The Assy Plateau stretches across alpine meadows at about 2,200–2,600 m, roughly 100 km southeast of Almaty. It is known for wide views, wildflowers in summer and some of the clearest night skies near the city. The observatory itself is not open to visitors, but the landscape around it is.
The route also includes the Turgen gorge, the Bear waterfall, a trout farm and the Golden Man museum in Issyk, which tells the story of the Saka people. June to September is the most comfortable season.
Highlights
Assy PlateauTrout farmBear waterfallTurgen gorgeGolden Man museumIssyk village
Duration1 day
Activity levelEasy
SeasonMay – October
Detailed tour program
1 day≈ 11 hours
Alpine meadows, waterfalls and Saka history
Morning · Issyk
We drive east to Issyk, where a museum is devoted to the Saka “Golden Man” burial found in a nearby mound.
Late morning · Turgen gorge
A short walk through the forested gorge to the Bear waterfall. The trout farm nearby is a good lunch stop.
Afternoon · Assy Plateau
The road climbs onto a wide plateau of flowers, yurts and grazing horses. There is time for a short walk, a cup of tea in a yurt and photos over the valley.
Evening · Back to Almaty
Descend through the foothills and arrive in the city by early evening.
Start and finish. Hotel pick-up in the city or at the airport.
2
Issyk and the Golden Man museum
Home of the Saka burial mound where the famous golden warrior was found.
3
Turgen gorge and Bear waterfall
Forested gorge with a short trail to a waterfall and a trout farm for lunch.
4
Assy Plateau
High alpine meadows at about 2,500 m with yurts, horses and sweeping views.
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.”
n
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.”
Assy Plateau tour from Almaty: alpine meadows, waterfalls and Saka history: what to expect
Assy Plateau tour from Almaty: alpine meadows, waterfalls and Saka history is a private 1 day tour from Almaty by comfortable 4x4 SUV with an English-speaking guide-driver. Along the way you see Assy Plateau, Trout farm, Bear waterfall, Turgen gorge, Golden Man museum, Issyk village, with time for photos, short walks and local food. It is a typical Assy Plateau tour for travellers who want Assy Turgen 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 Assy Plateau tour from Almaty: alpine meadows, waterfalls and Saka history 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 assy plateau tour from almaty: alpine meadows, waterfalls and saka history.
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
When should I go to Assy?
June to September is the most popular window for meadows and clear mountain weather.
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.
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