Mysteries of the Seven Rivers

GreenX offers a fascinating journey through two key attractions of Kazakhstan's Zhetysu region - Altyn-Emel National Park and Dzungarian Alatau Mountains.

The route, rich in content, includes visits to natural places such as sandy and rocky deserts, mountain pastures and high mountain valleys with beautiful panoramic views. At the same time, the route includes visits to cultural and historical places: Zharkent city, Chinese mosque-museum, Zharkent Orthodox Church.

Map of the route of a three-day trip in Zhetysu region, Kazakhstan

🌄 Author's tour in Zhetysu: Aktau, Singing Barkhan and Zharkent in 3 days
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Format: auto tour + light hikes
Suitable for: everyone who wants to see Zhetysu in bright colours
Region: Zhetysu, Almaty region, Kazakhstan.

📍 Day 1. Aktau Mountains and the legendary 700 year old willow tree
Your journey starts from the exit from Almaty towards the mysterious desert. Behind the window there is a change of landscapes, from green plains to Martian landscapes of the National Park ‘Altyn-Emel’.
In 4 hours of the way - cosy auyl Basshi. Here we will have lunch in a local cafe and a short stop at the visit centre of the reserve.

After lunch - a real miracle of nature: chalk mountains of Aktau. The colours change with every step: from turquoise-grey to bright red. Trekking in the canyons, easy climbing to the ridge (if you wish) and full feeling of a break from civilisation. This place is a magnet for photographers and seekers of silence.

On the way back - meeting with a natural legend: A 700-year-old willow tree in the desert. Why did such a huge tree grow in the middle of the sands? The answer will be given by the guide.
In the evening - dinner and overnight stay in a mini-hotel.

Entrance to the Aktau Mountains, guests from the Netherlands

📍 Day 2. Singing Barkhan and Osek Valley - where the wind sounds
After breakfast - the way to one of the most amazing phenomena of Kazakhstan: Singing Barkhan. A dune that ‘sings’ when you walk on it. Locals say that they can hear the humming of an ancient organ.

On the way there is an aviary with Przhevalsky's horses, rare and proud inhabitants of these lands. The way back - through Oshaktas, mysterious stone steles.

After lunch - change of mood. We go to the valley of Osek river - this is the real Southern Dzungaria. Green zhailau, alpine meadows, icy brook. A light trekking to the height of 1900 metres and you will see the panorama of the confluence of the Big and Middle Osek. Place of power.

In the evening - transfer to Zharkent, dinner and rest in the hotel.

At the foot of the Singing Barkhan, Altyn Emel.

📍 Day 3. Zharkent Mosque and Charyn Canyon - 4 landscapes you won't soon forget
The morning starts with an acquaintance with a real architectural gem of Kazakhstan - Zharkent Mosque. Built in the late 19th century in the Chinese style, it has become a unique example of the intertwining of Eastern philosophy and Islamic tradition. Wooden carvings, colourful elements without a single nail - the excursion will definitely impress both aesthete and historian.

After breakfast and excursion - departure towards Almaty. But on the way we are waiting for a real masterpiece of nature - Charyn Canyon.

Lunch on the road (lunchboxes or cafes on the way), after that we drive to one of the most photogenic and underestimated locations of Charyn - it is not only the Valley of Castles, but also ‘Moon Canyon’, ‘Stone Shelf’, ‘Napoleon’ and ‘Austrian View’.

‘Moon Canyon’ surprises with the soft rounded shape of the rocks, as if of another planet,

‘Stone Shelf’ is a unique plateau above the cliff, with a panorama of the valley,

‘Napoleon’ - a rock formation resembling ......, check with the guide on the spot :-),

‘Austrian View’ - one of the most picturesque points on the whole Charyn, as if you are standing above the gorge of Tyrol.

Photo session on the background of incredible landscapes, short trekking on safe trails, opportunity to be alone with nature. The guide will tell you about the geological age of the canyon (up to 12 million years!) and amazing legends associated with it.

Approximate time of arrival in Almaty - 18:30-19:00.

Inside Moon Canyon, Charyn, GreenX

Tour cost:
255 USD for one guest if there are six guests in the car, total 1 530 USD (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser).
290 USD for one guest, if there are five guests in the car, total 1 450 USD (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser).
310 USD for one guest if there are four guests in the car, totalling 1 240 USD.
380 USD for one guest if there are three guests in the car, totalling 1 140 USD.
495 USD for one guest if there are two guests in the car, total 990 USD.
900 USD for one guest, individual trip.

💼 What is included:

• Transfers along the route (SUVs),
• Accommodation: 2 nights (Basshi and Zharkent), bathroom is inside the room,
• Meals on the route (3 lunches, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners),
• Entrance tickets to the national parks,
• English-speaking guide services

🎒 What to bring:

• Comfortable trekking shoes,
• Panama, sunscreen,
• A camera or a phone with a good camera,
• Good mood - the nature of Zhetysu is inspiring!

Trekking to the panorama of the confluence of the Large and Middle Osek rivers, South Dzungaria

It is possible to book participation in the trip by:

• clicking the ‘Contact Us’ button,
• writing to us on WhatsApp or Telegram on +7 771 737 7399, we will be glad to answer your questions,
• by sending an email to info@greenxtour.com.

We will gladly accept payment for your participation in the trip in the following ways:

• payment by payment card,
• remote payment within the Kaspi Pay system,
• payment via bank by cashless transfer to the company's current account,
• cash payment.

For the guests of Almaty we have developed a small article about Almaty city, which may be interesting in the process of preparation for the trip.

Next Previous

White sands ‘Ak-kum’, stop on the way to Charyn from Zharkent.

Road to Osek, Southern Dzungaria

Orthodox Church of Zharkent city

Inside the Orthodox Church of Zharkent city

A group of guests at Osek, South Dzungaria

Singing Barkhan, Altyn-Emel

Original lamp-light, Zharkent mosque-museum.

Inside the Zharkent mosque

A guest on the Singing Barchan

Napoleon, Charyn Canyon

Spruce on the slopes of Dzungaria

The Stone Shelf, Charyn Canyon