Kaskelen–Prohodnoe Trek – 6-Day Expedition Across Zailiyskiy Alatau

A guided 6-day point-to-point expedition crossing four gorge systems in the western Zailiyskiy Alatau — from Kaskelen gorge to Prohodnoe gorge, traversing some of the most remote and spectacular terrain accessible from Almaty. At 60 km with 4,118 m of cumulative elevation gain, this is the longest and most demanding trek in the catalogue: six days of self-supported mountain travel through moraine valleys, over high passes, past glacial lakes, and across terrain where you will not see another soul for days at a time.

The route links four distinct gorge systems that sit west of the main Almaty mountain area — each with its own character, its own peaks, and its own solitude. The trek passes through alpine meadows grazed by wild horses, crosses glaciers surrounded by four-thousanders, descends into the legendary Kargalinskoe gorge with its “Stonehenge” rock formations, and finishes at the familiar Terra Meadow in Prohodnoe gorge.

What to expect on the Kaskelen–Prohodnoe trek

This expedition combines the wildness of the western gorges with the accessibility of starting and finishing near Almaty. Kaskelen gorge is approximately 1–1.5 hours west of the city; Prohodnoe gorge (Alma-Arasan) is 30 minutes south. The trek connects these two trailheads through the mountain interior, crossing multiple ridges and valleys that separate the gorge systems.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Kaskelen gorge to Urochishche Zhai (~2,400 m)

Drive from Almaty to the Kaskelen gorge entrance (approximately 1 hour west via the A2 highway through Kaskelen town). The trail begins through the lower gorge — pine forests, river crossings, and the distinctive huge boulder Uiy-Tas (Дом-Камень, “House Rock”) — a 500-tonne granite sphere that is the largest single stone in the Tien Shan.

Ascend through the gorge, passing the maral (deer) farm, to Urochishche Zhai — a high meadow campsite. This is a long approach day with heavy packs.

Day 2: Urochishche Zhai to the Aksay divide (~3,200–3,400 m)

Climb toward the high ridge between Kaskelen and the Aksay gorge system. The route passes between Peaks Pogranichnik (“Border Guard”) and Kyzylzhar, traversing the upper slopes with views opening into the vast Aksay drainage to the east. Weather on this day is critical — the ridge is exposed and cloud can make route-finding difficult.

Camp near the col or on the Aksay side, at the base of the pass.

Day 3: Across the Aksay system to the Glacier of the Thermophysicists (~3,400 m)

Traverse the upper Aksay gorge — a broad glacial valley backed by a horseshoe of four-thousanders. The route passes below Peaks Triglav and 10 Years of Independence (Первомайский, 3,990 m), crossing moraine fields and navigating between ice-capped ridges.

Camp near the Glacier of the Thermophysicists (Ледник Теплофизиков) — a moraine campsite at approximately 3,400 m surrounded by the highest peaks of the Kargalinskaya Podkova.

Day 4: Over the pass into Kaskelen/Kargalinskoe gorge (~2,800 m descent)

Cross the pass between the Aksay and Kargalinskoe gorge systems — the highest point of the trek. Descend on scree and moraine into the upper Kargalinskoe gorge, passing through a landscape that shifts from grey rock and ice to alpine meadow within a few hundred metres of altitude loss.

Camp in the mid-Kargalinskoe gorge — a wild, rarely visited valley with remarkable rock formations scattered across the alpine meadows (the “Stonehenge” of Kargalinskoe).

Day 5: Through Kargalinskoe to Berkuttas Pass (3,610 m) and descent to Terra Meadow

The longest and most varied day. Ascend from Kargalinskoe gorge to Berkuttas Pass (Перевал Беркуттас, 3,610 m) — a non-technical but steep scree pass on the ridge between Kargalinskoe and Prohodnoe gorges. From the pass, the optional summit of Peak Kargalinskiy (3,675 m) is a short detour — the “Twins” peaks visible from western Almaty.

Descend into Prohodnoe gorge via the Morennoe valley, arriving at Terra Meadow — a familiar landmark and the standard overnight spot for the area. The meadow feels like civilisation after four days in the western wilderness.

Day 6: Terra Meadow to Alma-Arasan

The final day is a comfortable descent through Prohodnoe gorge — past Alyoshkin Bridge, the Maiden’s Tears waterfall, and the Alma-Arasan hot spring — to the trailhead. Vehicle transfer to Almaty.