Mountain Biking through National Parks of Kazakhstan

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.