How to discover the Almaty region in 4 days?

The Almaty region, located in the southeast of Kazakhstan, is the perfect destination to discover the culture and the diverse landscapes of the country. Whether you are a fan of hiking, food, breathtaking scenery, or rich Asian cultures, the Almaty region is one of the best places to start your discovery of Central Asia.

The city of Almaty

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Tian Shan mountains, Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, is a vibrant city where modernity and traditions meet. With its wide tree-lined avenues, green parks, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Almaty serves as an ideal gateway to explore the natural treasures of the region.

Discover all the best spots in the article dedicated to the city of Almaty.

The guide to discover the Almaty region in 4 days

The Almaty region has a lot to offer, and it would be impossible to see it all in a single trip. What is presented here is a selection of the most iconic and accessible places, ideal for a four-day trip by all-terrain vehicle at any time of the year.

Day 1 – Altyn Emel National Park

Departure from Almaty by jeep to reach the Aktau mountains, in Altyn Emel National Park.

A walk through a colorful gorge leads to an impressive viewpoint over this mineral landscape, nicknamed "the Martian mountains" for its unique hues and formations.

We continue towards Katutau, a volcanic massif with glowing and twisted rocks, as if sculpted by time.

At the end of the day, stop near a 700-year-old willow tree. Legend has it that Genghis Khan found refuge here with his army. A place full of memory, still considered sacred today.

Day 2 – Singing dune and Charyn Canyon

The day begins with the singing dune, one of the most surprising natural phenomena in Kazakhstan, a natural curiosity of Altyn Emel park. When the wind rushes through it, the sand emits a deep humming audible for several kilometers. This rare phenomenon makes it one of Kazakhstan’s seven natural wonders.

Then head to Charyn Canyon, for an off-road adventure through a wild and desert landscape. Dusty tracks wind through arid expanses before opening onto the red cliffs of the canyon, sculpted by time. This magnificent spectacle, often compared to the Grand Canyon, impresses with its vastness and rock formations of astonishing shapes and colors.

Day 3 – Kolsay lakes

This day is dedicated to visiting the Kolsay lakes, a set of three mountain lakes. The first, the lower lake, is easily accessible and offers a peaceful setting. Climbing a little further, you reach the middle lake, surrounded by forests and mountains, ideal for a walk or horseback ride. Finally, the upper lake, more isolated, remains an option for hikers who want to extend the adventure.

According to the local tradition, the Kolsay lakes were born from a tragic love story. Three sisters, madly in love with the same young man, each dreamed of marrying him. Their father, torn by this dilemma, did not know how to satisfy all three. He could not choose one without breaking the hearts of the other two. So, in his painful wisdom, he made an extraordinary decision: he transformed his daughters into three lakes, sparkling like pearls nestled in the mountains. To unite them forever, he made the young man a river, their eternal link, flowing from one to another without ever stopping.

Day 4 – Kaindy lake

The last stage of the adventure: the mysterious Kaindy lake and its submerged forest, a place full of legends. The site offers a fascinating landscape where tree trunks rise out of the clear water, creating a surprising atmosphere, which can be discovered by walking around the lake or on horseback.

🚙 Discover the Almaty region on a 4-day jeep tour with nights in local homes and all amenities included (all-terrain vehicle transfer, English-speaking guide, meals). Expeditions are planned in 2025, don’t hesitate to ask for the programs.

What to do in the Almaty region in summer?

Some sites in the Almaty region are only accessible in summer, between June and September. In the mountains, roads often become impassable as soon as it rains, complicating visits. Here are the places to prioritize during this season.

Tuzkol lake

Tuzkol lake is an isolated and little-visited site, perfect for those seeking tranquility.

Its salty water is known for its therapeutic properties, especially for treating skin and rheumatic conditions, and creates a shimmering surface with changing reflections. Depending on the light, the lake takes on shades from pale blue to pink, and on clear days, the majestic Khan Tengri peak can be seen on the horizon, Kazakhstan’s highest point at 7,010 meters.

Tekes waterfall

Tekes waterfall is a still rarely visited natural site. It is located at the bottom of a valley where water falls in several cascades amid a preserved environment.

In summer, this area becomes a true pastoral refuge, hosting semi-nomadic communities who come to graze their herds in the vast high-altitude pastures.

It is also a great opportunity to discover living traditions, such as tasting kurut, a local snack made from fermented and dried yogurt, prized by shepherds for its energy richness and easy preservation. These simple exchanges with herders give the visit a rare human and cultural dimension.

The waterfall and its surroundings are accessible only by all-terrain vehicle, as the road is too rough for a regular car. You can choose to get there entirely by vehicle or combine with a long hike on foot to explore the landscapes more immersively.

Burkhan-Bulak waterfall

Located in the spectacular gorge of the Kora river, in the heart of the Dzungarian Alatau mountains, Burkhan-Bulak waterfall is the highest in Kazakhstan: 168 meters tall over four successive drops. Three of the cascades are visible from the trails, while the highest remains hidden in the rocky heights.

This remote and little-visited site is a true natural sanctuary. It is accessible by all-terrain vehicle or by combining trekking and 4x4 for the more adventurous. The environment is conducive to wild camping: you can stay several days to enjoy the calm, explore nearby trails, or simply disconnect.

However, nature here is fickle: the weather changes quickly, with frequent showers even in summer and cool temperatures at night. It is therefore essential to bring appropriate equipment, including warm and moisture-resistant clothing.

According to a local legend, Burkhan, a young man dearly loved by his mother, fell in love with Kora, a proud and independent woman. Disapproving of their union, his mother built a prison of rock to confine Burkhan. However, the young man’s love for Kora was so strong that he escaped and reunited with her, becoming, together, the Kora River and its course. Overwhelmed with grief, the mother shed her tears in the form of a small stream near the waterfall, known as “Mother’s Tears”.

Assy plateau

100 km east of Almaty, the Assy plateau extends between 2,800 and 3,200 meters altitude, offering vast pastures, grand landscapes, and air of rare purity. Known since Antiquity as a summer pasture, it is still today a living place for nomadic herders in season.

The plateau is crossed by the Assy river, along which you can discover ancient kurgans and rock engravings, witnesses of human presence over 5,000 years old. Perched high up, the Assy-Turgen astrophysical observatory, built in 1975, houses one of the largest telescopes in the region, benefiting from an exceptional astroclimate.

Accessible by jeep, Assy is an ideal place for hiking, stargazing, and diving into Kazakhstan’s millenary history, in the heart of untouched nature.

For more information about these places or to discover other options by horse or on foot, you can contact me directly via Instagram, Whatsapp, or email (easternpathsdata@gmail.com) for more information!

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