Blogs
Ideal Length
12 Nights
When To Go
All Year
Places to go
If you want to explore a land of vast steppes, rich history, and vibrant modernity, Kazakhstan is an extraordinary destination. Nur-Sultan, the capital, impresses with its futuristic skyline and cultural sites like Bayterek Tower.
Almaty, with its stunning mountains and thriving cultural scene, offers attractions like the Central State Museum and Medeu Skating Rink. Shymkent, known for its lively bazaars, features the ancient Sayram settlement and Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. The Mangystau region boasts otherworldly landscapes like Bozzhira Valley, while the East Kazakhstan region is home to the Altai Mountains. Turkestan’s Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the ancient city of Taraz showcase the region’s rich history.
From blooming tulips in spring to the golden steppe in autumn, Kazakhstan promises an unforgettable adventure filled with cultural treasures and natural wonders.
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day 1
Almaty
Your driver will meet you at the airport and accompany to Almaty city. Today you will have a city tour. You will visit the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world – Zenkov Cathedral is located. After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and Shymbulak resort. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Check-in after 14:00. Transfer to the hotel. -
day 2
Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty
Today you will trip to Charyn Canyons. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once – so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Transfer to Saty. -
day 3
Saty – Kaindy Lake – Kolsai Lakes – Saty
Today you will have sightseeing at Kaindy Lake. Kaindy Lake (birch lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. It is impossible to describe in words all this mystical splendor of the lake – it is necessary to go there and see everything with own eyes. Then you will have a walk from Kolsailake 1 to Kolsai lake 2. Kolsai Lakes – “Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan” – represent a cascade of three lakes. The largest lake is accessible for all visitors. It is the most beautiful lake, having a lack of civilization and the abundance of mushrooms. The highest lake is small. It is located on the border of fir-wood and the alpine meadows and amazes by its harsh alpine beauty, as well as the rich flora and fauna. Vertical drop between the three lakes is about 700 meters. The lowest lake can be reached by car. But you should walk few kilometers along mountain trails to see the second and the third lake. Without doubts the tourists are expected to have a wonderful vacation in these places – berries, mushrooms and fishing. The water in the lakes is cold and clean and is home for the rainbow trout – a fish that lives only in the running or spring water. In the around mountains you can see Marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears. Return to Saty. Night is at the yurt. -
day 4
Saty – Altyn Emel – Basshi
Today you will drive to AltynEmel National park. You will visit Kyzylauyz Petroglyphs located in the gorge Taigak, where you can find five groups of inscriptions in Tibetan language, all are of the same content and read as “Om – Mani – Pad – Me – Hum”. Also there are the images of generic characters, pictures of mountain goats and sheep, view of the collective hunt for goats and deer, images of musical instruments and a picture of the holiday, with multiple actors. Another interesting sightseeing is Besshatyr burial mounds which is the main sightseeing of the AltynEmel National Park. Besshatyr” is translated as “five tents”: probably because of the five biggest burial mounds on this territory, part of which has been excavated by the archaeologists in the middle of the past century. Besshatyr necropolis is considered to be the shrine of ancient Saks lived on territory of modern Kazakhstan in the 6th century BC. Altogether 18 royal burial mounds, having diameter from 8 to 70 meters and height from 2 to 20 meters, are concentrated at the territory of 2 sq.km. Transfer to Basshi village. -
day 5
Basshi village – Aktau, Katutau – Almaty
Today you will visit Katutau Mountains (Harsh Mountains) are very ancient ruined mountains with preserved volcanic outputs. The breed is very fragile and breaks down under the physical impact. Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) are world-renowned paleontological field. In the layers of Paleogene lacustrine deposits well-preserved remains of ancient animals whose age is estimated at 25-30 million years have been found. Among the finds there are the remains the giant rhinos, crocodiles, turtles. Huge conical mountains remind the Egyptian pyramids and are a magical scene of the variety of shapes and colors. Transfer to Almaty. Night is at the hotel. -
day 6
Almaty – Astana
Transfer to airport. Your driver will meet you at International airport of Astana and accompany to the city. Today you will see the Constitution Square, where the president of Kazakhstan N.A.Nazarbayev announced the decision of transferring the capital of the country from Almaty to Astana. You will visit the Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the museum you will see the Golden man, well known not only in the Kazakh steppe but also in all Central Asia. In order to better understand today’s life of the city, you will enter the largest and unique shopping center Khan Shatyr. Then you take the elevator to the top of the “Astana-Baiterek” monument, where you can admire the magnificent panorama of the Kazakhstan capital from the special observation deck. You will cross Ishym river and get to the Kazakh Eli Square. There you will visit another unique project – the Palace of Peace and Accord, and also see the extraordinary beauty of Khazret Sultan mosque. Final point of the excursion will be the Palace of Independence, where you can look at the far-reaching plans of the development of Astana in the hall “Layout Astana until 2030”. Night is at the hotel. -
day 7
Astana – Borovoe (ice fishing if water is frozen)
Transfer to Burabai National park (Borovoe), which occupies 85000 hectares of northeastern part of Kokshetau elevation. There are 14 lakes in the park, each having surface area of more than 1 sq.km, and a large number of small lakes. On a way to the resort area which is in 270 km from Astana. On arrival you will visit the Khan’s pass and see “Burabay” mountain. On Abylaykhan Valley you will feast your eyes upon “Ush- kyz”, “Ok-Zhetpes”, “Zhumbaktas” rocks and “Kokshetau” mountain, each having the surprising legends reflecting history and identity of the Kazakh people. Further you will have an easy hiking on “Bolektau” mountain, on the top of which the tremendous view of the “Borovoe” lake and its surroundings opens. You can have (ice fishing). Night is at the hotel. -
day 8
Borovoe – Astana
In the morning is transfer to Astana city. Night is at the hotel. -
day 9
Astana – Turkistan
Today is flight to Turkestan. You will have sightseeing at “Azret-Sultan” historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, citadel with gates, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque).Turkestan was founded around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. The city was known as the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people in the XVI-XVIII centuries, and was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Turkestan has gained wide international reputation due to preaching activity of the famous Sufi sheikh and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who was buried in a small mausoleum here in 1166. According to legend, all the attempts to build a wall of the mausoleum failed: in one version it was demolished by the big storm, in another version – it was a green bull who came and destroyed everything. A saint, appeared in Tamerlane’s dream, said that at first you ought to build a mausoleum over the grave of Arystan Bab (teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi), and only then – over the tomb of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, what Tamerlane did. That is why pilgrims primarily visit the mausoleum of Arystan Bab, and then Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Pilgrims say that three trips to Turkestan equal small Hajj to Mecca. Night is at the hotel. -
day 10
Turkistan – Otrar – Shymkent
Transfer to Shymkent. City tour Shymkent: Baidibek Bi Monument, Kashkar ata spring, Source Koshkar- Atayuzhno-Kazakhstan Museum of Political Repression, Shymkent Arboretum. Monument to Baidibek Bi, located in the northern part of Shymkent, is the highest monument in the country. Baidibek Karashauly is a significant historical figure of Kazakhstan. He was famous for his wisdom, honesty, and oratorical skills. He united the nomadic tribes, raised them to protect their native land from enemy invasions. The height of the sculpture with a pedestal is 23 meters (75 ft), the figure itself is 10 meters (33 ft) high. But if you count the hill, where the monument stands, then it can be considered one of the highest in the world. According to historians, Baidibek Bi could resolve any dispute. Therefore, the great judge is depicted with his arms outstretched to the sky, meaning his pure thoughts and honesty. The Baidibek Bi Monument is one of the main attractions of the city. Night is at the hotel. -
day 11
Shymkent – Sairam – Almaty
After the breakfast is departure to Sairam Settlement (20 km). Sightseeing at Local History Museum “Sairam”, Mar-Tobe, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, medieval minaret.Sairam Settlement is located near Shymkent, at the place of Ispidzhab – one of the largest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. It was first mentioned in Chinese manuscripts of the year 629. In the XIII century it gets a new name – Sairam. The settlement keeps the remains of buildings of XIII-IXX centuries. But this is not the only reason of Sairam’s fame, it is also known as the birthplace of the great enlightener of XII century – Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Afterwards is transfer to airport. The driver will meet you and drive to Almaty city. Night is at the hotel. -
day 12
Almaty – BAO – Almaty
Breakfast at the hotel. The tour starts with driving to the Big Almaty gorge, where at an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level located the Big Almaty lake – one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake is very beautiful, especially when its blue surface is absolutely calm, and it reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. The Big Almaty lake was formed as a result of movement of an ancient glacier. Thanks to high- mountain location the water in the lake is always cool – even in July the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees.The lake is a source of potable water for Almaty city, that is why the access of tourists to the lake is limited. The tour route lies higher the Big Almaty lake to the altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, where scientific premises for astronomical and space researches have settled down. Here, at the basis of the Big Almaty peak, you can enjoy a fascinating panorama of mountains and the Big Almaty lake, surrounded by the picturesque mountain peaks covered with Tian-Shan fir-tree, aspen and juniper.On the way back to the town you will visit the Falcon Farm. Return to the hotel and overnight. -
day 13
Almaty – Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport.
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