Tour from Almaty

Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road

4.8 · 23 reviews

Six-day journey through the Bukhtarma Valley with a transfer along the historic Austrian Road and visits to mountain lakes.

WhenOn schedule, 6 days
Duration6 days / 5 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $492/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road

Day 1

Group Meeting and Departure

In the morning, the group meets at the start of the route and transfers by jeep to the Bukhtarma Valley. On arrival, accommodation and a briefing on the program.

Day 2

Transfer to Base Camp

Transfer by prepared transport to the base camp in the valley. Setting up, rest after the drive, an evening walk for acclimatization.

Days 3–4

Acclimatization and Day Hikes

Two days are dedicated to acclimatization: hikes to the surrounding heights, getting to know the area. In good weather, a hike to one of the mountain lakes is possible.

Days 5–6

The Main Part: The Austrian Road

A drive along the historic Austrian Road with stops at scenic spots. Exploring the road's engineering structures, rest stops by the lakes. Overnight in field conditions.

Day 6

Tour end

After breakfast, a transfer to the end point of the route with rest stops; in the evening, the end of the tour.

What's included

What is included: Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the Bukhtarma tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
EL
Ekaterina L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We took the tour for August with my family to show the mountains to the kids. The weather is excellent, warm. I liked the transfer and the walks.

Verified review · Order #47031
KV
Kuanysh V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with my friend in September, because work didn't let up all summer. Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road are as amazing as I heard. On the first day we reached the valley by evening, settled in, and got acquainted with the plan. On the second day we were taken to base camp, rested, and walked in the evening. On the third and fourth days we acclimatized and climbed the surrounding heights, and since the weather was good, we went to a lake. In September it's cold in the mountains, warm clothes were needed. We walked along the Austrian Road and stopped by the lakes, the nature is magnificent.

Verified review · Order #36993
ZK
Zhansaya K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My friend and I got together in September, wanted something unusual for the weekend. Aleksandr drove us along the Austrian Road, everything went well, but sometimes it was cold in the tent. Rating 4.

Verified review · Order #36896
VL
Vitaliy L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Ezdili s drugom v sentyabre po Avstriyskoy doroge. Poholodalo, no vidy i ozera stoili etogo.

Verified review · Order #36904
MR
Marat R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour with colleagues for September to test ourselves before more serious routes. Aleksandr as the senior guide built the acclimatization and outings competently, his experience was felt. The Austrian Road and the lakes impressed despite the cool weather.

Verified review · Order #36692
VL
Viktor L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with my wife to celebrate our anniversary, had long wanted to go to the mountains, but without mountaineering. We chose Bukhtarma because of the Austrian Road — I read about it in old reports. The road to the valley took almost the whole day, but the views along the way smoothed out the fatigue. We set up the camp quickly, went for a reconnaissance in the evening. In July the nights are warm, the sleeping bag was almost unnecessary. Two days of radial hikes went fine, though acclimatization was still felt. On the Austrian Road, most memorable were the stops by the lakes and the silence of the mountains.

Verified review · Order #35190
EE
Erzhan E.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went in July, the weather is good, but the road to the camp is very long. Otherwise, everything was fine.

Verified review · Order #34627
IZ
Igor Z.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went to Bukhtarma with friends in July. We liked it, but the transfer on the first day is too tiring.

Verified review · Order #34493
EE
Ermek E.
Google ·
★★★★★

In June we went to Bukhtarma with my sister, because she loves mountain walks. We set off in the morning and traveled all day, reaching the valley by evening. We settled in and got a briefing according to the program. The next day we were taken to base camp, rested, and walked in the evening. The next two days were dedicated to acclimatization, we climbed the heights and, when the weather was good, went to a lake. In June it's cold in the mountains, warm clothes were needed. We walked along the Austrian Road and stopped by the lakes, we liked this trip.

Verified review · Order #34406
SK
Sergey K.
Google ·
★★★★★

Initially I doubted whether to go to the mountains in September, but Madina convinced me that the weather still allows it. And I didn't regret it: during the day it was warm and sunny, only at night in the mountains it's cool. The road to Bukhtarma took almost the whole day, but we stopped for a snack along the way. We settled in the camp quickly, the guide gave a briefing. Acclimatization went fine, the radial hikes were easy. The most vivid — the Austrian Road, the views are incredible. Overnight stays in tents are invigorating. We returned in the evening, a bit tired but satisfied.

Verified review · Order #27077
KZ
Konstantin Z.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Our choice of this tour was our shared passion for the mountains with my wife. I had heard a lot about the Bukhtarma valley and the Austrian Road, but seeing it with my own eyes is different. On the first day the road was long, towards evening we settled in and listened to the briefing. The transfer to the base camp is well organized, we rested and took an evening walk. In July the weather is warm, it wasn't cold at night either. During the radial hikes, the view from the mountain top is wonderful. The historical structures of the Austrian Road and the stops by the lakes left a special impression.

Verified review · Order #25108
EK
Ekaterina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went in July, very beautiful lakes, but the mosquitoes were annoying. Overall a great reboot.

Verified review · Order #24843
DL
Dinara L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We were in June, the weather was changeable — sometimes sun, sometimes rain, but it didn't spoil the impression. Ilyas organized everything clearly, monitored safety on the routes. We got a bit tired from the long journeys, but it was worth it.

Verified review · Order #24325
IK
Igor K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In June we went with Andrey, he knows the routes well, led us to the lake. The weather was sunny, but sometimes it rained. The group turned out friendly. Thanks for the organization.

Verified review · Order #23623
NM
Nurzhan M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour spontaneously with a colleague, wanted to celebrate the end of vacation. We called, booked, and here we are already heading towards Bukhtarma. The weather in September was excellent, warm during the day, fresh at night. The road is long, but in company time flies unnoticed. We settled in the camp, got acquainted with the group. The next day we went on a radial hike, climbed to the heights, breathtaking. We got used to the Austrian Road, it shook, but interesting. The lakes are cold, but beautiful. We drove back tired, but with a mass of impressions.

Verified review · Order #17504
GT
Gulnara T.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We took the tour with my husband for August, wanted to spend the vacation in the mountains. Overall liked it, but the journey on the first day is too long.

Verified review · Order #17069
IL
Irina L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went as a family in August, wanted to show the kids the mountains and take a break from the city. We liked the tour, but on the first day the road took almost the whole day. The program is packed, many hiking outings and lakes. It's just a pity not everyone managed to enjoy the views because of fatigue.

Verified review · Order #16419
AS
Alisher Sh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Friends invited me to stretch out in the mountains for the weekend, I had long wanted to go to Bukhtarma but kept putting it off. In July we went with a big group, no regrets.

Verified review · Order #16041
NZ
Nursultan Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We took the tour spontaneously with my brother, in July it was exactly vacation. Aleksandr as the senior guide conducted acclimatization and radial hikes excellently, explained everything.

Verified review · Order #15789
VU
Viktor U.
Google ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour with my wife for our anniversary, wanted solitude in the mountains. In June it was cool, but beautiful.

Verified review · Order #14654
EK
Erbol K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

June, the weather is super, but the tents are not very comfortable. Everything else is excellent.

Verified review · Order #14365
MG
Marina G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Poehali s sestroy v iune, hotela pokazat ei gory. Tur ponravilsya, no v pervyi den doroga ochen dolgaya.

Verified review · Order #14191
BK
Berik K.
Google ·
★★★★★

We went with friends in June to take a break from the city. The weather was great, warm during the day, cool at night. Most of all I liked the Austrian Road and the radial hikes. The guide showed and told everything.

Verified review · Order #14056

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the tour along the Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

The essentials are comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, because the programme includes both walking outings and off-road vehicle transfers, as well as field overnight stays. Bring water, a light snack, a hat and sun protection, and keep your phone or camera charged. If you need details on gear for your specific trip, we'll clarify in WhatsApp.

It depends on their fitness: the programme includes walking outings to high elevations on acclimatisation days and overnight stays in field conditions. The guide on site will advise how to take a shorter route or wait for the group at camp. Message us in WhatsApp for your specific date and we'll discuss your situation.

It's a multi-day group route by off-road vehicle: the walking is concentrated on the acclimatisation days and radial outings, while the main transfer and the Austrian Road are covered by vehicle. How much you walk on outing days depends on the weather and the group — the guide will brief you before the start. If you're unsure about your fitness, we'll discuss it on WhatsApp.

On the first evening you check in on arrival in the Bukhtarma valley, and on day two we transfer to the base camp, where the acclimatisation days are spent. On the Austrian Road we camp in the field, with rest stops by mountain lakes. We'll confirm the accommodation type for your departure on WhatsApp.

On the first day the group meets at the start of the route and travels by jeep to the Bukhtarma Valley, and on the sixth day after breakfast we transfer to the end point of the route, where the tour ends in the evening. Along the way we make stops to stretch, but the exact timing depends on conditions on the road. The guide will orient you as the trip goes on.

The group gathers at the start of the route on the morning of the first day, before the drive to the Bukhtarma Valley. The exact place and time depend on the date and the group composition, so we'll confirm them in WhatsApp before the trip. It's best not to be late — the jeep transfer starts right after the meeting.

The price includes transport along the entire route, the work of an experienced guide, and the arrangement of stops and overnight stays. Personal expenses, meals and entrance tickets to individual sites are separate. Booking is simply a message in WhatsApp, with no prepayment: you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash, and you can cancel the booking free of charge.