| Duration: | 11 Day(s) - 10 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Photography Tours |
Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: June - October
Best Period: June, September
The first gorge on the route is Tekes Gorge. The Tekes River is the main source of the Ili River, a fairly large river in the region. The Tekes River originates at an altitude of 3,535 meters above sea level, at the foot of the main massif of the Khan Tengri mountain group. The soil in the lower valley is fertile, and the pastures and meadows along the river are abundant. The entire Tekes Valley is picturesque, and each turn of the gorge preserves the wild beauty of nature and offers pleasant surprises.
Next in the program is Kokpak Gorge. This gorge has many dead-end branches that beckon with their beauty. It is as scenic as the Tekes Valley, but more extensive and very popular among local shepherds and residents of nearby villages.
Perhaps the main attraction of the route is Tuzkol Lake – a saline, “dead” lake. The salt concentration in the lake changes several times throughout the year and can reach up to 300 g/l. For comparison, the salt concentration in the Dead Sea is about 340–350 g/l. Notably, no rivers flow into the lake, and it has no outlet.
Locals say that it is fed by underground mineral springs, and the mud of the lake is believed to have healing properties. In ancient times, when the Mongols inhabited these lands, the lake was called Doban-Nor, which translates from Mongolian as “Windy Lake.” On a clear day, Khan Tengri Peak, one of the famous seven-thousanders, is visible from the lake.
Next, the Ketmen mountainous region awaits along the route. The Ketmen Ridge separates two valleys. The highest points of the ridge offer impressive views of the Northern Tien Shan peaks, including Khan Tengri, Pobeda Peak, and other majestic mountains.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Almaty - Tekes River Valley
Group meeting and departure from Almaty at 07:00. Lunch in a café or a picnic on the way. Arrival at the campsite on the bank of the Tekes River. Camp setup, walking until sunset, and photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and free time. Overnight in a tent camp by the river.
Total driving distance: approximately 350 km
Days 2–3: Tekes River Valley
Early wake-up at 04:30 for sunrise photography. Return to the camp, breakfast, and free time. Lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, walking and photography in the river valley until sunset. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.
Total daily walking distance: approximately 2–8 km
Day 4: Tekes River - Tekes Waterfall
Early wake-up at 04:30 for sunrise photography. Return to the camp, breakfast, and dismantling of the camp. Transfer upstream to the waterfall. Camp setup and lunch. Transfer to a mountain pass for panoramic photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in a tent at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.
Day 5: Tekes Waterfall - Karakol Lake
Wake up at 08:00, breakfast, and dismantling of the camp. Transfer to Karakol Lake. Arrival and camp setup. Lunch, a walk around the lake, and an ascent to a nearby mountain for photography of Khan Tengri Peak. Return to the camp, dinner, preparation for the next day, and free time. Optional night sky photography. Overnight in the tent camp at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level.
Day 6: Karakol Lake - Kokpak Gorge
Early wake-up at 04:30 for sunrise photography over the lake and a walk in the mountains. Return to the camp, breakfast, and dismantling of the camp. Transfer to Kokpak Gorge. Upon arrival, lunch, camp setup, and a walk in the surrounding area. Dinner, free time, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in the tent camp at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level.
Day 7: Kokpak Gorge - Tuzkol Lake
Early wake-up at 04:30 for sunrise photography in the mountains. Return to the camp, breakfast, and dismantling of the camp. Transfer to Tuzkol Lake. Upon arrival, camp setup and lunch. In the afternoon, a walk along the lakeshore and sunset photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Optional night sky photography. Overnight in the tent camp at Tuzkol lakeshore.
Days 8–9: Tuzkol Lake
Early wake-up at 04:00 and transfer to a sunrise photography point. Return to the camp, breakfast, and rest. Lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, a walk and sunset photography from a viewpoint overlooking Khan Tengri Peak. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp at Tuzkol lakeshore.
Day 10: Tuzkol Lake - Ketmen Pass
Early wake-up at 04:00 and transfer to a sunrise photography point. Return to the camp, breakfast, and rest. Lunch, dismantling of the camp, and transfer to Ketmen Pass. Upon arrival, camp setup.
Sunset photography from a viewpoint overlooking Khan Tengri Peak. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in the tent camp at Ketmen Pass at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level.
Day 11: Ketmen Pass - Almaty
Breakfast and dismantling of the camp. Transfer to Almaty with lunch on the way. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 18:00.
TOUR FEATURES:
The tour program is very intensive, and most camp-to-camp transfers will be off-road. You will need to wake up early and walk frequently in search of the best photography spots. All activities take place in mountainous terrain, where weather conditions can change rapidly: it may be hot during the day and quite cool in the evening and at night. Unacclimatized participants may also experience mild altitude effects.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended to avoid alcohol consumption and to remain cautious throughout the journey.
TOUR PRICE: On request
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:
Transport services throughout the entire route
English-speaking guide and photographer services
Shared camping equipment (tents, table, chairs, cooking utensils)
Food for cooking in field conditions
Permits for visiting protected natural areas and all environmental fees
TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:
Accommodation in Almaty before/after the tour (if required)
Airport transfers (if required)
Meals not indicated in the program or not included in the tour price
Rental of personal camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping 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, please bring the following:
Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket and pants
Warm fleece or Polartec jacket
Windproof jacket
Several sets of underwear and socks, including warm socks
T-shirts, shorts
Suitable hiking boots and lightweight camp shoes
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Head torch with spare batteries
Thermos (1–1.5 liters) or water container
Personal hygiene items and a first aid kit (mandatory for chronic conditions)
Camera with waterproof case, neutral density filter, tripod, remote control, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
Anti-tick (acaricide) repellent
Personal camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, utensils)
