A six-day tour through Kazakhstan: Almaty, Charyn and Kaindy with a night in Saty, then Mangystau with a camp night at Bozjyra. Included: transport, guide, eco fees, accommodation. Domestic airfare is not included.
From the mountains of Almaty to the deserts of Mangystau, two very different faces of Kazakhstan come together in one trip. The main stops on the route are “Bozzhyra Fangs”, white chalk cliffs up to 200 meters high, Mars Panorama with its red eroded terrain, Charyn Canyon, which stretches for 154 km, with its best-known section, the “Valley of Castles”, a 2–3 km walk among crenellated towers, and the first Kolsai Lake at 1818 meters, a turquoise mirror ringed by centuries-old spruce. The canyons and lakes near Almaty are split by a night in a guesthouse in Saty, and in Mangystau you sleep in a camp at Bozzhyra, so you see the cliffs at sunset and again at sunrise. Hotels in Almaty, the guesthouse and the camp are included in the price, along with an experienced guide, comfortable transport, tickets, and eco fees. Mangystau days are long and can be very hot in July and August, so plan sun protection and plenty of water.
Arrival in Almaty: meet your guide in the arrivals area and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest from the flight, ride the cable car up Kok-Tobe (1070 m), the city’s signature viewpoint. Almaty lies spread out below with the Alatau mountains behind it; around sunset the peaks turn pink and the city lights come on in the valley. If you wish, end the evening with a walk through the center or dinner in a traditional Kazakh restaurant.
Leave Almaty around 07:00 and drive about three hours east to Charyn Canyon. Walk down through the “Valley of Castles”, a 2–3 km trail to the river between jagged red sandstone towers. Then see Moon Canyon, a valley of gray and bluish rock, and Black Canyon on the Temirlik river, with dark volcanic walls. In the late afternoon, walk along the shore of the first Kolsai Lake (1818 m), framed by Tien Shan spruces. In the evening, continue to Saty village in Kolsai Lakes National Park, about two hours more. Dinner and overnight in a family guesthouse.
An early breakfast in Saty and a drive to Kaindy Lake, formed by the 1911 earthquake; the last stretch of track is rough and is usually done by 4×4. Spruce trunks rise from the turquoise water like the masts of a sunken fleet, and in the morning the lake is still quiet. Then the drive back to Almaty, about five hours. In the evening, stroll along Zhibek Zholy pedestrian street, Almaty’s “Arbat”, with street musicians and cafés. Overnight at a hotel in Almaty.
An early flight from Almaty to Aktau on the Caspian Sea, about three hours; your driver-guide meets you at the airport. Out of Aktau by 4×4 into the Ustyurt country. In the morning, descend into Ybykty Canyon, a narrow split in the plateau with vertical walls. Around midday, visit the underground mosque of Karaman-Ata, a medieval pilgrimage site carved into the rock. In the afternoon, drive south to Bozzhyra: the lower viewpoint for a walk closer to the base of the chalk cliffs, then the “Bozzhyra Fangs”, white spires up to 200 meters high, and the upper viewpoint for sunset. Dinner and overnight in a camp on the plateau (tents or yurts, bedding provided). A long day of desert driving.
Bozzhyra at first light, when the chalk turns pink and the plateau is empty. After breakfast at camp, drive to the Mars Panorama viewpoint over red eroded ground, then on to Tiramisu Canyon, where layered beige and brown rock looks like the dessert, and Mount Bokty, an isolated peak with three-colored strata. In the afternoon, the drive back to Aktau and an evening flight to Almaty. Transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, check-out at a convenient time, and transfer to Almaty airport for your flight. The schedule is adjusted to your flight time.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator’s rules.
Have a question about this tour? Ask us — a local planner will answer in the chat.
Please follow the guide's instructions, check the weather forecast before departure, and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
