Day 1: Almaty – Aktau Mountains – Katutau Mountains – Basshy
8:00 AM: The adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Almaty or from the airport. After meeting the guide, we embark on the journey in a comfortable SUV. We'll make several stops along the way to taste traditional Kazakh cheese, Kurt, and take photos of the scenic landscape.
12:00 PM: We reach our first destination, Basshy village, which takes about 4 hours. After checking in at the hotel, we'll enjoy lunch.
1:00 PM: We then head to the base of the ancient ocean, from which the Chalk Mountains of Aktau were formed millions of years ago. The off-road drive takes around 1.5 hours. Once there, the guide will lead you through various routes of different difficulty levels, sharing the history of these stunning mountains.
5:00 PM: After our exploration, we relax with a cup of hot tea before heading to the volcanic Katutau Mountains. The unique cliffs shaped by wind, sun, and water offer a perfect spot for photos. En route back to the hotel, we stop at a 700-year-old willow tree and sample mineral spring water.
7:00 PM: Enjoy a traditional dinner at the hotel.

Day 1: Almaty – Aktau Mountains – Katutau Mountains – Basshy
8:00 AM: The adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Almaty or from the airport. After meeting the guide, we embark on the journey in a comfortable SUV. We'll make several stops along the way to taste traditional Kazakh cheese, Kurt, and take photos of the scenic landscape.
12:00 PM: We reach our first destination, Basshy village, which takes about 4 hours. After checking in at the hotel, we'll enjoy lunch.
1:00 PM: We then head to the base of the ancient ocean, from which the Chalk Mountains of Aktau were formed millions of years ago. The off-road drive takes around 1.5 hours. Once there, the guide will lead you through various routes of different difficulty levels, sharing the history of these stunning mountains.
5:00 PM: After our exploration, we relax with a cup of hot tea before heading to the volcanic Katutau Mountains. The unique cliffs shaped by wind, sun, and water offer a perfect spot for photos. En route back to the hotel, we stop at a 700-year-old willow tree and sample mineral spring water.
7:00 PM: Enjoy a traditional dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Basshy / Singing Dune / Zharkent / Hot Springs
7:00 AM: The day starts with a hearty breakfast at the hotel.
8:00 AM: After packing up, we set off to conquer the Singing Dune, a one-hour off-road drive. Upon arrival, we'll climb to the top of the dune for magnificent views of the Ili River and surrounding mountains. The guide will explain the origin of the sand and demonstrate how to make the dune "sing."
11:00 AM: After returning to the parking lot and enjoying a cup of tea, we head to Zharkent, which is a 2-hour drive through the Tiger Mountains. Along the way, we'll stop for scenic views.
1:30 PM: In Zharkent, we'll enjoy a delicious local dish of Lagman in a café, before heading to the Zharkent mosque, made entirely of wood. We'll also stroll through the vibrant market filled with fruits and fresh bread.
2:30 PM: After visiting the mosque, we continue to the Chunja hot springs, an oasis in the middle of the steppe.
6:00 PM: Upon arrival at the hot springs, you'll have the opportunity to soak in mineral pools ranging from 37 to 40 degrees Celsius, most of which are open 24 hours. It's a great place to unwind under the starry sky.
7:00 PM: We end the day with a traditional dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Hot Springs / Temerlik Canyon / Bestomak Canyon / Moon Canyon / Saty
8:30 AM: Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel.
9:30 AM: After packing up, we head toward the Charyn Natural Park to explore its canyons, stopping along the way in Chunja to pick up packed lunches.
11:00 AM: Our first stop is Temerlik Canyon, formed by the Temerlik River, which flows into the Charyn River. The guide will explain the area's formation and point out the best photo spots.
1:00 PM: We then descend into Bestomak Canyon, a vivid and colorful counterpart of the Castle Valley Canyon. The walk through the canyon takes about 40 minutes, and we'll enjoy a break near the roaring Charyn River.
2:00 PM: After leaving Bestomak, we make our way to the most breathtaking viewpoint of the Charyn River and the Valley of Castles. This is the perfect place for unforgettable photos.
5:00 PM: We cross several passes and head to the Moon Canyon, a mountain clay labyrinth like no other. The guide will share its history, and you'll have time for more photos.
6:00 PM: We leave the canyon landscape behind and drive toward the village of Saty, where we'll spend the night in a guest house and experience the local culture. A traditional Kazakh dinner will end the day.

Day 4: Saty Village / Kolsai / Kolsai 2 / Saty
7:30 AM: Start the day with breakfast at the guest house.
8:30 AM: After packing our bags, we drive to Lower Kolsai Lake, from where we will embark on a hike to Middle Kolsai Lake. The hike takes about 3 hours each way.
12:00 PM: Upon reaching Middle Kolsai, we'll have lunch, which we've packed in advance. The guide will show you the best spots for photos and prepare hot herbal tea.
5:30 PM: After returning to the guest house, we'll enjoy a traditional dinner and spend the evening around a campfire. There will also be time to explore the village.

Day 5: Saty / Lake Kaindy / Charyn Canyon / Almaty
8:00 AM: After breakfast, we head to the magical Kaindy Lake, located in Kungei Alatau. The off-road journey to the lake takes about an hour. Once there, we'll explore three key viewpoints offering the best views of the lake.
1:00 PM: After returning to Saty for lunch, we'll pack our bags and head to Charyn Canyon's Castle Valley. After taking in panoramic views, we'll hike down into the canyon and reach the Charyn River. The guide will share the canyon's origins and offer tea by the river. You can either walk back to the parking area or take a taxi.
5:00 PM: On the way back to Almaty, we'll make stops for sunset photos and visit the bazaar in Baiseit village.
9:00 PM: The guide will drop you off at your hotel or any other address in Almaty, marking the end of the tour. The memories of the trip will stay with you for years to come.