Private Tour
Available languages
72 hours
Mobile ticket
Golden circle of Almaty one of the most popular and interesting tour. You will see completely different areas. Desert, Canyons, Alpine forest, Steppe and Mountain lakes.
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Water
Select a pickup point
Overnight at Bashi village local guesthouse
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Departure from Almaty at 08:00. While driving over an hour on a highway (120 km), you will pass by artificial Kapshagai water reservoir, the biggest in Almaty region, with the casinos of "Kazakh Las-Vegas" on its bank.
Konaev City
9-30 While driving over an hour on a highway (120 km), we will pass by artificial Kapshagai water reservoir, the biggest in Almaty region, with the casinos of "Kazakh Las-Vegas" on its bank.
10-30 Brief stop at a gas station
12-00 Arriving to Basshi village which is located at the territory of Altyn Emel National Park. Lunch in the village and excursion to the Aktau mountains (85 km off-road).
Altyn-Emel National Park
14-00 arriving to Aktau and Katutau mountains. Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) are world-renowned paleontological field. Katutau Mountains (Frozen rocks) are very ancient ruined mountains with preserved volcanic outputs. 18-00 Return to Basshi village
19-00 Arriving back to the village Bashi. Diner, overnight at the local guesthouse.
Overnight at local guesthouse in Saty village
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
After breakfast at 07:30, you will depart at 09:00 to the Aktau mountains (63 km).
Altyn-Emel National Park
9-00 Singing dune. Walking, hiking to the top. Singing Dune, reaching a height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km, located in one of the corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a few kilometers from the Ili river between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan. This sandy hill consists of very fine pure sand, which starts to "sing" in windy weather and its sound reminds the organ music
12-00 Return to Basshi village for lunch. Then, transfer to Craryn canyon 3 hours
Shonzhy
14-00 Brief stop at the gas station in Shonzhy village
Charyn Canyon
15-00 arriving to the Charyn canyon. Upon arrival, you will admire the grand panorama and go down to the bottom of the canyon to walk around 2 km through the maze of the Castles Valley. 18-00 Departure from the canyon
Saty
19-00 arriving to Saty village, diner and overnight at the local guesthouse
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Saty
This day starts with breakfast and departure to Kaindy Lake at 08:30
Lake Kaindy
9-30 Arriving to the Kaindy lake (sunken forest) Kaindy Lake (birch lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the alley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water
Saty
12-30 Lunch at the guesthouse in Saty village
Kolsai Lake
14-00 Arriving to Kolsai lake Kolsai Lakes - "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan" - represent a cascade of three lakes. The largest lake is accessible for all visitors. It is the most beautiful lake, having a lack of civilization and the abundance of mushrooms. Horse lovers can order horseback tour to this place. The highest lake is small. It is located on the border of fir-wood and the alpine meadows and amazes by its harsh alpine beauty, as well as the rich flora and fauna. Vertical drop between the three lakes is about 700 meters. The lowest lake can be reached by car. But you should walk few kilometers along mountain trails to see the second and the third lake. Without doubts the tourists are expected to have a wonderful vacation in these places - berries, mushrooms and fishing. The water in the lakes is cold and clean and is home for the rainbow trout - a fish that lives only in the running or spring water. In the around mountains you can see Marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears.
Almaty
16-00 Departure back to the city
Pickup included
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Glen B,
Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
Amazing country! We saw some stunning sights, but apart from being fairly punctual, the tour guide didn’t provide much relevant information, nor was he overly helpful in general
WeilingH08,
Jun 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
The 3D2N trip was wonderful! It covered all the places we wanted to visit most and the pace was just right. We had ample time at each location to take pictures and also take in the beauty of Kazakhstan. And our wonderful experience was all thanks to our superb guide - George! He has a great sense of humour, was very knowledgeable and shared with us a lot of information at each location, we definitely learnt a lot about Kazakhstan from him during this trip. Рахмет!







StJFamily,
Mar 23, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
Had an excellent three day small group tour to Altyn Emel, Kaindy/Kolsai and Charyn Canyon with Tau. Tau was a terrific guide and I highly recommend him. He was friendly and a lot of fun. He has lots of knowledge of the area and was very generous with his time to allow us all the opportunity to enjoy the area. Also takes great photos! The places we visited on the tour are beautiful and very worth the effort to travel there. Kazakhstan surpassed all expectations and loved my time there.
M8844AKsamg,
Mar 6, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
I booked this tour in the end of season and there was not so many tourists. Tau was seriously fantastic - he did a coffee in the middle of desert! Altyn emel was amazing! I had the best time in Kazakchstan . Desert, steppe, canyons, mountains, local food and horse riding... so many things in 3 days! Be prepared to long driving, but it's worth it!




thedebbieleung,
Feb 20, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our trip was more than half a year ago, and I remember it like it was just yesterday! We were super lucky to have had Tau - he brought us through Assy Plateau, Kaindy Lakes, Charyn Canyon, Ak-Tau Mountains, hot springs near the Tianshan Mountains in the Uyghur region, the Singing Sand Dunes and the snow-capped Big Almaty Peak over 5 days. He tailored our trip on the ground based on what we wanted, taking in account the weather and our fitness abilities. His driving is very safe and stable (we all fell asleep at some point) and his English is superb. He quickly became our friend (we played word games together and shared our favourite songs in Russian, Kazakh and Chinese) and took great candid photos and videos of us (he was experimenting with his own camera at the time). Unlike some other tour guides we've seen, Tau went with us on each excursion and brought us to little-known sites/trails as well as his favourite restaurants in Almaty. It was truly an unforgettable trip, and I've already given his contact to all my friends. I'm already planning my next trip back...
andreyk445,
Feb 18, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
A big thank you Tau with the most excellent arrangements for this adventure in Kazakhstan, we will back surely 👍👍
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