Republic square (4 hrs.) Lunch. Flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk (2 hours). Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Accommodation in hotel Irtysh ***. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 2. Breakfast. Transfer Ust-Kamenogorsk - Leninka village - Samarskoe village - Kaznakovsky ferry crossing (Bukhtarma reservoir) - Kuygan village - Kurchum village - Karatogai village - and Shakelmes mountain (516m) by Zaisan lake (325 km) We leave the city and for some time can see yellow fields of sunflowers, but soon the asphalt road leads through low hilly mountains, overgrown with forests here and there. We cross 3 low passes - the Chechek, Targyn, and Umysh, and reach the northern extremity of the Kyzylkum desert, creating a unique landscape contrast. Pass large Samarsloye village and after 8 km, highway leads us to a ferry crossing over the Bukhtarma reservoir. Lunch on the way. Width of the reservoir at the Ferry crossing is 5 km. The territory of Eastern Kazakhstan, and in particular the Zaisan hollow, has been populated from great antiquity. Tracks of ancient mountain mining operations, irrigation canals and the ruins of fortresses and settlements exist in the Altai, Zaisan hollow and on the slopes of Saura and Tarbagatai.

Here lived hordes of nomads, riding from the Mongolian steppes and Southern Siberia toward the west, to the Volga river and further to the Black, Caspian and Mediterranean Seas. After Kurchum village our route lies along a plain, and from Karatogai village we turn to the southwest to Tuzshynkyr tract, situated on the shore of Zaisan lake. It is only spot on of Zaisan lake with abrupt shores.

Here, magnificent outcrops of ancient variegated clays create landscapes of extraordinary beauty. Accommodation in tents on the shore of the lake. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Second variant. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk by train.Reserve tour now >>>

Day 1. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to hotel "Otrar"****, accommodation. City sightseeing: visit to the 28 Panfilov guardsmen memorial, Cathedral, Museum of national musical instruments, National museum, Republic square. Early lunch. Transfer to Ust-Kamenogorsk (Zhangiz-Tobe railway station) by train (dep. 12.30) Night on the train.

Day 2. Breakfast. Arrival in Zhangiztobe at 8.00 Transfer: Zhangiztobe - Georgievka village - Kokpekty village - Bolshaya Bukon village - Kazanakovskaya ferry crossing (Bukhtarma reservoir) - Kuygan village - Kurchum village - Karatogai village - Shakelmes mountain (516m) by Zaisan lake (325 km) After Georgievka village, we pass the Charsky reservoir and see the low hilly mountains of the Saryzhal and Karazhalsky mountain ranges. Pass small Kokpekty village and mountains are replaced by the steppe. Beyond Kaznakovka village, we will pass the northern extremity of the Kyzylkum desert, creating a unique contrast of terrain near the ferry crossing over the Bukhtarma reservoir. Lunch on the way. Width of reservoir at the Ferry crossing is 5 km. The territory of Eastern Kazakhstan, in particular that of Zaisan hollow, has been populated from great antiquity. Tracks of ancient mountain mining operations, irrigation canals and ruins of fortresses and settlements exist to this day in the Altai, Zaisan hollow and on the slopes of the Saura and Tarbagatai. Here lived hordes of nomads, riding from the Mongolian steppes and Southern Siberia toward the west, to the Volga river and further to the Black, Caspian and Mediterrenean Seas. After Kurchum village, our route continues along the steppe, and from Karatogai village we turn to the southwest, where the Tuzshynkyr tract is situated on the shore of Zaisan lake. It is the only spot on Zaisan lake with abrupt shores. Here, magnificent outcrops of ancient variegated clays create landscapes of extraordinary beauty. Accommodation in tents on the shore of the lake. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 3. Breakfast. Transfer: Shakelmes mountain - Kein-Kerish mountain (501m) - Buran village - Terekty (Alekseevka) village - Mramorny pass (1371m) - Tikkabak pass - Urunkhaika village by Markakol lake (245 km) After breakfast, short excursion around Shakelmes neighborhood, then transfer along the desert to the Kein-Kerish tract. Here also, a short excursion around the area of Zaisan hollow. Water and wind have created unique sculptures from clay. There is frontier post at small Ashaly village, nearby Terecty village. From here, we will view unique Kazakh and Chinese landscapes.

The sands (huge dunes with a height up to 1000 m) of the Blandykum and Kyzylkum deserts, near Kazakhstan's border are overgrown with forests and green brush. Lunch on the way.
From Terekty village to Markakol lake - 60 km on mountain road without asphalt. From Mramorny pass we can see a breathtaking panorama of the green landscape of Kazakhstan. After the pass, the road enters the Sonaly and Azutau mountain ranges. Along the road, we see the high larches, cedars and broad-leaved trees of the Altai taiga. Accommodation in tents on the shore of Markakol lake. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4. Breakfast. Hiking around Markakol lake area. Ascent of mountain to the south of Urunkhaika village, from which we can see a magnificent panorama of the lake and neighboring mountains. Short traverse along a ridge and descent to the eastern extremity of the lake. Lunch en-route. After lunch, hike along the northern shore of the lake to tourist center, which is 3 km from our tent camp. Markakol lake (447m) (in Kazakh "yearling lamb") situated in an intermountain hollow, between the south Azutau ridge and north Kurchum ridge and an alpine lake. There are 2 rare species of fish here: grayling and lenok. Lenok is a very rare endemic fish and is only found elsewhere in the lakes of Canada. Local fishermen prepare delicacies of lenok caviar. Sometimes trophy lenok may weigh up to 8 kg. In the evening, Russian banya (sauna) Dinner and overnight at base camp.

Day 5. Breakfast. Horse-riding tour along north shore of Markakol lake. Horseriding Markakol lake - Guba bay (25 km) Our route runs from base camp along the main street of Urunkhaika village (almost all houses are of log construction and reminiscent of the traditional Russian lifestyle of the local people). We can see the western extremity of the lake through the woods. Pass the small bay of a lake, the small Tikhushka river, then small apiary (here local people obtain their honey), Sedelka mountain (1689m), Small swamp on the Topolevka river and further our way lies on a path which leads to the lake. From here we see Urunkhaika village on the far bank. Lunch on the way. Accommodation in tents. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 6. Breakfast. Horseriding: Guba bay - Verkhniaya Elovka village - Nizhniaya Elovka village (26 km) Our route continues along the shore, and we come to the ruins of Verkhniaya Elovka village (hunters, herders and bee-keepers lived here, now all its people live in Urunkhaika village, as it is closer to roads and civilization) Lunch en-route. Dinner. We will meet local people (they seldom see foreigners and our visit will be an important event for them) in Nizhniaya Elovka. Overnight in tents.

Day 7. Breakfast: After breakfast, free time; then boating to Urunkhaika village (to base camp) with local fisherman. Lunch on the way. Farewell dinner at Urunkhaika. Traditional Russian banya. Overnight in tents.

Day 8. Breakfast. Transfer: Urunkhaika village - Alataisky pass - Karakoba river - Burhat pass (2141m) - Uryl village - Berel village - Yasevka vilage - Yazevoe Lake (1656m) (140 km) It is one of the most fascinating parts of our route along the Kazakhstan Altai.
We cover 15 km of dirt roads, and only our landrover is capable to drive these roads. Further, we start the ascent to Alataisky pass. There is a legend that this road was built by Austrian prisoners (taken prisoner in imperial Russia in 1915) We see beautiful panoramas of wide river valleys, extensive mountain plateaus, and mountain peaks overgrown with cedars and larches. We cross 2 log bridges and we are on the pass, where a majestic panorama of Altai ridge opens up. Descent to the Verkhniaya Zimovka tract, to a river with pure water and the poetic name "Karakoba". Once here lived shepherds, who brought cattle from the hot Zaisan deserts. The deserted buildings of shepherds and wood-cutters are all that exist here now. Lunch. Further on, the road improves and we soon climb to the next pass, Burkhat, on Tarbagatai ridge. From the pass we will see a panorama of the Bukhtarma river valley. The river meanders by like a blue ribbon.

It is possible to see the peak of Belukha mountain, when the weather is fine. A quick descent from the pass and we are on the highway again. This highway leads us to big Uryl village and further on to Berel village. We cross the bridge over the Belaya Berel river and then Yazevoye village (this village is exotic, like the previous Berel village). Here we stop for an acquaintance with the life of the local people. Our further route lies along the picturesque Yazovaya river valley. The name of the lake, village and river was borrowed from the name a fish - the Yaz, which lives in the lake. Camping in tents on the shore of the lake. Lunch. Walk to the waterfall on the Yazevoya river. Back to camp. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 9. Breakfast. Full day of rest on the Lake. Yazevoye lake is in a mountain valley. Fishing with a rod is possible during the stop. We can see snowy peaks of Belukha mountain, when the weather is fine. Day hike around the lake and Yazovaya river. Lunch en-route. Back to camp. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 10. Breakfast. Transfer: Yazevoe Lake - Yazovka village Rakhmanovskoye lake (1760m) (45 km) After the descent from Yazevoe lake, we visit a maral farm. And, if we are in luck, we will see them cutting off and processing the maral horns. On the way, view a panorama of Belukha peak. Arrival at Rakhmanovskoe Lake. Walking around the lake. Back to Yazevoe lake. In the evening, traditional Russian banya. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 11. Breakfast. Transfer: Yazevoye lake - Yazevka village - Dzhambul village - Chernovaya village - Katon-Karagai village (160 km) Along the way visit the Berel archaeological digs. These sites are interesting, thanks to the fact that a partly intact mummy of a Sak King in complete uniform was found here in 1996. The graveyard dates to the 4th c. BC. Lunch on the way. Also on the way, a visit to the exotic bazaar in Katon-Karagai village. Camping in tents on the bank of the picturesque Naryn river. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 12. Breakfast. Transfer: Katon-Karagay village - Bolshenarynskoye village - Bukhtarma reservoir - Ust-Kamenogorsk (350 km.) We pass many Altai villages. The Kazakhstan Altai is the most productive producer of sunflower oil in Kazakhstan. We will be convinced of this - on the way we will see vast fields of sunflowers. Lunch on the shore of the beautiful Bukhtarma reservoir. After lunch, our road leads to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Pass the small mining town of Serebriansk. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Accommodation in hotel "Irtysh" ***. Rest. Farewell dinner. Overnight.

Day 13. Breakfast. Transfer to airport. Flight to Almaty (2 hours). Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to hotel "Otrar"****. Accommodation. Rest. Lunch and dinner at a local cafe. Overnight.

Day 14. Departure from Almaty.

Cost of program (US$)
Num. pax	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10+1	11+1	12+1	13+1	14+1	15+1	16+1	17+1	18+1	19+1	20+1
Cost p\p	3895	2630	2056	1669	1582	1407	1324	1235	1270	1260	1259	1201	1183	1167	1120	1089	1057	1031	997	976
Additional horse for transportation of luggage - US$ 138 p/day

Price includes:

Price does not include:

Visa support to Kazakhstan; All land transfers; Meeting and seeing off at the airport, services of interpreter, cook and his helper; Guide; Accommodation at hotels and guest house (double rooms with breakfast); Sightseeing; Entry fees; Ecological taxes; Police registration; Serving of tea/coffee in the tent in the morning; Special permits; Tents during the autotrekking on a double and single basis; Mattresses in tents; Full board in the cities and during aurotrekking; Packed lunch daily; Kitchen and camp equipment; Guide consultations; Bottled water on transfers: 1.5 L/day/person.

Airline tickets, tips; Insurance and other medical subcosts; Additional excursions not mentioned in the program; Personal extras like overweight luggage; Laundry, phone, fax, and e-mail services; Alcoholic drinks; Mini bar and other extra services at the hotels.

The price of airfare (economy class) for flight:
Almaty - Ust-Kamenogorsk - 191 US$ p/p
Ust-Kamenogorsk - Almaty - 191 US$ p/p

The price of train tickets from Almaty 2 to Zhangiz-Tobe Station:
2-berth compartment - US$ 63 p/p
4-berth compartment - US$ 45 p/p

Please note that prices and timetable are subject to change without notice

Additional information