Outdoor Adventures in Zhetysu

Airport pickup. Transfer to Charyn Canyon (3.5 hours). En route — scenic steppe landscapes and a short stop at the Ili River. Check-in at the canyon glamping site. Evening sunset over the "Valley of Castles".

Early start. Hike along the canyon floor (6 km). Exploration of the "Valley of Castles" rock formations. After lunch — walk to the unique relic Ash Grove. Swimming in the Charyn River. Evening by the campfire.

Transfer to Kolsai Lakes (2 hours). Arrival at the lower lake (1818 m altitude). Lakeside hiking and swimming in crystal-clear water. Check-in at a guesthouse in the gorge. Dinner featuring Kazakh cuisine.

Ascent to the second Kolsai lake (1.5 hours on foot or horseback). Scenic lake surrounded by spruce forests. Picnic by the water. Descent back. Free evening at the lower lake.

Transfer to Lake Kaindy (40 min). The famous lake with submerged birch trunks, formed after the 1911 earthquake. Snorkeling or shoreline viewing. Boat rental option. Afterward — departure toward Altyn-Emel.

Altyn-Emel National Park. Singing Dunes (Aigaitass) — a natural phenomenon that emits sounds in the wind. Aktau Mountains (Chalk Mountains) — landscapes reminiscent of Mars. Picnic in the park. Drive back to Almaty.

UNESCO site — Tamgaly (2 hours from Almaty). Over 5,000 rock carvings up to 4,000 years old. Guided tour with a local expert. Return to Almaty. Free evening — we recommend the Almaty-2 district and a Kazakh cuisine restaurant.

Hotel breakfast. Transfer to Almaty airport. Departure home with unforgettable memories of Zhetysu.