2-day Escape · Year-round

YurtaDa Kargaly — Nomadic Immersion

Thirty minutes from Almaty — and another world. A living cultural environment in the Kargaly River valley.

30 km from Almaty 850 m · Kargaly Gorge Year-round Max 12 guests
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Duration

2 days

Season

Year-round

Group

2–12 guests

Distance

~30 km

Difficulty

Easy

Elevation

850 m

30min

From the centre of Almaty

A private transfer is all that stands between the city and the river valley.

850m

Where the foothills begin

High enough for the steppe to stretch open and the night sky to come back.

12max

Guests at any one time

Yurtada is a household, not a hotel. The size of the table sets the size of the camp.

Day by day

Day 01Arrival & dastarkhan

Almaty → Kargaly Gorge — into the foothills

A 30-km private transfer leaves the city behind. Camp sits at 850 m, where the Tien Shan begins. The evening is built around the fire — a slow welcome into nomadic life.

  • Afternoon — Transfer Almaty → Kargaly Gorge (≈30 km). Arrive Yurtada camp (850 m). Welcome tea, orientation walk along the gorge.
  • Evening — Traditional nomadic dinner — a full dastarkhan by the fire.
  • Night — Campfire conversation. Open sky over the steppe foothills.
Day 02Cultural programme

Eagle, horse, bow — the morning of the steppe

The day opens slowly with sunrise tea and a Kazakh breakfast. The cultural programme follows — not staged, simply how this household lives. Lunch closes the visit before the return to Almaty.

  • Morning — Sunrise tea outside the yurt. Traditional Kazakh breakfast: shubat, baursak, kurt.
  • Midday — Cultural programme: eagle handling, archery, horsemanship. Guided walk into the Kargaly foothills.
  • Afternoon — Farewell lunch at camp. Depart for Almaty (~15:00).

How the escape runs

Easy on the body, full on culture. Nothing technical, no permits, no surprises — just the small details that make the visit work.

Activity level

Easy. No trekking, no physical challenge. All activities are cultural and accessible for any fitness level. Suitable for families, corporate groups and guests with mobility considerations.

Camp & meals

Yurtada Kargaly — authentic nomadic yurts with traditional décor, fire pit, open sky. All four meals included: welcome tea, dinner, breakfast, farewell lunch.

Access & transfers

No special permits required. Private 4×4 round-trip from Almaty. 1–2 bilingual Dala Arba guides accompany the visit end-to-end.

Season

Year-round. Each season changes the visit — spring grasses, summer light, autumn copper, winter quiet. We will advise the best dates for your group.

Per person, by group size

All prices per person · Private departure · Full board included where stated

2 persons

$490

Private departure, maximum attention

6+ persons

from $250

Best value per person

What's in the price

  • Private 4×4 transfer from Almaty (round-trip)
  • 1 night in nomadic yurt at YurtaDa Kargaly
  • All meals: welcome tea, dinner, breakfast, farewell lunch
  • Cultural programme: eagle handling, archery, horsemanship
  • 1–2 bilingual Dala Arba guides

What sits outside

  • International / domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities

Two days. Thirty kilometres. A different century.

Private dates, your group, your pace. We reply within 48 hours, in person — usually with three options shaped around your brief.

48 h reply window 24/7 operations desk during the visit One team — design to host