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| Day 1. A walk around Almaty |
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Meeting in the airport, accommodation in a hotel, exchanging currency. A walk around the city center: we can go to a beautiful park of 28 Panfilovtsy, the Nezavisimosty (Independence) Square, the Cental Kazakh Museum. We will see sunset on Mount Kok Tobe where a spectacular view opens to the city and over-tree-thousand-meter mountains raising above it.
Meals in cafes, accommodation in the hotel KUZE. |
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| Day 2. Fort Turkestan and rock pictures of Buddha |
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Early in the morning we will drive north-west — to the canyon of the Ili river, where mountains are red in the season due to poppies blooming. An excursion to Buddha drawing and short trekking in the mountains of Tamgaly Tas, where we admire the great views of the canyon. After, we will go to see the full-scale decorative fort Turkestan build specially for the Kazakh film «Nomad». We will then drive to the Kapchagai water reservoir.
Rally: about 180 km (smooth road). Breakfast in cafes, lunch picnic, dinner in hotel. Accommodation in the hotel Altyn-Emel. |
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| Day 3. Poppy fields and Altyn-Emel National Park |
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In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the national park Altyn-Emel and set our camp near the cordon of park rangers, not far from the Singing Sand Dune. On the way we will see a large poppy field and steppe overgrown with feather. We will possibly taste Kazakh national cuisine.
Rally: about 230 km (smooth road, then steppe dirt roads). Breakfast in hotel, lunch in cafe, dinner in the house of a park ranger. Overnight spent in the tent camp. |
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| Day 4. The Singing Sand Dune and the Aktau mountains |
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At 5 a.m. we will start to the Singing Sand Dune — in the rays of the rising sun it is especially picturesque. The Dune is really singing, though only when the air is dry. The sound similar to that of an organ, or an airplane roar appears when one walks on the sand, besides the more you put force to the Dune, the more it sings. This phenomenon is not yet completely studied. Then we will have breakfast and drive east to the Aktau mountains. When we are there, we will have a couple of hours for a walk in these unearthly clay labyrinths. But if the weather is rainy, we’ll have to give up on having a walk, if the Aktau mountains are soaking, they become really dangerous. Close to the evening, we will drive to the Katutau mountains, to unusual volcanic outcrops. Closer to the night back to the hotel in the village of Basshi.
Walk: 3-6 km, rally: about 151 km (steppe dirt roads, saline) Cooking at the stove in a house of a park ranger, accommodation in the hotel in the village of Basshi. |
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| Day 5. China Wooden Mosque and Chuldzha thermal springs |
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In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to the Tiger mountains and short trekking in In these beautiful places. After, we will go to see China Wooden Mosque (XIX centure) in village Zharkent near the Chinese border. Close to the evening, we will drive to Chuldzha thermal springs (40-50 degrees Celsius). At this point, we have a rest, enjoy life and discuss the interim results of our South Kazakhstan Expedition.
Walk: 1-2 km. Rally: 300-340 km (asphalt). Breakfast, lunch and dinner in cafe. Accommodation in the hotel Chuldzha Springs. |
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| Day 6. Tian Shan, lake Kaindy |
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That day we will drive towards the Tien Shan mountains. Landscapes around gradually changing from the steppe to alpine. After lunch, we in the mountains, at an altitude of 1900 meters, among the slender ranks of the Siberian spruce. An excursion to the lake Kaindy, rest, wildlife watching. At night you can watch the wild owls in the surrounding woods.
Rally: 200 km (asphalt, then mountain dirt roads). Breakfast in cafe, lunch picnic, dinner in cafe-yurt. Night will be spent in the yurt-camp. |
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| Day 7. The Charyn canyon |
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We will wake up with the first sunlight. Then we’ll descent to the lake Kaindy and submerge in the fabulous world of ethereal beauty. After breakfast in the cafe-yurt, we will drive towards the Charyn canyon. An excursion and short trekking in the Valley of Castles — the most beautiful places in the canyon. After our walk we will rest at the river Charyn.
Walk: 5-6 km, rally: about 150 km (mountain dirt roads, asphalt, steppe dirt roads). Breakfast in yurt-cafe, lunch picnic, dinner in cafe-yurt. Night will be spent in the yurt-camp. |
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| Day 8. Through Asy plateau |
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We will drive further up in the mountains: through the plateau and at the very border between winter and spring. There will be lots of alpine flowers. Then we will drive downwards along the serpentine road in a narrow Turgen gorge — to the realm of mossy fir woods and waterfalls. Coming out of the gorge, we will temporarily say goodbye to the mountains and go on the route Almaty.
Rally: about 150 km (mountain dirt roads, fords, asphalt). Breakfast in yurt-cafe, lunch picnic, dinner in
cafe. Accommodation in the hotel KUZE. |
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| Day 9. Great Almaty lake |
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We will drive along the border of Almaty, and then further in the mountains — to the Great Almaty lake, at the altitude 2,735 km where Tian Shan astronomic observatory is located. We will have rest and enjoy the view of Tian Shan mountains and Great Almaty lake. At the afternoon we might drive further upwards to the altitude of 3,336 m (it will be still winter there) to the space station — a high mountain laboratory of space research. After having lunch, we’ll return to Almaty, have a farewell dinner and drive to the airport or hotel.
Rally: About 40 km (asphalt), meals in cafes, accommodation in the hotel KUZE. |
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| Day 10. Back home |
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All members of the South Kazahkstan Expedition returned home. Bright and mysterious Asia, goodbye, we will not forget you ever!
Until we meet again! |
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