About this experience
It's so high that it seems you can touch the sky with your hand. The grass here is so dense that you can't see the ground underneath. And the entire plateau is pierced with streams and springs. Herds of horses graze here, wolves and bears roam in the spruce forests, and there are so many mushrooms and berries in the thickets of cowberries! Shall we escape the hustle and bustle to this magical land? Mountain gorges, waterfalls, velvety plateaus, and breathtaking beauty await us.
What to expect
Serpentine roads of the Turgensky mountain gorge
We will depart from Almaty at 9 a.m. and make an impressive 15-kilometer ascent on off-road terrain that will lead us to the peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau. These places are very picturesque, famous for their waterfalls, coniferous and deciduous forests. On the way, we will see a turbulent mountain river, stop at the 'Turgensai' visitor center to have coffee and take photos on the bridge across the Turgensai. On weekends, there is a bazaar in the gorge, where you can buy homemade wine, fruit pastille, apples, honey, berries, and souvenirs.
Alpine meadow 7 km wide and 40 km long
The Asy plateau is 2750 meters above sea level, with incredibly lush green expanses and pristine nature. Here you will see the high-mountain observatory Asy-Turgen. You cannot enter it, but you can take as many photos as you like near it. Shots against the backdrop of the 45-meter telescope turn out very interesting. You can have a picnic on the plateau, finish the trip with lunch at a trout farm, or combine it with a visit to the Bear waterfall.
Organizational details
- The trip will be in a full-wheel drive Lexus LX 470 off-road vehicle
- The cost of the tour includes transfer, guide services, and ecological fees
- Lunch is available for an additional fee - approximately 1000 rub./person
- Visits are possible only from June to October
- In June and late August, the mushroom season is in full swing in these places. The trip can be complemented with a mushroom-picking excursion.
- If desired, we can stay overnight in glamping or tents. Accommodation is not included in the price and will be discussed in personal correspondence.
