Itinerary
Day 1 – After meeting your guide at your hotel at 7:00 AM, you'll depart from Almaty to Taldykorgan. Upon reaching the city at approximately 10:00 AM, we will visit the Museum of Local History. After lunch, we'll proceed to Taubulak Eco-Camp, covering a distance of 132 km (82 mi), with 61 km (38 mi) passing through mountainous terrain. Throughout the 6-hour journey, there will be 2-3 stops of 10-15 minutes each at picturesque locations in the Dzungarian Alatau. Upon arrival at Taubulak Eco-Camp by 5:00 PM, you'll be accommodated for some rest. After dinner, you'll have free time to prepare for the start of your route.
Overnight stay at Taubulak Eco-Camp
The distance covered on this day – 380 km (236 mi)
Day 2 – Today begins with an early rise, followed by breakfast, and a hike along the Kora River towards the Kaskabulak Gorge. We will then ascend the gorge, tracing the path of the Kaskabulak River until we reach the Kaskabulak Glacier. As we approach the glacier, the terrain becomes challenging, with moraine ridges requiring careful navigation.
To the right, a picturesque lake marks the origin of the Kaskabulak River, providing a stunning vantage point overlooking the Kaskabulak Glacier, Edelweiss Pass, Tentek Pass, and Kokchetav Pass. Once a suitable location is chosen, we'll establish our camp. The day concludes with a dinner and rest.
Overnight stay in the tent camp
The distance covered on this day – 16 km (10 mi)
Day 3 – Today we will ascend the Kaskabulak Glacier to reach Kokchetav Pass. The journey is relatively straightforward, with a gradual incline. Following this ascent, we descend into Tenteksai Gorge for a well-deserved rest. Our route then takes us up to Tronov Pass, followed by a descent to the expansive Tronov Glacier.
Widely regarded as one of the largest and most stunning glaciers in central Dzungaria, the climb to Tronov Glacier begins from the origins of the Shegirbulak River. The glacier's surface is marked by numerous crevasses, some filled with snow while others remain open, producing a resonant sound of flowing water. This trek is conducted in groups without the need for crampons, and the slope is approximately 15 degrees. As the day concludes, we'll establish our camp, providing a comfortable space for dinner and a rest.
Overnight stay in the tent camp on the moraine of Tronov Glacier
The distance covered on this day – 8 km (5 mi)
Day 4 – Today demands an early start. Following breakfast and the dismantling of the camp, we will begin our ascent along the eastern moraine of Tronov Glacier towards Olga Pass. To descend to the Bezsonov Glacier, you have the option of navigating medium-difficulty rocks on the western side of the ridge or traversing a small steep snowfield on the east side.
Once we descend to the moraine of Bezsonov Glacier, we'll establish our camp, offering a comfortable space for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Overnight stay in the tent camp on the moraine of Bezsonov Glacier
The distance covered on this day – 7 km (4 mi)
Day 5 – Today's journey involves descending Bezsonov Glacier, which may prove difficult as your legs may frequently sink into small gullies in the snow, sometimes reaching knee depth. As we approach the moraine, the terrain becomes considerably easier. Upon descending into Kora Gorge and reaching the Yuzhnaya River, we'll select a suitable spot to establish our camp. After setting up camp, dinner awaits, followed by an overnight stay.
Overnight stay in the tent camp
The distance covered on this day – 7 km (4 mi)
Day 6 – Today, there is no need to get up early. We'll undertake a circular hike to explore Sapozhnikov Glacier, the second-largest glacier in the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains. Following our return to the camp, there will be dinner and an opportunity to rest.
Overnight stay in the tent camp
The distance covered on this day – 10 km (6 mi)
Day 7 – The day starts with a descent through the scenic Kora Gorge. Despite its widespread popularity, the gorge has managed to preserve its pristine beauty. Picture-perfect landscapes unfold: dense mixed forests grace the northern slopes, while the southern slopes are adorned with meadow-steppe vegetation. The grey and pink rocks make it an enticing destination for climbers.
Kora Gorge is quite deep and narrow, with the Kora River flowing at its base. Towards the lower stretch, ten apiaries are located. Our camp for the night will be established on the riverbank near the crossing point.
Overnight stay in the tent camp
The distance covered on this day – 14 km (9 mi)
Day 8 – Our journey today kicks off with a crossing over the Kora River, followed by a descent through the Kora Gorge leading us to Taubulak Eco-Camp. Once we arrive at the camp, you'll have the opportunity to rest and get ready for our departure to Almaty.
Overnight stay at Taubulak Eco-Camp
The distance covered on this day – 7 km (4 mi)
Day 9 – After breakfast and packing campsite, our departure from Taubulak Eco-Camp is scheduled for 9:00 AM. During the journey, we'll pause in Taldykorgan for lunch at one of the local cafes. Anticipate reaching Almaty at approximately 8:00 PM.
The distance covered on this day – 380 km (236 mi)