Zhetysu, or Semirechye, means “seven rivers” and describes the wide region east and north of Almaty. A four day trip here combines mountain scenery, steppe and local culture in a private SUV.
The exact itinerary is prepared on request, so send us your dates and interests.
Highlights
Duration4 days
Activity levelEasy
SeasonAll year round
Detailed tour program
Day 1
Big Almaty Lake, Tamgaly Petroglyphs & Basshi Village
Morning
Meet your guide and depart for Big Almaty Lake, a stunning alpine reservoir at 2,500 metres surrounded by towering peaks. Enjoy the views and take time for photos.
Midday
Drive to Tamgaly Petroglyphs, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site with over 5,000 ancient rock carvings depicting animals, rituals and hunting scenes from the Bronze Age.
Afternoon
Continue to Basshi Village, the gateway to Altyn Emel National Park. Free time to relax.
Evening
Traditional Kazakh dinner at a guesthouse. Overnight in Basshi.
Day 2
Singing Dune & Aktau Mountains
Morning
After breakfast, head to the famous Singing Dune, a massive sand dune that produces a unique "singing" sound when walked on. Climb to the top for panoramic desert views.
Midday
Explore the Aktau Mountains, known for their white and red rock formations. Walk through this surreal landscape, resembling the surface of Mars.
Afternoon
Return to Basshi Village for dinner and free time. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 3
Zharkent, Charyn Canyon & Saty Village
Morning
Drive to Zharkent and visit the famous wooden mosque built without nails, a masterpiece of Central Asian and Chinese architecture.
Midday
Continue to Charyn Canyon, often called "Kazakhstan's Grand Canyon". Hike through the Valley of Castles and admire the towering rock formations.
Afternoon
Drive to Saty Village, a mountain settlement near the Kolsai Lakes. Free time to relax.
Evening
Dinner at a local café or guesthouse. Overnight in Saty.
Day 4
Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes: return to Almaty
Morning
After breakfast, visit Kolsai Lake, one of Kazakhstan's most picturesque lakes. Walk along the alpine shores or ride a horse along the scenic trails.
Midday
Travel to Kaindy Lake, famous for its submerged forest, where tall pines rise from crystal-clear waters. Walk along the lake and take photos.
Afternoon
Depart for Almaty with scenic stops along the way.
Start and finish. Hotel pick-up in the city or at the airport.
2
Charyn Canyon, Valley of Castles
Red sandstone canyon, about 12 million years old. A 2-3 km trail leads down to the river.
3
Saty village
Village at the foot of the Tian Shan with guesthouses and home cooking.
4
Kolsai Lakes
Chain of three alpine lakes among spruce forest. The first lake is an easy walk.
5
Kaindy Lake
Lake formed by a landslide in 1911, with drowned spruce trunks still standing in the water.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoesLayers: mountain weather changes fastSun protection and a capPassport or IDCamera and a power bankA little cash for small purchases
Why Silk Travel
01
Exceptional service
A personal approach to every guest and safety throughout the journey.
02
Dependable SUVs
Air-conditioned 4x4s that reach remote spots, serviced after every tour.
03
Individual tours
No big groups. Change the route, take breaks, extend the trip.
04
Certified guides
Trained at the Kazakh Academy of Sports and Tourism.
Had an excellent three day small group tour to Altyn Emel, Kaindy/Kolsai and Charyn Canyon with Tau. Tau was a terrific guide and I highly recommend him. He was friendly and a lot of fun. He has lots of knowledge of the area and was very generous with his time to allow us all the opportunity to enjoy the area. Also takes great photos!
The places we visited on the tour are beautiful and very worth the effort to travel there. Kazakhstan surpassed all expectations and loved my time there.
d
dyCanada2Hong Kong, China · 13 contributions · Jun 2019 • Friends
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Fantastic guide, amazing trip!
Travelled with my mom in a group tour last June. We had Tau as our guide and it was a magical trip! Great driver and conversationalist, and he took us to some beautiful landscapes and also on some unreal hikes and climbs. Also very well prepared - borrowed many blankets when the temperatures got a little chilly, and had rain ponchos on hand when the weather turned rainy.
After we returned to Almaty, Tau provided great recommendations and showed some pretty neat bars / spots around town.
Hands-down, one of the highlights for summer 2019. Highly recommended. Tau will ensure that you have a great time in Kazakhstan!
E
Excursion29147138082Oct 2025
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6 days private tour in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
“Our guide, Ray, was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible.”
l
lenb277Oct 2025
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A great way to explore Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
“My husband and I tailored the 6 day tour and spent 5 amazing days outdoors.”
r
rosr972025
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Amazing 6-Day Trip
“We had the most wonderful experience in this 6 day tour.”
A
Anisa JJun 2025
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Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan private tour
“We had an amazing time on our private tour of 6 days.”
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nirhkangMay 2025
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Wowed in every destinations
“Made plenty of unforgettable memories. We were well taken care of.”
4
49faridahj2025
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A thrilling 6 day tour
“He tailored and adjusted the tour schedule according to our preference.”
4-day Zhetysu tour from Almaty: Jetisu region by private SUV: what to expect
4-day Zhetysu tour from Almaty: Jetisu region by private SUV is a private 4 days tour from Almaty by comfortable 4x4 SUV with an English-speaking guide-driver. The route is built around the most scenic stops and your own pace. It is a typical Zhetysu tour for travellers who want Semirechye tour without a noisy coach group.
Because the tour is private, the schedule is flexible: start earlier for soft morning light, stay longer at the viewpoints you like, or skip stops that do not interest you. Many guests combine this trip with other Kazakhstan tours from Almaty, such as Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake.
Why book 4-day Zhetysu tour from Almaty: Jetisu region by private SUV with Silk Travel
Silk Travel is a local Almaty travel agency working since 2019. We run private tours in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with certified guides, inspected vehicles and a clear price for the whole group, so there are no surprises on the day. A manager confirms your request quickly in WhatsApp, Telegram or by email.
Our guides speak English and know the region: where the road is closed after rain, when the lakes are quiet, which cafés are worth a stop. That local knowledge is what turns a standard excursion from Almaty into a good private trip.
Who this private tour is for
This tour suits couples, families with children, solo travellers who prefer a private guide, photographers, small groups of friends and business travellers with a free day or a stopover in Almaty. If you are comparing group tours and private tours in Kazakhstan, a private SUV format gives you more comfort, privacy and control over time.
Best time to go and what to prepare
Most Almaty region and Central Asia routes are best from late spring to early autumn, while mountain roads and high lakes depend on weather, so we always check conditions before departure. Wear comfortable walking shoes, take layers for changing mountain weather, sun protection, your passport or ID and a power bank. Tell us your dates and the number of travellers and we will suggest the best day for 4-day zhetysu tour from almaty: jetisu region by private suv.
How to book
Choose the tour, send a request with your dates, group size and hotel in Almaty, and receive a confirmation with the final price. Prepayment details, pick-up time and the programme are sent in the same message. You can also ask for a custom route, an extra day or a Kyrgyzstan extension.
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Questions about this tour
How do I book?
Send a request or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm within an hour of the form being filled in.
Are the tours private?
Yes. Every tour is private, with no large groups, and the itinerary can be adjusted.
What vehicles do you use?
Air-conditioned SUVs, inspected after every tour.
What if prices differ by group size?
Prices are quoted per group; send your dates and number of people for an exact offer.
Photos
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