Hard-to-reach natural attractions in the Almaty region -
Jeep tour to the Amanzhol Gorge -
Amanzhol Gorge is a picturesque mountain gorge located at an altitude of 2814 meters above sea level in the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains in the Kolsay Lakes National Park. "Amanzhol" in Kazakh means "Prosperous Road" or "Happy Road". In the upper reaches of the gorge is the high-mountain Amanzhol Pass, 3550 meters above sea level, through which you can get to the Asy (Assy) plateau, where the Asy-Turgen high-mountain observatory is located, or go down to the Batan tract in the Turgen Gorge. This route is accessible in both directions, both from Kolsay Park and from Turgen Gorge. A detailed program with a description of the route is available at this link "Horseback ride through the Amanzhol Pass".
Up the Amanzhol Gorge from the Shilik (Chilik) River valley, there is a picturesque mountain dirt road that will take you to the most beautiful high-mountain pastures and meadows. This location is accessible only in the summer, July, August, in winter it is completely impossible to travel here. The entire route along the gorge runs along the river, which is also called Amanzhol, in some places you will have to ford the river. It is recommended to travel here exclusively by 4x4 high-traffic jeeps, consisting of at least two cars. The places are very remote, cellular does not work here, so we recommend using satellite phones or star link stations here to access satellite Internet. There is a mountain route through this gorge, which runs through the mountains and is accessible by car, on foot and on horseback. The walking or horseback route lasts for several days, at least 6 days, maximum 9 days, you can drive faster by car. The path to the gorge starts from the village of Saty, where there are guest houses and which serves as a starting point for the entire national park. Here you can also visit such easily accessible natural attractions as the Kolsay Lakes and Lake Kaindy. For lovers of jeep tours and hiking in the mountains, such gorges as the Karasai Gorge and the Kurmenty Gorge with their natural attractions and beauties are well suited. In the Kurmenty Gorge there is the village of Kurmenty, where there are guest houses, and in the village, you can also rent horses for a walk up the gorge.
How to get there and visit -
Amanzhol Gorge is located in the Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains in the Kolsay Lakes National Nature Park and Reserve, the upper reaches of the Shilik (Chilik) River, Kegen District, Almaty Region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°06'09"N 77°49'44"E
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