Golden Route: from Almaty to Mountain Lakes
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1
- Meeting at the airport with a sign “ML tour.” Transfer to the hotel.
- Hotel check-in.
- Sightseeing tour of Almaty.
Almaty is a city that has adapted to changing times faster than any other city in Central Asia. The city is adorned with numerous parks and squares. You will visit Panfilov Park, named after the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. On its territory stands the Ascension Cathedral, designed by architect A. Zenkov. Built in 1840 without a single nail, it is one of the nine most unique wooden buildings in the world. The wall paintings and interior decorations astonish visitors with their beauty and splendor. Remarkably, the cathedral withstood a devastating 10-point earthquake on the Richter scale in 1911.
Next, we invite you to immerse yourself in the spirit of true Eastern trade at the Green Bazaar — the central market of Almaty, where people have traditionally sold the first greens and natural gifts of the fertile Zhetysu region.
You will also visit Republic Square — the main square of Almaty, the city’s largest and most picturesque plaza with its magnificent ensemble of modern architecture. This is the site of festive parades, celebrations, and national events.
Day 2
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check-out.
- Excursion to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lakes.
- Transfer to the hotel.
Charyn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River in Kazakhstan, located 195 km east of Almaty near the Chinese border. The canyon lies within Charyn National Park, established on February 23, 2004.
Kolsai Lakes are a system of three alpine lakes in the northern Tien Shan, in the Kolsai Gorge, connecting the Kungei Alatau and Zailiysky Alatau mountain ranges. The lakes are located in the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region, about 10 km north of the Kyrgyz border and 330 km southeast of Almaty, at altitudes of approximately 1000 m, 2500 m, and 2700 m above sea level.
Kaindy Lake, only 400 meters long, was formed after a massive earthquake in 1910. A huge landslide blocked the gorge, creating a natural dam. Over time, water filled the basin, forming a submerged forest and one of the most mystical places in Kazakhstan.
Day 3
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check-out.
- Excursion to the Shymbulak Mountain Resort.
- Transfer to the airport.
Shymbulak is a ski resort located near Almaty on the Zailiysky Alatau ridge at an altitude of 2200–2500 meters above sea level. The climate is continental: average winter temperature −14°C, summer +26°C.
The ski slopes are served by a gondola cableway from Medeu to the base station of Shymbulak — the third longest in the world (4.5 km). 114 comfortable cabins (capacity up to 2000 people per hour) operate for visitors, along with two combined lifts (Combi-1 and Combi-2), a drag lift, and two four-seat chairlifts. The lifts take you from 2260 m to the Talgar Pass, offering breathtaking mountain views.
Included:
- Meet & greet at the airport with an English-speaking guide
- Accommodation in a 4★ hotel with breakfast (twin sharing)
- Lunch at a guest house in Saty village
- Transfer to Kaindy Lake (UAZ vehicle)
- Excursion to Shymbulak
- Group transfers by comfortable coach according to the program
- Excursions and entrance tickets as per itinerary
- Ecological fees for all national parks in the Almaty region
- International flight
- Medical insurance
- Optional excursions and personal expenses
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program
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