Almaty

Leave Almaty by 05:30 to reach Basshi by 10:00, allowing time to complete permit registration before the lunch-break closure at 13:00. Take the A3 northward out of the city toward Konaev (formerly Kapchagai), then continue northeast on the A3/A351 toward Saryozek. The road is paved throughout and moves quickly in the early morning. Download 2GIS or Maps.me offline maps for the Zhetysu Region before you leave — cell signal becomes unreliable after Konaev and disappears entirely inside the park. The park lies about 295 km from Almaty, taking four to four and a half hours without stops. The Aktau-Katutau circuit covers an additional 140 km of park tracks on top of the Almaty-Basshi drive, so a full fuel load at departure is essential.

Leave Almaty early — 05:30–06:00 is ideal — to make the most of the day and avoid midday heat on arrival. Take the A3 north past the Kapchagai reservoir, then the A351 east through Konaev (formerly Kapchagai city) toward Saryozek. The road is paved and moves quickly. Fill the tank before leaving the city and again at Saryozek, ~180 km into the drive, which is the last certain fuel stop before Basshi. The total drive from Almaty to Basshi park headquarters runs around 295 km and takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours without stopping.

Leave Almaty early via the Kuldja highway (A351) heading east. At Issyk town (about 60 km) turn right toward the Turgen valley. The road is well-paved through the foothills. Refuel and buy supplies in Turgen village — there are small shops and the last petrol station before the plateau. Driving time from Almaty to Turgen Gorge gate is around 2 hours.

Leave Almaty eastbound on the A-351 Kuldjinsky Tract (Кульджинский тракт). The highway runs through Ili district and crosses the flat steppe before the Chilik valley rises on the horizon. Morning departure before 07:00 keeps you clear of city traffic and puts you at the reservoir before midday heat in summer. Fuel up on the eastern outskirts of Almaty; the next reliable stop is Chilik town, 170 km away.

Start from central Almaty and head south along Navoi Street toward the mountains. The route runs through the residential southern edge of the city before reaching the Ayu-Say / Ayusay junction, where the road splits: left into Ayusay Gorge, right into Big Almaty Gorge. The drive from the city centre to the gorge mouth takes about 20–25 minutes in light traffic. Fill up with fuel before leaving — there is nothing beyond the city edge.

Leave central Almaty heading south-east on Dostyk Avenue (проспект Достык). Watch for the signed Butakovka turn-off to the left, past the Medeo area but before the Shymbulak ski resort access road. From the turn-off, a paved road climbs roughly 6 km up through the Butakovka village to the Ile-Alatau National Park eco-post where you park. The drive from downtown Almaty takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.

Leave Almaty by 06:30 to beat the city's slow morning traffic and reach the canyon before the midday heat builds at the floor. The route heads east on Raiymbek Avenue, joins the A-351 (Kuldja highway), and passes through a toll booth about 11 km out. Fuel up at a city petrol station before you go — the forecourts near the toll are convenient but not always the cheapest. The steppe opens immediately once you clear the suburbs and the road runs straight and fast.

The return drive follows the same A-351 west to Almaty, roughly 200 km and 3 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic. Afternoon traffic entering Almaty from the east can slow noticeably after 17:00, especially around the toll booth. Leaving the canyon by 15:00 keeps you ahead of the main evening queue. Chundzha is available for fuel again on the return if needed. The drive back across the steppe offers the same flat horizon and occasional sightings of eagles perching on roadside utility poles.

Depart Almaty on the A-351 highway heading east toward the Chinese border. The road is four lanes out of the city and passes through Shelek before narrowing. Fill up with fuel at a station on the eastern fringe of the city — the next reliable stop is Chilik, about 150 km out. Leave early to clear the city before traffic thickens; the drive is smooth once past the Kapshagay reservoir turn-off.

The return journey retraces the route north out of the Saty valley, rejoins the A-351 near Chilik, and follows the highway west back to Almaty. The drive is 330-340 km and takes approximately 4.5-5 hours without stops. Plan to leave Saty by 09:00 to arrive back in Almaty during daylight and avoid the evening rush on the city's eastern approaches.

Leave Almaty by 06:00 — this is a long day with roughly 9–10 hours of driving and walking. The route heads east on Raiymbek Avenue onto the A-351 highway and passes through a toll booth about 11 km from the city edge. Top up fuel at a petrol station before departure. The steppe opens immediately after the suburbs and the road runs fast and straight. Download offline maps the evening before — Kcell and Beeline signal becomes patchy east of Almaty and disappears inside both canyons.

The return drive retraces the route to Almaty via the same gravel track, the Valley of Castles turnoff, and the A-351 — approximately 315 km and 4 to 4.5 hours including a fuel stop in Chundzha if needed. Aim to leave Moon Canyon by 16:00. Afternoon traffic entering Almaty from the east can back up significantly after 18:30, especially around the toll booth on the city outskirts. The A-351 is well-lit on the outskirts but largely dark across the steppe — wildlife crossing the road is common after dusk, so keep speed in check if you are driving after sunset.

Depart Almaty on the A-3 highway heading northeast toward Taldykorgan. The A-3 leaves the city via the ring road and crosses the Kapchagai reservoir dam roughly 70 km from the city centre. Plan to leave by 06:30: the drive to Tekeli is approximately 5 hours including the Taldykorgan fuel stop, and an early arrival at the ridge gives the best morning raking light on the south-facing petroglyph panels. The route is straightforward on a fast paved highway until Taldykorgan. Fill the tank in Almaty before leaving; do not rely on finding fuel between the city and Taldykorgan at early morning hours.

Depart central Almaty heading south on Dostyk Avenue, continuing onto Gornaya Street into the Small Almaty Gorge. The road is fully paved and carries steady traffic on summer mornings. Bus 12 departs from the Kazakhstan Hotel stop on Dostyk Avenue and runs directly to Medeu for 80 KZT; journey time is about 40 minutes depending on traffic. If driving, turn into the Medeu car park on the left just before the skating complex. Fill up with fuel in the city — there is no station at Medeu.

Leave Almaty via the Kuldzha highway (A-2) heading east. The road is dual-carriageway for most of the first 30 km; allow for a speed-camera zone around the 12 km mark. Fill up the tank before leaving the city — there are no stations inside the gorge. Total distance to the lake is about 72 km from the Old Square.

Leave Almaty early — ideally before 06:00 — to reach the lake well before afternoon. The route heads east on the A-3 highway (Almaty–Bishkek road) before turning onto the A-351 toward Kegen; the first two hours are broad paved highway through steppe. Fill the tank before leaving the city and withdraw enough cash for park fees, local driver hire, and any incidentals. Confirm your border zone permit is in hand, and have your passport accessible rather than buried in a bag.

Leave central Almaty heading north on Al-Farabi Avenue, then pick up the A3 (Almaty–Taldykorgan highway) toward Konaev. The city thins out within 20 minutes. Traffic is lightest before 08:00 on weekdays; weekend mornings can be slow through the northern suburbs. The road is dual carriageway for most of the run to Konaev, flat and easy to drive.

Head west from central Almaty along Raiymbek Avenue (A-2) or the parallel Tole Bi street toward the ring road. At the ring road, continue west on the Upper Kaskelen highway (signed for Kaskelen). The drive to the gorge turn-off covers about 35–40 km from the city centre and takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Fill the tank before leaving — there are no fuel stations beyond Kaskelen town. Bring cash for the eco-post fee inside the gorge. The route is straightforward and flat until the approach to the foothills.

Leave Almaty eastbound on the A351 (Almaty–Khorgos highway). The road exits the city via the Seifullin avenue interchange and quickly reaches four lanes of clear motorway. Fuel up before departure — station density drops once you leave the Almaty agglomeration. The drive to the Shelek turnoff is about 120 km and takes roughly 1.5 hours. Grocery shopping is easiest in Almaty; the Green Bazaar on Zhetysu or any large supermarket covers everything needed for two days.

Depart from Almaty on the A-351 highway heading east. The drive is roughly 330 km and takes around 5–6 hours without stops. Fill the tank in the city — there is no reliable fuel past Chilik, about 90 km out. Stock up on cash, groceries for the trail, and any supplies that might be hard to source in Saty. If you need a border permit for the upper lake, secure it before leaving Almaty; the KNB border service office is in the city.

Leave central Almaty southbound on Dostyk Avenue. The boulevard runs directly toward the mountains in a single straight corridor; follow it all the way to its end at the Medeu complex, roughly 17 km and 30–40 minutes depending on city traffic. Parking is available at the Medeu stadium lot. If driving is not preferred, Bus 12 runs from Dostyk Avenue to Medeu throughout the day.

Depart from Almaty on the A-351 highway heading southeast. The route to Saty is 280 km and takes approximately 4.5 hours of driving time under normal conditions. Fill the tank before leaving the city — last reliable fuel is in Kegen, 236 km out. Carry sufficient cash: there is no ATM in Saty and card readers in the area are unreliable. If you plan to hire a local guide for the jailau section, it is worth contacting your Saty guesthouse in advance to arrange this. Departure by 06:30 allows arrival in Saty before midday and a full afternoon for the jailau drive.

Leave central Almaty via the Kuldzha highway (A-2) heading east. The road is dual carriageway as far as the city edge and carries moderate commuter traffic on weekdays. Talgar begins about 25 km from the Old Square; allow 30–35 minutes without stops. Fill the tank before leaving — petrol is available in both Talgar and Issyk, but there is no reason to risk running low on a day trip this close to the city.

Rejoin the A-2 heading west. The return drive from Issyk to central Almaty is approximately 52 km and takes 55–70 minutes depending on traffic. Traffic density increases approaching the city from around 16:00 on weekdays and from 15:00 on summer weekends. The Kazakh Museum of Archaeology at 44 Dostyk Avenue in Almaty holds the original Golden Man artefacts and a broader collection of Saka and Karakhanid material — a natural extension of the day if the reconstruction at the Issyk museum prompted further interest.

Depart Almaty via the A2 Bishkek highway heading west. The road is clear and fast once past the city limits. Fill the tank before leaving — there are no reliable fuel stations near the site. Plan to leave by 08:00 to reach the gorge mid-morning, when light on the rock faces is good and temperatures are still reasonable.

Depart Almaty via Ryskulov Prospect heading east onto the Kuldzhinka (A351) highway. At around the 35 km mark, turn right toward Esik town and continue through it, following signs for Turgen. At approximately 57 km from the city centre, turn right at the Royal Petrol station — this is the start of the gorge road. Fill up here; there is no fuel beyond this point. The total drive to the park ecopost is around 70–75 km from Almaty, taking 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic leaving the city.

Leave central Almaty southbound on Dostyk Avenue. The boulevard runs in a single straight corridor directly toward the Zailiysky Alatau, covering the 17 km to Medeu in 30–40 minutes depending on city traffic. Park at the Medeu stadium lot or continue by car to the gondola base station. Bus 12 serves this route from central Almaty throughout the day if driving is not preferred. Given the 7–9 hours of hiking ahead, a 07:00–07:30 departure is practical: it allows reaching the glacier terminus before early-afternoon cloudbuilding and returns to the gondola before last operating hours.

Departure point for the A-351 eastbound. The highway leaves Almaty through the Turksib district and passes a toll gate within the first 10 km. Morning traffic on the eastbound approach is manageable by 07:00. Fill the tank and buy provisions at the Carrefour on Al-Farabi or any petrol station on the eastern ring before joining the highway — the first reliable stop is Kapchagai, 89 km ahead across open steppe. Journey time to Zharkent is 4–4.5 hours without stops; the day works best with two deliberate pauses (Kapchagai and Chunja) rather than driving straight through.