Classic Kazakhstan Travel

After picking you up at your hotel this morning, your driver guide will accompany you to the old town compact with many Soviet-style buildings. Kick off at Hazrat Sultan Mosque, one of Central Asia’s largest Islamic mosques. Admire the snow-white domed main building surrounded by four minarets soaring to the sky, with their pillars and walls adorned with Kazakh patterns and Arabic calligraphy. Inside, catch a glimpse of the 12th-century original Quran, the only fundamental scripture of Islam, which Timur brought to Kazakhstan in the 14th century, weighing 40 kilograms (88 pounds).

Next up is National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, One of the largest museums in Central Asia. In its numerous halls themed around history, ethnography, and Astana, look into Kazakh nomadic history, their struggle for freedom, and the rapid development after independence. Also, we won’t let you miss the Scythian warrior wearing golden armor, which is regarded as a national symbol.

Then, get ready to feast your eyes on the striking futuristic architecture at the new city zone. After appreciating the silver-gray, pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, functioning as the venue of international leadership conferences, stop at the Bayterek Tower, an iconic monument of Astana. The height of its observation deck, 97 m (318 ft), echoes to the year 1997 when Astana was chosen the country’s new capital. Gaze upon the tower resembling a white poplar tree topped with a gilded globe, hearing your guide narrating its story: Kazakh people revere the poplar tree as the “Tree of Life,” and the sacred bird Samruk once laid eggs on its branches, inspiring the design of Bayterek.

The following visit will be to the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, in an amazing shape of a traditional Kazakh nomadic yurt. Rising at 150 m (490 ft), it is viewed as the world’s largest “yurt.” Mark today’s last stop at the Nur Alem Future Energy Museum, one of the world’s largest spherical structures. In this exhibition hall that was once the venue for the “Future Energy” theme World Expo in 2017, you can learn how it uses special glass to withstand harsh weather and generate energy with solar panels and wind turbines.

Finally, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel. Sweet dreams!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Astana (3 stars) or similar

In the morning, your driver guide will accompany you hit the road northwards of Astana to Burabai National Park, dubbed the “Switzerland of Kazakhstan.” 3 hours later, we’ll reach the park and embark on a light hike. Walk along the gravel road, passing by a continuous pine forest. Immerse yourself in the fragrant mixture of pine and larch trees mingled with the moist earthy smell, and maybe encounter startled hares and chipmunks darting into the bushes. Upon hearing a gentle sound of water, you’ll find the azure Lake Borovoe suddenly comes into sight. Feel free to saunter along the shoreside pine forest beach, or pay yourself to rent a boat for around KZT 2,000-4,000 (USD 4-9) per hour to discover the mysterious Zhumbaktas Rock rising from the lake. It’s said that the rock presents different figures from different perspective: either like a young girl or a sphinx. If your visit falls in winter, when the lake freezes over, you can walk directly onto the ice for a closer view of the rock; but please proceed with caution! 
► FYI: Further ways to explore the park include biking - the bicycle rental costs around KZT 1,500 (USD 3) per hour.

Finally, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel in Astana.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Astana (3 stars) or similar

This morning, enjoy a private car transfer to the airport to catch your 1.5-hour flight to Almaty. Upon landing at the Almaty airport, your local driver guide will pick you up and escort you to your downtown hotel for check-in. Along the way, feel the interplay of modernity and tradition of this former capital, where Soviet-era buildings stand alongside sleek skyscrapers on wide streets named after historical figures.

★ Special Inclusion: Traditional Falconry Show

If it is during March to November, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays, we’ll head to the Sunkar Raptor Center to experience Kazakhstan’s traditional nomadic eagle hunting culture. In the once barren Kazakh land, eagles were perfect hunting companions for herdsmen and treated as one of the family. However, due to the cruelty of eagle training and the fact that people have left the nomadic lifestyle, it has gradually evolved into falconry competitions or performances to preserve this unique skill and culture. When you see the golden eagle plummeting from high above, a huge wave of stress hits you with full force - a truly awe-inspiring moment making you realize why falconry has long been one of the nation’s most representative traditions. 

After the visit, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel.

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

Today, your driver guide will convoy you on a 3.5-hour drive to Basshi Village, the main gateway for exploring Altyn Emel National Park, a vast nature reserve renowned for its diverse terrains. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and have a hearty lunch.

In the afternoon, let’s enter the park and make our way straight to the iconic Singing Dune. Choose a shady spot to climb up the 150-meter (492-foot) high sand dune. Feel the resonant low-frequency sounds of the wind and sand, resembling sounds of a pipe organ or an airplane’s roar. Standing at the top, gaze at the golden world stretching for over 3 km (1.9 miles) and your guide will recall the folklore: beneath the sand lies the Great Genghis Khan and his loyal soldiers, and the dune’s singing is the accounts of their past heroic deeds. As dusk approaches, enjoy the setting sun gradually darkens the sand.
► Tips on the Singing Dune:
1.It’s advisable to remove your shoes or wear shoe covers to prevent sand from getting into your shoes.
2.Plan to bring some snacks and bottled water, as there are no retail options in the park.

Finally, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel in Basshi Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basshi Hotel

This morning, let’s continue our exploration of Altyn Emel National Park. After picking you up from your hotel, your driver guide will accompany you straightly to Aktau Mountains, unique cliff valleys formed from a vanished prehistoric ocean. Aktau means “white mountain” in Kazakh, but what you actually see is an “overturned palette,” featuring stripe layers of white, red, and light green. Hiking among the rocks, observe the textures up close - you might even spot prehistoric shell fossils or traces of unknown species! Additionally, you can fly a drone for a bird’s-eye view of the entire landscape, doubling the sense of awe! Next, return to Basshi Village for lunch.

★ Special Treat: Unwind at Chunja Hot Springs

To provide you with a physical rest after your desert exploration, we’ve specially handpicked a resort in the Chunja Hot Springs complex for you. The water here is continuously warmed by the residual heat from an old volcano and is rich in minerals, which have a relaxing effect on the body. After a 2-hour private road trip, arrive at and check into the resort, and soak in the soothing thermal bath! Have a good sleep at the resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kara Dala Hot Springs Resort or similar

Start the morning with a nearly 2-hour private escort to Charyn Canyon National Park, where your driver guide will first accompany you to discover Charyn Canyon, one of the world’s longest and deepest canyons, around 154 km (96 miles) in length and 300 m (984 ft) in depth. Standing among the towering cliffs, admire the stunning red sandstone formations, with some oddly-shaped rocks seeming to roll down the slope right in front of you at any moment! Looking around, you’ll find rare yet thriving vegetation like Asian Poplar, and prepare to be charmed by the cute sand rats suddenly popping up from the roadside.

Then, our sightseeing continues to the Moon Canyon, another geological spectacle within the park. Its rock layers of earthy yellow and gray-white hues give it a look similar to the surface of the Moon, creating a feeling of isolation and an otherworldly vibe. From the viewing platform, cast your eyes on the rocks in various shapes, some resembling the skeletons of ancient giants and some like mysterious castles, as well as the silver ribbon-like Charyn River winding through the canyon. If you wish, we can take the trail at the canyon bottom along the river for an up-close look at the fascinating rock terrains. No railings here, so watch your steps on slippery slopes! 

Afterward, let’s drive 1.5 hours to Saty Village and check into a guest house. We’ll save some time for the Kolsai Lakes, widely known as “Pearl of the Northern Heavenly Mountains.” After traveling along a stretch of well-paved mountain road, arrive at the most popular 1,800-m (5,900-ft) Lower Kolsai Lake. Sauntering along the shore, admire the surrounding verdurous mountain views and rainbow trout in the lake, which feature purple-red rainbow-shaped bands and black spots on their sides.

At last, your driver guide will escort you back to your guest house for dinner.

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

This morning, your driver guide will accompany you to Kaindy Lake, a mysterious site boasting an “underwater forest.” Look at the countless bare, withered trees stuck on the lake surface, like the spears of a mysterious army; and obtain a hazy perspective of the dark green branches hidden underwater for hundreds of years, which were discovered in the 1980s by Soviet divers.

Today’s another highlight lies on the Valley of Castles, the most stunning sight in Charyn Canyon due to its boulders resembling ancient castles. We’ll embark on a 3-hour immersive hiking here. Descend from the entrance to the valley floor, walking on a gently sloping trail where soft sand may make it slightly challenging. Gaze up at the massive red rocks on both sides - some resemble medieval castle towers, some look like sphinxes or crouching camels - let your imagination run wild! Maybe you can even discover ancient biological fossils, such as those of rhinos and saber-toothed tigers. The trail ends at the Chalun River, flanked by lush poplars and shrubs, a vibrant oasis in stark contrast to the desert you just passed through. The uphill section on the return journey can be a little bit tiring, and you can queue for a provided shuttle bus. Or if you’d prefer a panoramic view, consider the easier and shorter ridge-top scenic trail, where you can capture the striking color gradients of the terrain with a wide-angle lens.
 Warm Tip: There are off-road vehicles available at the entrance for a round-trip ride lasting about 40 minutes, costing around KZT 9,000 (USD 20). If you’re interested, experience it at your own expense.

Then, after dinner at Bayseit Village, your driver guide will escort you on a 3.5-hour drive to Almaty. Expect to arrive at your hotel around 9:00 pm and check in. Wish you a good sleep!

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

Today, your driver guide will first show you around the Central Mosque of Almaty, the second largest of its kind in Kazakhstan. Take in its pure white main hall adorned with blue floral patterns, gilded domes, and towering minarets. Then, stroll along the tree-lined avenue of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park and marvel at the Ascension Cathedral, aka the Zenkov Cathedral, an eminent Russian Orthodox architecture. Appreciate its dreamlike facade: the bright cream-colored walls contrast gently with the mint green and pale pink decorations, with shining golden onion-shaped dome piercing the clouds. Whenever you come, you’ll find that this sacred center is swarming with devotees.

Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), Kazakhstan’s oldest market, is our next stop. Here, browse the stalls offering a varied selection of groceries and daily supplies, inhale rich aroma of spices, and observe the lively bargaining between vendors and customers. If you’re a lover of nuts or goat cheese, this place won’t disappoint you.

Leaving the market, let’s drive out of the city to Medeu Gorge for its natural beauty. Upon arrival, take a cable car to the Shymbulak Ski Resort Area, one of Central Asia’s most famous skiing and summer resorts. As the three-stage cable car ascends, admire the majestic ever-changing landscape: after passing by dense forests, expansive alpine meadows come into view, and finally are replaced by icebergs and continuous snowy peaks. The platforms at the transfer points can also provide nice views for photo-taking.
► FYI:
1.The summit is over 3,000 m (9,842 ft), so please slow down your pace when wandering around. If you feel unwell, please inform your guide immediately.
2.The resort offers half-day and full-day skiing experiences, pricing at around KTZ 16,500-22,500 (USD 36-49). If it tickles your fancy, please contact our travel consultants to tailor your itinerary.Next, cap off your day with a stunning sunset over Kok Tobe Hill back in downtown Almaty. Take an electric bus to the summit, where you can enjoy the magnificent vistas of Almaty, including the iconic TV Tower, one of the city’s tallest buildings, and the surrounding mountains. If you like, treat yourself to tasty Kazakh, Georgian, and European cuisines offered by the eateries and cafes here for dinner at your own expense.

After taking a cable car down the hill, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel.

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

Today, your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the airport for your onward flight. The check-in process is rather slow at Almaty Airport, sometimes taking nearly 2 hours. Please allow enough time to avoid missing your flight. Thank you for travelling with us!

Meals: Breakfast