There are different ways to get to Lake Alakol: fly to Urjar and Usharal by plane, get to the reservoir by train, or you can use a regular bus. In summer, there are usually more routes. How to get to Alakol by bus from Almaty, Taldykorgan, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk this summer, we will tell in this article.
According to the information of the Department of Passenger transport and highways of the Almaty region, bus movements are opened annually in the summer on the regular intra–regional route Taldykorgan – Akshi – Koktuma, as well as on the regular inter–regional route Almaty – Akshi – Koktuma.
During the summer period, buses run from the Taldykorgan bus station and the Almaty Sairan bus station daily. Buses designed for 50 seats run in these directions.
12 buses are involved on the intra–regional route Taldykorgan – Akshi – Koktuma. The ticket price is four thousand tenge. Departure time from Taldykorgan bus station is 23.35, departure time from Koktuma is 17.00.
28 buses are involved on the inter–regional route Almaty – Akshi – Koktuma. The ticket price is six thousand tenge. Departure time from the Sairan bus station is 21.05 and 21.10 hours, departure time from Koktuma is 18.00 and 18.05.
The distance between Almaty and Koktuma is 647 kilometers, the travel time is about 10 hours. From Taldykorgan to Koktuma – 345 kilometers, the trip will take about five hours.
Also, to get to Alakol, tourists from Almaty have the opportunity to contact travel agencies and book a transfer to Akshi and Koktuma in advance. Many travel companies, taking into account the duration of the trip, offer a choice of buses with seating and recumbent.
So, one of the companies offers to book a seat for an adult for 16 thousand tenge (a round-trip ticket), for a child under 12 years old – for 15 thousand tenge.
Another calls the same prices.
The third one offers sleeping places. For an adult – 19 thousand tenge (in both directions), for children under 12 and pensioners – 17 thousand.
In addition, the transfer is provided by the recreation centers themselves.
According to the Department of Passenger Transport and Highways of East Kazakhstan Region, Urjar, Makanchi and Barlyk-Arasan are the nearest settlements to Alakol. Therefore, tourists who want to get to the reservoir by bus often reach them first.
The bus from Semey to Urjar currently departs at 17.00, 18.00 (two buses), 19.00, 19.30. The ticket price is 3,800 tenge.
The bus from Semey to Makanchi is at 17.00, 18.00 (two), 19.00. The ticket costs 4,200 tenge.
The bus from Semey to Barlyk-Arasan is at 17.00. The cost is five thousand tenge.
The bus departs from Ust-Kamenogorsk to Urjar at 18.00, the cost is 3,400 tenge.
From Ust-Kamenogorsk to Makanchi, the bus departs at 18.00 and 20.00. The ticket costs 3,800 tenge.
The distance from Urjar to Alakol is 130 kilometers, from Makanchi to the lake – about 100 kilometers, and from Barlyk-Arasan – 20 kilometers. The route from Barlyk-Arasan passes by Alakol, and those who wish can get off without reaching the village. In summer, routes from Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semey to Makanchi are extended to Barlyk-Arasan.
Then tourists should transfer to an intra-district bus or taxi. But if you don’t want to complicate things, you can postpone the trip until June 15. Seasonal routes will start running from this date. Buses will run to Alakol daily on four routes: Ust-Kamenogorsk – Barlyk-Arasan, Semey – Barlyk-Arasan, Ust-Kamenogorsk – Lake Alakol, Semey – Lake Alakol. Buses are designed for 44-52 seats. The ticket price is from three to five thousand tenge.
Recall that the promotions of early booking of rooms on Alakol started in winter. Therefore, the opportunity to book a really comfortable room is decreasing every day. If you plan to spend your vacation on this reservoir, it is better to book a place of accommodation as soon as possible. Moreover, there will be no discounts in June.
Most camp sites and holiday homes provide their guests with full board, including three meals a day. Accommodation in a double room starts from 15 thousand tenge per day. Rest in a place of accommodation that does not provide meals will be cheaper – from 10 thousand tenge.
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