3-day Kumbelsu Glacier Lake Trekking
About this tour
Trekking into the wild valley of Kumbelsu mountain gorge famous by its magnificent glaciers, lakes and sharpen rocky peaks with the altitude over 4000+ meters. This itinerary is not so popular among the tourists so you will be away from crowds and could enjoy the wilderness and harmony with nature.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Ayusay Visitor Centre, Alma-Arasan, Kazakhstan
Meeting the guide at your place in Almaty at 8:00 am and transfer to the mountain resort Alpine Rose located in the Big Almaty Gorge. Hiking to the Shukur pass with the altitude of 3050 meters. It will be long and picturesque uphill by comfy and wide road in the coniferous forest in the beginning which smoothly turns onto the narrow path running through the bushes of juniper and skirting groups of small rocks. After few hours of tough work, you will be rewarded by stunning panoramic view to the neighboring Gorge Kumbelsu with its impressive glaciers and peak like Soviet peak, Molodyozhniy, Lokomotiv. Resting on the pass, eating snacks and enjoying the views. Descent to the valley of river Kumbelsu and short uphill to the glade with a place for campsite. Pitching tents, cooking dinner, having rest and watching sunset reflecting from the snow peaks. Distance: 7 km. Elevation gain/loss: +1140 m, -50 m. Duration: 4-6 hours Campsite altitude: 3000 m
Day 2: Ile-Alatau National Park, Жанашар, Kazakhstan
Getting up at 7 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start of the hiking to the Glacier Lake located on the moraine at the foothills of the Soviet peak. This lake is also known as “Lake #13” in terms of the hydrologists classification who regularly visit it and observe the changes in the amount of the water which can cause a threat of a mudflow. Hike to the lake will be going through the alpine meadows and by conglomerates of mud, stones and grass. On the shore of the lake with the altitude of 3560 meters, you will have enough time to have rest, enjoy the view of giant pices of the ice hanging above the water, admire of amazing colors of the lake and watch deliberate and severe life of the highlands. Return back to the campsite, packing going down to the Shukur Gorge through the pass. Arrival to the campsite in the coniferous forest, setting up tents. Cooking dinner and having rest near the fire. Distance: 11 km Elevation gain/loss: +560/-1050 m Hiking time: 6-7 hours Campsite altitude: 2450 m
Day 3: Big Almaty Lake BAL, Almaty, Kazakhstan to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Getting up at 7 am. Breakfast and preparations. Start of the hiking to the Shukur waterfall located in the end of the valley near the path leading to the peak Skalistiy. Return back to the campsite, packing and hiking to the Big Almaty Lake by crossing a little pass dividing Shukur and Ozyornoye mountain Gorges. After passing the last ascent you will hike downhill and see panorama of charming Big Almaty Lake. Here you can have a rest on the bench and take amazing pictures. Further the path will be going along the lake’s shore and will end up near the dam where the guard officers are usually on duty, because the lake is a strategic object and its water is used to supply part of Almaty city by drinking water. Transfer back to Almaty. Distance: 12 km Elevation gain/loss: +600/-260 m Hiking time: 4-5 hours
What's included
1. Return transfer from Almaty. 2. English-speaking trekking guide services. 3. Meals: dinner on Day 1, breakfast and dinner on Day 2, breakfast and lunch on Day 3. 4. Drinking water. 1. Return transfer from Almaty. 2. English-speaking trekking guide services. 3. Meals: dinner on Day 1, breakfast and dinner on Day 2, breakfast and lunch on Day 3. 4. Drinking water.
1. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program. 2. Individual snacks. 3. Rental of camping equipment (available upon request). 4. Accommodation in Almaty before or after the tour. 5. Visa support and registration in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if required. 6. Insurance policy.
Languages spoken
What to know
Required clothing and equipment: - Light functional trekking long pants or leggings; - T-shirt or light shirt with long sleeve; - Cap or panama hat for sun and heat protection; - Neck tube; - Trekking waterproof boots or similar with a good protector sole and high lacing; - Hiking gaiters (for feet protection in case of wet weather); - Membrane or other water and wind resistant light jacket and pants; - Raincoat poncho; - Warm fleece or polartec jacket; - Light down vest or puff; - Thermal base layer; - Two pair of hiking socks; - Beanie; - Fleece or polartec gloves; - Headlamp; - Sunglasses; - Sunscreen with high UVA protection; - Personal dishes: fork, spoon, mug, bowl, knife; - Personal hygiene items; - Small towel; – Swimming suit; - Water container; - Thermos for hot tea; - Trekking poles; - Personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases); - Sleeping bag with temperature 0 +3 degrees Celsius in comfort zone; - Sleeping pad; - Hiking backpack with volume 50-70 liters; - Backpack rain cover; – Remedy for mosquitoes, flies, horseflies and ticks; – Isothermal foil survival blanket; – Matches or a lighter in a waterproof package; – Chargers and cords for your electronic devices (power bank or compact solar panel); - Energy, protein, muesli bars, dry fruits, chocolate, nuts or other preferred snacks;
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan to Ayusay Visitor Centre, Alma-Arasan, Kazakhstan