Have started early in the morning from Almaty city, we follow the motorway in the direction of Turgen ravine, passing by Issyk village. The main road goes through famous Turgen trout farm, and after a short stop at National Park entry gates we continue driving up to Batan forestry where the asphalt road ends. Here, at a confluence of rivers Kishi-Turgen and Turgen, the hiking part of a tour starts. A good, wide path follows up the Turgen stream: it was initially designed to be used as a National Park’s road but the main bridge in Batan has been washed away by the mudflow, so now everyone can enjoy this nice walk to the Big Kairak waterfall!

There are 8 kilometres in total from Batan to the waterfall, but no any ascents, steep slopes and dangerous points. All you need is to enjoy the amazing wild nature around – deep spruce groves (Schrenk spruce) paved with endemic mossy grasses, ash-tree shrubs, colourful meadows full of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies… Having crossed 11 old bridges, we finally come to a confluence of Turgen and Kairak rivers where turn left and hike up for another 20 minutes through the spruce grove, following the Kairak river. Even there, inside a forest you can hear the voice of the falling water: Kairak waterfall appears suddenly, just around the last corner. The Kairak waterfall is one of the biggest in the region: its height is more than 55 metres (70 in total) and it never dries. In Kazakh language its name is associated with sharpener. A way to the waterfall takes 2,5-3 hours of walking. The way back takes another 2 hours, so you should consider 5-6 hours of walking in total.

After a hike, we get back to Batan and move to the private territory of Trekking Club campsite, at a riverbank. Accommodate at a campsite, take late lunch and relax after a hike in hammocks in a forest. Then take dinner and stay overnight at a camp.