Photo Tour: Kensu Lakes (10 Days)

Fascinating photo tour to Kungei Alatau mountains, to unexplored places of the ridge, which are not visited by the tourists. The tour route will allow you not only to enjoy the fantastic natural scenery but also to bring back from the trip your best shot.

Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: June-October
Best Period: July-August

Kensu Gorge is located on the eastern slope of Kungei Alatau ridge. Starting at an altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, the valley stretches for 45 km, and running along its bottom Kensu river, flows into Charyn river at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level.

There are small spruce forests on the northern slopes of the middle part of the valley. The southern slopes in the zone of alpine meadows are covered with thickets of Asian species of juniper. Kensu river originates from the eight moraine lakes.

The lakes are located in ancient moraines and are evidence of the degradation of ancient glaciation in the area. One of the lakes has the shape of a heart. The gorge is not visited by tourists due to a lack of information about it in the tourist literature.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1. Almaty - Kensu Gorge

Group meeting and departure from Almaty at 08:00. Lunch in a cafe on Kokpek pass. Arrival to Kensu gorge, setting a camp. Walking around the neighborhood, photographing the sunset. Return to the camp, dinner, and a short briefing on the next day's program. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp in Kensu gorge at the height of 3200 meters above sea level.

Day 2. Kensu Gorge

Early wake up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Return to the camp. Breakfast, walking around the neighborhood. Lunch. Walking to the lakes, photographing the sunset. Return to the camp, and prepare for the next day, dinner. Overnight in the tent camp in Kensu gorge.

Day 3. Kensu Gorge

Early wake up at 03:30. Hiking to the top of the mountain for photographing the dawn. Return to the camp. Rest, breakfast, and free time. After lunch, hiking to another peak for photography. Return to the camp, and prepare for the next day, dinner. Free time, optional - photographing of the night sky. Overnight in the tent camp in Kensu gorge.

Days 4-5. Kensu Gorge

Early wake up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Return to the camp, and rest. Breakfast, free time, walking around the neighborhood. After lunch, a walk to the lakes and waited for sunset. Photographing and returning to the camp. Preparation for the next day, dinner. Overnight in the tent camp in Kensu gorge.

Day 6. Kensu Gorge - Sary-Tau Mountains

Wake up at 09:00, breakfast. Disassembling of the camp. Departure from Kensu Gorge to Sary-Tau mountains, lunch on the way. Arrival to Sary-Tau mountains approx. at 18:00. Setting a camp. Walking around the neighborhood and photographing the sunset. Dinner and a short briefing on the next day's program. Overnight in the tent camp on the bank of the Asy river at the height of about 2000 meters above sea level.

Day 7. Sary-Tau Mountains

Early wake up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast, free time, lunch. In the afternoon, walking around the neighborhood, photographing the sunset. Return to the camp, dinner, and a short briefing on the next day's program. Overnight in the tent camp on the bank of the Asy river.

Day 8. Sary-Tau Mountains - Asy Plateau - Boikadyn-Tau Mountains

Early wake up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and preparation for departure. Transfer to Boikadyn-Tau mountains (approx. 2 hours). Setting a camp, lunch, walking around the neighborhood, and photographing the sunset. Return to the camp, dinner, and a short briefing on the next day's program. Overnight in the tent camp in Boikadyn-Tau mountains...

Day 9. Boikadyn-Tau Mountains

Wake up at 06:00 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast, free time. In the afternoon, walking around the neighborhood and photographing the sunset. Return to the camp, dinner. Overnight in the tent camp in Boikadyn-Tau mountains.

Day 10. Boikadyn-Tau Mountains - Almaty

Wake up at 06:00 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast. Disassembling of the camp and departure to Almaty. Lunch on the way. Arrival to Almaty approx. at 18:00.

TOUR FEATURES:

The tour program is very intensive, almost all camp-to-camp transfers will be off-roads. You will need to get up very early and walk a lot in search of the best shots. All of this - in the mountains, where not an accustomed person can feel a lack of oxygen. That is why it is strongly recommended to refrain from the use of alcohol.

TOUR PRICE: On request

TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:

1. Transport services on the entire route
2. English-speaking guide and photographer service
3. Camping equipment for common use (camping tent, table, chairs, cooking utensils)
4. Personal camping outfit (tent, sleeping bag, сaremat, personal utensils, etc.)
5. Food for cooking in field conditions
6. Permits to visit the specially protected natural areas, all environmental fees

TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

1. Accommodation in Almaty before/after the tour, if required
2. Airport transfer, if required
3. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price
4. Medical insurance
5. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required
6. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program

RECOMMENDATIONS ON CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT:

Taking into account that in the evenings and at night at the height can be quite cold, and the temperature can drop to zero, be sure to take with you:

1. Waterproof membrane Gore-Tex jacket and pants
2. Warm fleece jacket or Polartec jacket
3. Windproof jacket
4. Several sets of underwear, several pairs of socks, and a pair of warm socks
5. Several T-shirts with short sleeves, shorts
6. Appropriate hiking boots, and shoes for camp (lightweight sneakers)
7. Sunglasses and sunscreen
8. Head torch with adjustable brightness and beam distance, several sets of batteries
9. Thermos for 1-1.5 liters, or another water container
10. Personal hygiene items, a personal first aid kit (for chronic diseases is obligatory)
11. Camera, waterproof carrying case, a neutral filter with variable density, tripod, remote control, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
12. Anti-acarid remedy