Tour to Dardamti petroglyphs in Almaty region
Dardamty is the name of the famous petroglyphs located in the Almaty region, in the Uyghur district. The petroglyphs are located on the steep slopes of the Ketmen Mountains.
The petroglyphs date back to the Bronze Age and the first millennium BC. They depict primarily animals, including deer, argali, and ibex. Researchers believe there are also Iron Age images. Traces of ancient human settlements have been preserved near the petroglyphs; they are clearly visible from the mountain.
No excavations have been conducted at the settlements; ancient burial mounds have also been discovered in the area. Judging by the terrain, the entire complex was located along a nomadic trail.
- Distance of the route:
590 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
2 days - 1 night
Tour itinerary:
Almaty – Baiseit Village – Nura Village – Kokpek Village – Chundzha Village – Dardamty Village – Dardamty Rock Art (295 km).
After breakfast, we leave the city along the Kuldzha Highway and travel to the village of Avat, after which we turn right and head east along the Bakovskaya Road along the Big Almaty Canal. Upon reaching the village of Malovodnoye, we visit the six nearby burial mounds north of it. We explore them and take photos.
Further forty-four kilometers, we reach the Saka-era burial mounds located north of the village of Chilik. The largest mound here, twenty meters high, is located near the Big Almaty Canal; the remaining four mounds are located eight hundred meters south of the large mound. We stroll, explore the burial mounds, and take photos. We then have lunch at a Uyghur café and continue along the Bakovskaya Road.
After driving 155 kilometers and passing the villages of Malybai, Bayseit, Nura, Kokpek, and Chundzha, we reach the village of Dardamty, near which the Dardamty caves are located. After the village, we drive along the right bank of the Dardamty River, crossing the river along a dry tributary.
Upon reaching the archaeological cave, we walk along a mountain path that runs down the slope to the cave. After three kilometers, we reach a prehistoric site, where we explore the cave and its surroundings and take photos.
Returning from our walk, we drive to the Dardamty petroglyphs. These rock paintings, dating from the Saka period, are located at an altitude of 1,355 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, we set up camp and stroll to the rock carvings, taking photos. Then we return to camp, have dinner, and rest.
Dardamty Rock Carvings – Almaty (292 km).
After breakfast, we'll take a guided tour of the petroglyphs. They are depicted on the rocks; please exercise caution when climbing. After completing the tour, we'll pack our lunchboxes and head back to Almaty.
Photogallery:
