Kazakhstan Grand Tour

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ALMATY MEAL:

XX:XX Arrival at Almaty International Airport. After passing through border control and collecting your luggage, you will meet your local guide holding a nameplate with your name.

You will be transferred to your hotel for check-in (14:00). Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: ALMATY

Breakfast at the hotel.

9:30 – 19:00 | Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Almaty:

The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov Soldiers – named after the WWII division from the Almaty region. Inside the park: the eternal flame, memorials, the Ascension Cathedral – Orthodox wooden church that withstood a strong earthquake, and Museum of Musical Instruments with over 1,000 exhibits dating back to the XVII century.

Just a walking distance away — “Green Bazaar”: a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market.

Optional: Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, explore the city’s main natural attraction — the Ili Alatau Mountains. The National Park, founded in 1996, stretches 120 km with a total area of 202,292 hectares (altitude: 600–5,000 m).

Medeu — located at 1,690 m, the world’s highest ice skating rink location. Then continue to Shymbulak Mountain Resort at 2,260 m — a modern resort with high-level equipment and infrastructure.

Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe, a park at 1,100 m. Take a cable car ride and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the city.

Transfer back to the hotel.

DAY 3: ALMATY – CHARYN CANYON – SATY VILLAGE [B/LB/-]

Early breakfast.

08:00 – 20:00 | Tour to Charyn Canyon (lunch boxes included).

Charyn Canyon — located 220 km from Almaty, often called the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon, stretching 154 km in length. After a 3–4-hour drive, we arrive at the Valley of Castles. The trek is leisurely (~50 minutes one way, 2 km) to the Charyn River.

*Optional eco-taxi (UAZ vehicles) for approx. 2 USD per person.

After lunch by the river, we head to Saty village. Check-in and overnight.

DAY 4: KOLSAY LAKE – KAINDY LAKE – ALMATY

Breakfast at the guesthouse/mountain resort and transfer to Kolsay Lake.

Kolsay Lakes — a group of high mountain lakes in the Northern Tien Shan, near the Kyrgyzstan border. Located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above sea level. Known as “The Necklace of Tien Shan” or “Pearls of Zhetysu Region”.

Continue to Kaindy Lake in UAZ vehicles — formed after a powerful earthquake in 1911. A landslide flooded a coniferous forest, and the submerged tree trunks are still preserved and visible through the cold, crystal water.

On the way back, stop at a local house in the village for a homemade lunch. Return to Almaty. Check-in and overnight.

DAY 5: ALMATY – TANBALY – ALMATY – TURKESTAN (TRAIN)

10:00 Departure to the ancient sanctuary of Tanbaly with rock paintings.

Located 170 km northwest of Almaty, Tanbaly is one of the oldest monuments of rock art in Semirechye — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. About 2,000 petroglyphs depict animals, people, sun-headed deities, warriors, hunting scenes, and sacred rituals dating back to the Bronze Age.

Drive back to Almaty. Transfer to Almaty Railway Station.

20:55 Departure by train to Turkestan. Overnight on the train.

*Please bring cash for breakfast on the train, as only cash is accepted on board.

DAY 6: TURKESTAN

11:00 Arrival in Turkestan.

Begin with the Azret-Sultan Historical and Cultural Reserve, home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Timurid architecture (14th century), renowned for its turquoise dome and intricate tilework.

Continue with visits to the Turkestan Necropolis, the Hilvet underground mosque, a traditional hammam, and remnants of the old citadel walls and gates.

Enjoy the Altyn Samruk Flying Theater — a 3D virtual flight through Kazakh mythology and landscapes.

Visit the “Uly Dala Eli” Center with halls dedicated to metallurgy, horseback culture, the Kazakh Khanate, a 3D projection sphere, a glass bridge over the map of Kazakhstan, and the “Baiterek Tree” art installation.

In the evening, watch the Boat Parade show at the Karavansaray complex — a performance based on the legend of Kyz Zhibek and Tolegen, combining music, storytelling, and decorated boats on the water.

Transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight in Turkestan.

DAY 7: TURKESTAN – SHYMKENT – ASTANA (FLIGHT)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Shymkent (~3.5 hours) with a stop in Otrar — an ancient city and major Silk Road trade hub — and a visit to the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab (12th century).

Upon arrival in Shymkent, short evening city tour:

Independence Park
The Old Town and Ordabasy Square
Abai Park — monument, landscaped alleys, fountains, and sculptures
Glory Memorial — dedicated to the heroes of World War II

Transfer to Shymkent Airport. 20:50 Departure to Astana. 22:30 Arrival in Astana. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight.

DAY 8: ASTANA

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 – 18:00 | Sightseeing Tour in Astana:

National Museum of Kazakhstan — the largest in the country, with 10 thematic halls covering ancient history, ethnography, and modern Kazakhstan.
Hazret Sultan Mosque — the 2nd largest mosque in Central Asia, capacity 10,000 persons.
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation — glass pyramid designed by Norman Foster, 62 m high and wide.
Baiterek Monument — 97-meter tower, the main symbol of Astana, with panoramic city views.
Khan Shatyr — the world’s largest tent-shaped structure, combining shopping and entertainment under one roof.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9: ASTANA – BURABAY – ASTANA

After breakfast, trip to Burabay — “Kazakh Switzerland”, “Pearl of Kazakhstan”. A stunning oasis in the steppe, just 3 hours from Astana, full of legends, lakes, and mountains from 300 to 900 meters in height.

Return to Astana in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10: ASTANA – AKTAU (FLIGHT) [B/-/-]

After breakfast, discover the historical part of Astana:

Walk along the Esil River with views of the futuristic Atyrau Bridge
Russian Orthodox Church — the largest in Central Asia
Military History Museum — over 6,000 exhibits covering Kazakhstan’s history from ancient times to the present
Astana Grand Mosque — the largest mosque in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, among the top 10 largest in the world

19:20 Departure from Astana. 22:05 Arrival in Aktau. Transfer to the hotel. Check-in and overnight.

DAY 11: AKTAU – TORYSH – KOKKALA – SHERKALA – AIRAKTY – JEEP TOUR

Your guide and driver pick you up from the hotel.

First stop — Valley of Balls (Torysh): hundreds of giant mysterious stone spheres scattered across the landscape, each unique.

Next — Kokkala Gorge: a Jurassic period monument with purple and reddish rock formations dating back millions of years.

Visit Mount Sherkala — symbol of Mangystau, resembling either a giant yurt or a sleeping lion. Climb one of its sides to feel the power of this ancient place of legend.

Final stop — Airakty–Shomanai (“Valley of Castles”): fortress-like peaks and towering walls shaped by 40 million years of wind and water — once the floor of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

Unwind overnight in a cozy yurt — just like the nomads!

DAY 12: AIRAKTY – BOZZHYRA – JEEP TOUR

Breakfast in nature.

Journey to Bozzhyra Park — an open-air natural museum with otherworldly landscapes. First, the “Mars” panorama — vast, desolate beauty with unearthly colors. In the evening, hike to the viewpoint overlooking Bozzhyra’s famous “Fangs”.

Overnight in tents under a sky full of stars.

DAY 13: BOKTY MOUNTAIN – KYZYLKUP – KARAKIYA DEPRESSION – AKTAU – JEEP TOUR

Bokty Mountain — a stunning remnant mountain with alternating-colored layers (light to dark), famously depicted on the old 1,000 tenge banknote.

Kyzylkup (“Tiramisu Mountains”) — layered shades of white, beige, and deep red, shaped by wind and time in the ancient desert.

Karakiya Depression — the deepest dry depression in Kazakhstan, reaching -132 meters below sea level, 85 km in length. Known as “the birthplace of rain” due to unique atmospheric phenomena.

Return to Aktau city. Transfer to the hotel.

DAY 14: AKTAU – DEPARTURE

Early morning transfer to Aktau International Airport to take your flight back home or to continue your journey through Central Asia.

End of the tour.

PRICES of 2026 in USD:

Price per person

Hotels:	Price per person
Hotels:	1	2	3	4
comfort	USD$ 7953	USD$ 4315	USD$ 4200	USD$ 3315
standard	USD$ 7240	USD$ 3880	USD$ 3670	USD$ 2890
economy	USD$ 6975	USD$ 3780	USD$ 3515	USD$ 2780

The program includes:

◉ Private A/C transport with driver as per program:

2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats
3–7 pax – minivan up to 10 seats
8–10 pax – minibus up to 18 seats

◉ Jeep Tour in Mangystau region — Toyota Land Cruiser (similar), 3 pax per car

◉ 3 nights’ accommodation in Almaty hotel on BB (DBL/TWIN)

◉ 1 night in guesthouse/mountain resort at Kolsay National Park

◉ 1 night in the train Almaty – Turkestan (4-bed compartment)

◉ 1 night in hotel in Turkestan on BB (DBL/TWIN)

◉ 3 nights’ accommodation in Astana hotel on BB (DBL/TWIN)

◉ 2 nights’ accommodation in Aktau hotel on BB (DBL/TWIN)

◉ 1 night in a yurt at Kogez ethno-village (TWIN shared only)

◉ 1 night in tents (TWIN shared): mobile shower and toilet cabin, electricity access

◉ Camping equipment: tents, double sleeping mats, sleeping bags, tables and chairs, mess tent

◉ Ecological fees in accordance with the program

◉ Sightseeing tours according to the program

◉ Local English-speaking guide services

◉ Entrance tickets

◉ Meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners

◉ Mineral water 1L per person daily

The program excludes:

◉ International air tickets

◉ Domestic air ticket Shymkent – Astana — from 100 USD per person (subject to change, issued after 100% prepayment)

◉ Domestic air ticket Astana – Aktau — from 140 USD per person (subject to change, issued after 100% prepayment)

◉ Horseback riding at Kolsay Lakes — from 40 USD per person

◉ Personal expenses

◉ Any service not included in the above itinerary

Recommendations when planning your trip:

◉ Green Bazaar and museums in Almaty and Astana are closed on Mondays.

◉ Temperature varies between cities and surrounding areas — bring warm clothes, a light jacket, sunglasses, and a hat when travelling outside.

◉ Due to limited rooms at guesthouses/mountain resort in Kolsay NP and Kogez ethno-village, booking must be done in advance.

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Note:

This is a private guided tour. No other tourists will join you/your group during the tour.
You can choose the sequence of visits to the attractions yourself. You can choose a convenient start time for the tour: from 09.00 to 16.00. The tour can start directly from the airport / train station, where our guide will be waiting for you.