Description
Overview
There’s a moment when you first step off the plane in Ust-Kamenogorsk, breathing in crisp air from the Irtysh River, when you realize you’re standing at the eastern gate of Kazakhstan, about to slip into a world of alpine meadows, roaring waterfalls, and winds that smell like pine needles and glacier water. This 7-day East Kazakhstan Expedition isn’t just a trip, it’s a layered journey into the hidden folds of the Altai, where nature humbles you at every turn.
Once we leave the city lights behind, the real adventure kicks in as we roll into Katon-Karagai National Park, Kazakhstan’s largest nature reserve, a patchwork of mountain roads, old villages, and grasslands that still hum with stories of traders and eagle hunters. After a night in a cozy guesthouse, we swap wheels for hooves, riding horseback through larch forests, crossing clear streams and alpine glades that feel untouched by time. It’s a slow, grounding pace, giving you space to notice marmots darting in the grass and the smell of wildflowers crushed under horse hooves.
There’s a day when we trek to what feels like a museum under the open sky, an abandoned Soviet molybdenum mine perched among glaciers and cliffs. Rusting machinery sits under the shadow of snowy ridges, a reminder of how harsh, yet beautiful, these mountains can be. You’ll find yourself eating a picnic lunch in a place where eagles glide overhead, and the wind tells stories you can’t quite understand but will feel deeply.
The last day, we descend slowly on horseback, stopping at Lake Karakol, before the long drive back to Ust-Kamenogorsk. If time allows, we’ll stop at the Berel Royal Kurgans, where the artifacts of the Golden Man were unearthed, connecting you back to the steppe’s rich history before the city lights come into view again.
East Kazakhstan isn’t a detour; it’s the reason to come to Kazakhstan. Join Safar Expeditions, and let the Altai work its quiet magic on you.
Itinerary
Ust Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan
Day 1: Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk, the Eastern Gate of Kazakhstan
Touch down in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Öskemen), where the Irtysh River winds past tree-lined banks and pastel Soviet mosaics peek from street corners. Your guide will meet you at the airport, and you’ll settle into a comfortable 4 -star hotel in the city center.
Spend the afternoon resting after the journey, exploring the city sights, or take a sunset walk along the river, where locals fish off the banks and teenagers gather with guitars, reminding you that even on the edge of Kazakhstan, life hums with stories.
Katon Karagai National Park
Day 2: Journey to the Katon-Karagai Region
After breakfast, we leave city life behind, driving deep into Katon-Karagai National Park, Kazakhstan’s largest nature reserve.
On the way, expect a mix of open steppe roads, mountain switchbacks, and golden fields waving in the breeze as we inch closer to Katon Karagai’s wild nature.
We’ll stop in Uryl village to obtain border zone permits before continuing to Karayryk village, your first taste of mountain quiet.
Tonight, we enjoy a local dinner and stay in a cozy guesthouse in Karayryk village.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lake Kokkol | Altay-Pro Base Camp
Day 3: Into the Wilderness, Horseback Ride to Base Camp
We load up and drive to Lake Kokkol, where the horseback portion of the journey begins. Riding roughly 16 km, we’ll pass through larch forests, cross streams so clear you can see the rocks shining below, and traverse alpine meadows bursting with summer wildflowers. We’ll stop for lunch at the Sarsenbay winter pasture before crossing the legendary “Devil’s Bridge,” a narrow wooden crossing that tests your sense of adventure. By evening, we reach Altay-Pro Base Camp near the thundering Kokkol Waterfall (80 m), where tents and a hearty dinner await under the sound of rushing water.
Elevation: 1600 to 1925 meters
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Kokkol Falls | Altay-Pro Base Camp
Day 4: Sacred Waterfalls and the Lake of Balance
Wake up to the crisp mountain air and the roar of Kokkol Waterfall. Today includes two gentle but stunning radial hikes:
A short walk to Kokkol Waterfall, where mist cools your face as rainbows dance in the spray.
A hike to the Lake of Balance, surrounded by alpine meadows and peaks poetically named Faith, Hope, and Love, where the silence feels sacred and the water mirrors the sky.
Return to base camp for dinner and a campfire under the stars.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sacred Stone | Altay-Pro Base Camp
Day 5: Pilgrimage Trail to the Sacred Stone
Today’s trek (up to 10 km) carries a spiritual undertone as we pass Warm Lake, a small alpine lake that lives up to its name year-round. We continue to Kyndyk-Tas Sacred Stone, a place of pilgrimage where locals tie ribbons to nearby trees, leaving their wishes with the mountain spirits. This day is about soaking in the quiet and noticing the smaller details of the Altai: marmots whistling on the rocks, the taste of glacier water, the scent of wild thyme underfoot.
Elevation gain: up to 400 meters
Overnight at base camp.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Lake Kokkol | Upper Camp
Day 6: Museum Under the Open Sky
We’ll hike about 16 km today to the Upper Camp, exploring the remains of a Soviet-era molybdenum mine now reclaimed by the wind and snow. Rusting machinery sits among rugged cliffs and glaciers, a stark reminder of the mountains’ raw beauty and the human stories etched into them. We’ll visit Lake Kokkol along the way, picnic at altitude, and return to base camp for one final night under the stars, letting the silence and fresh air sink in.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Berel | Ust Kamenogorsk
Day 7: Descent and Return to Ust Kamenogorsk
After breakfast, we saddle up for the 34 km ride down to Lake Karakol, enjoying one last taste of mountain freedom before returning to the village of Berel. We’ll take a short rest before the 450 km drive back to Ust-Kamenogorsk. If time permits, we will visit the Berel Royal Kurgans, where the famed Golden Man was discovered, connecting you back to Kazakhstan’s Scythian heritage before the modern world reappears. We arrive back in the city by 20:00, where you can enjoy a warm shower and reflect on the wild beauty you’ve just experienced.
Included
Breakfast
Lunch
What's included
What's Included
- All meals as indicated on the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- 4WD transportation
- Accommodation on twin room sharing basis in hotels, guesthouses & homestays
What's Not Included
- Kyrgyzstan visa fee (if applicable)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips for local staff
Extras & Options
Single Supplement
Private Room & Yurt Stay Throughout the Trip
FROM $550.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates
FAQs
Yes, Kazakhstan is a very safe country.
This 4 Day East Kazakhstan Expedition will begin and finish in Ust Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan
This Almaty Expedition is rated as moderate and rugged. There will be longer days on bumpy jeep tracks, horseback riding, nights camping in tents, and some varying lengths of trekking days.
Many nationalities are granted 30 days of visa-free entry to Kazakhstan.
Those that require a visa or e-visa, please get in contact with us.
To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that Kazkahstan’s generally remote nature poses very real challenges. It is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation.
We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue.
The Kazakh Tenge (₸) is the official currency of Kazakhstan. The value of the Tenge fluctuates, and is currently around 510 ₸ to $1 USD.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our East Kazakhstan expedition that can be viewed here.
The food you’ll encounter during your time in the East Kazakhstan Region will be simple and traditional. In Ust Kamenogorsk, you can find an array of international and national cuisine on offer. You can expect flavorful soups and salads, plov (a traditional Central Asian take on fried rice), noodle dishes, and meat dishes. Of course, almost any meal in Kazakhstan is accompanied by a hot glass of chai.
Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.
SIM cards are available for purchase in Ust Kamenogorsk, with K-Cell, Activ, and Mega having the best service. Internet can be intermittent to nonexistent once we depart Ust Kamenogrosk into the greater East Kazakhstan region, as we will have some nights where we will have no access to mobile internet or Wi-Fi.
You can expect to have electricity by use of solar panels most nights of the expedition.
Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.