Golden Ring of Zhetysu (5 Days)

Five days linking Altyn-Emel’s Singing Dune and Aktau hills, Charyn’s sculpted gorges, and the alpine waters of Kolsay and Kaindy—a clear arc from steppe to mountains.

1,500 km of open-road scenery balanced with roughly 42 km on foot: short viewpoint walks with one or two longer day hikes.

Evenings in village guesthouses with home-style meals, early starts and sunset finishes for soft light, quieter trails, and unhurried photo time.

Learn more about the locations

Our signature route in the Almaty region blends gentle trekking with a string of standout natural sites. From canyon country to alpine lakes, the shifting landscapes offer an accessible, unhurried way to experience the area’s wild beauty.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Aktau (White Mountains),
Altyn-Emel

07:00 - Pick up guests from their addresses in Almaty
08:00 - Departure by SUVs to Basshi village, the headquarters of Altyn-Emel National Park (255 km)
11:30 - Check-in at the reception office of the national park, visit the Altyn-Emel National Park Visitor Center
12:30 - Lunch at the guest house
13:30 - Departure to Aktau Mountains (70 km)
15:00 - Trek 7 km inside Aktau Mountains, exploring the main canyon, visiting a small canyon, and reaching the top of one of the mountains
18:00 - Visit a 700-year-old willow tree for a photo opportunity (40 km)
19:00 - Accommodation at the guesthouse
20:00 - Dinner. Overnight stay
Day 2: Singing Dune, Sculpture Valley

08:00 - Breakfast at the guesthouse. Departure to Singing Dune (Aygaykum, 55 km)
12:00 - Return to the guest house (55 km)
13:00 - Lunch
14:00 - Departure to Sculpture Valley (90 km)
15:30 - Trekking inside the Valley (2 km), taking photos
17:00 - Departure to Zharkent town (30 km)
17:30 - Visit The Jarkent Oriental Mosque (1 of 3 Oriental Mosques in the World)
18:00 - Dinner at a cafe
19:00 - Overnight at the hotel
Day 3: Charyn Canyon

08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 - Departure to Charyn National Park (180 km)
11:30 - Arrival and descent to the “Valley of the Castles” canyon (Qyzylsay)
12:00 - Lunch (packed lunches)
14:00 - Visit a panoramic site with a view from the top of the Valley of Castles
15:00 - Departure to Lunar Canyon panoramic site (25 km)
16:00 - Transfer to Stone Shelf (15 km)
16:45 - Departure to Napoleon viewpoint (5 km), then to the Austrian spot
(2 km)
17:00 - Take photos and depart to Saty village (Kolsay Lakes, 110 km)
19:00 - Arrival at Saty village (Kolsay Lakes area). Accommodation at the guesthouse
20:00 - Dinner. Overnight stay

Day 4: Kolsay Lakes

08:00 - Breakfast at the guesthouse
09:00 - Departure to Saty Lake (1st Kolsay, 15 km)
10:00 - Trekking to Mynzhylky Lake (8 km, 3 hours of trekking)
13:00 - Arrival at Mynzhylky Lake (2nd Kolsay)
13:30 - Lunch (packed lunches)
14:00 - Return to Saty Lake (8 km, 3 hours of trekking)
17:00 - Departure to Saty village (15 km)
18:00 - Dinner. Overnight stay
Day 5: Kaindy Lake

08:00 - Breakfast at the guesthouse
09:00 - Departure to Kaindy Lake (15 km)
10:00 - Visit three locations at the lake: the shore, the panoramic viewpoint, and the inflow of the Kaindy River into the lake
13:00 - Depart for the guest house
13:30 - Lunch at the guest house
14:00 - Departure to Almaty (295 km)
18:00 - Arrival in Almaty