Unknown Jungaria Tour (8 Days)

Intensive jeep tour, the route of which проходит through mountain dirt roads, with some sections involving moderately difficult off-road conditions. The route is designed to cover the most remote and rarely visited attractions. The tour includes walking excursions and overnight stays in tent camps.

Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: May – October
Best Period: June, September

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Almaty – Taldykorgan – Taubulak Eco-Camping

Departure from Almaty at 07:00. Arrival in Taldykorgan at 10:00. Visit the local history museum of the Almaty region, followed by lunch. Transfer to Taubulak eco-camping (132 km, including 61 km of mountainous terrain). During the 6-hour journey, there will be 2–3 stops (10–15 minutes each) near unique locations in the Jungar Alatau.

The Jungar Alatau Mountains form a natural border with China and stretch for 400 km. One of the most picturesque gorges of Zhetisu—Kora Gorge—is located here and extends for 90 km. The Kora River flows along the bottom of the gorge, originating high in the mountains among ancient glaciers.

In winter and early spring, the river is calm and clear. However, when the snow begins to melt, it becomes powerful and turbulent, easily rolling over huge boulders and uprooting ancient trees.

The winding road along the river is accessible only to vehicles with good off-road capability and offers an exciting experience. The surrounding landscape is covered with forests of spruce and fir, mixed with birch trees, while meadows are filled with colorful wildflowers.

Arrival at Taubulak eco-camping at 17:00. Accommodation and rest. Dinner, free time, and preparation for trekking.

Car mileage: approximately 350 km
Overnight at Taubulak eco-camping (2140 m above sea level)

Day 2: Taubulak Eco-Camping – Burkhan-Bulak Gorge – Bayan Zhurek Ridge

After breakfast at the campsite, you will hike from Taubulak to Burkhan-Bulak Gorge to visit the famous waterfall.

Burkhan-Bulak Waterfall, the highest in Kazakhstan, is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Its three cascades have a total height of 112 meters. Massive streams of icy water crash down, creating a mist of millions of droplets.

Sunlight reflects beautifully off the reddish rocks covered with green moss, often forming colorful rainbows. In winter, the waterfall freezes into an icy formation. The best time to visit is July, when the water flow is at its peak.

Lunch (picnic) will be in the gorge. In the afternoon, you will leave Kora Gorge and stop at the Kapalsky Pass viewpoint. Then, continue to the Bayan Zhurek mountain massif, where you will set up camp and visit ancient rock carvings.

Bayan Zhurek Ridge stretches about 20 km and reaches an altitude of 2000 meters. It is separated from the Jungar Alatau by the Kaskarau Valley. Hundreds of petroglyphs are found here, many dating back to the Bronze Age, depicting animals, chariots, solar symbols, and religious scenes. Later periods include depictions of deer in “animal style,” as well as medieval images of riders, battles, and hunting scenes.

Car mileage: approximately 150 km
Overnight in a tent camp (1550 m above sea level)

Day 3: Bayan Zhurek – Kalakai – Terekti Gorge

Wake up at 08:00, breakfast, camp dismantling, and transfer to the Kalakai ancient sanctuary.

Kalakai is a circular stone structure with a diameter of 97 meters. A massive glacial boulder stands at its center, along with a cross-shaped arrangement of stones aligned with the cardinal directions.

This structure likely functioned as a solar calendar and sundial, allowing accurate tracking of sunrise, sunset, solstices, and equinoxes. Nearby, Saka burial mounds and ritual sites can be found.

The journey continues along remote, little-used roads. You will visit ancient settlement remains and burial sites, many hidden in tall grass.

Lunch will be near the Aksu River. In the afternoon, you will cross the Terekti Valley and reach a remote farm, where a camp will be set up.

Car mileage: approximately 120 km
Overnight in a tent camp (1600 m above sea level)

Day 4: Terekti Gorge – Topolevka Village – Apiary

Early wake-up, breakfast, and camp packing. Today involves a long but scenic drive through mountain roads.

Terekti Valley lies between the Zheldykaragai Mountains (“windy pine”) and Ayrakkol. Some roads here date back to Soviet times and were used to connect farms.

Today, they are used by locals for haymaking, livestock movement, and beekeeping. Some sections are rarely used, offering chances to discover ancient sites.

By evening, you will reach the highest apiary in the Dzungarian Alatau, once supplying honey to the Russian royal court. Dinner and overnight stay here.

Car mileage: approximately 150 km
Overnight in a tent camp (1275 m above sea level)

Day 5: Apiary – Lower Zhasylkol Lake

After breakfast, transfer and a short hike (4 km) to Lower Zhasylkol Lake, considered the pearl of the Jungar Alatau.

Upon arrival, rest and enjoy the surroundings. You can walk along the lakeshore and immerse yourself in pristine nature.

Zhasylkol Lake lies at 1640 meters above sea level. It is relatively young (less than 70 years old), formed by a natural landslide dam. The lake’s water appears blue-green due to glacial streams.

Walking distance: approximately 5 km
Overnight in a tent camp (1640 m above sea level)

Day 6: Lower Zhasylkol Lake – Lepsinsk

Wake up and breakfast. After packing, descend to the apiary for lunch, then continue to Lepsinsk village.

Lepsinsk has historical roots dating back to the 12th century. Archaeological finds include Bal-Bal stones and Turkic sculptures. The region also has links to Amir Timur’s campaigns.

Upon arrival, accommodation in a guest house, bath, visit, dinner, and rest.

Walking distance: approximately 5 km
Car mileage: approximately 50 km
Overnight in a guest house

Day 7: Lepsinsk – Cherkassky Defense – Koilyk Settlement – Sarkand

After breakfast, visit the Cherkassky Defense memorial (1918–1919), dedicated to peasant resistance during the Russian Civil War.

Continue to the Koilyk settlement, once a major medieval trade and cultural center (13th–14th centuries). The site includes fortified walls and remains of ancient infrastructure.

Proceed to Sarkand, a small town with a rich history dating back to the 19th century.

Car mileage: approximately 200 km
Overnight in a hotel in Sarkand

Day 8: Sarkand – Taldykorgan – Almaty

Breakfast. Departure from Sarkand at 09:00. Lunch in Taldykorgan. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 20:00.

Additional Information

Tour Price: Please contact us for the price per person (based on 2 persons traveling together).
Group discounts are available. Children are charged the same rate as adults.

Tour Rates Include:

Hotel pick-up/drop-off

Transportation in air-conditioned off-road vehicles

English-speaking guide

Accommodation (eco-camp, guest house, hotel)

Environmental and entry fees

Meals as per the itinerary

Drinking water

Camping equipment

Tour Rates Exclude:

Personal expenses not mentioned in the program

Booking Terms:

Full payment is required to confirm the reservation. Payment methods: cash, wire transfer, and bank card.

Cancellation Policy:

50% non-refundable if canceled less than 3 days before departure

100% non-refundable if canceled less than 1 day before departure or in case of no-show

Group Size:

Minimum 1 person, maximum 16 people

Children Policy:

Minimum age: 4 years

Required Equipment:

Waterproof jacket and pants (Gore-Tex), warm fleece, windproof jacket, multiple clothing layers, hiking boots, camp shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, head torch, batteries, thermos (1–1.5 L), personal hygiene items, first aid kit, insect repellent.

Note: A valid passport is required on the day of travel.