Classic Kazakhstan Travel

Welcome to Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, once known as Nur-Sultan. Upon arrival, your private driver guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel downtown. The rest of the day is free for you.

Located in Kazakhstan’s northern steppes, Astana has become a freezing capital due to cold fronts and strong winds. Its winter lasts more than 5 months, from November to March, when the temperature often drops to -20℃ (-4℉) or even lower. Therefore, the best tour time is from late April to late September, while the warmest period is from mid-June to mid-August, with favorable temperatures around 26℃ (80℉). Still, remember to bring some windproof and warm clothes in these months.

Despite the harsh climate, Astana has developed astonishingly since being designated the new capital in 1997. Its construction scale, listed in the Guinness World Records, is well-deserved as a work of art in the 21st century by boasting many bold and trendy buildings.

► Useful Apps You May Need
For having meals and navigation in your free time, it’s recommended to use Google Maps and 2 GIS together since the former is convenient for checking restaurant reviews, and the latter can accurately provide the best route in real time. For taxi-hailing, Yandex Go is as convenient as other apps you are familiar with. The only thing to know is that you’d better choose to pay on-site and then via Kaspi - a local payment app - or cash when you arrive at your destination.

► Recommended Dinner Site in Astana (at your own expense)
Saksaul, a Kazakh-style furnished restaurant serving authentic Kazakh cuisine, is a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel. The servers are friendly but do not speak English, so you need to order with the help of a translation app. Its Beshbarmak - a traditional Kazakh dish with horse meat, onions, potatoes, and noodles, Lamb Kebab, and Foie Gras Salad are highly recommended. Moreover, they provide free photo-taking in traditional Kazakh costumes. After dinner, you can also enjoy the night view of Bayterek Tower ablaze with lights.
Average Cost per Person:  8,000 to 10,000 tenge ($15-20)
Address: Northern Lights, Dostyq St 5, Astana 020000

Accommodation: Ibis Hotel Astana (3 stars) or similar

Today, the driver guide will accompany you on a full day of exploring vibrant Astana. Start in the compact old town, where you can admire the remaining Soviet-style buildings. Stop at Hazrat Sultan Mosque, built in traditional Islamic style that appears light, airy, and elegant, with exquisite details, including beautiful wall decorations featuring Kazakh patterns and Arabic calligraphy. Also, focus on its precious artifacts, such as the 162-page silver Quran made by the Moscow Mint and the 12th-century original Quran that Timur brought to Kazakhstan in the 14th century, weighing 40 kilograms (88 pounds). 

The next destination is the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, whose streamlined white main structure with blue glass curtain walls echoes the Kazakhstan flag, consisting of seven buildings of different heights, the tallest of which is nine stories high. In History Hall, Ethnography Hall, Astana Hall, etc., you will learn about the nomadic history of the Kazakh people, how they fought for freedom, established the Kazakh state, and developed rapidly after independence. Besides, don’t miss the key highlight of all collections, a Scythian warrior in golden armor, revered as a symbol of Kazakhstan.Then, move to Astana’s new city zone, dotted with ingeniously-designed architecture. You will first see a pyramid-shaped building made of silver-grey stone and steel frames, with a spire covered by gold and light blue translucent glass, symbolizing the Kazakhstan flag’s colors. It is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, often used to hold international regional leaders’ meetings (closed if there are meetings), delivering Kazakhstan’s determination to enhance its importance in global affairs.

Rising in the distance is the Bayterek Tower, whose 97-meter height symbolizes Astana’s declaration as the new capital of Kazakhstan in 1997. Bayterek means “white poplar” in Kazakh, believed to be the “tree of life,” with its roots deep into the earth and branches reaching the sky. An ancient legend goes that the sacred bird Samruk once laid eggs in the crown of the “tree of life,” which inspired the design of the Bayterek Tower. You may have already met it on a 10,000 tenge banknote.

Next, pay a short visit to the 150-meter (490 feet) high Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, which appears like the Kazakhs’ nomadic style yurt, known as the world’s most enormous “yurt”. Finally, explore the Nur Alem Future Energy Museum, which looks like a giant tellurian from afar and is the largest one of spherical architecture. As the core pavilion of the 2017 World Expo with the theme of future energy, it best demonstrates how new energy works by using special glass to withstand Astana’s lousy weather and generating energy with solar panels and wind turbines.

So far, your Astana city tour is drawing to an end. Have a good rest tonight, pack your luggage, and prepare for the following visits to Almaty.

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

Today, the driver guide will drive you to the Burabai National Park in the north of Astana. With lakes, mountains, and pine forests, the park is regarded as the ‘Switzerland of Kazakhstan’. Upon disembarking the vehicle, you can have a short hike along the path to Lake Borovoe at the center of the park. Along the way, you may have a chance to encounter foxes, hares, and badgers. As you approach the lake, you’ll be intrigued by the huge rock rising from the water. You can pay KZT 2,000–4,000 (USD 5–10) for a one-hour boat rental to have a close look at the rock formation. If you happen to visit here in winter, the lake may be frozen, allowing you to walk to the base of the rock. For a more relaxing way to explore the park, you can rent a bike on your own, costing approximately KZT 1,500 (USD 3) per hour. 

After a full-day exploration, you’ll be sent back to the hotel in Astana. 

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

This morning, your driver guide will take you to Astana Airport. After a 1.5-hour flight to Almaty, the driver guide based there will pick you up and escort you to the hotel.

Compared with the vibrant and modern Astana, the old capital Almaty highlights the heroic complex in the genes of the Kazakh nation, evident in the country’s name - “Kazakh” meaning “nomadic god of war” in Turkic - and in its living customs. Many young people lay wreaths at the martyrs’ tombs as part of their wedding ceremonies, and streets here are mostly named after historical celebrities, including politicians, national heroes, writers, and musicians, always hoping to remember those who have made outstanding contributions to the country, the nation, and humanity.

Regarding people who have shaped the history of Kazakhstan, we must mention Genghis Khan, who is worshipped as Kazakhs’ hero and ancestor. During Genghis Khan’s unification of Central Asia, he ended the tribal disputes in Kazakhstan, allowing it to develop rapidly. Later, after the Mongolian regime collapsed, the descendants of Orda Khan, the eldest son of Genghis Khan’s eldest son Jochi, established the Kazakh Khanate regime, when the first time in history that the name Kazakh appeared.

In the afternoon, the driver guide will lead you to Sunkar Raptor Center for a splendid Falconry Show (available from April to October except Monday and Tuesday). In ancient times, falcons were the perfect hunting partners when the Kazakh area was still a wasteland. A tamed eagle was regarded as a family member who could feed the whole family. But it’s undoubtedly challenging to do so. Hunters may need to train for at least three years to achieve skilled cooperation with eagles. However, such a tradition is controversial due to the cruel eagle-taming method, and people no longer live a nomadic life, so the inheritance of falconry culture has turned to falconry competitions or performances to keep this unique skill.

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

Today, we will leave for Basshi Village by driving for 3.5 hours. After hotel check-in and a lunch break, you will be guided to Altyn Emel National Park, a paradise for ecotourism and geomorphology lovers, to climb the Singing Dune. Formed by silt deposits from the ancient Ili River, the dunes are over 150 meters (492 feet) high and more than 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) long. When climbing up, you will hear its singing under your feet when the wind blows through, with a low-frequency sound similar to a distant airplane’s roar or a whale’s song.

After admiring the majestic sunset view over the dunes, we will return to Basshi Village. Don’t worry if you have not enjoyed it enough, because we’ll come here to visit another attraction tomorrow morning. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basshi Hotel

After breakfast, follow your driver guide to Altyn Emel National Park again. Hiking past grasslands, Gobi, and deserts, you’ll find every corner worth exploring. Once the bottom of an ancient sea in the Ili Basin, the Aktau Mountains’ steep canyons are the most unique landscape in the park and also preserve many Cenozoic fossils and imprints as a paleontological monument, including the remains of some previously unknown species. Then, we will return to the Basshi Village for a lunch break. 

In the afternoon, we’ll keep driving for 2 hours to our hand-picked resort in Chunja Hot Springs complex, for an overnight stay. There are as many as 140 hot spring sources, the origin of which dates back 200 million years, still heated by the remaining magma from an ancient volcano. Rich in minerals, Chunja Hot Springs attracts hot spring lovers around Almaty to turn themselves loose. 

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

Today, we will make it to Charyn Canyon National Park. One of the longest and deepest canyons in the world, Charyn Canyon stretches 154 kilometers (96 miles) in length and reaches 300 meters (984 feet) in depth, boasting a unique landscape of towering cliffs and colorful rock formations. Despite the harsh desert environment, many rare trees growing here await you. The Sogdian Ash trees are some of the most impressive trees on Earth. They can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall, with trunks that reach several meters in circumference; some even live up to 700 years or more. Another fascinating tree species is the Asian Poplar, whose roots can get up to 50 meters deep to gain underground water to survive the arid conditions.

You will discover the surreal beauty of Moon Canyon, where wind and water have sculpted the rocks into astonishing forms - some evoke the skeletons of ancient giants, while others suggest mysterious castles. This canyon is also a museum of natural history, preserving fossils of ancient life. From the viewing platform, behold a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the canyon and the Charyn River winding through it like a silver ribbon. For adventurers, the trail along the river at the canyon bottom offers an up-close look at the fascinating rock strata. 

Then, drive 1.5 hours to the guest house in the Saty Village. After check-in, we will continue to explore Kolsai Lakes, a group of three alpine lakes at different altitudes. With their clear aquamarine waters and surrounded by coniferous forests, the Kolsai Lakes are highly praised as the “Pearl of Northern Heaven Mountains”. Lower Kolsai Lake is 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) and is easily accessible by car, making it the most popular. Flanked by mountains, the lake stretches for about 1 km (0.6 mi) and nurtures rainbow trout. You can hike along the shore to the end of the lake, where the water surface narrows to a stream flowing through the valley. After visiting, drive back to the guest house for dinner.

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

Today, follow your driver guide for an Almaty city tour beginning with the Central Mosque of Almaty, the second largest mosque in Kazakhstan. Admire its ceramic-covered 36-meter-high (118-foot) dome with intricate floral patterns, gorgeous snow-white main hall, and five visually attractive towering minarets, especially in the sun. Standing in front of the gate, the flawless white columns and the magnificent corridors are more eye-catching, just like an artful palace.

Next, meander along the avenue of the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and stop in front of the Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), a prime example of Russian Orthodox architecture. Appreciate its outstanding appearance of soaring onion domes, intricate carvings and brightly colored glass windows. Today, it is still active for worshipping as a spiritual center for the local community. Whether you are a history, architecture, or religious culture lover, you will not be disappointed. 

Continue to visit Kazakhstan’s oldest bazaar, Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), which has always played an essential role in residents’ daily lives. Greeted by the rich aroma of local spices and the heady smell of freshly prepared snacks, you will be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere where vendors and customers chat fervently with each other. The wide range of goods and how people live here will give you a glimpse into the city’s cultural heritage like no other. Then, drive out of the urban area to the Medeu Gorge, which attracts numerous visitors for its unspoiled environment, and the Shymbulak Ski Resort Area, which was once used as the training center of Soviet athletes. The cable car will send you to the resort, where you can see the magnificent view of the green valley and white snow peaks of the Heavenly Mountains. Finally, we’ll return to the city area of Almaty and ascend Kok Tobe Hill at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) for sunset viewing. Reach the hilltop by Kok-Tobe’s electric bus, enjoying the sweeping vistas of Almaty and the Ili Alatau Mountains. Take pictures of the Beatles Memorial Sculpture and the TV Tower, one of Almaty’s tallest and most earthquake-resistant buildings, whose spire can be seen from many city areas. If you like, you can have dinner at your own expense at the food court, cafes, or restaurants here, with tasty Kazakh, Georgian, and European cuisines. Go downhill by cable car, and you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.  

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

Your best private tours of Kazakhstan draw to an end today. The driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Almaty Airport. We wish you a smooth journey home!

► Tips at Almaty Airport:
Despite low passenger traffic, the immigration and security check is slow; sometimes, it may take nearly 2 hours, so please discuss the airport see-off time with the driver to avoid missing the flight. In addition, although there are cafes and shops at the airport, the beverages and bottled water are quite expensive, so you can bring some water when you leave the hotel.

If your 10-day trip to Kazakhstan has aroused your interest in Central Asia’s history and culture, and you would like to continue visiting neighboring countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, please contact our travel consultants to customize itineraries for you!

Meals: Breakfast