Tours and expeditions
Found: 32
Kolsai and Charyn in one day by helicopter
Kazakhstan's two great natural icons in a single day — without 10+ hours on the road. Departure from Almaty (Burunday), landings at the Kolsai Lakes and Charyn Canyon.
Trans-Ili Alatau glaciers and the Shymbulak cable car
Big Almaty Lake, the Molodezhny and Tuyuksu glaciers, a landing at Shymbulak and a ride down the cable car. Maximum wow in minimum time.
Grand Tour: all of South-East Kazakhstan in a day
The Singing Dune, the Relict Grove, the White Mountains, Charyn, Kolsai, Bartogay and Big Almaty Gorge. The ultimate route for those who want it all at once.
Custom helicopter route and drop-off
A helicopter for your own route: drop-offs to mountains, lakes or canyons — for example Kolsai with a night at a camp. Fits into multi-day Karavanta expeditions.
3-DAYS Endless Dunes: Quad Expedition
Three days riding a CFMOTO CFORCE 850 through the highest dunes of the Empty Quarter with an expert guide-instructor.
3-DAYS Desert Storm: Buggy Expedition
A race-spec Can-Am Maverick X3 for a crew of two and three days in the heart of the desert.
MY DAD MY MENTOR: Buggy Expedition
Two days sharing one Can-Am Maverick X3 across 120 km of Empty Quarter dunes. Dad is always alongside — driving, or navigating while the child takes the wheel. Together you play the “Lost Caravan” quest, solving riddles with a map and GPS and hunting for a Bedouin caravan's treasures.
1-DAY TOURIST: Quad Tour
A full day on a CFMOTO CFORCE 850, a Dakar-proven ATV, along Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge routes: sand-riding skills, convoy through the dunes, a camel farm and an oasis. With a guide-instructor and technical support. For confident riders.
1-DAY Desert Rush: Buggy Expedition
A full day driving a Can-Am Maverick X3 on the routes of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: high dunes, convoy riding, a camel farm and an oasis. Two people per buggy — the second rides free.
2-DAYS Dune Adventure: Buggy Expedition
Two full days in a Can-Am Maverick X3: from confident dune driving to the big steep sands and long descents. A Bedouin camp, an oasis and a support vehicle with a mechanic. Two people per buggy — the second rides free.
2-DAYS Desert Sprint: Quad Expedition
Two full days on a CFMOTO CFORCE 850, a Dakar-proven ATV, along Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge routes. With guide-instructor Nikita Ardavichus “Desert Fox” and a support vehicle. For confident riders.
3-DAYS: LIWA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Three days inside one of the world's biggest motorsport events: a camp at Moreeb Dune, quad and buggy routes across the Empty Quarter and the festival's night competitions.
In the Footsteps of Shokan Valikhanov: a mountain trek
Three days on foot from waterfall to waterfall: Turgen Gorge, the Assy Plateau and the Tsarskoye tract — land described by Shokan Valikhanov in 1856. You walk light: camp and kitchen go ahead by jeep, and a banya waits at the finish.
The Great East Kazakhstan Journey: Altai in 7 days
Seven days by 4x4 through Bukhtarma and the Kazakh Altai — to glacial Lake Yazevoe with views of Belukha, along the WWI-era Old Austrian Road and on to Lake Markakol. A small group and one support team for the whole route.
Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy in one day by jeep
The Almaty region's three natural icons in one day: Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai Lakes and the sunken forest of Lake Kaindy. A private tour by 4x4, no other tourists.
Altyn-Emel in one day: the Singing Dune, Aktau and Katutau
One of Kazakhstan's most unusual national parks in a day: the Singing Dune, the multicoloured Aktau mountains, volcanic Katutau and a 700-year-old willow. By 4x4 — where ordinary cars can't go.
Big Almaty Lake, Ayusay waterfall and hot springs
The fullest short trip near Almaty: turquoise Big Almaty Lake at 2,500 m, Ayusay waterfall, Alma-Arasan hot springs and a falcon farm. No hard trekking.
Lake Issyk: jeep tour from Almaty
A turquoise mountain lake among spruce forests 1.5 hours from Almaty. A private trip at your own pace, the best photo spots without crowds.
Kolsai Lakes: jeep tour from Almaty
Mountain lakes among Tian Shan spruces — one of Kazakhstan's natural icons. 300 km from Almaty by 4x4, a private tour with time to walk by the water.
Charyn Canyon: the Valley of Castles by jeep
The heart of Charyn Canyon: descend into the Valley of Castles and walk its floor among million-year-old red rocks. 200 km from Almaty, private tour.
Big Almaty Lake: a day hike
A day hike to Big Almaty Lake: 16 km there and back, about 600 m of climbing, 2–4 hours on the trail. Suits active people with basic fitness and little mountain experience, from 3 to 100 years old.
Bukreev Peak: a day climb from Butakovka Gorge
The classic climb of Bukreev Peak (3,010 m) from Butakovka Gorge: 11–12 km, 1,200 m of climbing, 6–8 hours on the trail. For people with average fitness. Available all year round.
Kok-Zhailyau Plateau: a day hike
A day hike to the Kok-Zhailyau Plateau (2,200 m) by the classic route from Prosveshchenets: 8 km there and back, 600 m of climbing, 2–4 hours on the trail. Easy to medium level. Available all year round.
Kumbel Peak: a day climb from Ak-Bulak
A day climb of Kumbel Peak (3,180 m) from Ak-Bulak (1,600 m): 17–19 km there and back, 6–8 hours on the trail. Above-medium level. Available all year round.
Butakovka Waterfall: an easy hike
An easy hike to the Butakovka Waterfall (2,100 m) from the forestry station (1,837 m): 4–4.5 km there and back, from 1 hour on the trail. A good first outing in the mountains. Available all year round.
Studio in Almaty, 5 minutes from the Central Stadium
A studio for two or three, a five-minute walk from the Central Stadium, one of the city's main venues for concerts and matches. A 140×200 cm double bed and a sofa, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, air conditioning and an open balcony with a mountain view.
Shymbulak Resort Hotel: 100 metres from the lifts
A hotel at the Shymbulak resort, at about 2,300 m: 51 rooms, from a standard double to a super suite for four. The Medeu gondola and the chairlift are about 100 metres away. Breakfast, the sauna and the heated outdoor pool are included.
Shymbulak Medeu Camp: cabins and tents in the mountains near Medeu
Glamping in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, on the road from Medeu up to Shymbulak. Chalet-style cabins and tents with views of the mountains and the river, each with its own bathroom. Breakfast is included. On site: a padel court, basketball court, playground, a bar and a shop.
SarySai: a boutique hotel and cabins in the mountains above Medeu
A small boutique hotel in the national park, on the road from Medeu up to Shymbulak: rooms and separate cabins with mountain views, up to 28 guests in total. Breakfast is included, and SarySai Coffee is on site.
Nero & Bianca: two chalets near Shymbulak for groups of up to 6
Two chalets in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, next to Shymbulak. Each has three bedrooms that open onto a terrace, a living room, a kitchen, a pool with a sauna and a large dining table. A chalet is rented as a whole, for a group of up to six. Nero is open now; Bianca opens for the winter season.
Almaty transfer by Toyota Land Cruiser 200: airport, hotel, city
An airport pick-up in Almaty or a ride from your hotel in a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 with a Wild Nomads driver. Handy at the start and end of a trip: the same trusted driver and vehicle as on the jeep tours.
Dubai ⇄ LIWA Oasis transfer: sedan, SUV, minivan or premium
A private transfer with a driver from Dubai, Al Maktoum airport (DWC) or a hotel in Abu Dhabi to LIWA Oasis and back: from Dubai, about 330 km and 3 hours on the road. Pick the vehicle class, from a business sedan to a minivan for a group. The price is per vehicle, one way, whatever the number of passengers.