Offline Journey: the edges of the East.
An off-road trip through Eastern Kazakhstan filled with adventure, meaning and immersion in the local culture. We will visit both popular attractions and places unknown to tourists, hidden in the pure taiga forests of Kazakhstan's Altai. Walks through cedar forests, a real village bathhouse, bright sunrises, warm sunsets and evenings by the fire await us. This trip is for those who want to see the real Altai in comfort.
~ 2,400 m
tent camps,
a small hotel
stars
infusions from
Katon meadows
butter, cottage cheese,
milk, and cream
and unique-tasting kymyz
(fermented mare's milk)
berries, and tasting
local delicacies
mysterious lakes far
from curious eyes
in the highlands, the Milky Way
above your head
following Old Believer
rituals
fishing
Arrival, airport pick-up, hotel check-in. After a short rest — a city tour introducing the unique traditions and cuisine of Kazakh Altai. Dinner in an atmospheric restaurant where you get acquainted with unique traditions of Kazakh cuisine. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast and departure towards the Kazakh Altai. Getting far away from the rat race of the city. A sense of peace and serenity slowly takes over. The scenery transforms from colorful hills to winding roads along the Dream Coast.
Picnic lunch en route.
By evening, we reach a traditional Old Believer village and cross the river by an authentic boat to settle at the Kerzhak farmstead.
Special bath ritual using fermented herbs, essential oils, and local birch, fir, and nettle brooms. It’s far more than bathing — it’s a traditional ritual of purification.
Breakfast in the best traditions of the Old Believers: homemade cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, freshly baked bread, pancakes, porridge, jam, and honey. We feast until we’re full, then set off to explore hidden villages tucked away in the remote corners of the Altai Mountains — settlements founded by migrants from the Nizhny Novgorod region and Bergals, miners who once escaped mines.
We visit a small local museum that carefully preserves a collection dedicated to the 18th century — a time when Katon became a refuge for people fleeing injustice and oppression in the Russian Empire.
Lunch with local villagers, tasting their simple but hearty homemade food.
Our journey continues through an almost abandoned village, home to just two remaining families. Navigating challenging forest roads, swamps, and broken bridges, we eventually reach a secluded hunting lodge deep in the forest.
We settle into the lodge and, depending on the weather and mood, head out for an evening of grayling fishing. The fish here is excellent, but catching it is far trickier than it looks.
Dinner and rest.
We start the day with a traditional shepherd’s breakfast — homemade bread, skillet omelet with cured meat, and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). After a quick pack-up, we hit the road.
Our first challenge is a winding climb into the Valley of a Thousand Roads — a tough stretch where even seasoned off-roaders feel the thrill of the ride. Passing the abandoned hermit’s hut, we reach the foot of a mystical mountain.
The hike to the summit is gentle and takes about an hour. From the top, we’re rewarded with a breathtaking 360° panoramic view — the vast expanse of Kazakh Altai and the three-headed peak of Mount Belukha. Here, we take part in a special soul purification ritual.
We enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the valley. The journey continues with several stops along the valley, where it’s easy to believe it’s not the roads watching you — but a thousand hidden eyes. You might even feel the gaze of a curious bear, slightly annoyed that his peace was disturbed.
We descend to an abandoned village — perfect for a short walk to soak up the eerie, forgotten spirit of what was once a bustling settlement.
By evening, we reach Klimov Farmstead, where we dive into the world of bees and honey — learning that these creatures are capable of much more than just gathering nectar.
We settle into the guesthouse and head straight to the Kerzhak-style bathhouse.
Dinner is simple yet hearty, prepared in a traditional Russian stove following Old Believer recipes.
For the brave — an apitherapy session awaits after dinner.
We rise early for a traditional Old Believer’s breakfast — bliny, fritters, sour cream, cottage cheese, jam, and most importantly, porridge cooked in a Russian stove.
After breakfast, we pack up quickly and set off toward the “Heavenly Village.” The road isn’t easy — a narrow rocky canyon winding along a river, old wooden bridges creaking ominously under the weight of our SUV, and wild berry bushes — blackcurrants and raspberries — lining the way.
The view opens up to soft blue hills and dense fir forests, creating the surreal feeling of standing on a cloud.
We explore the village — peek into the old school, the medical post, and a couple of houses. If we’re lucky, we’ll meet the village’s only remaining resident. Optional photoshoot during the walk — perfect for capturing the atmosphere of this forgotten place.
Picnic lunch right in the middle of the village, with a view of the local “Fitz Roy” peak.
After lunch, we head toward our overnight stop. Along the way, we visit the Valley of Kings, an ancient burial ground of Scythian noblemen and warriors, — uncovering fascinating stories from thousands of years ago.
By evening, we arrive at a unique guesthouse, settle in, and head straight to the bathhouse.
The evening is fully dedicated to the banya ritual, allowing the mind and body to let go of every lingering thought.
After the bath, we enjoy dinner and gather around the campfire.
We start the day with a hearty village-style breakfast, pack up quickly, and set off toward the Valley of Wild Lakes.
Our route follows an ancient winding path — once traveled on foot, by cart, and on horseback as far back as the 16th century. Later, between 1914 and 1916, Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war rebuilt this trail into a proper road. Legend has it that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s grandfather was among them.
Crossing what is likely the highest vehicle-accessible mountain pass in the Kazakh part of Altai, we descend into a vast open valley where the horizon seems endless. From here, the real adventure begins.
We stop for a picnic lunch at any beautiful spot we choose along the way.
After lunch, the journey continues — we ford several mountain rivers, push through dense juniper thickets, navigate around swamps, and embrace all the wild beauty these remote places offer.
By evening, we reach our camping spot. We set up camp, try our luck at fishing, and cook dinner over an open fire.
We spend the night in a tent camp under a sky full of a thousand stars — a true wilderness experience.
We wake up before dawn for those eager to experience some exceptional grayling fishing. The early morning bite is worth it here. For those who prefer to sleep in, there’s no rush — waking up to breathtaking views and freshly caught fish for breakfast is just as rewarding.
After a slow, unhurried morning, we pack up camp and hit the road toward the Forgotten Village — a remote place where mobile signal and internet only appeared a couple of years ago.
The journey won’t be easy — once again, we navigate through dense thickets, swamps, and all the wild beauty of off-road Altai.
By lunchtime, we reach a small mountain pass known as Alatai, where we stop for a picnic under a wide-spreading larch tree.
After lunch, we continue our way. By evening, we arrive at a cozy guesthouse overlooking one of the largest lakes in the Altai region.
We settle in, have dinner, and enjoy a bit of rest. Later, we head to the bathhouse — hidden among towering raspberry thickets — for a special restoration ritual.
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Today is a free day, and you’re free to spend it however you wish — relax and unwind, enjoy a long session in the bathhouse, swim, stroll through the village and chat with the locals, visit the nature reserve museum, organize a photoshoot, or have a picnic under a 1,000-year-old larch tree.
In the evening, we return to the bathhouse for a recharging ritual to restore our energy.
After the bath, we enjoy dinner and a peaceful evening.
We wake up early, pack up quickly, and begin our journey back toward Ust-Kamenogorsk. Somewhere along the way, we stop at a scenic spot for breakfast — brew coffee, take in the silence, and enjoy the view.
On the way, we pause near the very edge where the vibrant Altai Mountains meet the lifeless desert and endless sand dunes stretching far beyond the horizon.
We stop to admire the vast expanse of the Zaisan Depression, where — according to Kazakh historians — the roots of Turkic statehood were once formed.
From there, we visit a small natural landmark known as the “Lunar Landscape” — a place that truly feels otherworldly. We take a short walk through this surreal scenery and enjoy a picnic lunch with panoramic views.
We continue toward the city, crossing Kazakhstan’s longest bridge over Central Asia’s largest reservoir.
The desert views slowly give way to winding mountain roads through the gentle slopes of the Kalbin Ridge and endless open fields.
By evening, we arrive back in the city.
We gather for a farewell dinner in a cozy spot and check in at the hotel for the night.
Breakfast and airport transfer.
