Tour from Almaty

Grand tour of Katon-Karagay

4.9 · 24 reviews

Seven-day tour covering Rakhmanovskie Springs, the foot of Belukha, Bukhtarma, and the Austrian Road with full immersion in nature.

WhenOn schedule, 7 days
Duration7 days / 6 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $559/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Grand tour of Katon-Karagay

Day 1

Transfer to the Start of the Route

Early in the morning, the group meets at the start of the route and transfers by jeep, with stops, to the eastern part of the Katon-Karagay district. On arrival, accommodation at a guesthouse or tourist camp, dinner and rest.

Days 2–3

Rakhmanov Springs and Acclimatization

Transfer to the Rakhmanov Springs, famous thermal springs. Accommodation in cabins or a camp. Easy walks to adapt to the altitude, bathing in the springs, exploring the surroundings.

Days 4–5

To the Foot of Belukha

Jeep transfer to the foot of Mount Belukha, the highest peak of the Altai. Hikes to glaciers and lakes in good weather. Overnight in tents or at a tourist camp depending on conditions.

Day 6

Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road

Transfer to the Bukhtarma River, a walk along its banks. Then a drive along the Austrian Road, a historic route with scenic views. Return to the starting point of the tour, evening rest.

Day 7

Tour end

Packing and a jeep transfer to the end point of the route. In the evening, the end of the program.

What's included

What is included: Grand tour of Katon-Karagay

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 Katon-Karagay 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
IO
Ilyas O.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I liked the tour, especially the Rakhmanov Springs and Belukha, Aleksandr explained everything well, but the road was tiring.

Verified review · Order #48474
AG
Anton G.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Went with friends in September to celebrate my birthday. The guide Sergey organized everything perfectly, but the weather let us down a bit — rain. Overall 4.

Verified review · Order #48299
BK
Bakhyt K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Took the tour in September with colleagues to celebrate the end of a project. The weather was great, but the nights were cold.

Verified review · Order #48085
AK
Artur K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with our family in July, wanted to show the mountains to the kids. We liked everything, but the jeeps were overcrowded, and sometimes we had to wait. Otherwise, an excellent route.

Verified review · Order #46309
TZ
Tatyana Zh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In June, my friend and I decided to go, we had long wanted to go to Belukha. Andrey carefully drove the jeep on the difficult road, thanks to him. We got a bit tired, but there are lots of impressions.

Verified review · Order #45226
AK
Aidana K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Madina helped choose the date and arrange everything, thanks to her. The tour is interesting, especially the springs.

Verified review · Order #44731
DK
Dauren K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Went with my brother in June, wanted to test our strength before a big hike. We liked the springs and the views of Belukha. But the jeep ride was tiring.

Verified review · Order #44512
LO
Lyudmila O.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went with my sister in June, wanted to see Belukha. We liked the springs and nature, but the road was tiring.

Verified review · Order #44169
ZK
Zhansaya K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In June we went to the Rakhmanov Springs, the weather was warm, we swam a lot. I liked that the group was small.

Verified review · Order #44131
RZ
Ruslan Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ezdil v sentyabre, pogoda otlichnaya, no nochi kholodnye. Tur ochen ponravilsya, osobenno termalnye istochniki.

Verified review · Order #37587
ZE
Zarina E.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I booked the tour through Madina, went in September, the nature is wonderful, I especially liked Mount Belukha.

Verified review · Order #37281
AU
Alina U.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

My poehali v Kat on-Karagay na 7 dney i eto bylo nezabyvaemo. Doroga na dzhipah zanyala pochti ves den, no my delali ostanovki i lyubovalis gorami. Rahma novskie klyuchi - eto otdelnyy mir, my kupalis i rasslablyalis. K podnozhiyu Beluhi my shli peshkom, pogoda v sentyabre byla prohladnaya, no yasnaya. Nochevali v palatkah, bylo svezho, no my byli gotovy. Avstriyskaya doroga porazila vidami, my sfotkali tysyachu kadrov. Spasibo gruppe za organizaciyu, vsyo bylo chetko.

Verified review · Order #36546
OS
Olga S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour with my husband for our anniversary, to see Belukha. Aleksandr, our senior guide, led us to the glaciers, told us everything, it was interesting and safe.

Verified review · Order #36561
RU
Raushan U.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour spontaneously, saw an ad and decided to go with my husband in August. The jeep tour turned out to be packed: Rakhmanov Springs, the foot of Belukha, Bukhtarma and the Austrian Road. We liked the thermal springs most — the water is warm, your skin feels like new after them. Under Belukha we camped in tents, it was cold, but we brought sleeping bags. The weather was clear, the views of the glaciers are mesmerizing. The driver-guide carefully navigated difficult sections. The only downside is the long drives, but it's worth it.

Verified review · Order #36401
VV
Viktor V.
Google ·
★★★★★

Ezdili s bratom v avguste, hoteli uvidet Beluhu. Vse ponravilos, no doroga na dzhipah bila tryaskoy. Ocenka 4.

Verified review · Order #36098
VT
Viktor Ts.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went with friends in August to see Belukha. No regrets, the nature is superb.

Verified review · Order #35639
DL
Dana L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We are glad we chose this tour. In June the weather was warm, but in the mountains it's cool. Swimming at Rakhmanov Springs is very pleasant. At the foot of Belukha the nature is wonderful, the mountains and glaciers are amazing. Walking along the Bukhtarma River left a great impression. The Austrian Road is historic and beautiful. The people in the group were friendly, the guides explained well. Organization-wise everything was good, only in some places there was too little time.

Verified review · Order #34086
MA
Medet A.
Google ·
★★★★★

We went in the season, together with my father, to see Katon-Karagay. The Rakhmanov Springs are wonderful, but the road is long.

Verified review · Order #33730
SR
Saule R.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour spontaneously with colleagues, wanted to take a break from the city and see real nature. We went in June, the weather was changeable: sunny during the day, but cold in the mountains in the evening, good thing we brought warm clothes. The trip to Katon-Karagay is long: about six hours by jeep, but the landscapes outside the window kept us from getting bored. We especially liked Rakhmanov Springs — the warm water was very welcome after the long drive. At the foot of Belukha we walked to the glaciers, though part of the route had to be shortened due to cloudiness. We camped in tents, it was cool, but romantic. The Austrian Road impressed us with views of Bukhtarma. Overall the trip left good impressions, although it was physically not easy.

Verified review · Order #33430
AZ
Askhat Zh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In July we went with our family. Madina helped gather the group, everything was on time. Rakhmanov Springs and the foot of Belukha are wonderful. Only the road is long, we got tired.

Verified review · Order #25500
EV
Erzhan V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour because we wanted to see Belukha and Rakhmanov Springs. We went with my wife and friends, the occasion was to take a break from the city. The jeep ride took almost the whole first day, but the views along the way are stunning. At Rakhmanov Springs we swam, the water is warm, pleasant even in the heat. Under Belukha we camped in tents, it was cool at night, but we brought warm clothes. The Austrian Road impressed us, especially the panoramas. Overall we liked the trip, although there were many transfers.

Verified review · Order #24965
AO
Asel O.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Great tour, especially Rakhmanov Springs and the views of Belukha. In July it was warm, but in the mountains it's cool, we took jackets.

Verified review · Order #24856
BA
Berik A.
Google ·
★★★★★

We went in August with friends, the weather was great, but the jeep ride was tiring. The Rakhmanov Springs and Belukha impressed us. The organization of the overnight stays was a bit disappointing, but overall I recommend it.

Verified review · Order #16361
AL
Aigul L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In July we vacationed with our family on Bukhtarma, the kids are delighted with the Austrian Road. The weather was hot, but it's cool in the mountains.

Verified review · Order #15074

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the grand journey through Katon-Karagay

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 main load is the off-road vehicle transfers, and the walking sections are short: strolls to acclimatise to the altitude at Rakhmanov Springs and outings to the glaciers and lakes near Belukha when the weather allows. No serious preparation is needed, but the days on the road are long. If you are unsure about your fitness, message us on WhatsApp — the guide will advise you before departure.

The decision depends on how ready your loved ones are for camp life: some nights are not in guesthouses but at a campsite or in tents, depending on conditions. During the day there is a lot of time in off-road vehicles and light strolls, with no long treks. Message us on WhatsApp — we will clarify for your date how everything will be organised.

The main things are comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing that works both for strolls and for the long off-road vehicle journey; water with a light snack, a hat and sun protection will come in handy. Bring your phone or camera charged — the views along the route are worth it. The guide will advise you on the exact list for your date before departure.

The group meets early in the morning at the start of the route, followed by a jeep transfer with stops, and on the last day we transfer to the end point of the route, where the programme ends in the evening. We will confirm the exact time and meeting point for your date on WhatsApp.

The tour runs on schedule, 7 days, and the weather on the route varies: near Belukha, outings to the glaciers and lakes are possible in good weather, and the overnight stay is chosen according to conditions. We will clarify the specific months and forecast for your date on WhatsApp. The guide will advise you before departure on what to consider regarding clothing.

The tour is offered as a group tour, so the basic format is a shared trip. We will clarify the possibility of an individual option for your dates on WhatsApp. The guide will advise you before departure on how everything is arranged.

We hold your booking based on your message on WhatsApp — no prepayment is needed, you pay on the day of the trip: Kaspi, by card or in cash. $559 per person is the price of participation in a scheduled group departure. If your plans change, cancelling the booking is free — just let us know.