Kazakhstan · East Kazakhstan, Altai
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.
- 7 days / 6 nights · ~3,600 km
- up to 9 people
- Difficulty: moderate
- The load is the road: about 3,600 km in 7 days, no hard hikes
- Season
- Summer – early autumn
Itinerary
Day 1
Almaty → Ust-Kamenogorsk
A long drive east with coffee and lunch stops. Night in a hotel.
Day 2
Bukhtarma → Katon-Karagay → Uryl
The country's largest reservoir, with a swim in good weather, then into Katon-Karagay National Park (a UNESCO biosphere reserve). Banya in the evening.
Day 3
Lake Yazevoe and views of Belukha
A slow day at a high glacial lake: walks, lunch on the shore and, on a clear day, Belukha.
Day 4
Old Austrian Road → Markakol
A mountain road built by WWI prisoners in 1914–1916: passes, river valleys and viewpoints.
Day 5
Markakol, unhurried
A full day at the lake (~1,450 m) in a nature reserve: walks, rest and a banya in the evening.
Day 6
Markakol → Ust-Kamenogorsk
The drive back from the highlands to the Irtysh. Night in a hotel.
Day 7
Back to Almaty
Early start, Almaty by evening.
Photo: Free Spirit
Who can take part
- •Mostly road time: about 3,600 km in 7 days, no hard treks
- •Mobile coverage at Yazevoe and Markakol is weak, but the group has Starlink along the whole route
- •Guesthouses in Uryl and at Markakol are simpler than city hotels
- •The Old Austrian Road depends on the weather — the plan changes if it is unsafe
Included
- ✓Expedition vehicles and support from Almaty and back
- ✓6 nights: hotels in Ust-Kamenogorsk, guesthouses in Uryl and at Markakol
- ✓Meals as per programme: breakfasts, lunches on the road, dinners
- ✓Banya where the programme includes it
- ✓Route logistics and support by Dmitry and Olga
- ✓Starlink satellite internet along the whole route
Not included
- —Travel to and from Almaty
- —Personal expenses, alcohol, souvenirs
- —Travel insurance
How to book and pay
- 1Send a request. It is free and commits you to nothing.
- 2Within 24 hours a coordinator checks dates and price with the organiser and sends you a confirmation with the amounts.
- 3A 50% deposit is paid directly to Free Spirit by invoice or payment link. The balance is due on site, at the start of the tour.
Karavanta does not take your money: you pay the organiser directly.
Booking terms
- •50% prepayment, the balance can be paid on site
- •Payment: bank card, invoice or cash, in tenge or US dollars
- •Cancel 30 days or more before the tour for a full refund of the prepayment, less the bank fee
- •Cancel 29 to 7 days before the tour and the prepayment is not refunded, but it is moved to other dates in the same season
- •Cancel less than 7 days before the tour and the prepayment is not refunded
- •You can replace a participant free of charge at any time
- •If the tour is cancelled because of the weather — a refund of the prepayment or new dates by agreement
- •The invoice is sent within 1–2 days of confirmation
Provider
Free Spirit
Signature treks and expedition road trips in Kazakhstan
from ₸700,000
per person