11 Day Kazakhstan Adventure Astana Turkestan Almaty

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
DAY 1 – ASTANA | Arrival
1 stop
1
Astana
Independence Square The main square of Astana, hosting national celebrations and events. Highlights include the Kazakh Eli Monument with the mythical Samruk bird, surrounded by key landmarks such as the Palace of Independence, Palace of Peace and Accord, Hazret Sultan Mosque, National Museum, and other cultural buildings. Triumphal Arch “Mangilik El” A symbolic monument built to mark 20 years of Kazakhstan’s independence. Its 20- meter height represents each year of sovereignty. Lunch at a local restaurant Photo stop: • Ak Orda Presidential Residence (exterior) • Bayterek Tower – the main symbol of Astana, representing renewal and growth. Hotel check-in at 16:00 Free time. Dinner at a local restaurant Overnight in Astana.
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 2
ASTANA → SHYMKENT → OTRAR → TURKESTAN
1 stop
2
Shymkent
Packed breakfast at hotel 06:00 Transfer to Astana Airport 09:50 Arrival in Shymkent, meeting with guide Shymkent City Tour Shymkent, the third largest city in Kazakhstan, is one of the country’s oldest cities, founded in the 12th century on historic trade routes of the Silk Road. Highlights: • Historical Museum of South Kazakhstan • The largest mosque in Southern Kazakhstan (exterior/interior) • Ayna Bazaar – lively traditional market with local products Lunch at a local restaurant Otrar Archaeological Site Afternoon transfer to the ancient city of Otrar (Farab), an important Silk Road trading center and former capital of Tamerlane’s empire. The site features remains of a highly developed city with irrigation systems, pottery workshops, and baths. Today, Otrar is an open-air museum listed on the UNESCO Tentative List. Visits include: • Archaeological excavations of Otrar • Shaulder Museum with excavation findings • Arystan Bab Mausoleum (en route)
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 3
TURKESTAN → ALMATY
1 stop
3
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
Breakfast at hotel 08:00 Check-out from the hotel Meeting with the guide and start of the city tour. Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO) Visit of the most important historical monument in Kazakhstan – the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Complex (14th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes the mausoleum, citadel, ancient bathhouses, fortress walls, and Juma Mosque. The mausoleum itself is a masterpiece of medieval architecture with more than 30 rooms and halls. Lunch 14:30 Transfer to Turkestan Airport 18:00 Arrival in Almaty Dinner at a local restaurant Transfer to hotel, check-in. Overnight in Almaty
1 day • Admission ticket included
Day 4
ALMATY → CHARYN CANYON → KOLSAY LAKE
1 stop
4
Charyn Canyon National Park
Breakfast at hotel Check-out from Almaty hotel. 09:00 Transfer to Charyn Canyon (250 km / approx. 3 hours) Charyn Canyon Visit of one of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular natural landmarks, located within Charyn National Park (est. 2004). The park protects rare geological formations and endangered wildlife. The area is also home to the unique Sogdian ash grove, a natural monument dating back millions of years and protected under UNESCO. 14:00 Lunch at a local restaurant Kolsay Lakes – Lake 1 Transfer to Kolsay Lakes, a group of three alpine lakes in the Kungey Alatau Mountains, listed among the most beautiful natural sites in Kazakhstan. Visit of the First (Lower) Kolsay Lake, located at 1,800 m above sea level. Check-in at Kolsay Hotel or similar Dinner in Saty village Overnight near Kolsay Lakes
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 5
KOLSAY LAKE → KAINDY LAKE → ALMATY
1 stop
5
Malyye Kaindy Lake
Breakfast at hotel Check-out. 09:30 – 13:00 Kaindy Lake Visit of Kaindy Lake, a unique natural attraction famous for its submerged forest. The trunks of flooded trees rise above the crystal-clear, icy water, creating an unforgettable landscape. 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at a local restaurant 14:30 Transfer to Almaty (300 km / approx. 4 hours) 19:00 – 20:00 Dinner 21:30 Check-in at hotel Overnight in Almaty
1 day • Admission ticket included
Day 6
ALMATY → ALTYN-EMEL NP → BASSHY VILLAGE
1 stop
6
Altyn-Emel National Park
08:00 Transfer to Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park by Mercedes Sprinter; sightseeing inside the park by local jeeps. Altyn-Emel National Park Located in Almaty Province, Altyn-Emel National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Kazakhstan. The park is famous for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, sandy deserts, sandstone formations, and vast steppes. Among its main highlights are the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau Mountains. 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch in Basshy village Katutau Mountains The Katutau volcanic mountains. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the solidified lava has created unusual shapes, making Katutau a unique natural monument. Aktau Mountains The Aktau Mountains, also known as the “White Mountains,” form an open-air geological museum. Although they appear white from afar, their canyons reveal colorful rock layers, towers, and dry valleys filled with calcite crystals. 19:00 Arrival in Basshy village. Check-in. Dinner at the guesthouse
1 day • Admission ticket included
Day 7
BASSHY → ALMATY
1 stop
7
Altyn-Emel National Park
Breakfast at hotel Check-out. 08:00 – 12:00 Singing Dune, Altyn-Emel NP Visit of the famous Singing Dune, a unique natural phenomenon producing sounds when the sand moves under the wind, ranging from a soft hum to organ-like tones. 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch in Basshy village 14:30 Transfer to Almaty (300 km / approx. 4 hours) 19:00 Arrival in Almaty 19:30 – 20:30 Dinner 21:30 Check-in at hotel Overnight in Almaty
1 day • Admission ticket included
Day 8
ALMATY CITY TOUR
1 stop
8
Almaty
Breakfast at hotel 08:30 – 14:00 Sightseeing tour City tour starting from the hotel, introducing the history and development of Almaty. Visit of the main landmarks, including the Central State Museum, Presidential Residence (exterior), Republic Square with the Independence Monument, Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, and central city squares. The tour continues through the historic part of the city with 19th-century Vernensky buildings, Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments. 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch at a local restaurant 15:30 – 17:00 Kok-Tobe Hill Cable car ride to Kok-Tobe, offering panoramic views of Almaty. Time for a walk in the park and souvenir shopping.
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 9
ALMATY → ASTANA
1 stop
9
Almaty
Breakfast at hotel Alma-Arasan Gorge Visit of the scenic Alma-Arasan Gorge, located in the mountains southwest of Almaty. Time to enjoy fresh alpine air, natural surroundings, and beautiful views. Alma-Arasan Hot Springs Stop at the Alma-Arasan hot springs, known for their sulfur mineral water and relaxing, healing properties. Falcon Show – Sunkar Falconry Visit to Sunkar Falconry with a traditional falcon show, presenting trained birds of prey and the ancient art of falconry. Dinner at a local restaurant 18:00 Transfer to the airport Flight to Astana Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Astana
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 10
ASTANA CITY TOUR
1 stop
10
Astana
Breakfast at hotel Hazret Sultan Mosque Visit of Hazret Sultan Mosque, the second largest mosque in Astana, built in traditional Islamic style and named after Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a renowned Sufi thinker and poet. Palace of Peace and Reconciliation Visit of the iconic Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, also known as the Pyramid, built in 2006 to host the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center Stop at Khan Shatyr, a futuristic shopping and entertainment complex shaped like a giant tent and one of the main landmarks of Astana. Astana Opera Photo stop at Astana Opera, a grand theater opened in 2013, symbolizing the cultural life of the capital. Dinner at a local restaurant Return to hotel. Overnight in Astana
1 day • Admission ticket free
Day 11
DEPARTURE
1 stop
11
Astana
Packed breakfast Goodbye picture Transfer to the airport

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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