Golden Ring of Semirechye: Five Days
The full loop, unhurried — with petroglyphs and the Assy plateau
The extended version of the loop: to Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai it adds the Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs on the Ili river, the high Assy plateau and the Bartogai reservoir. Five days is the pace at which each stop gets half a day rather than half an hour for a photo.
Program
- Day 1Almaty → Tamgaly-Tas → Altyn-Emel
The Buddhist rock carvings on the bank of the Ili, then the transfer into the national park. Overnight in Basshi village.
- Day 2Altyn-Emel in full
The Aktau mountains, the volcanic Katutau and the Singing Dune. A whole day inside the park, with no rush between the stops.
- Day 3Charyn Canyon
The drive along the Ili, the Valley of Castles and the Moon Canyon. Overnight at the eco-park on the bank of the Charyn river.
- Day 4Kaindy and Kolsai
The sunken forest in the morning, the Kolsai lakes in the afternoon with the hike to the second lake. Overnight in Saty village.
- Day 5Bartogai, the Assy plateau → Almaty
The return by the mountain road: the Bartogai reservoir, the climb onto the Assy plateau (2650 m) and the descent into Almaty by evening.
Price by group size
Price per vehicle
Price for the whole 4x4, up to 6 people. The table shows the per-person cost by group size.
Accommodation, meals and entrance fees are not included — we arrange and book them to suit your budget, paid separately.
| People | ₸/person |
|---|---|
| 1 | from 550,000 ₸ |
| 2 | from 275,000 ₸ |
| 3 | from 183,333 ₸ |
| 4 | from 137,500 ₸ |
| 5 | from 110,000 ₸ |
| 6 | from 91,667 ₸ |
- ✓Driver-guide
- ✓Comfortable 4x4
Route
What to bring
Passport or ID card. Some locations are in the border zone — documents may be checked.
Sneakers or boots comfortable for walking in the mountains; ideally waterproof.
It can be cold in the mountains — bring warm but non-restrictive clothing.
Sunglasses, a cap or hat and sunscreen.
Rain is frequent in the mountains and forecasts are unreliable — bring rain protection.
There's no internet in the mountains — you can't pay by card or transfer.
Calculate price
Calculate price
from 275,000 ₸/person · 2 people