This 8-day Kazakhstan Classic Tour is an unforgettable journey to the center of Eurasia, highlighting fascinating traditions, beautiful and pristine nature, as well as a delicate mixture of old and modern aesthetics. This is the most comprehensive tour for those traveling to Kazakhstan for the first time.
Tour itinerary:
05.25 Arrival to Almaty International airport.
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will meet local guide holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in and rest after flight.
Sightseeing tour in Almaty, 11.00 – 20.00.
This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments, where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to the XVII century.
Just in a walking distance, you could enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market. Here you might taste the food, bargain and, obviously, buy local tasty goods for a very nice price.
Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, you are going to visit the city’s main attraction – the Ili Alatau mountains.
The National Park of Ili Alatau was founded in 1996, the park is spreading for 120km and the total area is 202,292 hectares. The altitude varies from 600 to 5,000 meters.
Medeo is an essential part of the Ili Alatau park and it is a historical object of Almaty’s development as a city. Located at the height of 1,690 meters, the Medeo skating rink is the highest rink location in the world. However, our main purpose of visit is Shymbulak – a mountain resort located at the elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. In 1950s, ski lovers used to climb the mountain for 3 hours for a 15 minutes’ descent.
Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe park – located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Once we come down from the hill, we are going back to the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will meet local guide holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in and rest after flight.
Sightseeing tour in Almaty, 11.00 – 20.00.
This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments, where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to the XVII century.
Just in a walking distance, you could enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market. Here you might taste the food, bargain and, obviously, buy local tasty goods for a very nice price.
Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, you are going to visit the city’s main attraction – the Ili Alatau mountains.
The National Park of Ili Alatau was founded in 1996, the park is spreading for 120km and the total area is 202,292 hectares. The altitude varies from 600 to 5,000 meters.
Medeo is an essential part of the Ili Alatau park and it is a historical object of Almaty’s development as a city. Located at the height of 1,690 meters, the Medeo skating rink is the highest rink location in the world. However, our main purpose of visit is Shymbulak – a mountain resort located at the elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. In 1950s, ski lovers used to climb the mountain for 3 hours for a 15 minutes’ descent.
Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe park – located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Once we come down from the hill, we are going back to the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Today you will have early breakfast as we are taking a long ride to the “must-see” place when visiting Kazakhstan and Almaty, in particular.
08.00 – 20.00 Bus tour to the canyon. Lunch boxes included.
Charyn canyon is one of the popular and magnificent natural attractions of Kazakhstan, located 220 kilometers from Almaty city. Charyn is also called a “small brother” of Grand Canyon in the USA, as, comparably, the length of Kazakhstan canyon is only 154 kilometers, but beauty of Charyn is unique and cannot be compared to any in the world. Besides, the canyon has many mysteries related to legends about “witches”, “red wolves” or “road to hell”. Nobody knows why local people made all these stories, but indeed, the place is very extraordinary: you can feel it once you approach majestic rocks of the canyon and when walking inside of it.
After leaving the hotel in Almaty, within 3-4 hours of driving, we turn from the main road to the road that leads to “Valley of castles” – the main touristic point of Charyn.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 min.) to the Charyn River (2 km one-way). On the way, tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn.
After enjoying the lunch by the river and watching fascinating panoramic views of the canyon, we are ready to drive back to the city.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
08.00 – 20.00 Bus tour to the canyon. Lunch boxes included.
Charyn canyon is one of the popular and magnificent natural attractions of Kazakhstan, located 220 kilometers from Almaty city. Charyn is also called a “small brother” of Grand Canyon in the USA, as, comparably, the length of Kazakhstan canyon is only 154 kilometers, but beauty of Charyn is unique and cannot be compared to any in the world. Besides, the canyon has many mysteries related to legends about “witches”, “red wolves” or “road to hell”. Nobody knows why local people made all these stories, but indeed, the place is very extraordinary: you can feel it once you approach majestic rocks of the canyon and when walking inside of it.
After leaving the hotel in Almaty, within 3-4 hours of driving, we turn from the main road to the road that leads to “Valley of castles” – the main touristic point of Charyn.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 min.) to the Charyn River (2 km one-way). On the way, tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn.
After enjoying the lunch by the river and watching fascinating panoramic views of the canyon, we are ready to drive back to the city.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Kazakh Ethno Village “Huns”.
The ethno-village is a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of ethnic Kazakhs. The village, about 35 km from Almaty in the Talgar district, is also a great way to escape to the mountains for fresh air, horseback riding and to discover Kazakh traditional games and rituals.
From the moment of entrance and welcome ritual “shashu” to the horseback riding in the mountains, you will be surrounded by the Kazakh’s culture, hospitality and traditions.
You will enjoy the entertaining program. This includes:
Optionally: guest can request a horseback riding tour for 30 minutes or 1 hour to explore the area and enjoy the nature.
At 16.00, you return to the city, the rest of the day is free.
20:30 Transfer to railway station.
21:35 Train to Turkestan, overnight in train.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Departure to Kazakh Ethno Village “Huns”.
The ethno-village is a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of ethnic Kazakhs. The village, about 35 km from Almaty in the Talgar district, is also a great way to escape to the mountains for fresh air, horseback riding and to discover Kazakh traditional games and rituals.
From the moment of entrance and welcome ritual “shashu” to the horseback riding in the mountains, you will be surrounded by the Kazakh’s culture, hospitality and traditions.
You will enjoy the entertaining program. This includes:
- Show of felt craft and a close look at the yurts with every detail described;
- Performance of “Besikke salu” or “Tusau kesu” rituals, which are still actual in Kazakh families;
- Horse games like “Kyz kuu” – when young man is chasing a girl to kiss her while riding a horse, and “atpen audaryspak” – wrestling of two young men on horseback;
- Traditional dances and music, where guests will be shown moves and take part in group flash mob;
- Master class of cooking “baursak” – traditional Kazakh pastry.
Optionally: guest can request a horseback riding tour for 30 minutes or 1 hour to explore the area and enjoy the nature.
At 16.00, you return to the city, the rest of the day is free.
20:30 Transfer to railway station.
21:35 Train to Turkestan, overnight in train.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
11:10 Arrival to Turkestan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check in at 14:00.
This day you visit the main historical site of the region: The Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmet Yassawi, which is part of UNESCO HERITAGE. The mausoleum was built in the end of XIV century and since then it has become one of the main places of worship in Islam.
After excursion, we drive further to visit ruins of the ancient city Sauran. In historical records, the city is described as a powerful fortification that is surrounded by gardens and cultivated land. A 7 meters high and 3 meters wide wall was erected around Sauran, which partially remains to the present day. In the best years, Sauran’s population was about 15 thousand people, but in the XVII century, the city was almost abandoned. Finally, people left it in the middle of the XIX century. Thanks to this fact, the ancient city is well preserved until now.
You can visit new complex Karavansaray and enjoy wide variety of options: from shows to activities, from exciting experiences to events, from historical venues to modern entertainment units await you to discover the Kazakh culture.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Check in at 14:00.
This day you visit the main historical site of the region: The Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmet Yassawi, which is part of UNESCO HERITAGE. The mausoleum was built in the end of XIV century and since then it has become one of the main places of worship in Islam.
After excursion, we drive further to visit ruins of the ancient city Sauran. In historical records, the city is described as a powerful fortification that is surrounded by gardens and cultivated land. A 7 meters high and 3 meters wide wall was erected around Sauran, which partially remains to the present day. In the best years, Sauran’s population was about 15 thousand people, but in the XVII century, the city was almost abandoned. Finally, people left it in the middle of the XIX century. Thanks to this fact, the ancient city is well preserved until now.
You can visit new complex Karavansaray and enjoy wide variety of options: from shows to activities, from exciting experiences to events, from historical venues to modern entertainment units await you to discover the Kazakh culture.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and Transfer to Otrar, an ancient city.
Otrar (also known as Farab) was an important trading center in the history of Central Asia, situated at the intersection of the caravan ways of the Great Silk Road.
On the way to Shymkent city, tourists also pass the Museum in the Shaulder village and the Mausoleum of Arystan - bab of XII century - one of Muslim shrines in Central Asia that is also famous as pilgrimage place.
14.00 Arrival to Shymkent city and transfer for lunch.
Short city tour.
17.00 Check in and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Otrar (also known as Farab) was an important trading center in the history of Central Asia, situated at the intersection of the caravan ways of the Great Silk Road.
On the way to Shymkent city, tourists also pass the Museum in the Shaulder village and the Mausoleum of Arystan - bab of XII century - one of Muslim shrines in Central Asia that is also famous as pilgrimage place.
14.00 Arrival to Shymkent city and transfer for lunch.
Short city tour.
17.00 Check in and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for flight to Astana at 11.15.
13.00 Arrival to Astana. Transfer to the restaurant for lunch.
After lunch start sightseeing in Astana:
Sightseeing tour in Astana from 15.00 to 20.00. The tour includes:
Then you are going to visit another fabulous work of Mr. Foster, the Baiterek Monument. This is a main symbol of the capital. The height of the tower is 97 meters and visitors can go up by lift and experience the panoramic view of the city.
After the tour, we visit Khan Shatyr – one of the new symbols of capital, the first and only lifestyle center of Astana. The center unites shopping and entertainment under one roof. The building itself is the world’s biggest tent– shaped installation, which makes it unique.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
13.00 Arrival to Astana. Transfer to the restaurant for lunch.
After lunch start sightseeing in Astana:
Sightseeing tour in Astana from 15.00 to 20.00. The tour includes:
Then you are going to visit another fabulous work of Mr. Foster, the Baiterek Monument. This is a main symbol of the capital. The height of the tower is 97 meters and visitors can go up by lift and experience the panoramic view of the city.
After the tour, we visit Khan Shatyr – one of the new symbols of capital, the first and only lifestyle center of Astana. The center unites shopping and entertainment under one roof. The building itself is the world’s biggest tent– shaped installation, which makes it unique.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in Astana from 10.00 to 19.00.
Our first stop is Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – a pyramid that was designed by a famous architect Norman Foster. The uniqueness of this building is its golden section proportion: 62 meters of length and 62 meters of height.
The Hazret Sultan Mosque – 2nd biggest mosque in Central Asia that can accommodate 10,000 people at one time. The building is designed as an Oriental palace.
The National Museum – opened in 2014, currently the museum is the biggest in Kazakhstan and consists of 10 thematic halls, including ancient and medieval history, ethnography, history of Kazakhs and other.
We continue our tour by visiting “Nur Alem” center, the world's largest spherical building, 80m in diameter and 100m tall, it is the first scientific/ hi-tech museum in Kazakhstan. The complex is a legacy of EXPO 2017, which was held during summer 2017 in Astana. It takes around 3 hours or even more to cover all eight floors of the Museum of Future, where the basic types of energy will be demonstrated: those of the space, sun, biomass, wind, water and kinetics.
Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight.
Meals: breakfast
Sightseeing tour in Astana from 10.00 to 19.00.
Our first stop is Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – a pyramid that was designed by a famous architect Norman Foster. The uniqueness of this building is its golden section proportion: 62 meters of length and 62 meters of height.
The Hazret Sultan Mosque – 2nd biggest mosque in Central Asia that can accommodate 10,000 people at one time. The building is designed as an Oriental palace.
The National Museum – opened in 2014, currently the museum is the biggest in Kazakhstan and consists of 10 thematic halls, including ancient and medieval history, ethnography, history of Kazakhs and other.
We continue our tour by visiting “Nur Alem” center, the world's largest spherical building, 80m in diameter and 100m tall, it is the first scientific/ hi-tech museum in Kazakhstan. The complex is a legacy of EXPO 2017, which was held during summer 2017 in Astana. It takes around 3 hours or even more to cover all eight floors of the Museum of Future, where the basic types of energy will be demonstrated: those of the space, sun, biomass, wind, water and kinetics.
Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight.
Meals: breakfast
Price includes:
- 3 nights’ Hotel accommodation on BB (DBL/TWN shared) in Almaty;
1 night in the train Almaty – Turkestan (4-bed compartment);
1 nights Hotel accommodation on BB (DBL/TWN shared) in Turkestan;
1 night in Shymkent city on BB (DBL/TWN shared);
2 nights’ Hotel accommodation on BB (DBL/TWN shared) in Astana. - Meals: 8 breakfasts at the hotels, 1 lunch at Charyn Canyon, 1 lunch at ethno-village;
- All airport transfers;
- Private A/C transport with driver as per program:
- 2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats;
- 3-7 pax – minivan up to 10 seats;
- 8-14 pax – minibus up to 18 seats;
- 15 pax and more coach up to 48 seats; - Locals English - speaking guides services.
- Entrance fees to sites listed;
- Ecological fees;
- Mineral water 0.5L p/p daily;
- Souvenirs.
Price doesn't include:
- International air tickets
- Domestic Air ticket Shymkent – Astana (exact fare is guaranteed after 100% of prepayment and air ticket is issued) – from 100 USD p/p (subject to change)
- Meals: full board: + 5 lunches and 7 dinners: 200 USD per person / Half board: 5 lunches: 75 USD per person
- Any services not included in the above itinerary
Important:
- Some changes are allowed in the program, except reduction of number of booked excursions.
- In case place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During big events proposed accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category.
- Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to change without prior notice.
- Hotel booking is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation and 100% prepayment received from client.
- Domestic flights are subject to change in timing and availability. If mentioned flight is not available, it will be changed to convenient one, depending on tour program.
- Proposed hotels are not available; it will be substituted with another hotel of same category.
Payment:
Payment to be made not less than 20 days prior to tourist group arrival at our bank account as per received invoice or by credit card.
Cancellation fees:
Cancellation prior 30 days – no charges apply.
Cancellation prior 20 days – 50% charge of the total price.
Cancellation prior 7 days – 100% charge of the total price.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2024 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
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