Almaty - Our journey will take us down the Kuldjinskiy trail, once trodden by the caravans of the Great Silk Road as they headed towards the frontier of China centuries before. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to discuss the history of the Great Silk Road, the various peoples who settled these lands, and their cultural practices and belief systems.
To our left, we’ll gaze upon the vast expanses of the Great Steppe – the birthplace of nomadic societies, where livestock still roams and a network of untamed trails leads to the homesteads of indigenous shepherds. To our right, the snow-capped summits of the venerable Tian Shan range will come into view. Our route will then take us through the Kok Pek gorge, the Sugatinskaya and Zhelanashskaya valleys, and past villages that once cultivated tobacco for the Soviet Union but now enjoy the serene life of private landownership.

Charyn Canyon National Park - Often referred to as the smaller sibling of the renowned Grand Canyon in the USA, Charyn Canyon stretches over 150km with depths reaching up to 300m in certain areas. We’ll explore the canyon’s most captivating segment, known as “The Valley of Castles,” which is most striking when viewed from the base, where a tourist trail has been established.
The walking segment of our excursion is 2.5km, including a pause for refreshments. As we proceed, we’ll delve into the canyon’s history, its myths, and the diverse plant and animal life. Descending towards the Charyn River, we’ll observe geological strata that date back millions of years.
The journey concludes at the scenic banks of the Charyn River. The return trip to the parking area is an experience in itself: aboard a specially modified Russian off-road vehicle with open sides, we’ll breeze through the canyon’s natural stone towers and arches.