Duration: | 5 Day(s) - 4 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Trekking / Hiking |
Let's discover the mysterious mountain country of Jungaria, where the highest waterfall in Kazakhstan, Burkhan Bulak, is located. The trekking route will turn into a colorful adventure, going through alpine meadows, a highland plateau, a picturesque gorge of the Kora River with lots of interesting places, and mountain passes.
Season: June – October
Best period: July – September
Distance: 55 km.
Duration: 5 days.
Heights difference: absolute elevation gain is about 2000 meters. Highest point: «Basmatchiy» pass 2870 m.a.s.l. Lowest point: «Tekeli Stupa» stone 1110 m.a.s.l.
Complexity: this route does not require special mountaineering equipment and skills, but the participants should be well-trained and fit enough to overcome long distances with heavy backpacks.
Route: Almaty –Tekeli – Tekeli Stupa – Kora River Gorge – Burkhan Bulak waterfall – Tau Bulak tourist base– Basmatchiy pass – Kapal village.
Route Description:
The route starts from the entrance to Kora Gorge near the «Tekeli stupa» stone. Then it passes along the bottom of the gorge to the Burkhan Bulak waterfall. The ascent along the gorge is quite gentle and easy enough for hiking. The route runs through very picturesque places, such as «Mirror Spring», «White Yar» landfall, «Zhailau» mountain meadows, «Asylbay» glade, holy stone «Auliye Tas» and much more.
There are two alpine apiaries on the route, with all the conditions for relaxation and a lovely small bathhouse. Near Burkhan Bulak waterfall there is a well-equipped campsite where you can stay for the night. The highest point on the route is the «Basmatchiy» pass, 2870m high. Descent from the pass runs by the very old path used by «barymtachy» for carrying stolen cattle. The route ends not far from Kapal village.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:
Day 1. Almaty – Tekeli – “Tekeli Stupa” Stone – gorge of Kora river – 5th apiary.
After meeting with Your guide and boarding the excursion transport at 07:00 You will depart from Almaty to Taldykorgan city. On arrival in the city at about 10:00 You will visit the Museum of Local History of Almaty region first and then have lunch in a local cafe. After lunch You will be transferred to Tekeli town first and then to «Tekeli Stupa» stone.
Here will be the beginning of the walking route along the Korin Gorge to Apiary №5. On the way, there will be some stops for rest and taking photos. Upon arrival at the apiary, there will be a camp and You can walk in the surroundings. Dinner will be cooked at the campfire or on a gas burner.
Overnight in a tent camp at an altitude of 1450 m above s.l.
Walking mileage on this day is about 11 km
The height difference is +340 m
Duration 4-5 h
Day 2. Gorge of Kora river (5th apiary – 10th apiary)
Breakfast at 08:00 in the morning. After the camp gathering, You will start moving the route further up the Kora Gorge to Apiary #10. Stops will be made on the way for the rest, lunch, and taking pictures.
The ascent along the gorge is quite gentle and easy enough for hiking. The route runs through very picturesque places. Around, as far as the eye can see, the forests are. Spruce and fir alternate with the lacy greenery of birch trees, and meadows are covered with colorful flower carpets. Upon arrival at the apiary campsite set up, and walked around. Dinner will be cooked on a fire or a gas stove.
Overnight in a tent camp at the altitude of 1600 m above s.l.
Walking mileage per day is about 10 km
The height difference is +150 m
Duration is 4-5 hours
Day 3. Gorge of Kora River (10th Apiary – «Asylbay» glade)
After breakfast at 08:00 am and camp gathering, You will continue movement along the route up the Kora Gorge till Asylbai Glade. The road goes higher and the nature becomes more severe: gay birches give way to high mountain plateaus, and dozens of large and small waterfalls rush down from the majestic rocky peaks.
As usual, stops will be made on the way for rest, lunch, and taking pictures. Upon arrival, a tent camp will be set up, after which You can walk around the area and return to the camp for dinner.
Overnight in a tent camp at the altitude of 1860 m above s.l.
Walking mileage per day is about 11,5 km
Height deffenrence is +260 метров
Duration is 4-5 hours
Day 4. Gorge of Kora River («Asylbay» glade – “Burkhan Bulak” waterfall – tourist resort “Tau Bulak”)
After breakfast at 8 am and packing the stuff You will begin movement further up the Kora Gorge up to the tourist resort Taubulak. Upon arrival at the base, You will first have lunch and accommodation in wooden houses.
Then You will go on a radial walk lightly to Burhan Bulak waterfall - the largest in Kazakhstan. Burkhan Bulak waterfall, the highest in Kazakhstan, situated at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The height of its three tiers is 112 meters. Tons of ice-cold waterfalls as a noisy stream, irrigating all around with millions of sprays. When You return to the tour base You will have dinner in the local dining room and rest.
Overnight in wooden houses at an altitude of 2100 m above s.l.
Walking mileage per day is about 8,5 km
Height deffenrence is +240 m
Duration is about 4 hours
Day 5. «Tau Bulak» resort – «Basmatchiy» pass – Kapal village – Taldykorgan – Almaty.
Breakfast at 08:00 am. Packing campsite and personal stuff. Today You will start to move down the gorge along the Kora River till the beginning of the path going to Basmatchiy Pass with an altitude of 2870 meters. Descent from the pass runs by a very old path which was used by «barymtachy» for carrying stolen cattle. During one of the stops on the way, You will have lunch. This day will be the longest and the most difficult.
At the end of the walking route, You will reach the road near the village of Kapal, where You will find a car that will take You to Taldykorgan for dinner.
After dinner, You will have a back way to Almaty and return to the city around 23:00.
Walking mileage per day is about 12 km
Height deffenrence is +900/- 1000 m
Duration is about 7-8 hours
Tour Price: On request in USD per person provided 2 people traveling together.
Group discounts are available. A child participates in the tour at the price of an adult.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND BOOKING TERMS:
Tour Rates Include:
-Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle,
-Transfer Almaty-Tekeli and Kapal-Almaty,
-Professional English-speaking trekking guide services (for a group of 4 people – 2 guides will be provided),
-Accommodation in the wooden houses at Taubulak tourist resort on Day 4,
-All admission and environmental fees,
-Meals (lunch in cafe in Taldykorgan on Day 1, three meals during trekking, dinner in cafe in Taldykorgan on Day 5), drinking water. Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking (traditional local cuisine includes mostly lamb or beef, dough, and milk products).
-Camping equipment: tent (2-person), sleeping bag, sleeping pad.
Tour Rates Exclude:
-Food not indicated in the program and/or not included in the program price,
-Accommodation in Almaty before or after the tour,
-Visa support and registration in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (if required),
-Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program,
-Insurance policy.
Booking Terms: Full payment is required for tour reservations. Accepted methods of payment: cash in local currency, wire transfer, bank card.
Cancellation Terms: 50% of the tour price is not refundable in case of tour cancellation less than 72 hours before the tour departure time, 100% of the tour price is not refundable in case of tour cancellation less than 24 hours before the tour departure time, as well as in case of no-show.
Group size: Minimum 1 person, maximum — 10 people.
Age restriction: 16+
Required equipment and clothing: Comfortable clothing which does not restrict movements: shorts, pants, leggings, and t-shirt or light shirt with long sleeve, cap or Panama hat for sun and heat protection, tourist trekking boots or similar, with a good protector sole and high lacing, gore-tex or other membrane water and wind resistant jacket and pants, light puff or down vest, extra set of warm clothing for spending nights in the mountains, warm socks, beanie or warm hat, gloves, head-torch, sunglasses, sunscreen, water container or camelback, thermos for the tea, trekking poles, personal AID kit, energy bars, muesli or other special mountain food and snacks.
NOTE: A current valid passport is required on the days of travel. Part of the route passes in the border area with Kyrgyzstan Republic.