Day 1: Arrival in Almaty.
Arrival in Almaty. Airport pickup and transfer to the hotel. Later, for acclimatization,
we will take a light tour starting with a visit to Medeu, the highest-altitude ice skating rink in the world,
located at 2,100 meters in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. Over 170 world records in speed skating have been set here.
Not impressed? Well, then the enormous dam, towering 150 meters high in the gorge to protect the city from mudflows, will surely amaze you.
You can even climb to the top via an 842-step staircase and, like an ancient ritual on the steps of the Chichen Itza temple, make a wish at the top.
Next, we will ascend to the Shymbulak ski resort. After that, we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant serving delicious traditional Kazakh cuisine, including lamb and horse meat dishes.
After lunch, we will visit the Falcon Show, an impressive demonstration of Kazakhstan’s ancient art of falconry. Then, we’ll enjoy dinner before returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: Almaty – Aral-Tobe
Breakfast at the hotel by 8 AM. Participants will then put on their motorcycle gear, and vehicles will transport you out of the city to the starting point, where your motorcycles and support team will be waiting. We exclude city riding to avoid traffic-related incidents. A short briefing… and we’re off! The adventure begins!We are already in the wild Kazakh steppe – the Koraoi Plateau. A vast, endless expanse perfect for pure freeriding! After riding nearly 100 km through this stunning landscape, we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will tackle our toughest challenge yet – crossing the Tau-Kum Desert. 120 km of endless sand dunes! By evening, we will arrive at a desert oasis resort, where we will relax with delicious food, a swimming pool, and comfortable accommodations.
Day 3: Aral-Tobe – Kapchagai Lake
We start early in the morning. Today, we will ride along the Ili River, the largest river in the region and one of the major waterways of Kazakhstan. This was one of the primary river routes of the Great Silk Road. The day will be hot and long, with a variety of terrain—sand, salt flats, gravel, and more. We will pass by the Nomad Fortress, a film set built for the movie Nomad, which authentically recreates the ancient settlements of Kazakh nomads. By evening, we will arrive at Kapchagai Lake, where we will stay at a comfortable resort and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Kapchagai Reservoir against the backdrop of the Zailiysky Alatau mountain range.
Day 4: Kapchagai Lake – Altyn-Emel National Park
Breakfast. Departure.Today, we leave civilization behind. From now on, your mobile phones will have no signal, and the only people you’ll meet will be nomads on horseback, living in yurts just as their ancestors did for thousands of years. We will ride through the Kohan Plateau, a landscape of rolling hills and ravines. By midday, we will reach the Altyn-Emel Pass and enjoy delicious grilled lamb, freshly prepared by locals. By evening, we will arrive at our guesthouse in the Altyn-Emel National Park, where we will experience the warm hospitality of a Kazakh family.
Day 5: Altyn-Emel – Charyn Canyon
Today’s ride takes us through the protected natural reserve of Altyn-Emel, where we will visit the Singing Dune, famous for its mysterious sounds. If the weather is warm and dry, we may be lucky enough to hear its enchanting "song." Next, we will ride to the colorful mountains of Aktau, a geological wonder with yellow, red, blue, and even purple rock formations. By evening, we will reach Charyn Canyon, where we will stay overnight in yurts at the canyon's base, surrounded by its surreal rock formations.
Day 6: Charyn Canyon – Kolsai Lakes
After breakfast, we will take a short hike through Charyn Canyon before continuing our enduro adventure. Climbing out of the canyon is a tough challenge—few make it without dropping their bike! We will then leave the arid red landscapes behind and ascend into the lush green forests and high mountains of the Tien Shan range. By evening, we will reach Kolsai Lake, where we will stay in a guesthouse overlooking the crystal-clear waters surrounded by dense fir forests.
Day 7: Kolsai Lakes – Assy Plateau
Today, we ride through three major passes – Alabaytal, Bakaly, and Assy. Crossing the Assy River, we will climb to the Assy Plateau (2,500m). This alpine paradise offers blue skies, green meadows, and fresh mountain air. Tonight, we will stay in traditional Kazakh yurts under a sky full of stars.
Day 8: Assy Plateau – Almaty
After breakfast, we will descend through Turgen Gorge and stop for lunch at an open-air restaurant. From here, you will be transferred by vehicles back to Almaty. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner, share photos, exchange gifts, and relax.
Day 9: Transfer to Airport
After a good night’s rest, depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a short walk around Almaty before your airport transfer. Your journey through Kazakhstan may be over, but the unforgettable experiences with Silk Off Road will stay with you for a lifetime!
An Unforgettable Journey on the Trails of the Great Nomads
We have only touched upon the main attractions along our route, but the true magic of this adventure lies in the untold stories of the landscapes we traverse.
Our carefully crafted route weaves together a breathtaking mix of asphalt, sand, gravel, clay, rolling grasslands, dense shrubs, rocky mountain switchbacks, rivers, and ancient forests. The terrain is as wild and untamed as the spirit of adventure itself—so diverse that no words can fully capture its essence.
But the real thrill, adrenaline, and pure exhilaration come when you find yourself on an enduro motorcycle, riding through these hidden trails—routes known only to the Great Nomads.
🚀 This is not just a tour; this is an expedition into the unknown. 🌍🏍🔥