Aksu Canyon and Akmeshit Cave

Description
What's Included
Itinerary
In a backpack
Photos
Upcoming tours

Duration

2 days

Walking distance

4 km

Group size

50 people

Aksu Canyon arose as a result of one of the last cataclysms in the formation of the Tien Shan mountain system. It happened about 10 million years ago. The canyon is a tectonic fissure of heterogeneous pieces of gravel and limestone, connected with each other. It is almost 30 kilometers long.

These picturesque places have a rich history. They remember dinosaurs. In the territory of the reserve Aksu-Zhabagly in shale sediments one can see the fossilized prints of lizards, insects, fish and plants that lived here during the Jurassic period.

"Akmeshit means "White Mosque" in Kazakh. Charming atmosphere of the area allows you to feel a lot of inexpressible emotions. This is connected with the fact that the history of the cave has a lot of interesting legends: some say that women and children of the time of Dzungarian invasion found shelter here, and others altogether mention in their stories an evil dragon, which was chased away by prophet Suleiman. Anyway, the atmosphere of the cave is sure not to make you bored.

The sacred cave has a peculiar climate. It is unique in the sense that in winter time it is warmer here than outside and in spring time, on the contrary, it is cooler. In addition, there are no trees growing around the cave, but there is a so-called "living corner" inside it - a small world, with its own ecosystem. It really looks very unusual, striking the imagination of any tourist.

What's Included:

Transfer
Certified Russian-speaking guide
National Parks Environmental Fees
Accommodation in a hostel in Shymkent
Breakfast on the second day
Additional transfer (sprinter) to Aksu Canyon

What's Not Included:

Meals (Day 1: breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Day 2: lunch and dinner)
Personal expenses
All other expenses not specified in the section included

Itinerary:

1 день

20:30

Gathering of the group

21:30

Departure from Almaty

2 день

06:00

Arrival in the city of Shymkent

06:30 - 07:30

Breakfast

07:30

Departure to the White-Mosque Cave

09:30

Arrival and walk in the cave

10:30

Departure to the Domalak Ana Mausoleum

11:30

Departure to Shymkent

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch in Shymkent

14:00

Adam and Eve Rock (Gayyp yeren Kyryk shylten)

15:30 - 16:30

Arrival and walk (adhere to the rules of the area, strictly closed clothing)