Jeep Expedition to the Secret Plateau
A 3-day off-road adventure through the Zailiysky Alatau mountains near Almaty — high passes, alpine plateaus, and a place most travelers never find
Turgen Gorge - Assy Plateau - Zhenishke River - Taban-Karagay Plateau
Ready-made Tour
Itinerary Highlights
- Drive through Turgen Gorge as the road climbs into pine forests above the roaring river
- Cross the sweeping Assy Plateau at 2,500 m — wild horses, open sky, no crowds
- Camp beside the Zhenishke River and fall asleep under a sky full of mountain stars
- Reach the secret Taban-Karagay Plateau at 3,500 m — few travelers ever make it here
- Descend through dramatic canyons and red cliffs via the Kokpek Pass back to Almaty
Most visitors to Almaty see the mountains from a distance. This expedition takes you into them — for three days across high passes, open plateaus, and a secret place at 3,500 metres that doesn't appear on most maps.
Together with our partners at Photosafari Travel, we run a small-group off-road expedition through the Zailiysky Alatau — Turgen Gorge, Assy Plateau, the Zhenishke River valley, and the hidden Taban-Karagay Plateau. Two nights under the mountain sky, all meals included, fully equipped off-road vehicles throughout.
It's a proper expedition — for those who want to go further.
Together with our partners at Photosafari Travel, we run a small-group off-road expedition through the Zailiysky Alatau — Turgen Gorge, Assy Plateau, the Zhenishke River valley, and the hidden Taban-Karagay Plateau. Two nights under the mountain sky, all meals included, fully equipped off-road vehicles throughout.
It's a proper expedition — for those who want to go further.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Into the Mountains
We leave Almaty early morning and head east through Turgen Gorge — one of the most scenic drives in the Almaty Region. The road winds upward past waterfalls, dense spruce forests, and sheer canyon walls. From the gorge we break out onto the vast Assy Plateau at 2,500 metres, where the landscape opens dramatically. We cross the plateau, then descend into a hidden valley and make camp beside the Zhenishke River. Dinner by the fire, stars overhead, and the sound of mountain water — this is where the expedition begins.
Day 2
Day 2
The Secret Plateau
After breakfast we head higher — toward the secret Taban-Karagay Plateau. The ascent takes 3–5 hours as the terrain grows wilder with every kilometre. At 3,500 metres the views are unlike anything else in Kazakhstan: alpine meadows, sculpted ridgelines, snow-dusted peaks. We stop at the best viewpoints along the way. Camp tonight sits at 2,800 metres — perfect conditions for photographing the Milky Way after sunset.
Day 3
Day 3
Back Through the Canyons
No rush this morning. We pack up camp, take one last look at the mountains, and begin the return journey via the Kokpek Pass. The route back takes us through red-rock canyons, sweeping valleys, and serpentine roads carved into the hillsides — a completely different landscape from the way up. We stop for a legendary bowl of laghman in a local village before returning to Almaty by evening.
Founded by Konstantin and Katerina, Photosafari has spent over 10 years discovering the hidden corners of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. They know every pass, plateau, and back road in the Zailiysky Alatau.
On the trail, you'll be in the hands of experienced mountain guides and off-road specialists who treat every expedition as a personal journey — not a packaged tour.
This expedition is run in partnership with the team at Photosafari Travel — a family of road lovers, expedition makers, and explorers based in Almaty.
Photosafari
Travel
Meet the Guides
- Price per person
545$ - What's Included
- Transfer throughout the route in specially equipped off-road vehicles
- Camping accommodation — tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag
- All meals — three times a day prepared in the field
- Experienced mountain guide who knows every turn of the route
- Full camping gear — fire equipment, tables, chairs
- Route photography and video for all participants
- Not Included
- Lunch at a local restaurant on the way back — paid independently
- Flights to Almaty — if you're travelling from another city
- Travel insurance — arranged at your own discretion
- Personal expenses — souvenirs and additional purchases along the route
group tour
19–21 June 2026
group tour
26–28 June 2026
group tour
03–04 July 2026
Private tour
Open dates
Submit your request
and embark on this
unique journey
and embark on this
unique journey