Saryozek -Alma Arasan

Wed 5/6/24

Breakfast is served at 7am as usual in Kazakhstan, so after Subuh we did some files copying of the photos and videos from the previous day while waiting. Breakfast was just a simple cheese omelette, sausages, tomato and toasted bread for KZT 2500 per person and KZT 1200 for black tea which we booked through the Caravanserai campsite manager the day before. We paid by cash.

our breakfast

After breakfast, it was time to head to the city of Almaty where we would be spending the remaining 3 nights. We departed at 8.30am. The drive to Almaty would cover 277km and would take 3 hour 30 minutes. On the way, we stumbled upon pretty lavender fields near Saryozek so we decided to stop to fly the drone. 

lavender field

lavender field

Not far from Saryozek, we entered the highway. Along the way, we also passed the casino strip near Kapchagay. The toll cost KZT 1390 which we paid by cash at the toll booth. The highway has camera systems that detect the car's plate registration number so we only stopped during exit to pay for the toll charges.

highway

casino near Kapchagay

toll booth

we paid toll by cash

We arrived at Eidelveis hotel in Almaty at at 1.30pm and checked in to our room as I have not yet fully recovered from diarrhea and we rested for a while and made instant noodle. We booked our hotel through Booking.com which costs KZT 12900 without breakfast. Our hotel is located near to Shymbulak mountain which we would be visit the next day.

After resting, we set out again to Alma Arasan hot spring located about 30km from our hotel and took about an hour's drive. The entrance to Alma Arasan cost KZT 1000. We walked the short trail to the hot spring pool and waterfall and spent about an hour there.

river at Alma Arasan

Alma Arasan

hot spring pool below

We then decided to try some Kazakhstan dish and found the halal Bauyrdaq restaurant. We tried the beshbarmaq (horse meat with pasta sheet and meat broth) and dumplings. Dinner cost KZT 7504 for both dishes and a pot of tea. After dinner we headed back to our hotel and called it a day.

dumplings in soup

beshbarmaq