Almaty: 3-Day Tour to Assy Plateau, Charyn & Kolsai
Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
Three days off-road from Almaty: Lake Issyk, Bear Waterfall, the Assy Plateau, a night in yurts, six viewpoints of Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes.
Highlights
- Trek to Bear Waterfall and see Lake Issyk
- Drive up to the Assy Plateau and its observatory
- Spend a night in yurts at the Aul Tumar ethno-village
- See six viewpoints of Charyn Canyon, including the Valley of Castles
- Visit Kaindy Lake and the lower Kolsai lake
Description
The Great Almaty Loop links seven highlights around Almaty in three private days, with off-road driving, short walks and two very different nights.
Day 1: Leave Almaty at 07:00 for Lake Issyk and a short walk down to the water. In the Turgen Gorge you trek to Bear Waterfall, about 4 km round trip. After checking in to the yurts at the Aul Tumar ethno-village and lunch, you drive up to the Assy Plateau and its observatory for a walk and photos, then return to Aul Tumar for dinner and a free evening.
Day 2: Drive to Charyn Canyon and walk the Valley of Castles, about 2 km each way. After lunch at a local cafe you visit the Lunar Canyon, the Stone Shelf and the Napoleon and Austrian viewpoints. On the way to Saty village you stop at the Black Canyon, then check in at a guest house for dinner and the night.
Day 3: Drive to Kaindy Lake and see it from three spots, stopping at a viewpoint over the Chilik River valley on the way back. After lunch at the guest house you walk along the shore of the lower Kolsai lake, then drive back to Almaty, arriving around 20:30.
Only your group travels in the car, with a guide who speaks English or Russian. The tour runs from April to autumn, as Lake Issyk, the Turgen Gorge and the Assy Plateau are closed in winter. The Assy Plateau park decides each year when it opens; if it's closed on your date, we tell you in advance and change the plan.
More than 14,000 international guests have travelled with Nomad Outfitters.
Includes
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Almaty
- Private transport in a comfortable SUV
- Guide who speaks English or Russian
- 1 night in yurts at the Aul Tumar ethno-village
- 1 night at a guest house in Saty village
- Three meals a day, except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 3
- National park permits and entrance fees
- 1.5 liters of drinking water per person per day
Excludes
- Personal expenses
- Pets ($10 per day)
Important Information
- Pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Almaty city
- Your guide-driver speaks English and Russian
- You spend one night in yurts at the Aul Tumar ethno-village and one at a guest house in Saty village
- Walks include about 4 km to Bear Waterfall and back, 2 km each way at Kaindy and 1 km each way at Lake Issyk
- Parts of the route are off-road and bumpy, so we don't recommend it for travellers with back problems
- Runs from April to autumn; if the Assy Plateau park is still closed on your date, we tell you in advance and change the plan
- Tell us about any dietary needs when booking; we arrange any diet
- Larger groups travel in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van
- Your luggage can stay in the car during the tour
- Child seats are available on request
- If weather or a closed road makes the route unsafe, we move the tour or refund it in full
- Bring walking shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a warm layer, a change of clothes and toiletries
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
