Splendid Kazakhstan Tour from Almaty

After the hotel pickup, your private driver guide will accompany you to explore Almaty from city landmarks to mountain escapes. Let’s kick off from the Almaty Museum for the city’s revolutionary past, followed by a journey northeast to the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where you’ll be instantly drawn to the Ascension Cathedral. While its appearance showcases European charm, the decorations inside - including icons, murals, and mosaics - reveal an Orthodox world, which offers a window to the divine, rather than the personal worship of Catholic sculptures. 
 
Later, prepare for a sensory overload at the two-story Green Bazaar, also known as Zeleny Bazaar, where locals shop for everything. Due to Kazakh nomadic roots, the dairy section is the absolute star. What looks like a thick, white soup is Kumis, fermented mare’s milk. Ancient nomads put it in leather bags tied to their saddles, and the natural ‘stirring’ of horses’ trotting accelerated its fermentation. What a sparkling wine of the steppe!We’ll then drive southeast to the Medeu Gorge. Hop on the cable car up to Shymbulak Ski Resort, one of the world’s highest ski hubs. Since it is just 30 minutes from downtown, skiing isn’t a rare luxury but a way of life for locals. They usually strap on skis at the age of 3 or 4.

Let’s conclude today with a romantic sunset at the top of Kok-Tobe Hill. Once there, an eco-vehicle will whisk us up. From the observation deck, watch the whole city glow in brilliant gold while listening to The Beatles’ classic songs, a symbol for the Central Asian youths who dreamed of freedom during the Soviet era. After going downhill by cable car, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars) or similar

Your driver guide will escort you on a 4-hour drive deep into the Heavenly Mountains to visit the alpine lakes. The first one is located in the Kaindy Valley, where 1911 Earthquake reshaped local landscapes after a severe landslide pushed rocks and glacial till into the bottom and formed a barrier lake - Kaindy Lake. A large aera of spruce forests was entirely submerged, maintaining their original appearance from 100 years ago due to the low oxygen content. Standing by the lake, you can discover some branches with clear growth rings that record the abrupt moments through turquoise waters. 

Let’s continue our way westward to the Lower Kolsai Lake surrounded by dense fir forests. Amazingly, the lake changes its color with the light, shifting from refreshing aquamarine in the morning to transparent emerald in the afternoon. Enjoy the lakeside walk with occasional rhythmic dombra from adjacent yurt guest houses. Seasonal activities like horseback riding, swimming, and boating are also available here, and feel free to participate in them at your own expense if interested. Finally, your driver guide will escort you to your guest house in Saty Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

★ Walk through Mars-like Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon

Today’s itinerary kicks off with a 1.5-to 2-hour drive to Charyn Canyon National Park. Carved by rushing water and wind erosion, it boasts dramatic sandstone cliffs with colorful textures from deep orange to light brown hues. Get ready for an exciting hike at the most representative Valley of Castles, and equip yourself with a wide-brimmed sunhat, comfy sneakers, and plenty of water. Carefully descend to the bottom along the steep steps first, followed by a 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) walking on the flat, gravel riverbed that offers close-up views of city gates, watchtowers, and city walls from diverse angles. At the end, suddenly appeared oasis along the Charyn River will wash away your exhaustion on the Mars-like landforms.

After that, we’ll drive 3 hours back to Almaty, and you can rest or take a shower at the pre-booked hotel before enjoying a private car transfer to train station. From there, your driver guide will help you board the overnight sleeper train to Taraz, an old settlement close to the parting of nomadic and settled tribes along the Silk Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On the Train

Upon your early-morning arrival, your local driver guide will pick you up at the train station and set off for two famous mausoleums. The first stop is the Karahan Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Kara-Khanid Khanate (840 -1212 AD), the first Turkic tribe to convert to Islam.

Another one is the Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, designed with a white-marble facade to symbolize the ‘everlasting wedding hall’ of Karahan and its owner. Their love was not favored by Aisha’s parents, and tragedy struck when she sneaked out to meet her beloved, only to be bitten by a snake and die. Through the undulating floral, geometric, and calligraphy patterns of the hollow structural cavities, an organ-like resonance will drift in the air and spread 50 to 100 meters (164-328 ft.) away, as if conveying the king’s repentance to soothe the past soul.

We’ll then proceed to the Ancient Taraz Archaeological Park, where you can walk on wooden bridges to closely observe the remains of fortresses, mosques, madrasahs, water supply systems, and caravanserais. Your driver guide’s detailed explanation will help you imagine life here 2,000 years ago.

Leave Taraz behind, and we’ll embark on a 3-hour journey to Shymkent, located in the southernmost Kazakhstan and known for rich Silk Road history. Upon arrival, your driver guide will escort you to your hotel. Have a good rest!

Accommodation: Aidana Plaza Hotel, Shymkent (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your driver guide will meet you at your hotel lobby for a 1.5-hour comfortable ride to Ak Meshit Cave. Hidden among rolling mountains, the cave once imprisoned an evil dragon that threatened local people and later became a sacred religious site to pray for healing and prosperous future generations. The refreshing microclimate inside provides a retreat for visitors while experiencing spiritual energy.  

Next up is Otrar Old Town, located a 2-hour drive away. Situated along the Amu Darya River, it was a strategic outpost of the Khwarazmian Empire before developing into a pivotal Silk Road hub. Genghis Khan (1162 - 1227 AD) launched his west campaign from here, and Amir Timur (1320 - 1405 AD) rested here forever on his way to conquer China. Let’s walk among the restored gates and walls on the ruins of the ancient city, as well as functional buildings such as bathrooms and museums, to glimpse its glorious past.

A short drive away lies the Arystanbab Mausoleum, built in honor of a revered Sufism mentor. After admiring its delicately carved wooden pillars preserved from the 18th century and adjacent mosque, we’ll drive 1 hour northward to Turkestan. According to local legend, spiritual merit accumulated in three pilgrimages to Turkestan equal an ultimate one to Mecca, so the city attracts millions of visitors annually. Once there, your driver guide will escort you to your hotel for rest.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Khanaka, Turkestan (3 stars) or similar

After meeting your driver guide at your hotel lobby, prepare for today’s spiritual trip centered around the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi. In the 12th century, this Islamic missionary spread teachings among the nomads through Turkic poems and shamanic songs familiar to them, although mainstream opinion held that Arabic and Persian were the orthodox vehicles of knowledge. His efforts proved so successful that the Turks thus revered him as the sage. Amir Timur, the ruler of that time who came from a Turkic tribe, commissioned this mausoleum to strengthen Islamic faith and public cognition of his rule.

The mausoleum’s facade is covered with peacock blue and turquoise glazed tiles, a design that visually grafts the Sky God in Tengrism onto the Islamic belief. Move on to the Underground Mosque after visiting the main mausoleum, where you can glimpse the hypostyle halls in which Yasavi lived and wrote in the last years of his life.

Let’s then cross the square to the Juma Mosque opposite, which houses items used during its operation: prayer mats, books, and brass hand-washing and face-washing containers. Our next stop is the Ancient Baths, built for pilgrims to clean their bodies before entering the holy sites.

Today will wrap up at the Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begum, dedicated to Timur’s great-granddaughter, and then you’ll enjoy a 2.5-hour private car transfer with your driver guide back to your hotel in Shymkent.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aidana Plaza Hotel, Shymkent (4 stars) or similar

After a morning greeting at your hotel, let’s explore authentic Shymkent life at local bazaars. The city will hit you with its raw energy, where young locals dart precariously through streets with loud music pumping, reminiscent of adventurous cowboys in Texas. Yet, inside the bustling bazaars, these southerners’ straightforward and hospitable side takes over. Stall owners patiently impress visitors with fascinating stories behind textile manufacturing, hand out tasting bites, and share smiles regardless of a sale. Under the influence of this down-to-earth urban atmosphere, the golden combination of ‘massive meat skewers and ice-cold beer’ dominates local cuisine, and perhaps try them at your own expense when browsing among stalls. Locals say that this way help them feel the pulse of life.

Later, we’ll escort you to the airport to board the 1-hour flight back to Almaty. After landing, your driver guide in Almaty will pick you up and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars) or similar

It is time to say goodbye today. Your driver guide will escort you to Almaty Airport at the appointed time. Wish you a safe journey!

Meals: Breakfast