Kazakhstan, Between Desert and Celestial Mountains

Upon your arrival in Almaty, you are welcomed by your guide and driver, then transferred to your hotel. After settling in, set out to discover Kazakhstan's largest city on a first orientation tour.

After breakfast, you head to the Bears Gorge, a natural site at the gates of Almaty. A pleasant hike takes you to two waterfalls nestled in the heart of a lush valley.

Lunch is planned en route. At the end of the day, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

This day is interchangeable with day 9.

After breakfast, you leave Almaty to reach the Baiseit region, at the gateway to the Tian Shan mountains. A beautiful hike takes you to a waterfall nestled in the heart of a preserved valley.

Walking time: approximately 5 to 6 hours (round trip)

After breakfast, you head to the Castle Valley in the Charyn Canyon. The walk through the valley lasts approximately 3 hours.

As you continue towards the mountain lakes, you make several stops to admire the Black Canyon and the Lunar Canyon, two other remarkable areas of the Charyn Canyon. A short walk of 30 to 50 minutes allows you to fully enjoy these spectacular landscapes.

In the evening, you join the village of Saty; located near the Kolsaï lakes.

You spend the night and have dinner at a guesthouse.

You leave the city of Jarkent heading towards the village of Basshiy, gateway to the Altyn-Emel National Park. The road crosses changing landscapes, between open plains, semi-desert areas and mountainous terrain, gradually announcing your entry into one of the most beautiful natural spaces in the country.

You then continue on tracks through the heart of the park. This journey by all-terrain vehicle allows for a gradual immersion into spectacular and pristine landscapes, between vast deserts and mineral reliefs.

Picnic lunch during the day.

Arrival at the village at the end of the day where you have dinner and spend the night.

You depart from Basshiy to reach one of the most emblematic sites in Altyn-Emel National Park: the singing dune. The trail crosses desert and mineral landscapes before reaching this immense sand formation, known for the sound it emits when the wind or footsteps make it vibrate. A walk is planned on site to fully enjoy the location.

You then leave the dunes to start the journey towards Almaty. The route gradually crosses desert landscapes and then more urban scenery as you approach the metropolis. Arrival in Almaty in late afternoon or evening. You dine in the city and return to your hotel.

You begin the day by discovering Koktobé Hill, one of Almaty's iconic sites. Perched above the city, this hill offers a magnificent panorama of the Tian Shan mountains and the Kazakh metropolis.

You then join the Saïran Reservoir promenade, a pleasant relaxation area arranged around an artificial lake, enhanced with a waterfall and paths conducive to leisurely strolls.

You return to Almaty where you then have free time to explore the city's shops and markets to buy a few souvenirs from your trip. Then you return to your hotel.
This day is interchangeable with day 2.

You leave Almaty early in the morning heading to Tamgaly, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. This vast rock sanctuary is home to nearly 4,000 petroglyphs, depicting hunting scenes, animals and ritual figures, exceptional testimonies of nomadic cultures in Central Asia.

A walking tour is planned on the site, for an estimated duration of between 1.5 and 2 hours.

After lunch, planned as a picnic or en route, you continue on the road to Merki. As the kilometers pass, the vast plains gradually give way to the first foothills of the Kirghiz Alatau. This pleasant stage, nestled at the foot of the mountains, offers a peaceful atmosphere before the cultural and natural discoveries of the following days.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you head towards Taraz, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Founded over 2,000 years ago, it was a major stop on the Silk Road and retains a rich historical heritage. You begin your visit with the Tekturmas hill, which offers a beautiful panorama of the city and the banks of the Talas river.

You continue with the discovery of the Registan of Taraz, a reconstruction of the ancient central square of the city. Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of the medieval city, testifying to the importance of Taraz on Central Asian trade routes. Lunch is planned in the city.

On the outskirts of the city, you visit the mausoleums of Aicha Bibi Mausoleum and Babadja Khatoun Mausoleum, two masterpieces of architecture from the 11th and 12th centuries. The first is famous for its delicate sculptured terracotta decoration, while the second stands out for its remarkable conical dome, unique in Central Asia.

In the late afternoon, you continue your journey to Aksou-Jabagly, the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia. Nestled at the foot of the western Tian Shan mountains, this village is a privileged gateway to pristine nature and the magnificent hikes planned for the following day.

You join the starting point of the hike, in the heart of the Aksou-Jabagly Nature Reserve.

The trail gradually descends into a lush valley, running alongside a mountain river and crossing through luxuriant vegetation before reaching the Kaindy waterfall, nestled in the heart of a preserved natural environment.

You take the same route to descend leisurely towards the starting point, enjoying the landscapes of the reserve one last time.

You then head towards Chymkent. Upon arrival, you can explore the pedestrian street and Independence Park before heading to your hotel.

You leave Chymkent to reach the mysterious rock nicknamed "The 40 Angels," also known as Adam and Eve. A short walk, accessible to all, leads to this impressive rock formation. On site, the guardian of the place shares the legends surrounding this pilgrimage site, where many visitors come to cross a narrow crevice in the rock, a ritual associated with various local beliefs.

You get back on the road to Chymkent for lunch.

In the afternoon, you head to the mysterious White Mosque cave, also called the "Dragon Cave". After climbing a fairly steep staircase, you enter this natural cavity steeped in mystery, which is the subject of many local legends. This visit is not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo.

At the end of the visit, you return to Chymkent.

Dinner in town, then you return to your hotel.

After breakfast, you leave Chymkent to reach the ruins of Otrar, one of the most prestigious cities on the Silk Road. Founded over 2,000 years ago, this prosperous city occupied a strategic position at the heart of exchanges between East and West. The ruins and reconstructions make it possible today to imagine the importance of this ancient caravan metropolis.

You then continue with a visit to the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, one of the country's main pilgrimage sites. According to tradition, Arystan Bab was the spiritual master of Khodja Ahmad Yasawi. The complex stands out for its imposing façade, its two soaring minarets and its elegant domes.

You then join Turkistan, spiritual capital of the Turkophone world and former essential stop on the Silk Road. The city is known worldwide for housing the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmad Yasawi, a masterpiece of Timurid architecture inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nicknamed the "second Mecca of the Orient", Turkestan has occupied a major place in the history and spirituality of Central Asia for centuries.

After breakfast, you leave Turkestan heading towards Bride's Mountain, a natural site surrounded by local legends. A pleasant walk allows you to discover the surrounding landscapes and admire the rock formations that have shaped the reputation of this place. Lunch is planned along the way.

In the late afternoon, you join Turkestan station to board the night train heading to Aktau.

Dinner, then night aboard the train (departure expected around 6 p.m., final schedules communicated at the end of the week).

This day takes place on board the train heading towards Aktau, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. This long railway journey allows you to discover the immensity of Kazakhstan, between endless steppes, desert landscapes and isolated villages.

Early morning arrival at Mangystau Station around 06:00. You are welcomed and transferred to Aktau, located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Hotel check-in and breakfast in the city.

After breakfast, you leave the coast to venture into the desert landscapes of Mangystau. The road crosses limestone plateaus, dry canyons and spectacular rock formations.
You make several stops to discover emblematic sites in the region, notably the Karaman-Ata necropolis, an important pilgrimage site characterized by its stone tombs and unique spiritual atmosphere.

You then continue towards Kapamsay Canyon. Access is via isolated trails through impressive mineral scenery, between cliffs sculpted by erosion and spectacular rock formations. Camp is set up in the canyon at the end of the day.

Dinner and overnight stay in a tent in an isolated natural environment.

You leave Kapamsay Canyon and cross the vast desert expanses of the Mangystau Plateau to reach the famous valley of spheres, known as Torysh Valley. This fascinating geological site is covered with hundreds of spherical sandstone concretions, formed millions of years ago, which give the landscape an almost supernatural atmosphere.

You continue towards the Kok-Kala gorge, remarkable for its Jurassic clay formations with purple and ochre hues. The visible geological strata testify to the ancient history of this region, once covered by the sea.

You then head to Mount Sherkala, an emblematic isolated formation in Mangystau, often compared to a yurt or a lion's head depending on the viewing angle. This impressive site overlooks the surrounding desert and is one of the most photographed landscapes in the region.

Last stage of the day with the discovery of Airakty valley, nicknamed the "castle of the plains". Its rock formations with silhouettes of towers and natural walls create a spectacular scenery, particularly at sunset.

After breakfast, you continue exploring the magnificent landscapes of Mangystau by heading to the spectacular Tuzbaïr Salt Lake. This vast salt depression, bordered by white chalk cliffs, offers breathtaking panoramas where the dazzling white of the salt contrasts with the ochre tones of the desert. Although more modest than the famous Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Tuzbaïr captivates with its wild character and the immensity of its landscapes. You have time to stroll across the salt lake and enjoy this unique setting.

Then, at the end of the day, you continue your itinerary across the tracks of Mangystau before reaching your bivouac site, set in the heart of nature in a preserved desert environment.

Early in the morning, you enjoy the sunrise over the Tuzbaïr Salt Lake, when the first light illuminates the chalk cliffs and vast salt expanses. After breakfast, you resume the track towards the Underground Mosque of Shopan-Ata. Carved into the rock, this mosque is one of the main pilgrimage sites in Mangystau. It is surrounded by a vast necropolis where many generations of nomads rest.

You then continue your adventure by 4×4 towards the spectacular Bozzhira Canyon, arguably the most emblematic landscape of Mangystau. The tracks cross a mineral desert before revealing an exceptional panorama of the immense white chalk cliffs, rocky needles and plateaus shaped by millions of years of erosion. Several stops and short walks allow you to admire this grandiose setting from different angles.

You start the day with the sunrise over the Bozzhira Canyon, when the chalk cliffs take on golden hues. After breakfast, you head towards the Kyzyl kup Valley. You discover the spectacular Mont Bokty, whose successive layers of red, white and ochre rocks earn it the nickname "Tiramisu" because of its stratified appearance.

You then continue your return to Aktau. Along the way, the desert landscapes of Mangystau gradually give way to the shores of the Caspian Sea, marking the end of this immersion in the heart of one of Kazakhstan's wildest and most spectacular regions.

According to your flight schedule, you are transferred to Aktau International Airport for your return flight.

End of your adventure in Kazakhstan, rich in grandiose landscapes, nomadic traditions and unforgettable encounters. See you soon for a new journey!