Tour Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: June-October
Best Period: June, August-September
Route Complexity: Quite easy combined route for riders with confident level of mtb cycling and for those who likes cycling along the mountain trails. Approximate ratio of asphalt and well-groomed ground roads is 50/50.
Height Difference: 620 meters
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1. Almaty - Turgen Gorge - Kairak Waterfall
Departure from Almaty at 08:00. Transfer to Turgen gorge where path to Bear waterfall starts. Beginning of cycling (approx. 8 km) till the point where path to Kairak waterfall starts. Lunch in stationary campsite, rest. Then you will continue cycling to Kairak waterfall and back (approx. 16 km).
Turgen Gorge located in the Ile-Alatau Natural Park, 90 km far from Almaty, and is famous for its coniferous and mixed forests, relict fir moss, which is creeps along the ground and forms a solid spruce carpet, alpine and subalpine meadows, lakes and springs, hot springs, medicinal plants and berries, as well as for its waterfalls. The most easily accessible one is Bear waterfall, having height of 28 meters. Even on a hot day water temperature does not exceed 12 degrees, that is why the waterfall mist refreshes and invigorates. The name of the waterfall is not accidental. Here, in zone of mixed forests, there are lots of places where Tien Shan white-claw bears find their food. But you will go towards the highest waterfall among seven waterfalls situated in Turgen gorge – Kairak. It’s height is about 55 meters. On the way to Kairak waterfall you will also have a chance to visit Chinturgen moss spruces. Their uniqueness is in growing on the moss which thickness is about 40 cm. Sun rays reach this narrow gorge very seldom and because of this fact foci of permafrost were kept here from times of Ice Age.
Coming back to the campsite. Dinner, shower or bathhouse on request. Overnight in tent campsite.
Day 2. Turgen Gorge - Asy Plateau
Breakfast at 09:00. Quite interesting part of the route is waiting for you then - ascent to astrophysical observatory situated on Asy plateau. You will overcome almost 16 km with elevation about kilometer. This cycling part requires good physical training, so, those participants who feel tired can continue in the car. Views from car’s window are also stunning and exciting.
Asy Plateau is a vast plain at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountain ranges with height over 3000 m a.s.l. On the southwest side, the valley is closed by snow-capped peaks, from which the glaciers "flow down". Along the river the forests are stretching, consisting mainly of the Tien-Shan spruces. The plateau is stretched for 40 km and its width in some places reaches 15 km. Asy Plateau – a traditional summer grazing since ancient times, now turned into a pasture of national importance. Along the river Asy there are ancient burial mounds and rock paintings, which are ones of the most high mountainous concentrations of petroglyphs in Kazakhstan. Besides, the well-known in Kazakhstan mountain observatory is also located at Asy plateau.
Overlooking the observatory on distance. It is strategic object and visitors are not allowed to enter inside. Then, short ride to the overnoght site. Setting a camp. Walking in surroundings on request, may be even picking the mushrooms. Dinner around the campfire. Overnight in tents.
Day 3. Assy Plateau - Turgen Gorge - Almaty
Breakfast at 09:00. Packing stuff and starting the last and the most dynamic part of the cycling route – descent about 10 kilometres! It will take one hour. There will be steep and dangerous parts on the route, it’s necessary to take it into account and to be very attentive. After descent, lunch will be arranged in familiar campsite. Rest and transfer to Almaty.
