Golden Ring of Seven Rivers

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ALMATY – MEAL:

XX:XX Arrival at Almaty International Airport. After passing through border control and collecting your luggage, you will meet your local guide holding a nameplate with your name.

You will be transferred to your hotel to leave your luggage (check-in is after 14:00).

Sightseeing Tour in Almaty:

This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov Soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of Musical Instruments, where you can admire the collection of over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to the XVII century.

Just a walking distance away, you could enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar”. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market. Here you might taste the food, bargain and buy local tasty goods for a very nice price.

Optional: Then we stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Walking Tour in Almaty (1–1.5 hours):

Discover Almaty’s cultural heart on foot, starting at the Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre — a landmark of Stalinist architecture and performing arts. Stroll along lively Panfilov Street with its cafés, street art, and musicians, before ending at the vibrant Arbat, known for local crafts and souvenirs.

Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe, a park located at an altitude of 1,100 meters on the green hill. Take a ride on a comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.

Once we come down from the hill, we go back to the hotel.

DAY 2: ALMATY – ALTYN EMEL NP – JEEP TOUR

Today, after an early breakfast, you begin your jeep tour across the Almaty region.

Your first destination is Altyn Emel National Park, located 255 km from the city. As one of the largest natural reserves in Kazakhstan, Altyn Emel offers a striking variety of landscapes — from vast plains to rugged mountains. The name “Altyn Emel”, meaning “Golden Saddle” in Mongolian, refers to the shape of the nearby mountain ridge.

You will arrive at the park in the afternoon. After lunch at a local guesthouse, you’ll explore one of the park’s main highlights — the Aktau Mountains, a range of white chalk hills formed over 400 million years ago. Also known as the “Lunar Mountains”, their surreal mix of blue, white, pink, red, and green layers give the landscape an almost alien appearance.

Following a short trek and photo stop at a scenic viewpoint, you’ll continue to another unique natural site — the 700-year-old osier (willow) tree, a beloved symbol among locals.

In the evening, return to the guesthouse for dinner, rest, and overnight stay.

DAY 3: ALTYN EMEL NP – ZHARKENT – SATY VILLAGE – JEEP TOUR

Today, we continue exploring the natural wonders of Altyn Emel National Park.

Our first stop is the Singing Dune — a fascinating natural phenomenon famous for producing a sound similar to a pipe organ when the weather is dry. This “singing” effect is caused by the friction of dry sand grains as they slide down the slope. In addition to its unique sound, the dune offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding steppe and mountains.

After enjoying the scenery, we begin our journey toward Saty village. On the way, we will stop in Zharkent, a small town located just 30 km from the Chinese border. The town is home to several cultural and historical sites worth visiting, including the Dungan Mosque–Museum, a local Orthodox church, and a vibrant bazaar where you can experience everyday life in the region.

We’ll have lunch at a local café before continuing the drive to Saty village, where we will arrive in the evening. Check-in at a local guesthouse or mountain resort and overnight.

DAY 4: SATY – KOLSAY LAKE – KAINDY LAKE – JEEP TOUR

Breakfast and transfer to Kolsay Lake.

The Kolsay Lakes are a stunning trio of alpine lakes nestled in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains, near the Kyrgyzstan border. Surrounded by soaring peaks and dense coniferous forests, the lakes sit at elevations of 1,800m, 2,300m, and 2,900m above sea level. Often called the “Necklace of the Tien Shan” or the “Pearls of the Zhetysu Region”, this destination is a haven for true nature lovers.

After visiting the lake, we will stop at a local home in the village to enjoy a delicious homemade lunch.

Next, continue to Kaindy Lake, famous for its eerie beauty and unique origin. Formed after a powerful earthquake in 1911, a landslide blocked a mountain gorge and the area flooded, submerging a spruce forest. Thanks to the cold mountain water, the tree trunks remain remarkably preserved and can still be seen rising ghost-like through the turquoise lake.

After passing the off-road section, you’ll reach a point where you can either walk to the lake or ride horseback — a service offered by locals for an additional fee.

Transfer back to the guesthouse/mountain resort and overnight.

DAY 5: SATY – CHARYN CANYON – ALMATY

Breakfast in the morning.

After breakfast, we drive to Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular natural wonders, located 90 km from Saty and 220 km from Almaty. Often referred to as the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon, Charyn stretches for 154 kilometers and impresses with its unique beauty and dramatic formations.

You’ll explore the Valley of Castles, the most famous section of the canyon. From the parking area, take a guided walk (approx. 2 km one-way) down into the gorge toward the Charyn River. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the canyon’s geology and legends.

At the river, enjoy the panoramic views before driving back to Almaty. Late evening arrival in Almaty, check-in and overnight.

DAY 6: ALMATY

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – 18:00 | Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Almaty:

After breakfast, you will begin your exploration of Almaty with a journey into its most iconic natural setting — the Ili Alatau Mountains. The Ili Alatau National Park, founded in 1996, stretches across 120 km with a total area of over 200,000 hectares. Elevations range from 600 to 5,000 meters.

Your first stop is Medeu — once the world’s highest ice skating rink at 1,691 meters above sea level. Though currently closed for renovation until 2027, the area remains a popular spot for its alpine scenery and walking paths.

Your main destination today is Shymbulak Mountain Resort — the most famous alpine destination in Central Asia. Located at 2,260 meters above sea level, Shymbulak offers stunning mountain views, cozy cafés, hiking trails, and some of the best skiing in the region.

To reach the top, you’ll take a scenic ride on a three-stage cable car system:

Stage 1: Medeu to Shymbulak (2,260 m)
Stage 2: Shymbulak to Mid-station (2,800 m)
Stage 3: Mid-station to Talgar Pass (3,200 m), offering panoramic views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau range.

Note: In case of maintenance, an eco-transfer will be provided to the Shymbulak base station.

Optional: lunch at a local restaurant.

Now open to the public, the Almaty Museum of Arts has quickly become the city’s premier destination for art lovers and curious travelers alike. Located in the heart of the city, the museum showcases a dynamic blend of Kazakh contemporary art, international exhibitions, and interactive installations.

Walk through Republic Square. This central square is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence. See the Monument of Independence with the Golden Warrior, City Hall, fountains, and wide public spaces — a great place for photos and a deeper understanding of the nation’s history.

Transfer back to the hotel.

DAY 7: ALMATY – DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport to take your flight back home or to continue your journey through Central Asia.

End of the services.

PRICES of 2026 in USD:

Price per person

Hotels:	Price per person
Hotels:	1	2	3	4
comfort	USD$ 3215	USD$ 1785	USD$ 1700	USD$ 1465
standard	USD$ 2930	USD$ 1575	USD$ 1465	USD$ 1255
economy	USD$ 2640	USD$ 1520	USD$ 1325	USD$ 1190

English-speaking guide-driver in Almaty region (days 2–5) for 1–3 pax. English-speaking guide for groups of 4–20 pax.

The program includes:

◉ Private A/C transport with driver as per program:

2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats
3–7 pax – minivan up to 10 seats
8–14 pax – minibus up to 18 seats
15 pax and more – coach up to 42 seats

Note: In Almaty region guests will have a Jeep tour, SUVs, 4WD (2-5 days), 3 pax per car

-Toyota Land Cruiser (similar)

◉ 3 nights’ accommodation in Almaty hotel on BB in DBL/TWIN

◉ 1 night accommodation in guesthouse at Altyn Emel National Park (TWIN shared)

◉ 2 nights’ accommodation in mountain resort at Kolsay Lakes

◉ Ecological fees in accordance with the program

◉ Sightseeing tours according to the program

◉ English-speaking guide services

◉ Entrance tickets

◉ Meal: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

◉ Hunting birds show at Falcon Farm

◉ Mineral water 1L per person daily

The program excludes:

◉ International air tickets

◉ SGL accommodation

◉ Meal supplement: 3 lunches and 5 dinners in Almaty city — 195 USD per person / 2 lunches — 40 USD per person

◉ Horseback riding at Kolsay Lakes – from 40 USD per person

◉ Personal expenses

◉ Any service not included in the above itinerary

Recommendations when planning your trip:

◉ Green Bazaar, Museum of Musical Instruments and Falcon Show are closed on Mondays.

◉ Temperature is different in and outside the city; therefore, warm clothes are needed when travelling outside.

◉ Due to limited number of rooms at guesthouses in Altyn Emel and Kolsay national parks, booking must be done in advance.

◉ Recommended number of people in one group when travelling to Almaty region – 20 pax.

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Note:

This is a private guided tour. No other tourists will join you/your group during the tour.
You can choose the sequence of visits to the attractions yourself. You can choose a convenient start time for the tour: from 09.00 to 16.00. The tour can start directly from the airport / train station, where our guide will be waiting for you.