The Grand Zhetysu Loop: Altyn-Emel, Zharkent, Kolsai & Charyn in Five Days
A full circle: Altyn-Emel, the hot springs and the Kolsai lakes
A loop across Zhetysu — a full circle rather than there and back. The multicoloured Aktau mountains and the Singing Dune in Altyn-Emel, the wooden mosque in Zharkent, an evening in the Chundzha hot springs, the quiet Temirlik and Bestamak canyons, the sunken forest of Kaindy, the Kolsai lakes and Charyn Canyon at the finish. Five days, four nights — and a new road every day.
Program
- Day 1Almaty → Basshi → the Aktau mountains
The transfer into the Altyn-Emel national park and, in the afternoon, the multicoloured clay mountains of Aktau. Overnight in Basshi village.
- Day 2The Singing Dune → Zharkent → Chundzha
The Singing Dune in the morning, then the road towards the Chinese border: the wooden mosque of Zharkent, built without a single nail. Overnight at the hot springs in Chundzha.
- Day 3The Temirlik and Bestamak canyons
Two little-visited canyons of the Charyn park: Temirlik, with a river and greenery at the bottom, and Bestamak — Charyn in miniature. Overnight in Saty village.
- Day 4Lake Kaindy and Kolsai
The sunken forest with spruce trunks standing under water, then the Kolsai lakes in the afternoon with the hike to the second lake. A second night in Saty.
- Day 5Charyn Canyon → Almaty
The Valley of Castles and the walk down to the Charyn river, then the road home. Arrival in Almaty in the 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