Tour to Kiin-Keriish Valley and Lake Markakol
Travel from Ust-Kamenogorsk to Kiin-Keriish –
Jeep tour to Lake Markakol –
Lake Markakol is easily accessible in summer, on the way to the lake we will visit the famous mountain valley Kiin-Keriish, both attractions are quite popular. Our starting point will be the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk, the second checkpoint along the route is Bukhtarma reservoir, the third control point lake Zaisan, fourth Shekelmes Valley (tract). All these places are natural attractions of the East Kazakhstan region and the whole trip will take place in this area, the nature of the region is incredibly beautiful and fascinating. This tour includes 6 days of travel.
Route according by program: Ust-Kamenogorsk – Bukhtarma reservoir – Lake Zaisan – Shakelmes tract – Kein-Kerish tract – Lake Markakol – Ust-Kamenogorsk
- Distance of the route:
1046 km
- Season time:
summer time
- Best time:
June, July, August
- Group size:
1-25
- Days & nights:
6 days, 5 nights
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Ust-Kamenogorsk – Kaznakovskaya ferry (175 km). Arrival at Kaznakovsk ferry, waiting for the ferry.
Crossing to the opposite shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir (4 km). Further transfer: Kaznakovskaya ferry – Kurchum village (34 km). Lunch in the village of Kurchum.
Transfer: Kurchum village – Barak Batyr village – Karatogai village – Sarykaryn tract – Shekelmes tract on the shore of Lake Zaisan (133 km).
After the village of Karatogai, we turn off the asphalt road and drive 51 kilometers along the steppe road. Arrival in the Shekelmes Valley (tract), a walk in the vicinity of the Shekelmes Valley, photographing the sunset in the vicinity of the tract and Lake Zaisan. Setting up a tent camp, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Half a day of walking in the vicinity of the Shekelmes tract and Lake Zaisan. Dinner.
Moving: Shekelmes tract – Sarykaryn tract, Kein-Keriish tract. Arrival in the Kein-Keriish tract. Setting up a camp in the upper part of the tract, from where a magnificent and picturesque view of the layers of sedimentary rocks with non-repeating shapes and different colors of the soil opens. Walking in the vicinity of the tract to the panoramic sunset point. Return to the camp, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Photographing the tract at sunrise. A walk in the vicinity of the Kein-Keriish tract. Dinner.
Moving: Kein-Keriish tract – Kalzhyr settlement - Markakol settlement (former name Alekseevka, Terekty) (118 km). Arrival in the village of Markakol, shopping.
A short walk around the village, visit and inspection of old brick buildings in the village, built at the beginning of the XX century.
Transfer: Markakol village – Darelbiiga Mountains – Marble Pass (21 km). There is a border post in the vicinity of the village of Moildy, where documents and border passes are checked.
Transfer to the Marble pass 1317 meters above sea level. Stop at the pass from here opens a majestic panorama of the surrounding area. In the south, on the territory of China, the dunes and sands of the Akkum and Kyzylkum deserts are clearly visible, which borders the territory of Kazakhstan with its northern edge. In the south, the Marble Mountain rises, composed of marble rocks with a height of 1398.3 meters above sea level.
Moving: Marble Pass – nameless pass with a height of 1452.3 meters above sea level – Akzhalau village – Belezek River – Tikkabak pass with a height of 1804.6 meters above sea level – Urunhaika village (Lake Markakol) 1447 meters above sea level (37 km). Arrival in the village of Urunhaika, accommodation in a guest house or in tents, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Walking tour in the vicinity of Lake Markakol. The ascent to the mountain, which is located east of the village of Urunhaika, offers a magnificent panorama of the lake and the surrounding mountains (1 + 1 = 2 km). We will make a short traverse along the ridge and go down to the southern tip of the lake. Return to the village of Urunhaika. After lunch, walk along the eastern shore of Lake Markakol to the fishermen's house (3 + 3 = 6 km). Dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Walk to the Cold Valley (5 km). The cold valley was created by nature itself, it is located among low, gentle mountain ranges. A small pass offers a beautiful view of Lake Markakol, the western part of which is lost in the haze. In the vicinity of the Cold Valley there is an endemic toad, which can be seen in wetlands. Lunch is on the way. Return to the village, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Return to Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Transfer: Urunhaika village – Markakol village – Kalzhyr village – Kurchum village (257 km). Stop in the village of Kurchum, lunch at a local cafe.
Further transfer: Kurchum village – Kaznakovskaya ferry (34 km). Crossing to the opposite shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir (4 km).
Transfer: Kaznakovskaya ferry – Ust-Kamenogorsk (175 km). Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk, the end of the trip.
Photogallery:
