| Duration: | 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Photography Tours |
Route: Karaganda Region (Kazakhstan)
The Bektau-Ata mountain range is an unformed volcano. In the distant past, during the Paleozoic era, at the boundary of the Permian and Carboniferous periods, a great volcano began to form. It melted the surrounding rocks but never erupted. In this place, a giant granite plug remained, sealing the volcanic vent forever.
The mountain range is small in size—about 6×6 km (4,000 ha)—but contains an extraordinary diversity of bizarre rock formations and rugged gorges. Weathering processes have been eroding the granite for thousands of years, creating deep cracks and niches where the rock has weakened. Some parts of the mountains have taken on fantastic shapes, known as "Mushroom," "Chest," and "Turtle." One of the massifs is named Sarykulja, meaning "Yellow Argali."
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Almaty - Balkhash Lake - Bektau-Ata
Group meeting and departure from Almaty at 07:00. Lunch at a café (or picnic) on the way. Stop by the shore of Balkhash Lake for rest and photography. Arrival at the Bektau-Ata guest complex and accommodation. Departure to the sunset photography location at Bektau-Ata and Sarykulja Mountains. Return to the guest complex, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the guest house.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 700 km
Day 2: Bektau-Ata
Early wake-up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Departure for the photography location at Karabota Lake. Return to the guest complex for breakfast. Free time. Lunch and a walk around the mountains. Departure to the evening photography location—a draw-well with the Sarykulja Mountains in the background. Return to the guest complex, dinner, free time, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in the guest house.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 50 km
Day 3: Bektau-Ata
Wake up at 07:00. Preparation for hiking to the mountain summit. Breakfast and start of the hike. Reaching the summit at approximately 14:00. Rest, lunch, and photography. Descent from the summit until 19:00. Return to the guest complex. Dinner, free time, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in the guest house.
Walking distance on this day: approx. 15 km
Day 4: Bektau-Ata
Early wake-up at 04:30 for photographing the dawn. Departure for the photography location at Sarykulja Mountain. Return to the guest complex for breakfast. Free time. Lunch and departure for a walk to Sarykulja Mountain. Sunset photography. Return to the guest complex for dinner. A short briefing on the next day's program. Free time. Overnight in the guest house.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 30 km, walking distance: approx. 10 km
Day 5: Bektau-Ata - Balkhash Lake
Wake up at 07:00, have breakfast, and depart for the northern coast of Balkhash Lake. Lunch (picnic) on the way at a picturesque location. Continue along the lake shore with stops for photography. Setting up camp by the lake. Walk along the shore and photograph the sunset. Dinner and a short briefing on the next day's program. Free time. Optional: night sky photography. Overnight in the tent camp on the shore of Balkhash Lake.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 200 km
Day 6: Balkhash Lake
Early wake-up at 05:30 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast, disassembly of the camp, and preparation for departure. Travel along the lake shore with stops for photography. Lunch (picnic) on the way at a scenic location. Arrival at the overnight location on the Kentubek Peninsula and setting up camp. Walk along the beach and photograph the sunset. Return to the camp, dinner, free time. Overnight in the tent camp on the shore of Balkhash Lake.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 100–150 km
Day 7: Balkhash Lake - Almaty
Early wake-up at 05:30 for photographing the dawn. Breakfast, disassembly of the camp, and departure to Almaty. Lunch at a café on the way. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 20:00.
Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 600 km
TOUR FEATURES:
The tour program is very intensive. Almost all camp-to-camp transfers will be off-road. You will need to wake up very early and walk extensively to find the best shots.
All activities take place in a desert environment where the weather often changes: it can be very hot during the day and quite cool in the evening and at night. There are many dangerous insects and reptiles, so it is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol and remain extremely cautious.
TOUR PRICE: On request
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:
Transport services along the entire route
English-speaking guide and photographer services
Camping equipment for common use (tent, table, chairs, cooking utensils)
Food for cooking in field conditions
Permits for visiting specially protected natural areas and all environmental fees
Accommodation and meals at the Bektau-Ata guest complex
TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:
Accommodation in Almaty before/after the tour, if required
Airport transfers, if required
Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price
Rental of personal camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, care mat, personal utensils, etc.)
Medical insurance
Visa support and registration in Kazakhstan, if required
Personal expenses and other costs not indicated in the program
RECOMMENDATIONS ON CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT:
Considering that evenings and nights can be quite cold, be sure to bring:
Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket and pants
Warm fleece or Polartec jacket
Windproof jacket
Several sets of underwear, multiple pairs of socks, including warm socks
Several short-sleeve T-shirts and shorts
Proper hiking boots and lightweight camp shoes (sneakers)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Head torch with adjustable brightness and extra batteries
Thermos (1–1.5 liters) or another water container
Personal hygiene items and a personal first aid kit (essential for chronic conditions)
Camera, waterproof case, neutral density filter, tripod, remote control, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
Anti-acarid remedy
Tent, sleeping bag, care mat, and personal utensils
