Kazakhstan Mountains & Treks Tour Tour | Arbustan Central Asia Travel

1890 €

/

Per Person

12

Persons max.

Tour Overview

Embark on a 12-day journey through the wild beauty of South-Eastern Kazakhstan. From Almaty’s leafy boulevards and lively bazaars to the futuristic skyline of Astana, this adventure blends breathtaking landscapes, cultural treasures, and authentic encounters with local life.

You will hike in alpine wilderness, explore Bronze Age petroglyphs, camp by salt lakes, visit Uyghur mosques, and share stories around yurts and village tables. This is not a conventional tour but a true immersion into the soul of Kazakhstan.

Tour Highlights

Kazakhstan is a land of vast steppes, alpine peaks, and authentic traditions, offering travelers a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural encounters.

Almaty Discovery Explore the city’s leafy boulevards, vibrant bazaars, and striking Soviet mosaics
Alpine Hiking Trek from a mountain base at 2,476 m with panoramic views of 3,500 m peaks
Ancient Petroglyphs Visit the UNESCO site of Tanbaly Gorge, home to over 5,000 Bronze Age carvings
Altyn-Emel Adventures Climb singing sand dunes and marvel at fiery red canyons at sunset
Kolsay & Kaindy Lakes Hike crystal alpine lakes, including the surreal submerged forest of Kaindy
Charyn Canyon Wander through the dramatic “Valley of Castles,” Kazakhstan’s natural wonder

Tour inclusions

Your tour includes everything needed for a comfortable and authentic journey.

Our added value: full-time guidance, expertise and personal presence of Tommaso Aguzzi from Day 1 to Day 12.
Private minivan and 4x4 vehicles with driver (Day 4 to Day 11).
All entrance fees to museums, parks, and sites included in the itinerary.
All accommodations from the night of Day 1 through the night of Day 12 (11 nights)*
Daily breakfasts
Camping gears (tents, camping mat, sleeping bags, camping stove)**
All lunches and dinners in rural areas of Kazakhstan.

*In rural areas, accommodation may be provided in shared rooms, yurts, or rooms with shared bathrooms.

**If you prefer, you are free to bring your own sleeping bag and gears

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Not Included:

International flights
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Personal expenses and tips
Meals in cities unless specified

Itinerary Highlights

This adventure combines nature, culture, and authenticity. Every day offers a new perspective on Kazakhstan’s landscapes and traditions.

The itinerary is not binding and may be subject to significant changes due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., adverse weather conditions, unexpected closures, and other unforeseen events). Our journeys are authentic adventures, far from conventional tourist routes. Embracing the unexpected and welcoming surprises as opportunities is at the very heart of our travel philosophy.

DAY 1 ALMATY: The Green Cosmopolitan Heart of Central Asia

Breakfast and introductory meeting with the tour leader

Walking tour of Almaty: hours walk through the streets of Almaty: we’ll discover the city’s pre-Soviet history, modernist architecture, parks, the green bazaar and so much more. In the afternoon (if time allows), we’ll visit a secret museum/private collection of artifacts! All days include delicious food and local delicacies, obviously (The tour leader is an insatiable foodie)

Overnight in Almaty

DAY 2 TUYUK-SU: Into the Alpine Wilderness

Early ascend to the Alpine Station (2,476m)

Acclimatization: familiarise with the Alpine Station’s surroundings and short hike to the Mynzhylky dam above 3,000m.

Meet the alpinists and dinner with Guzel’s delicious food

DAY 3 PEAK ADVENTURE: Hiking above the Clouds

Early ascend to a peak above 3,500m (we’ll be choosing the peak according to weather conditions, elevation gain: 1,000/1,200m ca.)

Picnic in the nature with food and snacks provided by the Alpine Station staff

Descend to Shymbulak mountain resort and refreshing drink before dinner

Overnight at the Alpine Station

DAY 4 ANCIENT PETROGLYPHS: Journey into the Bronze Age

Early descend back to the city of Almaty and departure to the Altyn-Emel National Park by van

Following the Ily river, we’ll reach the UNESCO archeological site of Tanbaly, a lush gorge with more than 5,000 rock carvings dating from the Bronze age.

After a walk through the gorge, we’ll continue our trip to the national park and reach the shepherd village of Basshy by the late afternoon.

Overnight at a local guesthouse.

DAY 5 ALTYN-EMEL: Singing Dunes and Fiery Mountains

We’ll visit the wilderness of the second largest national park in Kazakhstan. First we’ll head to the otherworldly singing dunes and we’ll find out why they are actually singing.

We’ll stop by a 700 year-old willow tree and oasis where Gengis Khan is believed to have stopped.

We’ll have a delicious lunch cooked by the guesthouse’s owner

In the afternoon we’ll visit the Katutau and Aktau Mountains, a series of stunning canyons which turn into thousand shades of red at sunset. We’ll have a hike to the “mushrooms” and other spectacular rock formations.

Overnight at the guesthouse

DAY 6 EASTERN FRONTIER: Uyghur Culture & Tian-Shan Camping

We’ll depart eastwards to the city of Zharkent, an Uyghur-majority town where we’ll visit the local marvellous wooden mosque and taste the tastiest food in Central Asia!

We’ll continue east towards the border with China and enjoy the jaw-dropping plains and hills that lead us to the Tian Shan mountains.

In the afternoon, we’ll get to our remote and stunning camping spot by a salty lake (1,959m asl). Here we’ll pitch our tents, go for a walk by the lake and prepare food and a campfire for the night star gazing.

DAY 7 LAKE IDYLL: Reflections of Khan Tengri

Early rise with horses and chirping birds around to see the highest Kazakhstan’s peak mirroring on the lake, the majestic Khan Tengri (7,010)

Walks and morning meditations by the lake

Departure to the Kaindy lake, short hike to this unique lake with dead spruce trunks rising from the water and formed in 1911.

Overnight in Kurmeti (guesthouse)

DAY 8 KOLSAY LAKES: Alpine Trails & Crystal Waters

Breakfast with a gorgeous view of the mountains

Short transfer to the first Kolsay Lake (1,818m) and hike to the Middle Kolsay Lake (2,252m), possibility to continue the hike to the Upper Kolsay Lake (2,850m).

Cold dip into the clear waters and picnic by the lake

Descend to the village of Kurmeti and overnight at the guesthouse

DAY 9 CHARYN CANYON AND YURTS: Exploring the Valley of Castles and farm life

Early departure to the Charyn Canyon

Excursion to the gorges of this majestic canyon surrounded by rock formations that will make you feel like in a fantasy movie

A few more stunning views over the canyons and rivers and we’ll head towards Almaty, stopping by a local farm run by Zhanar

Visit to Zhanar’s beefarm, sheeps and goats, possibility of horseriding, we’ll learn a lot about farming and local Kazakh culture while being in a very chill place and sleeping in yurts. Zhanar’s 0km food is also incredible!

DAY 10 RETURN TO ALMATY: Free roaming by the city’s gems

Breakfast on the tapchans’ farm and farewell to the Kazakh countryside

Drive to the city of Almaty

Free time for further explorations of the city, souvenir shopping or some relaxing saunas and massages at the Soviet-built Arasan Baths, dinner together.

Overnight train to Astana

DAY 11 ASTANA: A Capital from the Future

Arrival in Astana and check in at the hotel

Walking tour of Old and New Astana, exploration of what’s left of Tsarist architecture and of the massive and shiny white and golden governmental buildings.

Free time for museums and chill by the capital’s river

Farewell dinner

Overnight in Astana

DAY 12 DEPARTURE: Farewell Kazakhstan

The tour is over, departure to our homes.

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Kazakhstan Mountains & Treks Tour