Turgen Gorge is located 70 kilometrs from Almaty and is an ideal place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The gorge has hot springs, a trout farm, waterfalls, and thick forests. Rich in coniferous and mixed trees, alpine and sub-alpine meadows, lakes and springs, medicinal herbs and berries, the gorge plunges 44 km into the vast Assy plateau (2,750-3,000m). Since ancient times, it is being used as pasture. Scientists found remains of ancient humans, who lived here more then 5000 years ago.

Hundreds and thousands years ago, it was used as a passage for caravans from Europe to India and China. Later, during Russian Civil War, it became the battlefield for Red and White army. Nowadays it is used as a home-place for observatory.

Plateau Assy is truly one of the most picturesque places, where you may see fantastic and unbelievable beauty of landscapes.

During the summer it amazes one's imagination with brightness of colors and diversity of plants which bloom right on the stones. You may see many amazing things which travelers with photo camera are hunting for: the trees if weired forms, splendid flowers, scenic hills, the herds of horses in the pastures, stones covered with moss, river with crystal clear waters. You may set a camp in one of the picturesque groves. The plateau during winter attracts with its unbelievable bluish sky and gorgeous snow landscapes. It gives the feeling like you've visited the other planet.

Season: end of May - end of October.

Tour duration: (total – 7 hours (driving time - 4 hours, resting and hiking - 3 hours)

Tour Price: $200 for 1-3 people

Located at the distance of 30-40 minutes from the city Big Almaty Lake is the one of the most picturesque lakes in Kazakhstan. Situated on the altitude of 2,510 meters it gives impression of the turquoise sparkling mirror in the hollow surrounded by magnificent peaks and has rightly called the Pearl of Central Tien-Shan. It is of tectonic origin, but handmade dam protects it from destruction. On the way to this beautiful lake we will make a stopover at the Falconry Farm you will see many of the hunting birds and know much about breeding the falcons, falcon hunting and Kazakh traditions of eagles taming.

Highlights of the tour:

• Republican square with the Monument of Independence
• Al-Farabi street, university named after Al-Farabi
• Presidential Park
• Falconry and Hunting Dogs Nursery Center*
• Artisans Village (leather and metal crafting).
• Kazakh lunch in the yurt
• Big Almaty River
• Big Almaty Lake
• Observatory

Tour cost for 1-3 people: $150

Duration of the tour: 4-6 hours

Tour to Big Almaty lake

Located at the distance of 60 minutes from the city Big Almaty lake is one of the picturesque lakes in Kazakhstan.Situated on the altitude of 2,510 meters it gives impression of the turquoise sparkling mirror in a hollow surrounded by magnificent peaks. It is rightly called the pearl of Tien-Shan Mountains.It is of tectonic origin, but handmade dam protects the city from mudslides. On the way back from the Big Almaty lake we will make a spot at the Falconry Farm where you may see the birds of prey: falconry, golden eagles, vultures, owls and see the Falconry show during the summer time.

Discover Kazakhstan with me!