Tour to the mounds of Besshatyr
Tourist trips in Almaty region –
Traveling to the natural attractions of the Almaty-Emel park –
Besshatyr-mounds, ancient places of power, are located in the Altyn-Emel park near the city of Almaty. This tour is for 3 days and 2 nights. The mounds are located on a plain in a very beautiful place in the Almaty region, this place is also famous for its natural attractions. The mounds are large mounds of stones piled in a heap, the mounds are quite large, there are smaller mounds nearby, and there are also installed stone menhirs. On this trip, we will visit such attractions of the park as: the city of Konaev (Kapshagai), the Terekty gorge, the Terekty rock paintings, the Ili River, the Singing Dune (Dune), the Katutau Mountains, the Aktau Mountains, etc. The trip is made on comfortable 4x4 jeeps, we will live in guest houses along the route, if you wish, you can live in your base camp, but for this we will need to take all the necessary equipment, tents, sleeping bags, a field kitchen, etc.
GPS coordinates: 43°55′22″N 78°12′38″E
The route of the trip to the Altyn-Emel National Park to the mounds of Besshatyr:
Almaty – Kunaev city (Kapshagay) – Besshatyr barrows – Terekty gorge (petroglyphs) – Ili river – Shengeldy settlement – Saryozek settlement – Altyn-Emel pass – Basshi settlement – Altyn-Emel national park – Singing dune – Katu tau mountains – Aktau mountains – Almaty
- Distance of the route:
901 km
- Season time:
all season
- Best time:
Spring, Summer, Autum
- Group size:
1-25
- Days & nights:
3 days. 2 nights
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Almaty - Shengeldy village - 1 cordon of the Altyn-Emel park (145 km). On the way, we pass a bridge over the Ili River in the vicinity of the Kapshagay reservoir and then our path goes to the east.
We pass the first railway station Kapshagay after Almaty and from here our path turns to the southeast, into the valley that stretches along the right bank of the Ili River. We pass the village of Shengeldy and soon arrive at the first cordon of the Altyn-Emel park. Going through the formalities of entering the park.
Transfer: 1st post of the Altyn-Emel park - Terkety gorge (13 km). In this gorge there are rock paintings with images of hunting scenes and wild animals. Walk to the rock paintings.
Transfer: Terekty gorge - Besshatyr burial mounds (28 km). The ancient burial mounds of Besshatyr belong to the era of the early Iron Age (VII - VI centuries BC). There are ancient graves here. The mounds of Besshatyr consist of thirty-one mounds, in the largest - "Royal", the leader of the Saks is buried. Walk in the vicinity of the mounds of Besshatyr. Dinner.
Transfer: Besshatyr barrows - 1st post of the Altyn-Emel park (32 km). Passing the exit formalities from the park.
Transfer: 1 post - Shengeldy village - Saryozek village - pass - Altyn-Emel - Basshi village (179 km). Arrival in the village of Basshi, paperwork for visiting the Altyn-Emel National Park, accommodation in the guest house "Altyn-Emel" or "Aigeykum", dinner at the guest house.
Breakfast. Transfer: Basshi - Aktau mountains (71 km). After the village of Basshi we pass two small villages and after them our path lies to the east between the Aktau mountains and the Ili river. Gradually, the country road leads us to the mountains and the further path runs along the southern slopes of the Katu-Tau and Aktau mountains. Arrival at the colorful mountains of Aktau, a walk up the gorge.
Transfer: Aktau mountains - Katu-Tau gorge (26 km). Arrival to the Katu-Tau rock massif, walks in the surroundings. Dinner.
Transfer: Katu-Tau gorge - Kosbastau cordon tract (27 km). Walk in the vicinity of the tract.
Transfer: Kosbastau - Basshi village (29 km). Arrival in Basshi. Dinner, overnight in a guest house.
Breakfast. Transfer: Basshi village - Shagan cordon - Mynbulak cordon - Singing Dune (48 km).
Transfer: Singing dune - Valikhanov spring (2 km).
Transfer: Valikhanov spring - Oshaktas monument (8 km).
Transfer: Oshaktas - Mynbulak cordon (1 km). At the Mynbulak cordon, you can visit a small pond inhabited by a small family of carp and other fish. Ancient willows, half a century old, will also attract your attention, in their shade you can relax after visiting the Singing Dune and drink cold water from the spring.
Transfer: Mynbulak - Basshi village (37 km). Arrival in Basshi village, lunch.
Transfer: Basshi - Almaty (255 km). Completion of the program.
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