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ALA destination photo
SAW destination photo

ALASAW

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior view of the dramatic Tian Shan mountains upon departure, a closer look at the shrinking Aral Sea, and the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains to the south.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🏔️

Trans-Ili Alatau

Spectacular views of the northernmost range of the Tian Shan mountains immediately after takeoff from Almaty.

🏜️

Kyzylkum Desert

The vast, undulating red sands of the Central Asian desert visible as the plane heads west over Kazakhstan.

🌊

Aral Sea Remnants

A striking view of the remaining water basins and the dramatic dry seabed of what was once one of the world's largest lakes.

⛰️

Greater Caucasus

Gliding south of the main range, passengers can see the high-altitude glaciers and the peak of Mount Elbrus in the distance.

🏙️

Princes' Islands

During the descent into SAW, look for the chain of islands in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul.

For the best mountain photography, choose a morning flight to have the sun behind you when viewing the Tian Shan and Caucasus ranges. Seat yourself forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. During the winter months, the snow coverage on the Kazakh steppe provides a unique geometric landscape of frozen rivers.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🌾

Eurasian Steppe

The endless, flat horizons of the Kazakh plains stretching toward the Russian border.

💧

Northern Caspian

The shallow, turquoise waters of the northern Caspian Sea, often featuring unique sediment patterns near the Volga Delta.

🏖️

Black Sea Coast

As you approach Turkey, enjoy a long stretch of the rugged and green northern coastline.

⛴️

Bosphorus Strait

Depending on the landing pattern, you may see the waterway separating Europe and Asia and its iconic bridges.

🌲

Northern Forests

The dense green forests of the Sabiha Gökçen area, a contrast to the dry landscapes of Central Asia.

The right side is ideal for catching the sunset on evening flights as you head west. If the aircraft approaches SAW from the north, this side provides the best view of the Bosphorus and the European side of Istanbul. Keep an eye out for offshore wind farms in the Black Sea just before the Turkish landfall.

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Route Information

Distance: 3,892 km (2,418 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 35 min

Departure: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)

Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)

Route Type: International

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