Kazakhstan · Almaty Region
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.
- 4 days / 3 nights · ~50 km
- up to 8 people
- Difficulty: moderate
- About 50 km on foot over 3 days, the longest day ~24 km
- Season
- Late May – September
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Tau-Turgen
Meet at the guesthouse, dinner together, route and gear briefing.
Day 2
Bear Waterfall → Assy Plateau, ~24 km
The longest stage, along an old nomad trail over passes and high pastures. Lunch by the Karagaily river, then camp on the plateau (~2,500 m) by the observatory under the stars.
Day 3
Assy Plateau → Tsarskoye tract, ~15 km
An easier walk across open highlands. The climax of the trek: sunset at Tsarskoye, drone shots and camp.
Day 4
Tsarskoye → Kairak Waterfall → Batan, ~15 km
Descent to Kairak Waterfall, transfer to base, lunch and banya, back in Almaty in the evening.
Photo: Free Spirit
Traveller reviews
We had a very wonderful trip in Kazakhstan for five days. We booked it with Chingiz and Dmitry. It was very easy, very smooth, and they planned a very nice tour for us with the most important scenic spots around Almaty. Don't worry if you don't speak Russian: they also provided a translator who came with us.
The four of us were very happy. The trip included hiking, we stayed in a small village near Almaty and also slept in a yurt, which was very nice. We saw the desert, the steppe and beautiful mountains — they really showed us all the variety of Kazakh nature and Kazakh culture.
Everything was taken care of, and whenever there was a problem, they fixed it. I definitely recommend booking a tour with them.
Who can take part
- •Medium+ difficulty: about 50 km in 3 days, the longest day ~24 km
- •Guide Nurlan leads groups in Russian and English
Included
- ✓A rider with horses escorts the group, carrying spare kit and giving a lift to anyone who finds the walking too hard
- ✓Transfers Almaty → base → trailheads → Almaty
- ✓1 night at the Tau-Turgen guesthouse and 2 nights in a tented camp (tent, mat, sleeping bag)
- ✓All meals, hot kazan dinners and local cuisine
- ✓Trekking guides throughout
- ✓Camp, kitchen and gear moved by jeep — you walk light
- ✓Banya after the trek
- ✓Photo and video, including drone footage, for everyone
Not included
- —Flights to Almaty
- —Personal trekking gear: boots, backpack, etc.
- —Travel insurance
- —Horse support — on request, extra charge
- —Personal expenses and souvenirs
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 ₸350,000
per person