Best of Kazakhstan

Almaty – Astana - Almaty

Duration
7 days
Group size
1-10
From
780

Highlights

  • Visit Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, and see its futuristic architecture, such as the Bayterek Tower and the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre.
  • Explore Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, and visit its historical landmarks, such as the Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar.
  • Visit the Tash Rabat caravanserai, a 15th-century fortified inn.
  • Go horse riding in the Kazakh steppes and experience the traditional way of life of the Kazakh people.
  • Visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Turkestan.
  • Hike in the Charyn Canyon, a natural wonder that is often compared to the Grand Canyon.
  • Sample the delicious Kazakh cuisine, which features hearty meat dishes, flavorful soups, and traditional flatbreads.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Almaty

Arrival to Almaty, the Southern capital of Kazakhstan.Meeting and greeting at Almaty International airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 2 - Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Almaty Grand Tour (6 hours):The tour starts with sightseeing in central part of Almaty. You will know more about history and development of the South capital of Kazakhstan and see its major attractions. You will visit a popular place for townpeople - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real Central Asian market, its colors, smells and crowds. There you can obtain famous Asian sweets, but don't forget to bargain... Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty park – Panfilov Park, where you will see one of the unique wooden building in the world – Zenkov Cathedral and also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, dedicated to the memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After the park you will continue to explore sport, cultural and business areas of the city. You will go to the Medeo Gorge, where the highest mountain skating rink in the world is located, as well as the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. 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 go by the picturesque winding mountain road. In the national restaurant of Kok-Tobe park you will have opportunity to try traditional dishes of Kazakh cuisine sitting inside the real Kazakh yurt. After the lunch you can stroll along the winding paths of the Kok-Tobe park, admire the magnificient 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

Day 3 - Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the oldest and largest museums not only in Kazakhstan, but also in the entire Central Asian region. Today the Museum collection includes about three hundred thousand monuments of material and spiritual culture, which include clothing, carpet and felt products, items of jewelry and fine art, porcelain and ceramics, photos. Among the exhibits there are such unique items as gold products of Saka period.Central Asian region. The Big almaty Lake Tour (7 hours): Located just in 25 km from the upper city boundary, the Big Almaty Lake is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake located in picturesque gorge at an altitude of 2510 m above sea level and from all sides surrounded by mountain peakes covered with the majestic Tien-Shan fir. 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. You will have picnic on at the lake as well as a free time for recreation at nature. On the way back to the town you will visit the Falcon Farm, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with them is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh way of life.

Day 4 - Almaty - Astana

Breakfast at the hotel. The Chimbulak Ski Resort Tour (3 hours) Chimbulak Ski Resort located in the upper part of picturesque gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau 2230 meters above sea level. It is popular for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days and great amount of snow through the winter and remarkable scenery of mountain ranges. The resort is considered to be one of the best in CIS countries. Vertical drop is 943 meters and you will have opportunity to reach the last point of cable car – the Talgar pass, located at an altitude of 3163 meters above sea level. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Astana – the capital of Kazakhstan. Arrival to Astana. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 5 - Astana - Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Astana Sightseeing Tour (3 hours). Lunch. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Almaty. Arrival to Almaty and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 6 - Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. The Charyn Canyon Tour (9 hours): Charyn Canyon 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 and know more about Kazakh people, their life and traditions. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once, because you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. While you admire the grand panorama you will be offered a picnic, and then you will have opportunity to walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Anyone who has ever been to the Charyn Canyon, falls in love with it forever!

Day 7 - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

What's included / excluded

The tour price includes

  • Double accommodation, 3* hotel
  • Transfers and transportation as per program
  • Meals according to the program
  • English-speaking guide service and excursions according to the program
  • Environmental and entry fees
  • Registration on the territory of Kazakhstan

The tour price doesn't include

  • Single accommodation supplement
  • Airfare Almaty-Astana-Almaty
  • Meals not indicated in the program
  • Visa support, if required
  • Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program

Trip map

Reviews

Price for Custom dates

Any date

from $780

per person

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  • No Booking Fees
  • Free Cancellation
  • Help center access