Overview
The return drive retraces the A-351 westbound for 350 km back to Almaty, taking 4–4.5 hours without stops. Morning departure between 07:00 and 08:00 puts you back in Almaty by early afternoon before the city traffic builds. The road runs through the same steppe corridor but the light is different heading west: the Dzungarian Alatau peaks are behind you and the Trans-Ili Alatau gradually fills the windscreen from 100 km out. A stop at the Kapchagai reservoir shore is easy to slot in for coffee. If you didn't visit Chunja's bazaar on the way out, the stop makes sense on the return. Alternative: from Zharkent, a short detour north to the Altyn-Emel National Park Basshi gate adds 60 km but requires an overnight in the park — possible only if a third day was planned.
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Visit notes
Viewing visit notes for Zharkent Uyghur Heritage
Return to Almaty via A-351
Step 8 · 350 km from previous · 270 min drive
The return drive retraces the A-351 westbound for 350 km back to Almaty, taking 4–4.5 hours without stops. Morning departure between 07:00 and 08:00 puts you back in Almaty by early afternoon before the city traffic builds. The road runs through the same steppe corridor but the light is different heading west: the Dzungarian Alatau peaks are behind you and the Trans-Ili Alatau gradually fills the windscreen from 100 km out. A stop at the Kapchagai reservoir shore is easy to slot in for coffee. If you didn't visit Chunja's bazaar on the way out, the stop makes sense on the return. Alternative: from Zharkent, a short detour north to the Altyn-Emel National Park Basshi gate adds 60 km but requires an overnight in the park — possible only if a third day was planned.