Escape into the heart of Kazakhstan's stunning natural landscapes with a 5-day Nature Escape Tour, where adventure and relaxation await. Traverse the majestic Charyn Canyon, unwind in the soothing hot springs of Chundzha, and be mesmerized by the mystical beauty of Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes, nestled in the Tien Shan mountains. Conclude your journey at the serene Shymbulak Ski Resort, where panoramic mountain views and a high-altitude retreat await. This tour offers the perfect blend of awe-inspiring landscapes and tranquil relaxation - book your escape now and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Almaty’s mountains!
Tour itinerary:
Arrival at Almaty International airport.
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will be met by local driver holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in (14:00). Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will be met by local driver holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in (14:00). Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Early breakfast at the hotel.
07:30 Departure from Almaty to Charyn Canyon (200 km).
Our Jeep tour covers breathtaking places that capture your imagination in the canyons.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon of Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 minutes) at the Charyn river (2 km one way). The tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn. A short stop (15 minutes) at the river in the shade of trees, you can photograph there and then we return back to the cars (1 hour since it is uphill). 10 min. break beside the cars and then leaving to discover other fascinating landscapes.
Lunch at the local restaurant Tary.
Departure to Lunar Canyon.
Lunar canyon abounds with streams and small waterfalls. The road to the river is full of small rocky obstacles. After visiting the canyon, we visit a view point - Lunar Canyon panorama, top view. Passages are carried out on dirt roads, sometimes there are obstacles, surmountable by car with large clearance only.
Descent inside the Canyon and 20 min. stop to walk around.
Visiting the location - Stone shelf (12 km), location - Napoleon (4 km), location - Austrian view (2 km).
After enjoying fascinating panoramic views of the canyon, we will head to the village of Chundzha, home to the majority of the region's hot springs. The thermal waters here originate from the nearby Ketmen Ridge and rivers, some of which flow underground in this otherwise arid landscape.
After checking into a hot spring resort in Chundzha, you can relax in the thermal pools, where the water temperature ranges from 46-50°C, all while being surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.
Total distance: 290 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
07:30 Departure from Almaty to Charyn Canyon (200 km).
Our Jeep tour covers breathtaking places that capture your imagination in the canyons.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon of Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 minutes) at the Charyn river (2 km one way). The tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn. A short stop (15 minutes) at the river in the shade of trees, you can photograph there and then we return back to the cars (1 hour since it is uphill). 10 min. break beside the cars and then leaving to discover other fascinating landscapes.
Lunch at the local restaurant Tary.
Departure to Lunar Canyon.
Lunar canyon abounds with streams and small waterfalls. The road to the river is full of small rocky obstacles. After visiting the canyon, we visit a view point - Lunar Canyon panorama, top view. Passages are carried out on dirt roads, sometimes there are obstacles, surmountable by car with large clearance only.
Descent inside the Canyon and 20 min. stop to walk around.
Visiting the location - Stone shelf (12 km), location - Napoleon (4 km), location - Austrian view (2 km).
After enjoying fascinating panoramic views of the canyon, we will head to the village of Chundzha, home to the majority of the region's hot springs. The thermal waters here originate from the nearby Ketmen Ridge and rivers, some of which flow underground in this otherwise arid landscape.
After checking into a hot spring resort in Chundzha, you can relax in the thermal pools, where the water temperature ranges from 46-50°C, all while being surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.
Total distance: 290 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Breakfast at the restaurant of the recreation area.
Check out and drive to Kaindy Lake (2 hours 30 minutes).
Kaindy lake – famous for its origin. It was found by result of strong earthquake in 1911. The landslide covered the gorge and water flooded into the coniferous forest. The water at lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the water. No words can describe this mystical magnificence; you must see it with your own eyes.
After exploring the area, we head to the Kolsay Lake.
On the way to Kolsay Lake, we stop by local house in the village for a tasty homemade lunch.
After a hearty lunch, we will transfer to Kolsay Lake.
Kolsay Lakes is a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests, these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above sea level. No surprise, this area has other names like “The Necklace of Tien Shan” or “Pearls of Zhetysu region”. You will love the landscapes and remember it for long.
Overnight at the mountain resort.
Total distance: 185 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Check out and drive to Kaindy Lake (2 hours 30 minutes).
Kaindy lake – famous for its origin. It was found by result of strong earthquake in 1911. The landslide covered the gorge and water flooded into the coniferous forest. The water at lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the water. No words can describe this mystical magnificence; you must see it with your own eyes.
After exploring the area, we head to the Kolsay Lake.
On the way to Kolsay Lake, we stop by local house in the village for a tasty homemade lunch.
After a hearty lunch, we will transfer to Kolsay Lake.
Kolsay Lakes is a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests, these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above sea level. No surprise, this area has other names like “The Necklace of Tien Shan” or “Pearls of Zhetysu region”. You will love the landscapes and remember it for long.
Overnight at the mountain resort.
Total distance: 185 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Breakfast at the mountain resort. Check out and drive back to Almaty city (4 hours 30 minutes).
Upon arrival drive to Shymbulak, a mountain resort located at the elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. In 1950s, ski lovers used to climb the mountain for 3 hours for a 15 minutes’ descent. Nowadays, it is a developed resort with high-level equipment and infrastructure.
Located here is the high-altitude skating rink, Medeo, an iconic part of the Ili Alatau Park and a historical landmark in Almaty's development. Situated at an elevation of 1,690 meters, the Medeo skating rink is the highest of its kind in the world.
We will take the cable car to Talgar Pass, where the Tenir eco-hotel is located at the highest point of the resort. Perched at an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
Check in (standard check-in time: 15:30) and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and immerse yourself in the serene mountain atmosphere. Free time. Overnight.
Total distance: 310 km
Meals: breakfast
Upon arrival drive to Shymbulak, a mountain resort located at the elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. In 1950s, ski lovers used to climb the mountain for 3 hours for a 15 minutes’ descent. Nowadays, it is a developed resort with high-level equipment and infrastructure.
Located here is the high-altitude skating rink, Medeo, an iconic part of the Ili Alatau Park and a historical landmark in Almaty's development. Situated at an elevation of 1,690 meters, the Medeo skating rink is the highest of its kind in the world.
We will take the cable car to Talgar Pass, where the Tenir eco-hotel is located at the highest point of the resort. Perched at an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
Check in (standard check-in time: 15:30) and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and immerse yourself in the serene mountain atmosphere. Free time. Overnight.
Total distance: 310 km
Meals: breakfast
Important Information:
The cable car to Talgar Pass (the final station), where the Tenir Eco-Hotel is located, operates only until 16:30. Guests must ascend to the hotel before this time.
For Tenir Eco-Hotel guests, the cable car operates between Talgar Pass and Shymbulak station (where the restaurants are located) at the following times:
- From 18:00 to 19:00 (1 hour)
- From 20:00 to 20:30 (30 minutes)
Important: The cable car runs exclusively during these time slots for Tenir Eco-Hotel guests.
Guests can descend to Shymbulak station between 18:00 and 19:00 to enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants and return to the Tenir Eco-Hotel via cable car at 20:00.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the resort offers evening skiing. On these days, the SYN 32 restaurant at Talgar Pass will remain open into the evening. Guests can choose to dine at the SYN 3.2. restaurant or descend to Shymbulak station to explore additional dining options.
Breakfast at SYN 32 (from 10:00 to 11:30), a delightful culinary experience with breathtaking mountain views and an inviting atmosphere. Perched at 3200 meters on Talgar Pass, this restaurant at the Shymbulak Ski Resort combines gourmet dishes with the charm of the majestic Zailiyskiy Alatau peaks, creating an unforgettable start to your day.
At 11:00 Check out.
Take the cable car down to the Medeo station, where a driver will be waiting to take you to the airport. End of the Nature Escape Tour in Kazakhstan.
Meals: breakfast
At 11:00 Check out.
Take the cable car down to the Medeo station, where a driver will be waiting to take you to the airport. End of the Nature Escape Tour in Kazakhstan.
Meals: breakfast
Price includes:
- 1 night’ Hotel accommodation on BB as per chosen category (DBL/TWN shared) in Almaty;
1 night at Hot spring resort on BB (DBL/TWN shared) in Chundzha village;
1 night at mountain resort on BB (DBL/TWN shared) near Kolsay Lake;
1 night at Tenir Eco-hotel on BB (Only DBL) in Shymbulak Ski Resort. - All airport transfers;
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 2 lunches;
- Private A/C transport with driver as per program:
- 2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats;
- 3-6 pax – minivan up to 10 seats. - Jeep Tour to Almaty region (Toyota Land Cruiser/Similar) 3/5 pax in a car (days: 2-4);
- English - speaking guide;
- Ecological fees;
- "Help with baggage" service at Tenir hotel;
- "Multipass" (three full ascents by cable car to the highest point - Talgar Pass, where the eco hotel Tenir is located at 3,200 meters above sea level, and three full descents);
- Mineral water 1 L p/p daily.
Price doesn't include:
- International air tickets;
- Meals: Full board;
- Any services not included in the above itinerary.
Recommendations when planning your trip:
Temperature is different in and outside the city; therefore, warm clothes are needed when travel outside
Important:
- Some changes are allowed in the program, except reduction of number of booked excursions.
- In case place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During big events proposed accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category.
- Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to change without prior notice.
- Hotel booking is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation and 100% prepayment received from client.
- Domestic flights are subject to change in timing and availability. If mentioned flight is not available, it will be changed to convenient one, depending on tour program.
- Proposed hotels are not available; it will be substituted with another hotel of same category.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2025 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
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