Tour to Bayan Jurek petroglyphs
We invite you to visit the Bayan-Zurek petroglyphs on a two-day tour of the Almaty region. The Bayan-Zurek petroglyphs are ancient rock carvings of our ancestors, who inhabited the territory of today's Kazakhstan in ancient times.
The petroglyphs are located in the Kapal Aksu district of the Almaty region. The main landmark is the village of Kapal, 25 kilometers from the village of Kapal to the petroglyphs.
The petroglyphs are divided into two groups: one group is called Bayan-Zurek, the other is called Tassbasskaya. The complex contains 2,500 images.
- Distance of the route:
728 km
- Season time:
May - September
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
not more 12 person
- Days & nights:
2 days - 1 night
Tour itinerary:
Almaty – Kapchagay town – Shengeldy village – Arkharly Pass – Saryozek village – Mukry Pass – Mukry village – Balpyk-Bi village – Baktybaya Zholbarysuly village – Taldykorgan town – Akynsara village – Tambaly village – Akeshki village – Kapal village – Bayan-Zurek Petroglyphs (364 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 head east. To the left, in the distance, 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'll travel along the 25-kilometer-long Itjon Plateau, which lies between the Arkharly Pass and the village. After passing the Arkharly Pass, 1,086 meters above sea level, we'll travel to the village of Mukry along the eastern spurs of the Malaisary Range. After passing the Mukry Pass, we'll find ourselves in the foothills of the western slopes of the Dzungarian Alatau.
Further, after bypassing the city of Taldykorgan, we'll pass a military airfield. Following this road for another forty-seven kilometers, we'll turn toward the village of Kapal. After thirty-nine kilometers, we'll reach the village, and ten kilometers beyond that, we'll leave the paved road and turn onto a dirt road.
After driving seven kilometers along this road, we reach our destination. Now we'll take a walk to the Bayan-Zurek petroglyphs, explore them, and take photos. Next, we'll visit the ancient burial grounds. We'll return to camp, have dinner, and rest.
Bayan-Zurek Rock Art – Kapal Village – Akeshki Village – Tambaly Village – Akynsara Village – Taldykorgan City – Baktybaya Zholbarysuly Village – Balpyk-Bi Village – Mukry Village – Mukry Pass – Saryozek Village – Arkharly Pass – Shengeldy Village – Kapshagay City – Almaty City (364 km).
After breakfast, we'll head on an excursion to the Bayan-Zurek petroglyphs, located in the very first gorge of the Bayan-Zurek Mountains. Single images and complex compositions reflect the way of life, beliefs, and worldview of the tribes and peoples who inhabited this area from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. We'll explore the petroglyphs and take photos. We'll have lunch and head back to Almaty, stopping en route for a sightseeing tour of the village of Kapal.
Photogallery:
