About this experience
Pristinely turquoise lake, lush pine forests, and snowy mountain peaks - this is the amazing Kazakhstan that awaits you on this tour! You will follow the Great Silk Road, see Scythian burial mounds, learn about the mystery of the 'Golden Man,' and enjoy the views of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains and gorges.
What to Expect
Journey to the Tian Shan Mountains. The tour starts from Al-Farabi Avenue: from the bus window, you will see the prestigious upper districts of the city. Leaving Almaty, you will travel along the former caravan route - once it was a branch of the Great Silk Road. You will have views of the Tian Shan mountain range and the guide will share the history of the Semirechye region, the way of life, and beliefs of the people who have inhabited these lands since ancient times.
The Mystery of the 'Golden Man'. This refers to the archaeologists' discovery in ancient burial mounds - the remains of a Scythian warrior in golden attire. If you wish, you can learn more about this by visiting the Issyk Nature Reserve museum.
Trout Farm and Lunch. After passing the eco-post, you will find yourself in the Ile-Alatau natural park. It's time for a meal - of course, in a picturesque place amidst the mountains. You can go fishing for trout and have it served fresh, or order from the menu.
Issyk Lake from Different Perspectives. Along the mountain serpentine road, you will ascend to a height of 1756 meters above sea level and hear the chronicles of this road built in the mid-20th century. In this part of the journey, there are two stops at viewing platforms with panoramas of the Issyk Gorge. Finally, after a light hike, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountain lake of bright turquoise color. If you still have energy, you can walk to the point where the Issyk River flows into the lake and/or explore the water protection structures.
Itinerary
- 09:00 Meeting and departure from the center of Almaty
- 11:30 Stop at a viewing platform with a view of the Scythian burial mounds
- Visit to the Archaeological Museum at the reserve (optional)
- Visit to the trout farm and lunch (optional)
- Stop at a viewing platform overlooking the Issyk Gorge
- Around 12:30 Easy walk to Issyk Lake (about 1.2 km)
- Return journey and back to Almaty by 17:00-18:00
Organizational Details
How the Tour Goes
- The tour will be conducted by a guide from our team
- Duration 8-9 hours
Additional Expenses
- Visit to Ile-Alatau National Park - 500 tenge/person (about 65 rubles)
- Visit to the Archaeological Museum at the reserve (optional; + 40 minutes to the tour) - 300 tenge per person for a ticket (about 40 rubles); guided tour in Russian - 1000 tenge regardless of the number of people (about 130 rubles)
