Commence your journey in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. With a blissful backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains, explore the sophisticated streets and green spaces of this remarkably cosmopolitan city. Embrace your inner adventurer as you take to the skies for a phenomenal paragliding flight and marvel at the wild Kazakhstani landscape below. Famously renowned as the birthplace of the apple, the foothills surrounding Almaty are peppered with wild apple-laden trees. Accompanied by an expert local guide, travel to these intriguing forests and learn the history and cultivation of these sacred fruits. Wind down your day in an excellent Central Asian restaurant, delight in a traditional feast and enjoy a local dance performance – a unique insight in Kazakhstani culture.
Embark on a 4×4 adventure over everchanging landscapes. Traverse vast areas of grassland, savanna and desert before reaching Djalyau Valley, a place of rolling pastures where nomadic herders reside. Wonderfully characterised by quaint yurts and wild horses, indulge in the phenomenal space and distant horizons of this breath-taking area. For an unforgettable cultural experience, meet Kazakhs in their authentic dress and learn the fascinating art of eagle hunting as they present their magnificent birds. From here, visit the Assy-Turgen Plateau where one of the world’s largest observatories stands tall, before returning to your remote campsite where a traditional evening awaits. As a campfire crackles, appreciate Kazakh songs and a hearty meal beneath a rooftop of twinkling stars.
In powerful 4×4 vehicles, continue cross country, cruising through rushing rivers and ice-cold water to enter territories seldom explored. Welcome to the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Asia, a seemingly endless landscape covering an incredible 80 kilometres. Mountain bike or hike through this spellbinding environment and marvel as orange hues radiate across the rich, red sandstone of Charyn.