Tour of the Eshkiolmes Petroglyphs (Eshkiolmes Chariots)
Eshkiolmes is the name of a famous petroglyph complex located in the Eshkiolmes mountain range in the Almaty region. This complex is considered the largest in Kazakhstan. The petroglyphs are spread over a fairly large area and are found in 28 small mountain gorges.
Here you can find drawings depicting animals, people, and various scenes from ancient human life, including hunting scenes. The main drawings are located in gorges number 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, and 22. One scene, common in other rock art, is an image of an anthropomorphic sun-headed creature. There are also scenes of martial arts, sacrifices, and animal hunting.
Also, unusual for this region, drawings of horse-drawn chariots—chariots, not cargo wagons—were discovered here. There are also many very small, microscopic images.
- Distance of the route:
252 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
1 day
Tour itinerary:
Almaty City – Shengeldy Village – Zhambyl Village – Koksu River – Eshkiolmes Petroglyphs (252 km).
We leave Almaty towards the Kapchagay Reservoir, which is located north of the city. After passing the bridge and dam at the beginning of the Kapchagay Reservoir, our road will gradually begin to curve east. In the distance on the left, we can see the azure waters of the Kapchagay Reservoir, stretching from east to west for about ninety kilometers. After passing the village of Chengeldy, we will travel along the Itjon Plateau, a 25-kilometer-long plateau that lies between the Arkharly Pass and the village.
After crossing the Arkharly Pass, 1,086 meters above sea level, we travel to the village of Mukry along the eastern spurs of the Malaisary ridge. After passing Mukry and the Koksu River, we find ourselves in the foothills of the western slopes of the Dzungarian Alatau. After passing several more villages, we cross the Koksu River and continue along its right bank. Along the way, we pass a dangerous section where cliffs jut out onto the road, accessible only by jeep.
Further, we pass two more small gorges, after which the road becomes a dirt road, running between the southern slopes of the ridge and the Koksu River. We stop at one of the gorges and walk to the Eshkiolmes rock paintings. We have lunch and return to Almaty. The journey is 252 kilometers long.
1. I offer two excursion options, as the passage through the Koksu River intake dam (option 1) may be closed, in which case the second option should be used. The distance from the village of Mukry to the intake dam is 12 kilometers.
2. Russian-speaking guides on this excursion are Alexey Nikolaevich Maryashev, professor, doctor of historical sciences, or Olga Gumirova, writer and journalist.
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