KanTengri Expeditions

This expedition rides off-road through the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, tracing a route from Almaty via the Turgen River, Assy Plateau, Zhenishke and Kensu Rivers to the Karkara Valley. The ride passes beneath the marble pyramid of Khan Tengri (7,010m) and nearby Pobeda Peak (7,439m), through pastures, plateaus and wildflower valleys, with only occasional horsemen and nomadic Kazakh herders for company.

Riders camp each night on the trail, with a heli-biking day flown to Dzhalanach Pass (3,510m) for sweeping Tien Shan views before a 45km off-road descent. The return leg crosses into Kazakhstan for Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles, before finishing with two nights in an Almaty hotel and a cable-car excursion to Shymbulak and the Bogdanovich Glacier.

A tough off-road expedition, combining demanding cycling, high altitude and extreme weather for those wanting genuine adventure.

Highlights:

• Off-road riding across the Assy Plateau and Tien Shan foothills
• Heli-biking descent from Dzhalanach Pass (3,510m) with Khan Tengri and Pobeda Peak views
• Crossing into Kyrgyzstan via the Karkara Valley
• Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles on the return leg
• Nomadic herders, yurts and remote villages en route
• Cable car excursion to Shymbulak and Bogdanovich Glacier in Almaty

Surface and terrain:
Almost entirely off-road (256km of 270km total), across river valleys, plateaus, rocky shelves and mountain passes. Route breaks down as 10km ascent, 100km downhill (including 45km heli-biking) and 160km medium terrain. Highest point 3,510m.

Likely weather:
Extreme weather conditions at high altitude. Season runs July-August, so expect warm days with cold, changeable mountain conditions at altitude.

Suitable for:
Experienced, fit off-road mountain bikers wanting a tough, high-altitude adventure rather than a leisure tour. Rated "moderately hard" by them.

This off-road route links several of Kazakhstan's national parks, starting at 2,650m on the Assy Plateau above Turgen and descending through the Ashyk Dala Plateau and Zhenishke River valley to village and river camps around 1,525-1,800m. The middle stages ride into Charyn Canyon, camping in a yurt, before a transfer to the desert landscapes of Altyn Emel National Park.

Later days climb to the multicoloured Ak Tau Mountains and ride out to the Singing Sand Dune, with an optional extension past the Saka-era burial mounds of Bes Shatyr along the Ili River. Riding is entirely off-road, with a mix of climbing, descending and rolling terrain across high plateaus, canyons and desert tracks.

They rate this route "active" on their own difficulty scale, and it's supported throughout by a dedicated guide, cook and camp crew.

Highlights:

• Assy Pass at 2,650m and the high plateaus above Turgen
• Charyn Canyon, with a yurt camp inside the national park
• Altyn Emel National Park's multicoloured Ak Tau Mountains
• Riding to the Singing Sand Dune
• Saka-era burial mounds at Bes Shatyr (Day 7 extension)
• Village and riverside camps through remote Kazakh countryside

Surface and terrain:
Entirely off-road across high plateaus, river valleys, canyon and desert tracks. Page breaks the 370km total into 19km ascent, 76km downhill and 275km medium terrain. Highest point 2,650m, mid-route level around 1,525m.

Likely weather:
Season runs June-September, so expect warm summer conditions at lower elevations and cooler weather at altitude on the early high-plateau stages.

Suitable for:
Experienced, fit off-road cyclists comfortable with high-altitude climbs and daily distances up to 68km.

This five-day tour rides out from Almaty along the Chilik River before climbing dry riverbeds and willow groves to a 1,520m mountain pass in the Bogetty Mountains, with panoramic views over the Ile River and Sogetty Valley. A steep descent leads into Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles, camping among giant rocky pillars at sunset.

From there, a transfer crosses the Ile River to Altyn Emel National Park, a hot desert region where riders overnight in hotel accommodation. Riding continues by dirt road to the multicoloured Ak Tau Mountains and on to the Singing Sand Dune, with a final transfer back to Almaty.

They pair canyon and mountain-pass scenery with desert riding, camping and hotel stays, and vehicle support throughout, making this a varied, moderately tough introduction to Kazakhstan's landscapes.

Highlights:

• Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles and camping among its rock pillars
• Mountain pass views over the Ile River and Sogetty Valley
• The Golden Man Museum near the Talgar River
• Multicoloured Ak Tau Mountains in Altyn Emel National Park
• Riding to the Singing Sand Dune
• Mix of tarmac, dirt road and desert track riding

Surface and terrain:
Mix of tarmac (Day 1), dirt tracks and dry riverbeds over a mountain pass (1,520m), a steep canyon descent, and desert dirt roads to the sand dune. Daily distances 20-70km.

Likely weather:
Altyn Emel is described as a hot desert area. Season runs May-October, so expect warm to hot conditions, particularly in the desert stages.

Suitable for:
Moderately fit riders comfortable with mixed tarmac and dirt-road riding, one mountain pass, desert heat and a mix of camping and hotel stays.

This five-day expedition rides off-road through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan Mountains, tracing a route from Almaty via the Turgen River, Assy Plateau, Zhenishke and Kensu Rivers to the Karkara Valley and back. The ride passes beneath the marble pyramid of Khan Tengri (7,010m) and nearby Pobeda Peak (7,439m), through green pastures, plateaus and wildflower-covered valleys, with only the occasional horseman and nomadic Kazakh herders for company.

Days are spent on off-road tracks, river valleys and mountain passes, camping each night in tents. The final day includes a heli-biking descent, flown to Kokpak Pass (3,482m) for sweeping views of the Tien Shan range before riding 45km back down to base camp.

They describe this as a tough expedition, combining demanding off-road cycling with high altitude and extreme weather, aimed at experienced riders seeking genuine adventure rather than a leisurely tour.

Highlights:

• Off-road riding across Kazakhstan's Assy Plateau and Tien Shan foothills
• Views of Khan Tengri (7,010m) and Pobeda Peak (7,439m)
• Heli-biking descent from Kokpak Pass (3,482m) after a helicopter drop-off
• Crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan via the Karkara Valley
• Encounters with nomadic Kazakh herders, yurts and remote villages
• Tented wilderness camping along the whole route

Surface and terrain:
Entirely off-road, crossing river valleys, plateaus, rocky shelves and mountain passes, with one short asphalted stretch through Kegen. Daily distances of 42-65km. High-altitude riding to around 2,590m, plus a helicopter drop to 3,482m on Day 5.

Likely weather:
Extreme weather conditions at altitude. Season runs July-August; expect changeable mountain conditions and cold at altitude.

Suitable for:
Experienced, fit off-road mountain bikers after a tough, high-altitude adventure, not a leisure tour.