Altyn Emel National Park, Charyn canyon, Kaindy lake, Kolsai lake tour

Itinerary

• 1 night guest house accommodation in Basshi village with breakfast
• 1 night guest house accommodation in Saty village with breakfast
• vehicle
• guide
• tickets
• shuttle service by off-road vehicle from Basshi village to Aqtau/Qatutau and Dunes
• shuttle service by off-road vehicle from Saty village to the parking lot of Kaindy lake
• water

• lunch and dinner
• personal expenses

• tour is subject to change
• weather must be taken into account

• Altyn Emel National Park consists of 2 parts: Aqtau/Qatutau mountains and Singing Dunes
• entrance to the national park is thru Basshi village which is 250+ km away from Almaty city center
• there will be a stopover to see Qapshagai water reservoir

• Aqtau/Qatutau mountains are 85+ km away from Basshi village
• Aqtau mountains are made of chalk
• Qatutau mountains are of volcanic origin
• road from the village to the mountains is bumpy and requires off-road driving (subject to motion sickness): its condition depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc. 
• local shuttle service operates along this road using off-road vehicles (old Soviet-Russian Uazik, old Mitsubishi Delica or similar): usually they are dirty and have problems with AC/heater
• there will be a stopover to see 700+ years old tree

• Singing Dunes are 40+ km away from Basshi village
• according to a local legend, the dunes make a noise, i.e. sing, when it is windy
• road from the village to the dunes is bumpy and requires off-road driving (subject to motion sickness): its condition depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc. 
• local shuttle service operates along this road using off-road vehicles (old Soviet-Russian Uazik, old Mitsubishi Delica or similar): usually they are dirty and have problems with AC/heater

• Kaindy lake is 280+ km away from Almaty city center
• Kaindy lake is 12+ km away from Saty village
• road from Saty village to the parking lot of Kaindy lake is bumpy and requires 30-40 min of off-road driving (subject to motion sickness): its condition depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc. 
• regular local shuttle service operates along this road using off-road vehicles (old Soviet-Russian Uazik, old Mitsubishi Delica or similar): usually they are dirty and have problems with AC/heater
• from the parking lot, a trail leads to the lake: its condition also depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc.
• there are 3 main ways to get from the parking lot to the lake: 

1. hiking (30-40 min): the most reliable option
2. horse riding (20-30 min): feasible but risky
3. (extra) off-road driving (10-20 min): off-road vehicles are available on-and-off and often crowded 

• in winter, Kaindy lake may be inaccessible due to heavy snowfall

• Kolsai (Lower) lake is 285+ km away from Almaty city center
• Kolsai lake is 14+ km away from Saty village
• on-and-off shuttle service operates between the parking lot and the lake
• depending on weather and season, horse riding and boating are possible

Charyn canyon (roughly 154 km in length) lies partly along the route between Almaty and the lake(s)

• Black canyon is 210+ km away from Almaty city center
• there will be a stopover to explore the site

• Moon canyon is 208+ km away from Almaty city center
• there will be a stopover to explore the site

• Charyn canyon's Valley of Castles is 200+ km away from Almaty city center
• on-and-off shuttle service (often crowded) operates within the site
• as time is limited in this tour, the river at the bottom of the valley is usually skipped
• instead, you will follow the upper route for panoramic view of the canyon

• there is no guarantee that the vehicle will not break down
• provincial infrastructure is less developed compared to the city
• do not expect mobile internet, Wi-Fi, F&B in the province to be as good as in city
• exploring natural sites carries a risk of insect bites
• halal, vegetarian food is available

• Basshi village is not much touristy
• few comfortable guest houses are available
• there are no cafes that serve meals a la carte
• instead guest houses serve meals upon request
• lunch is approx 5-10 USD per person, dinner is approx 10-15 USD per person

• Saty village is very touristy
• many comfortable guest houses are available
• several cafes serve meals a la carte
• lunch is approx 5-10 USD per person, dinner is approx 10-15 USD per person

• ID/passport
• rain ponchos or waterproof clothing if rain is expected
• suitable clothes and shoes
• personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
• cash (notes and coins)
• personal medical supplies

• USD KZT exchange rate is volatile
• do not bring local currency from home country: carry USD or EUR instead

This tour can be served as a Jeep tour. Jeep goes up to Aqtau/Qatutau and Singing Dunes and parking lot of Kaindy lake directly without any shuttle service.