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Hike to the Old Japanese Road

Hike along the Old Road built by Japanese prisoners of war in the post-war period in the Big Almaty Gorge, and visit the Ayusai Waterfall.
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More details about the Old Japanese Road

hiking tour in Almaty mountains, Kazakhstan

COMPLEXITY

Easy
for people of average fitness

DISTANCE

Hike: 14.7 km one way
Elevation gain: 590 m

LANGUAGE

English, Czech, Spanish

BACKPACK

Light,
take only basic things and snacks

DURATION

about 6-7 hours

SEASON

Year-round

Timeline of the tour to the Japanese Road

09:00 – 9:10
09:00 – 9:10
Meeting point
We will meet in the city center or near your hotel to get to the starting point together with a guide.
10:00 – 10:15
10:00 – 10:15
Kazachka, the beginning of the Japanese road
After a short walk on the paved road, we'll turn onto our trail, climbing the Japanese road from the "Kazachka" hotel. First kilometer is quite stepe, but the further we go, the more pleasant the trail becomes.
11:30 – 12:00
11:30 – 12:00
Japanese road
Finally, we've reached the highest point! We start a gradual descent along the Japanese Road with beautiful panoramic views of the Big Almaty Gorge, and the peaks of Big Almaty Peak, Molodezhnyi, and Sovetov peaks.
12:30 – 13:00
12:30 – 13:00
Lunch break
We'll stop for lunch and enjoy delicious tea at a spot with the most beautiful view of the Big Almaty Gorge!
14:30 – 15:00
14:30 – 15:00
Ayu-Sai Waterfall
After descending from the Japanese Road, we'll visit the Ayusai Gorge and admire the small waterfall in Bear (Ayu) Gorge.
15:00 – 16:00
15:00 – 16:00
Back to the city
From Ayu-Sai visit center we will call a taxi to the city. Even the trail is considered as quite easy, many kilometers of walk will make you tired.

List of essentials for hiking to the Japanese Road

Essentials
  • Passport (border guard document check)
  • Some cash
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Trekking poles
  • Seat mats (optional)
Food
  • Water 0.5l-1l
  • Thermos with tea
  • Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)
Clothes (summer)
  • Trekking shirt
  • Fleece jacket\Hoodie
  • Raincoat\Hardshell jacket
  • Trekking trousers
  • Sun hat and buff
  • Trekking shoes\boots
Clothes
(winter)
  • Long sleeve (thermal)
  • Fleece jacket\hoodie
  • Snow pants
  • Demi-season/winter boots
  • Jacket
  • Woolen beanie and gloves
  • Warm socks
  • Headlamp
  • Gaiters
  • Crampons
What is included in the price of the Japanese Road tour?
Included
Hotel pickup/drop-off
Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
Transportation (Almaty-Kazachka: Auysay-Almaty)
Snacks
Ecological fees
Not included
Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)
Trekking poles (available for rent)

Price for a day hiking tour to Japanese Road

1 person
$180
2 persons
$200
$100/pp
3 persons
$250
$84/pp
4 persons
$280
$70/pp
5 persons
$300
$60/pp
over 5 people
calculated individually
Contact us

Request a call

Altitude of the Japanese Road

The highest point of the route is 1900 meters, overlooking the Almarasan-Big Almaty Gorge junction, with a pipeline from the hydroelectric power station at the foot of the mountain leading to this spot.

How difficult is the Japanese Road hike?

TIME: The hike to the highest point of the Japanese Road takes about 1-1.5 hours from Kazachka gorge.
TERRAIN: The Japanese Road is extremely pleasant and quite easy, following a wide trail. You can walk leisurely and enjoy the views of the Big Almaty Gorge and the various peaks.
PARTICIPANTS: This hike is suitable for participants without hiking experience. While some trail sections may be challenging, anyone with average physical fitness, including children aged 9 and older, can manage the route.

How to prepare for a hike to the Japanese Road?

First of all, refer to the information block with a list of essentials for this hike.
If you have any questions, write to us on WhatsApp. If you have any diseases that require regular medication, you shall take the medications with you, and also warn the guide in advance about any medical contraindications (especially heart disease, pressure drops).
It is forbidden to take alcohol and drugs on the hike.
Before hiking in the mountains, have a enough sleep, have a good breakfast in the morning and take at least 1 liter of water.
The sun is more intense in the mountains, so take a Panama hat, sunscreen and glasses.
Always take a raincoat or waterproof wind jacket - the weather in the mountains is unpredictable!
Remember that you are solely responsible for your health - be careful!

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