Excursions to Ili River

Town of «Nomads» – canyon Ili - Buddha Tamgaly-Tas.

Excursions in vicinity of Almaty.

"What shall we tell? - Tales that are rich in miracles
about the stars, and the islands where people are kind, and the smell
of the never-fading scarlet rose of the sunset,
where the winds blow and the shadows look to the west:"

English poet and playwright James Elroy Flecker (1884 - 1915). Poem Hasan ... Golden Journey to Samarkand. 1913.

Brief description of trip to scenery for film "Nomad" on left bank of Ili River:

Almaty - town of Konayev - scenery for film "Nomad" - Ili Canyon - rock paintings Tamgaly-Tas - Almaty.

Route length: 288 km.
Length of active part of route: 3 km
Season: from April to October.
Best time for tour: April - May.

Detailed program of trip to Ili canyon and Tamgaly Tas valley:

Excursions to Ili River.

Almaty – Tamgaly Tas valley (288 km).
Breakfast. Transfer: Almaty - town of Konayev - scenery for film "Nomad" on Ili River (105 km). The road from Almaty lies to the northeast. To the left of the highway, from the southwest to the northeast, the Moyynkum sands stretch for 44 kilometers. We pass through the city of Konayev, known for its gambling zone, with numerous casinos, bookmakers and spot clubs that line the road.
In 2007, the government of Kazakhstan decided to move casinos and gambling houses from Almaty to the city of Kapchagay (now Konayev). The second such gambling zone is located in the resort of Borovoe in the Akmola region. At the interchange between the city of Konayev and the bridge over the Ili, turn northwest, drive 19 kilometers and turn east again along a country road. Arrival at the set for the film "Nomad".
The set for the film "Nomad", released in 2005, is now known as "Nomad Fortress" or "Turkestan Sets", episodes for the films "Day Watch" and "Chalk of Destiny" were also filmed here. A huge budget was spent on the film "Nomad", Hollywood stars participated in the roles. A walk through the set.
Transfer: set for the film "Nomad" - bridge over the Ili River - 1 panorama of the Ili River canyon (37 km). Between the bridge over the Ili and the interchange to the village of Bakanas, we turn off the road to the northwest and drive along the steppe for 6 kilometers.
Soon we are on the edge of the Ili canyon, from here there are breathtaking views to the southeast, the upper reaches of the river and the northwest. The river stretches like a blue ribbon deep below, framed by rocky banks.
Transfer: 1 panorama - 2 panorama (1 km). Walk in the vicinity of the panorama.
Transfer: 2 panorama - 3 panorama (6 km). From this place there is a view of the Ili River canyon and the training ground of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Rock City Astana". Walk in the vicinity of the panorama.
Transfer: 3 panorama - Tamgaly Tas tract (24 km). After climbing out of the Ili Valley, our road turns towards the regional center of Bakanas, we pass the steppes and soon begin the descent into the wide valley of the Ili River, from the descent the blue ribbon of the river is clearly visible. Arrival at the Tamgaly-Tas valley.
Walk in the surrounding area, viewing the rock carvings of Buddha, there are 6 images here. Walk to a panoramic rock platform dominating the surrounding area (1 + 1 km), from here there are beautiful views of the southern and northern parts of the river valley.
Lunch. Return to Almaty (115 km).