| Duration: | 8 Day(s) - 7 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Photography Tours |
Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Sary Esik - Atyrau desert is very typical for Kazakhstan. It is located in the Balkhash region, between Ili and Karatal rivers. Although on the maps it is designated as completely sandy - in fact, it is mainly clay, with large areas of verdurous dunes. In the present historical period, the desert is completely desolated. There are no permanent residents, but many artifacts indicate the other times. The culture of medieval towns and ancient channels was interrupted by the invasion of Genghis Khan.
The culture of collective wintering and artesian wells - by the advent of perestroika. There remained a lot of dry hoses in the ancient delta of the Ili River, the largest ones are Orta-Bakanas and Sheth-Bakanas. In the desert, you are awaited for a few insanely fascinating nights. And this is, maybe, the main charm of the whole journey. Overnight in the desert under the starry abyss, around the restrained campfire, in such silence that you could hear the hiss of falling meteorites, entering the transparent atmosphere - this is a real adventure!
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1. Almaty - Karamergen Ancient Settlement
Group meeting and departure from Almaty at 06:30. Breakfast in a cafe on the way. Lunch in the desert. Arrival to an overnight place at Karamergen settlement approx. at 18:30. Setting a camp, dinner, and preparations for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp at Karamergen settlement.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 350-400 km
Day 2. Karamergen Ancient Settlement - Valley of Thousand Lakes
Early wake up at 05:30, meeting the dawn at the ruins of the Karamergen settlement, photographing. Breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and transfer to Valley of Thousand Lakes through the desert. Arrival at an overnight place, late lunch, and setting of a camp. Dinner and preparation for the next day. Free time. Optional - photographing of the night sky. Overnight in the tent camp on the shore of one of a thousand lakes.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 100 km
Day 3. Valley of Thousand Lakes
Early woke up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn on the lake shore. Return to the camp, breakfast. Free time or walking around the neighborhood. Lunch in the camp. Dinner and preparation for the next day. Free time. Optional - photographing of the night sky. Overnight in the tent camp on the shore of one of a thousand lakes.
Day 4. Valley of Thousand Lakes - Backwater of Balkhash Lake
Early wake up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn at a dune at a salt lake. Return to the camp, breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and departure. Transfer along Balkhash lake shore through rugged terrain. Lunch in a picturesque place. Arrived at an overnight place at a silent backwater of Balkhash Lake. Setting a camp. Dinner and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp at the shore of Balkhash Lake.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 130 km
Day 5. Backwater of Balkhash Lake - Ak-Zhar Dune
Early woke up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn on the shore of the silent backwater of Balkhash Lake. Return to the camp, breakfast, disassembling of the camp. Transfer along Balkhash lake shore through rugged terrain.
Arrived at an overnight place at the foot of the mysterious Ak-Zhar dune. Lunch and setting a camp. Walking around the neighborhood, photographing, and resting. Dinner in the camp and preparation for the next day. Free time. Optional - photographing of the night sky. Overnight in the tent camp at Ak-Zhar dune.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 130 km
Day 6. Ak-Zhar Dune - Balkhash Lake Shore
Early wake up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn at Ak-Zhar dune. Return to the camp, breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and departure. Transfer along Balkhash lake shore through rugged terrain. Lunch in a picturesque place. Arrived at an overnight place in a dark backwater. Setting a camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time, rest. Overnight in the tent camp on Balkhash Lakeshore.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 150 km
Day 7. Balkhash Lake Shore - Karatal River
Early woke up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn on the shore of the dark backwater. Return to the camp, breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and departure to Lepsy village. Lunch. Transfer from Lepsy village to the bank of Karatal river near Ushtobe village. Arrived in an overnight place on the bank of the Karatal River. Dinner, setting a camp, and rest. Free time. Optional - fishing. Overnight in the tent camp on the bank of the Karatal River.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 200 km
Day 8. Karatal River - Almaty
Early wake up at 05:30 to photograph the dawn on the bank of the Karatal River. Breakfast, disassembling of the camp, and departure to Almaty. Lunch on the way to a cafe. Arrival to Almaty approx. at 20:00.
Total automobile mileage on this day approx. 300 km
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 desert, where the weather often changes: it can be very hot during the day and quite cool during the evening and night. There are many dangerous insects and reptiles. That is why it is strongly recommended to refrain from the use of alcohol and to be extremely careful.
Group Tour Price: Please Contact.
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. Food for cooking in field conditions
5. 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. Rent of personal camping outfit (tent, sleeping bag, сaremat, personal utensils, etc.)
5. Medical insurance
6. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required
7. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program
RECOMMENDATIONS ON CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT:
Taking into account that in the evenings and at night can be quite cold, 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 other 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
13. Tent, sleeping bag, care mat, utensils for personal use
