Excursion to Tamgaly - Ak-Kainar - Kuljabasi - Akterek petroglyphs of Kazakhstan
The stone gallery of the Tamgaly gorge was opened on September 19, 1957 by the Zhetysu detachment of the South Kazakhstan archaeological expedition of the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR under the leadership of Anna Georgievna Maksimova, the first professional archaeologist of Kazakhstan. Although the petroglyphs were discovered by accident, the essence of the discovery was as follows: one of these ancient settlements on the territory of Kazakhstan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Distance of the route:
479 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
3 days - 2 nights
Tour itinerary:
Almaty City – Samsy Village – Targap Village – Kopa Railway Station – Karabastau Village – Tamgaly Ravine (170 km, 3 hours).
From Almaty, we head to the Tamgaly petroglyphs and travel along the Almaty-Bishkek highway.
En route, we pass through the villages of Samsy and Targap, and at 103 kilometers, we turn right toward Kopa Station. We continue for another sixty kilometers, then pass the village of Karabastau, where we turn off the main road toward the nearby hills. There is parking here, as well as tables, benches, and other amenities. Tamgaly Nature Reserve staff also reside here. Next, we walk six hundred meters to the beginning of our excursion to the Tamgaly petroglyphs.
We visit the images themselves, ancient burial grounds and burial sites, stroll through the surrounding area, and take photos. After lunch, we drive to the Ak-Kainar tract, located 43 kilometers away. After passing the village of Karabastau, we follow a dirt road winding between small hills. Upon reaching the third group of petroglyphs, we set up camp, have dinner, and rest.
Ak-Kainar Tract – Akterek Gorge]
Ak-Kainar Tract – Matybulak Village – Otrar Station – Shynarau Station – Anrakhai Station – Kulzhabasy Petroglyphs – Otar Station – Akterek Village – Akterek Gorge (159 km).
After breakfast, we head to the Kulzhabasy rock carvings. After a 54-kilometer drive, we reach Kulzhabasy. We take a tour of the petroglyphs, explore the local settlements and burial grounds, stroll, and take photos.
After lunch, we head to the Ak-Terek Gorge, which is 105 kilometers from Kulzhabasy. Upon reaching the gorge, we set up camp on the riverbank, have dinner, and rest.
Akterek Gorge – Akterek village – Targap village – Samsy village – Almaty (150 km).
After breakfast, we'll head out on an excursion to the Ak-Terek petroglyphs, explore ancient settlements, stroll through the gorge, and take photos. After lunch, we'll head back to Almaty. The journey will be 150 kilometers.
Photogallery:
