Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Off the Grid, Trekking
Destinations
Kazakhstan

For a nature-based adventure with a bit of culture mixed in for good measure, this 10-day action-packed trek through the Turgen Valley region of Kazakhstan fits the bills. Enjoy the start of your tour in the large city of Almaty before exploring the burial grounds, high altitude grasslands and glaciers of the Zailiskiy Alatau mountain range during a four-day trek. Mix in a visit to a Soviet Space Observatorium and the Medeo Skating Rink and you’ve got a recipe for an incredible adventure. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Trekking: Hike to Assy Plateau, the high-altitude grasslands where Kazakh nomads spend their summers.

• Ancient History: Kazakhstan's prehistoric rock carvings and burial mounds from the Sakh period will transport you back in time.

• Camping: Camp at four different areas along the Zailiskiy Alatau mountain range, with viewpoints of glaciers, waterfalls and distant mountain peaks.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Almaty

Your day kicks off in the bustling city of Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. After you are picked up at the airport and accompanied to the Ritz-Carlton Almaty, get to know the city with a three-hour guided city tour, visiting all the main attractions.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: With the soaring peaks of the Ile-Alatau mountains to the south and the city of Almaty laid out to the north, the Ritz Carlton lies between wild nature and urban action.

Services: Every care is taken to ensure guests are satisfied at every turn, from airport limousine services to 24-hour concierge on hand at all times.

History: This ultra-chic, contemporary hotel soars above the ancient city of Almaty, juxtaposing the historic with modern-day Kazakhstan.

See Hotel
Ritz-Carlton Almaty Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Turgen Valley

Today, you’ll hit the road, transferring by car or minibus to your basecamp in the Turgen Valley, about 43 miles from Almaty. On the way, enjoy a visit to the historic Issyk Saki museum, before settling in at the 5,249-foot-high camp, enjoying a short hike before dinner and getting to know your surroundings.

Hotel Options
About

Those seeking to enjoy the beauty of Kazahkstan’s nature will find a hiker’s paradise in Turgen Gorge, a landscape rich with hot springs, waterfalls, meadows, lakes and coniferous forests. A full exploration of the area may take at least a week’s worth of hiking, biking, climbing and rafting.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Turgen Valley
Turgen Valley

Day 3

Turgen Valley

After breakfast, you will kick off a big day with a hike up a gorge to Assy Plateau, high altitude grasslands where Kazakh nomads often live in the summer. Afterward, enjoy treks to ancient rock carvings, burial mounds from the Sakh Period and a 'modern' Soviet Space Observatorium before heading back to camp for dinner.

Day 4

Turgen Valley

Today is the first of your four-day trek, starting with a 3.5-hour trek that will take you to the 230-feet-high Kairak waterfalls. After your first big day on the trails, you will camp for the night at 6,890-foot altitude.

Turgen Valley
Turgen Valley

Day 5

Turgen Valley

After enjoying breakfast at your campsite, you will continue to trek upwards toward the Temir-Tas river. Enjoy views of the Zailiskiy Alatau mountain range and high altitude grasslands and a visit to ancient burial mounds from the Sakh period. End your day with dinner and by setting up camp at the foot of the Glaciological Glacier at 10,500 feet high.

Day 6

Turgen Valley

Today, continue your four-day trek, crossing “pass-without-name” before reaching the origin of the Turgen river. Enjoy views from over 13,123 feet high – including a vista of one of the mountain range’s biggest glaciers – and set up camp at 10,171 feet above sea level.

Turgen Valley
Turgen Valley

Day 7

Turgen Valley

On your final day of trekking, you will descend to the Turgen Basecamp along the river, enjoying marvelous views and the downward slope of the trail before setting up a final night of camp where the Turgen river meets the river Kishi Turgen.

Day 8

Almaty

After breakfast at your camp, you will be transferred back to Almaty, where you have the day to enjoy the city, visiting some sites you missed on your first day, enjoying restaurants and shops or simply relaxing after your four-day trek.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: With the soaring peaks of the Ile-Alatau mountains to the south and the city of Almaty laid out to the north, the Ritz Carlton lies between wild nature and urban action.

Services: Every care is taken to ensure guests are satisfied at every turn, from airport limousine services to 24-hour concierge on hand at all times.

History: This ultra-chic, contemporary hotel soars above the ancient city of Almaty, juxtaposing the historic with modern-day Kazakhstan.

See Hotel
Ritz-Carlton Almaty Preferred Hotel
Almaty
Almaty

Day 9

Almaty

Today, you will head 30 minutes outside of town to the Medeo skating rink, a world-famous attraction located at 5,577 feet high, before enjoying an evening back in Almaty.

Day 10

Departure

Today is the last day of your trekking adventure, and after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Almaty international airport for your onward journey, either home or onto your next thrilling destination.

Suggested Hotel For Day 1

Ritz-Carlton Almaty
Preferred Hotel

Ritz-Carlton Almaty

Occupying the top ten floors of the Esentai Tower, the Ritz Carlton enjoys unrivalled views of Almaty and the sweeping, jagged, snow-peaked Ile-Alatau mountain range. Guests choosing to stay here have the best of both worlds with easy access to the city and all its famous historic sights as well as the ski slopes in the national park to the south. After a long day on the piste or exploring the city, guests can ascend the escalator into the luxurious surroundings and enjoy all that the hotel has to offer. With restaurants and bars decorated with the latest works from the hottest modern artists in the country, from cocktails with a view to sumptuous dishes prepared with expertise, dining and drinking at the Ritz Carlton is a feast for the senses. Rooms and suites boast stunning panoramas and are fitted with every modern convenience and comfort. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Six Senses Spa offers a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. 

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–7

Camping

Camping

Those seeking to enjoy the beauty of Kazahkstan’s nature will find a hiker’s paradise in Turgen Gorge, a landscape rich with hot springs, waterfalls, meadows, lakes and coniferous forests. A full exploration of the area may take at least a week’s worth of hiking, biking, climbing and rafting. The best way to experience Turgen Gorge’s natural beauty is to camp within these stunning surroundings. Bed down in cozy tents on the banks of glacial lakes and wake up with the sun and the birdsong, ready for another day of discovery. Breathing in the fresh mountain air and jumping into the lake for an invigorating morning swim is surely the best way to forget the hustle and bustle of real life.

Suggested Hotel For Days 8–9

Ritz-Carlton Almaty
Preferred Hotel

Ritz-Carlton Almaty

Occupying the top ten floors of the Esentai Tower, the Ritz Carlton enjoys unrivalled views of Almaty and the sweeping, jagged, snow-peaked Ile-Alatau mountain range. Guests choosing to stay here have the best of both worlds with easy access to the city and all its famous historic sights as well as the ski slopes in the national park to the south. After a long day on the piste or exploring the city, guests can ascend the escalator into the luxurious surroundings and enjoy all that the hotel has to offer. With restaurants and bars decorated with the latest works from the hottest modern artists in the country, from cocktails with a view to sumptuous dishes prepared with expertise, dining and drinking at the Ritz Carlton is a feast for the senses. Rooms and suites boast stunning panoramas and are fitted with every modern convenience and comfort. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Six Senses Spa offers a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. 

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