Everything you need to plan your day
By Nomad Outfitters · Updated 30 October 2026
A high summer pasture
The Assy Plateau is a wide high valley in Ile-Alatau National Park, with the Turgen Gorge on one side and the Bartogay Reservoir on the other. Herders have grazed their animals here since ancient times, and Early Iron Age burial mounds survive on the plateau.
Telescopes at 2,750 m
The Assy-Turgen Observatory was built in 1981 and belongs to the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute. Its 1.5 m telescope saw first light in 2016.
A reservoir on the Chilik River
Bartogay Reservoir sits on the Chilik River behind a stone dam about 60 m high, built in the 1980s. Our tour stops above the dam before heading up the passes.
June to early October
The way up crosses the Kyzylauz and Karaarsha passes on rough off-road tracks. From June to early October the passes are clear of snow, and that is when our tour runs. In June and July the plateau is green and full of flowers.
Open
Sources: Kazakh Tourism (plateau); The Astana Times (observatory); Wikipedia (Bartogay dam); Welcome.kz.
Assy Plateau and BartogayПлато Ассы и Бартогай
Off-road over two passes to the plateau, with Bartogay and the observatory on the way.
- 07:00 to 20:00hotel to hotel
- Privateyour own guide and car
- 2,800 mon the plateau
- Picnic lunch
- Park fees and drinking water
- Free cancellation
Assy Plateau questions
How high is the Assy Plateau?
Our tour goes up to about 2,800 m. The Assy-Turgen Observatory stands at 2,750 m.
Can I visit the Assy Plateau in winter?
The plateau tour runs from June to early October, when the passes are clear of snow. In winter we suggest Charyn Canyon or Big Almaty Lake, which run all year.
Is the road rough?
Yes. Parts of the route are rough off-road tracks, so we do not recommend it for travelers with back problems.
What is Bartogay?
A reservoir on the Chilik River, behind a stone dam about 60 m high built in the 1980s.
Tours that visit the Assy Plateau
1 day1 деньAssy Plateau and BartogayПлато Ассы и Бартогай
High summer pastures, then down to the reservoir.Высокогорные пастбища и спуск к водохранилищу.
from $100 per personот $100 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
3 days3 дняGreat Almaty LoopБольшое кольцо Алматы
Seven highlights around Almaty in three days.Семь главных мест вокруг Алматы за три дня.
from $400 per personот $400 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре