Kazakhstan wasn’t precisely a vacation spot I had pictured myself touring to anytime quickly. Actually, earlier than attending TBEX in Almaty, I knew little or no in regards to the nation, and even much less about Zhetysu.
Then I used to be chosen for a post-conference journey by way of the area, and instantly my itinerary included rafting down the Koksu River, exploring among the most surreal landscapes I’d ever seen and at last checking paragliding off my bucket record.
I’ll admit, after I noticed the phrase “Journey” within the journey title, I’ll have underestimated simply how a lot journey we have been truly speaking about. 😂
However that’s precisely what made Zhetysu one of many largest surprises of my first journey to Kazakhstan. From colourful mountains and large sand dunes to rivers, open landscapes and experiences that pushed me slightlyyyy exterior my consolation zone, this is part of Central Asia I actually hadn’t identified a lot about earlier than visiting.
And in the event you’re the type of traveler who would moderately spend a visit rafting, mountaineering and flying over the panorama than sitting beside a lodge pool all week, Zhetysu deserves to be in your radar.
The place Is Zhetysu, Kazakhstan?
Zhetysu, additionally written as Zhetisu, is a area in southeastern Kazakhstan. Its administrative middle is Taldykorgan, and the present-day Zhetysu Area was formally established in 2022 after the previous Almaty Area was divided.
The area covers round 118,000 sq. kilometers, so we’re not speaking about one little vacation spot you possibly can see in a day. Its geography is extremely different, with every little thing from deserts and rivers to lakes and mountain landscapes. It’s additionally residence to main pure areas together with Altyn-Emel Nationwide Park and the Zhongar Alatau mountain system.
That range is likely one of the issues that makes Zhetysu such an attention-grabbing vacation spot for journey vacationers. You’ll be able to go from climbing a large sand dune sooner or later to rafting a river or paragliding over inexperienced landscapes the subsequent.
And that’s just about what occurred to me.
Associated learn: Go to Kazakhstan – The place Previous Meets New on the Historical Silk Highway
Issues To Do in Zhetysu
1. Paragliding Over Zhetysu Was a Bucket-Record Second
I’m not going to lie: seeing paragliding on the itinerary was one of many largest causes I made a decision to hitch the Journey Zhetysu FAM journey.
Paragliding had been on my journey bucket record for YEARS, however I had completely no thought after I’d truly do it.
I’ve had my justifiable share of adventures involving heights, hot-air balloon rides, ziplining and loads of different actions that in all probability regarded questionable from the bottom, however paragliding at all times appeared totally different.
You’re actually operating off the aspect of a mountain after which… you’re within the air. After which ultimately you need to LAND.
For some cause, that second half may need scared me much more.
On the similar time, each time I’d seen movies of individuals paragliding, it regarded extremely peaceable. There’s one thing about floating above the panorama with nothing blocking the view that I’d at all times wished to expertise for myself.
Our group went paragliding at Tau Zhetysu, and I ended up being one of many final individuals in our group to take off.
Usually, having additional time to face round and take into consideration what you’re about to do is NOT useful. However this time it truly was.
Everybody who landed earlier than me got here again wanting like they have been on some type of happiness excessive, speaking about how unimaginable the expertise was. Seeing their reactions made me noticeably much less nervous. After which it was lastly my flip.
I DID IT.
As soon as we have been truly within the air, a lot of the concern disappeared. It was much more peaceable than I anticipated, and seeing Zhetysu’s inexperienced landscapes stretched out beneath me made the entire expertise really feel surreal. After ready so lengthy to lastly strive paragliding, I couldn’t have requested for a way more stunning place to do it.
One factor I additionally beloved about Tau Zhetysu was with the ability to keep proper close to the paragliding space. Our lodging put us extremely near the motion, and seeing paragliders floating by way of the sky even after I wasn’t the one connected to at least one made all the keep really feel slightly surreal.
For journey vacationers, having the exercise and lodging in the identical space additionally makes the expertise extremely handy.
2. Rafting the Koksu River Was the Journey I Was Most Nervous About
Paragliding would possibly sound scarier, however surprisingly sufficient, rafting was the one I used to be most nervous about.
There’s a easy cause: I’m not a robust swimmer.
Rafting had additionally been on my bucket record for some time, however figuring out I’d be sitting in a raft shifting rapidly down a river positively introduced out the “What precisely have I signed myself up for?” ideas.
As soon as we bought going, although, I LOVED it.
It was thrilling with out feeling like I couldn’t deal with it, virtually like being on a water journey, besides a lot sooner and with the very apparent realization that you just’re on an precise river moderately than inside a theme park. 😂
There have been calmer moments the place I may truly go searching and take within the surroundings, which was completely attractive by the best way, adopted by sections the place everybody was paddling and the adrenaline instantly kicked again in. That mixture is what made it so enjoyable.
For somebody who doesn’t essentially think about herself a hardcore journey traveler, rafting the Koksu River felt like precisely the correct amount of pushing myself exterior my consolation zone.
And sure, I’d completely do it once more.
3. The Landscapes Alone Are Well worth the Journey
Even in the event you’re not concerned about throwing your self off a mountain or rafting down a river, Zhetysu’s landscapes are sufficient cause to discover the area.
This was in all probability what stunned me essentially the most. Elements of the area look SO totally different from each other that it’s exhausting to consider you’re nonetheless touring by way of the identical space.
Probably the most fascinating locations is Altyn-Emel Nationwide Park, the place you’ll discover every little thing from colourful mountains to certainly one of Kazakhstan’s most uncommon pure landmarks: the Singing Dune.
The Aktau Mountains
The Aktau Mountains virtually look painted.
As a substitute of the inexperienced mountain landscapes you would possibly usually image, Aktau is understood for layers of pale white, pink and reddish colours that create these dramatic formations throughout the desert.
It’s the type of panorama that makes you need to cease each couple of minutes as a result of the formations appear to vary relying on the place you’re standing.
The Singing Dune
Then there’s the Singing Dune, which is perhaps one of many coolest pure sights within the area.
Sitting between the Higher and Lesser Kalkan mountains, the dune system covers round 240 hectares, with its bigger southern dune reaching roughly 150 meters excessive. What makes it notably uncommon is the low buzzing or roaring sound that may happen when dry sand strikes alongside the dune.
Sure. The sand mainly sings. The dune itself can also be surreal to see: this monumental golden mountain of sand rising out of an in any other case rocky, open panorama.
And in order for you the total journey expertise, you possibly can try the climb.
I’ll simply warn you now: strolling uphill by way of sand is a wholly totally different exercise, however you’ll get a tremendous view up prime, so I’d say, it’s price it.
Altyn-Emel has designated customer routes connecting sights such because the Singing Dune with different pure and historic websites within the park, making it the type of vacation spot the place it’s price planning sufficient time moderately than dashing by way of.
Between the dunes, colourful mountains, rivers and large open areas, Zhetysu always feels prefer it’s altering round you.
4. Journey Right here Isn’t Solely About Adrenaline
One thing else I appreciated about touring by way of Zhetysu was that the expertise wasn’t solely about bodily journey.
After spending time in Almaty, touring farther into the area gave me a totally totally different perspective on Kazakhstan. Issues felt extra native and slower-paced.
We ate home-style Kazakh meals, discovered about native traditions and traveled by way of locations that felt worlds away from the fashionable metropolis surroundings I’d skilled in Almaty.
And sure, Kazakhstan was additionally the place I attempted horse meat for the primary time. That was an journey of its personal.
Meals is such an enormous a part of understanding a vacation spot, and sitting all the way down to conventional meals between all of our actions gave me an opportunity to expertise one other aspect of the area.
These quieter cultural moments ended up being simply as memorable as among the adrenaline-filled ones.
That’s why I believe Zhetysu works notably effectively for vacationers who need journey AND tradition, moderately than a visit constructed totally round excessive actions.
5. What Stunned Me Most About Zhetysu
Actually? How a lot there was to expertise.
I went into this journey figuring out virtually nothing about Zhetysu, which meant I additionally didn’t have many expectations.
I actually wasn’t anticipating such different landscapes. I wasn’t anticipating the traditions and cultural experiences to be a lot enjoyable.
And I positively wasn’t anticipating navigating Kazakhstan to really feel as manageable because it did.
There was a language barrier at occasions, particularly as soon as we have been exterior the larger cities, however I discovered individuals to be form and useful all through my journey. Between translation apps, slightly endurance and the common language of pointing at issues when all else fails, communication was simpler to navigate than I’d nervous it might be.
Most of all, the character stunned me.
Kazakhstan is HUGE, and my time in Zhetysu made me understand simply how a lot of the nation exists past the town experiences vacationers would possibly initially affiliate with Almaty or Astana.
There are mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes and nationwide parks, and a lot of it nonetheless felt utterly unfamiliar to me earlier than I arrived.
Ought to Journey Vacationers Go to Zhetysu?
Sure. In case your supreme journey consists of nature, out of doors actions, cultural experiences, and locations that also really feel slightly sudden, Zhetysu belongs in your radar.
You don’t must be an excessive journey traveler, and I’m actually not. That’s a part of why I loved the journey a lot. It pushed me exterior my consolation zone, and I didn’t must turn into knowledgeable hiker or adrenaline junkie to get pleasure from it.
My time in Zhetysu was just one a part of my first journey to Kazakhstan, and it positively left me desirous to see extra.
Should you’re planning an extended journey, I’ve put collectively my full Kazakhstan journey information, overlaying my time in Almaty and Zhetysu, the place I stayed, issues to do, day journeys, transportation ideas, what I want I knew earlier than visiting and my expertise touring by way of Kazakhstan as a solo feminine traveler.
As a result of if there’s one factor this journey taught me, it’s that Kazakhstan has WAY extra to discover than I ever realized.
And Zhetysu was a reasonably unimaginable place to start out.
Continuously Requested Questions
Do you have to be a robust swimmer to raft the Koksu River?
I’m not a robust swimmer, and I rafted it and beloved it. The journey alternates calmer stretches with sections the place everybody paddles exhausting. Ask your operator about security gear and any swimming necessities earlier than you go.
Is Zhetysu just for excessive journey vacationers?
No. I don’t think about myself a hardcore adventurer, and the combination of rafting, paragliding, and dune climbing felt like the correct amount of problem. The journey additionally included slower days constructed round home-style Kazakh meals and native traditions.
Will a language barrier make it exhausting to journey in Zhetysu?
I hit a language barrier at occasions, principally exterior the larger cities. Translation apps, endurance, and numerous pointing bought me by way of, and the individuals I met have been form and useful.
How is Zhetysu totally different from Almaty?
Almaty felt like a contemporary metropolis. Zhetysu felt extra native and slower-paced, with extra open landscapes and extra time spent in nature and with native traditions.
