Itinerary
Day 1 – You will meet your guide early in the morning at your hotel, and embark on a journey from Almaty to the Kungey Alatau Mountains. Our first stop will be the impressive Charyn Canyon, reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the USA, albeit on a smaller scale. Within the canyon lies the Valley of Castles, where wind and water have sculpted intricate stone "towers" and "castles." Following a walk through the canyon, a picnic will be arranged.
Next, we'll head to Lake Kaindy, nestled amidst a magnificent pine forest at an elevation of 2000 meters (6560 ft) above sea level. The lake is renowned for its submerged forest. After a stroll by the lake, we'll proceed to a guest house where you'll enjoy dinner and comfortable accommodation.
Overnight stay in the guest house
Day 2 – We will start our day with breakfast at 9:00 AM, our hiking journey kicks off thereafter. Today's route will follow relatively straightforward trails with minimal elevation changes. Multiple rest stops and a lunch break are scheduled throughout the trek. The destination is a mountain hut overlooking Kyzymshek Peak and the upper Taldy Gorge. The day concludes with dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Overnight stay in the hut
The hiking distance covered on this day – 15 km (9 mi)
Day 3 – After breakfast in the hut, we will embark on a circular trek to explore the picturesque upper Taldy Gorge. This hidden gem is not often visited by tourists due to its challenging accessibility. Today's route is open-ended, with our journey involving an ascent up the gorge, enjoying the scenic vistas, and making necessary stops. By sunset, we will return to the hut, where a dinner awaits.
Overnight stay in the hut
Day 4 – Following breakfast in the hut and packing our belongings, we will start our return journey to Kurmety village. The route back retraces the same path taken to reach the hut. By evening, we will arrive back in the village, where transportation will be ready for you. After a brief snack, you will travel back to Almaty, reaching the city late at night.
The hiking distance covered on this day – 15 km (9 mi)
*Upon request, the program can be extended by 2-3 days to include additional circular treks from the hut, each heading in different directions.