Zhasylkol Lakes Tour (8 Days)

Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: June – October
Best Period: August – September
Complexity: Average Complexity Trekking
Height Difference: 760–2800 m a.s.l.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Almaty - Taldykorgan - Sarkand

Departure from Almaty at 07:00, arrival in Taldykorgan at 10:00, and a visit to the Local History Museum of the Almaty Region. Lunch and transfer to Sarkand (approx. 159 km). During the 2-hour journey, 2–3 stops are planned at interesting and memorable places, including a visit to the central office of Zhongar Alatau National Park.

Sarkand was first mentioned in the articles of Shokan Valikhanov about the study of Semirechye. These references date back to 1857. Initially, Sarkand was a village founded by Siberian Cossacks. The first permanent settlements appeared on the banks of the Sarkand River in 1858, when 22 families relocated from Kopal and Lepsinsk counties.

In 1872, the first school was opened. In 1928, Sarkand District was formed, comprising Cherkassk and Luhansk counties. Since 1964, Sarkand has been an urban-type settlement, and in 1968, it was granted city status. Today, it is a small but very picturesque town. The main activities of the locals are agriculture and the production of excellent wines. There is also a small brewery and a cheese production plant.

Arrival in Sarkand at 18:00 and accommodation at the hotel. Dinner, free time, and preparation for the route. Overnight at the hotel.

Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 400 km

Day 2: Sarkand - Koilyk Settlement - Cherkassky Defence - Lepsinsk

Wake up at 09:00, breakfast. Transfer to the Koilyk settlement.

Koilyk settlement was the largest trade, industrial, and cultural center in the northeast of Semirechye in the 13th–14th centuries, serving as the headquarters of the Karluk Jhabgu. The area is surrounded by a fortified wall up to 4 meters high. The northeast wall has a length of 1,200 meters, while the southwest wall stretches 750 meters and adjoins the foothills.

The city was famous for its bazaars, and besides Muslims, Christians also lived there and had their own church. Archaeological research of the site was conducted in 1964. Unfortunately, the settlement is now abandoned, but it is worth exploring, as you can still discover many interesting remains.

Lunch at a local café and transfer to the memorial of Cherkassky Defence.

Cherkassky Defence (1918–1919) refers to the resistance of peasants from 12 Russian villages of Lepsinsk County against White Guard troops. The events took place during a period of intense struggle between new settler peasants and Semirechensk Cossacks, local settlers, and wealthy Kazakhs. In June 1918, peasants formed self-defense units to protect their villages from White Cossacks, Alash Horde forces, and advancing White Guards from the north.

After the capture of Sergiopol by White Guard troops, the entire Northern Semirechye region was engulfed in counter-revolutionary uprisings. Peasant villages were attacked by White Cossack and Alash Orda forces.

Transfer to Lepsinsk. Accommodation in a local guest house. Dinner, rest. Overnight at the guest house.

Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 75 km

Day 3: Lepsinsk - Lower Zhasylkol Lake

Breakfast at the guest house, followed by a visit to the local history museum in Lepsinsk village.

According to archaeological findings, the Lepsinsk area was already populated in the 12th century. This is evidenced by the discovery of a burial stone—Bal-Bal—dating from the 10th–12th centuries. According to local accounts, there were three mounds in Lepsinsk with Turkic granite stone sculptures.

One lies on the steps of the village council, the second stands at the house of a resident, and the third, according to stories, is buried near the Amur spring. In 1390, during a campaign into Moghulistan, Amir Timur erected mounds on the Uygentas Pass near Lepsinsk to mark the boundaries of his empire. He also used a symbol of three rings on his personal belongings. This symbol was discovered in 1994 at the foot of Kok-Tobe Mountain near Lepsinsk. The modern history of Lepsinsk began in 1822.

The abolition of Khan’s power led to a petition to join the Kazakh Usun clan to Russia, but initial attempts were unsuccessful. Only in 1846 was an agreement signed to include the Semirechensk region into Russia, with Lepsinsk becoming an administrative center. This is only a small part of the village’s rich history, and more stories can be heard from residents.

Transfer to the highest apiary of Jungar Alatau, which once supplied honey to the table of the last Russian tsar. Lunch at the apiary and honey tasting. After lunch, trekking to Lower Zhasylkol Lake (4 km). Camp setup, dinner, and rest. Overnight in a tent camp by the lakeshore.

Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 30 km

Day 4: Lower Zhasylkol Lake - Ak-Tas Plateau - Sorokonozhka Pass - Upper Zhasylkol Lake

Early wake-up, breakfast, and camp dismantling. Ascent to the Ak-Tas Plateau along grassy hills. Trekking across the plateau offers stunning views of alpine meadows, unique granite formations, and distant peaks of the Jungar Alatau range.

Rest and lunch at the Specular Spring. Then continue trekking to the Sorokonozhka (Centipede) Pass and descend into the Agynykaty River valley. The pass gets its name from its steep descent—about 1,000 meters—with approximately 40 serpentines over a 5 km trail.

After the descent, continue trekking along a wide valley, crossing several rivers by ford. Camp setup near Upper Zhasylkol Lake. Dinner and rest. Overnight in a tent camp at the lake.

Total trekking distance on this day: approx. 24 km

Day 5: Upper Zhasylkol Lake

A rest day at the lake. прогулки around the area and relaxation. Overnight in the tent camp.

The lake lies at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level on the Kyzylauyz River, a tributary of the Kikozen River. It was formed due to a powerful earthquake that caused a landslide, creating a natural dam.

The lake is about 3.3 km long and 300 meters wide. Its shape resembles the Central Asian salamander, an endangered amphibian species found only in the Jungar Alatau. The water has a beautiful blue-green hue, reflecting the surrounding alpine meadows and sparse shrubs. Due to its remote location, the lake is rarely visited, yet its beauty rivals that of the lower lake.

Day 6: Upper Zhasylkol Lake - Sorokonozhka Pass - Ak-Tas Plateau - Lower Zhasylkol Lake

Breakfast and camp dismantling. Trekking to the confluence of the Agynakaty and Ekiasha rivers. The trail passes through wide alpine meadows, occasionally crossing river streams. Before reaching the confluence, the Agynakaty River is crossed by a ford, and the route continues along its right bank toward the Tersai Gorge.

After crossing the Tersai River, lunch and rest. Then ascent to Sorokonozhka Pass. After reaching the top, enjoy views of Lower Zhasylkol Lake from the Ak-Tas Plateau. Continue trekking via the Specular Spring and descend to Lower Zhasylkol Lake. Camp setup, dinner, and rest. Overnight in the tent camp.

Zhasylkol Lake is located on the northern slope of the Jungar Alatau ridge, in the Agynykatty River valley, at an altitude of 1,640 meters above sea level. It is approximately 2,070 meters long and up to 751 meters wide.

Until the 1980s, this area remained largely untouched due to its proximity to the state border. The lake’s water appears muddy with blue-green shades due to glacial streams feeding into it. The area is also home to deer and other wildlife. This journey offers a rare opportunity to experience untouched nature and breathtaking landscapes.

Day 7: Lower Zhasylkol Lake - Zhalanash Cordon - Lepsinsk

Breakfast, camp dismantling, and trekking to the apiary. Lunch and honey tasting. Transfer to Zhalanash Cordon and onward to Lepsinsk. Accommodation in a guest house, dinner, sauna, and rest. Overnight at the guest house.

Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 30 km; trekking distance: approx. 3 km

Day 8: Lepsinsk - Sarkand - Taldykorgan - Almaty

Breakfast and departure for Almaty at 07:00. Lunch on the way in Taldykorgan. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 21:00.

Total automobile mileage on this day: approx. 700 km

TOUR PRICE: On request

TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:

Transportation, according to the program, is in comfortable off-road vehicles

Sightseeing as per the program

Accommodation in a hotel in Sarkand and a guest house in Lepsinsk

Meals: lunch and dinner on Day 1; full board on Days 2–7; breakfast and lunch on Day 8

Environmental and entry fees, including border zone permits

Shared camping equipment (cooking utensils)

Rental houses for hiking to the lakes

Insurance

TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

Accommodation in Almaty before/after the tour, if required

Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price

Rental of personal camping equipment (sleeping bag, caremat, personal utensils, etc.)

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:

Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket and pants

Windproof jacket, warm fleece, or Polartec jacket

Several sets of underwear, multiple pairs of socks, including warm socks

T-shirts, shorts

Suitable hiking boots and camp shoes (lightweight sneakers)

Head torch with extra batteries

Thermos (1–1.5 liters) or water container

Personal hygiene items, first aid kit, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent

Tent, sleeping bag, caremat, personal utensils, backpack (minimum 90L), trekking poles