3-Day Almaty Tour: Assy Plateau, Turgen Waterfalls & Nomad Experience

I recently made my third visit to Kazakhstan, but it was the first time I truly had the chance to explore the country. My first visit, in 2014, was just a short layover in Almaty, while my second, in 2020, was a work trip to Astana. Each time I left disappointed that I hadn’t been able to experience the incredible landscapes and rich culture this vast country is known for. More than anything, I wanted to see the traditional nomadic way of life and the breathtaking scenery that so many travelers rave about.

With a long weekend in Beijing, I decided to book a short 3-day tour with Trekking Club. I chose one in particular that focused on visiting Assy Plateau, along with other natural highlights around Almaty.

What is Assy Plateau?

Located about three hours east of Almaty, Assy Plateau is a vast alpine grassland in southeastern Kazakhstan. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 2,400–2,800 meters (7,900–9,200 feet), the plateau stretches for dozens of kilometers through the northern Tian Shan Mountains and offers some of the country’s most expansive mountain scenery.

Unlike nearby destinations such as Turgen Gorge, which is known for its forests and waterfalls, Assy Plateau is defined by its wide-open landscapes. Rolling meadows, winding rivers, and snow-capped peaks dominate the scenery, with few signs of development beyond the occasional dirt road, yurt, or herd of grazing horses.

The plateau has long served as a traditional summer pasture used by Kazakh nomadic herders. Every summer, local families move their livestock to the cooler highlands where the grass is abundant, continuing a seasonal migration that has been practiced for centuries. Visitors will often see horses, sheep, cattle, and yurts scattered across the grasslands, offering a glimpse into a way of life that remains an important part of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage.

Assy Plateau is also home to the Assy-Turgen Observatory, one of Kazakhstan’s highest astronomical observatories. Its location was chosen for its dark skies, high elevation, and stable atmospheric conditions, making it an excellent site for astronomical research.

Day 1: Museum, Issyk Lake, Gorge, Bear Waterfall

The day starts with an early morning pickup in Almaty, followed by a drive east along the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range via the historic Kuldja Road, once part of the ancient Silk Way trade route.

The first stop is the Saki (Scythian) Culture Museum near the town of Issyk. The museum is located in the center of what is known as the “King’s Valley,” an area famous for large burial mounds belonging to Saki tribes dating back to the 9th–3rd centuries BC.

One of the burial sites has been excavated and is open to visitors, offering a look at how these ancient rulers and warriors were laid to rest. This includes references to the famous “Golden Man,” one of Kazakhstan’s national symbols. A short guided visit through the museum and the valley takes around 45 minutes.

Issyk Lake

From Issyk, the route continues up into the mountains to Issyk Lake, often called one of the gems of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake is known for its changing colors, which can range from deep steel gray to bright turquoise depending on the season and weather.

Surrounded by mountain peaks, the lake reflects the landscape on calm days, making it one of the most scenic spots in the region and a popular stop for visitors heading into the mountains.

Turgen Gorge & Bear Waterfall Hike

After lunch, the journey continues to Turgen Gorge, an area known for its forests, waterfalls, and rich vegetation. Before reaching camp, there is a short hike to Bear Waterfall, the first of the Turgen waterfalls. The walk takes about one hour and offers an easy introduction to the gorge’s natural scenery.

Glamping Overnight

We arrived at the trekking camp in the late afternoon. I settled in, relaxed, and enjoyed dinner before spending the night in a glamping-style setup surrounded by nature. The evening was quiet, with fresh mountain air and views of the surrounding valley.

Day 2: Jeep-tour by Assy highland plateau

After breakfast, we left camp and headed deeper into the mountains for a full-day jeep tour to Assy Plateau. The road climbed steadily, and the landscape gradually changed from forested valleys into wide open alpine grasslands.

Assy Plateau was one of the most impressive parts of the trip. It was a vast high-altitude steppe with rolling green hills, rivers cutting through the valley, and mountains stretching across the horizon. There were very few settlements and the valley was open and quiet, with herds of horses and livestock spread across the landscape.

One of the main highlights was a visit to a local family living in a traditional yurt on the summer pasture.

We were invited inside and offered kumis (fermented horse milk), a traditional drink in Kazakh nomadic culture. It was a simple experience, but it gave a clear look into how families live here in the summer—moving with their animals and staying in yurts while using the high pastures for grazing.

Later, there was a chance to go horseback riding across the plateau. Riding through Assy was one of the best ways to experience the scale of the area, with open grasslands in every direction and mountain views throughout the ride.

In the afternoon, we returned toward camp after a full day exploring the plateau and experiencing both the landscape and local way of life.

Day 3: Kairak Waterfall Hike – Back to Almaty

After breakfast at the camp, we set out on a hike to Kairak Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the area at around 70 meters high. Unlike some seasonal waterfalls, Kairak flows year-round and never dries up.

The trail starts near the confluence of the Turgen and Kishi-Turgen rivers and continues for about 8 km one way, making it a roughly 5-hour round-trip hike (I did it in 3.5 though lol).

The path is relatively smooth and easy to follow, making it a comfortable hike with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. Along the way, the route passes through dense spruce forests and open sections filled with alpine meadows and wildflowers, depending on the season.

After reaching the waterfall and spending some time at the base, we hiked back to camp and arrived in the afternoon for a late lunch. Following a short rest, we packed up and drove back to Almaty, marking the end of the trip.

Overall Thoughts?

I had an amazing 3 days on this tour and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It finally gave me the chance to see the true beauty of Kazakhstan and connect more closely with local people.

In terms of natural beauty in Central Asia, I would still place Kazakhstan just after Kyrgyzstan, which remains my personal favorite country in the region. When I first visited Kazakhstan 12 years ago as a 23-year-old, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. But I always felt I needed to come back and give it another chance—and this trip proved that I was right to do so.

Like many countries in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is defined by its hospitality. The people are warm, welcoming, and genuinely enjoy sharing their culture with visitors. There is a clear desire to show a different side of the country and move beyond outdated stereotypes.

This third visit was a success, and it’s the people I met along the way who made it so memorable. Much respect to Kazakhstan!