Exploring the wild lakes of Altai
- Tour countries:
- Kazakhstan
- Type of tour:
- Adventure, Trekking
First variant. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk - by flight.
Day 1
Arrival to Almaty. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation, short rest. Breakfast. Almaty (i.e. "father of apples" or "father of apple trees") is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city, with a population of 1,5 mln. Despite losing its status as the capital to Astana in 1997, Almaty remains the major commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan. The city is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan.
City sightseeing: visit Panfilov park, the remarkable Cathedral of the Holy Ascension (built in 1907 by architect Andrei Zenkov during a period in which the main building material of the earthquake-wary city was wood. The cathedral reaches a height of more than 53m, making it one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world), Museum of national musical instruments, National museum, Medeo gorge, Republic square (4 hrs).
Flight to Ust-kamenogorsk (2 hours). Arrival to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Accommodation at the hotel "Irtysh". Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Breakfast. Transfer Ust-kamenogorsk - Leninka village - Samarskoe village - Kaznakovsky ferry crossing (Bukhtarma reservoir) - Kuygan village - Kurchum village - Karatogai village - Shakelmes mountain (H-516) by Zaisan lake (325 km). Accommodation in tents, overnight.
Second variant . Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk - by train.
Day 1
Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to hotel "Kazakhstan", accommodation. City sightseeing: visit 28 Panfilov's guardsmen park, Cathedral, Museum of national musical instruments, National museum Republic square. Transfer to train station Almaty-II, by train to Ust-Kamenogorsk (Zhangiz-Tobe railway station), departure at 12.30. Overnight at the train.
Day 2
Breakfast. Arrival in Zhangiztobe at 8.00. Transfer: Zhangiztobe - Georgievka village - Kokpekty village - Bolshaya Bukon village - Kazanakovskaya ferry crossing (Bukhtarma reservoir) - Kuygan village - Kurchum village - Karatogai village - Shakelmes mountain (H-516) by Zaisan lake (325 km). Accommodation in tents, overnight.
Day 3
Breakfast. Transfer: Shakelmes mountain - Kein-Kerish mountain (H-501) - Buran village - Terekty (Alekseevka) village - Mramorny pass (H-1371) - Tikkabak pass - Urunkhaika village by Markakol lake (245 km). After breakfast short excursion around Shakelmes neighborhood, then transfer on desert along northern shore of Zaisan to Kein-Kerish tract. From Terekty village to Markakol lake - 60 km by mountain road without asphalt. From Mramorny pass we can see panorama of green landscape of Kazakhstan. Accommodation at guest house, overnight.
Day 4
Breakfast. Hiking around Markakol lake neighborhood. Ascent to the mountain to the south of Urunkhaika village, from here we can see magnificent panorama of lake and neighboring mountains. Short traverse along ridge and descent to eastern extremity of lake. After lunch walking along northern sore of lake to tourist center, which is at a distance of 3 km from our tent camp. Overnight at guest house.
Day 5
Breakfast. Walking to Cold valley. Our way lies from base camp along main street of Urunkhaika village (almost all houses are log and remind of traditional Russian life of local people). We can see west extremity of lake through woods. Through trunks of trees we observe the western extremity of lake in which low clouds and coastal vegetation are reflected. Overnight in the guest house.
Day 6
Breakfast. Transfer: Urunkhaika village - Alataisky pass - Karakoba river - Burkhat pass (H-2141) - Uryl village - Berel village - Yazevka village - Yazevoe Lake (H-1656) (140 km). Beauty and magnificence of taiga lake amazes. Camping in tents. Walking to waterfall of Yazevoya river. Back to camp. Overnight in tents.
Day 7
Breakfast. Full day rest on Jazevoe lake. The lake Jazevoe is located in a mountain very picturesque valley. Whilst there you will have an opportunity for fishing. Walk in vicinities of lake and check waterfall on Yazevoya river. Overnight in the tents.
Day 8
Breakfast. Transfer: Yazevoe Lake - Yazovka village - Rakhmanovskoe lake (H-1760) (45 km). After descend from Yazevoe lake, we will visit the place where the horns of maral are cut off. If lucky, you will witness the process of cutting off, drying and further processing of horns. On the way you will see panorama of Belukha peak. Arrival at the Rakhmanovskoe Lake. Walking around lake. Back to Yazevoe lake. In the evening traditional Russian bath. Overnight in tents.
Day 9
Breakfast. Transfer: Yazevoye lake - Yazevka village - Dzhambul village - Chernovaya village - Katon-Karagai village (160 km ). On the way visit Berel archaeological digs. Overnight at the local guest house.
Day 10
Breakfast. Transfer: Katon-Karagay village - Bolshenarynskoye village - Bukhtarma reservoir - Ust-Kamenogorsk (350 km). Pass small town of miners - Serebriansk town. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Accommodation in the hotel "Irtysh". Rest. Overnight.
Day 11
Breakfast. Transfer to airport. Flight to Almaty (2 hours). Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel "Kazzhol". Accommodation in the hotel. Rest. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12
Transfer to airport. Departure from Almaty
