Astana

Welcome to Astana, formerly known as Nur-Sultan, which replaced Almaty as Kazakhstan’s capital in 1997 and thus became one of the world’s youngest capitals. Upon arrival, you will meet our driver guide at the airport, and he or she will drive you to our hand-picked hotel downtown. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Today, we will thoroughly tour Astana by visiting its famed landmarks. The first stop is the old town on the east bank of the Ishim River, where Astana originated in the early 19th century. Many buildings from the Soviet era, over 100 years ago, are preserved here.

Hazret Sultan Mosque

Then, come to Hazrat Sultan Mosque, a traditional Islamic building with a solemn and serene white exterior. Walking into the main hall, you will be amazed by its magnificent interior again, with a very high roof, pillars, and walls decorated with Kazakh ethnic patterns and designs. It can accommodate 5,000 to 10,000 people for worship indoors and outdoors.

Continue following your driver guide to the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the largest museum in Central Asia, where you can learn about how Kazakhstan developed from the Stone Age to an independent country through rich exhibits. The Kazakhs are known as the “nation on horseback,” so most exhibits are related to horseback riding, herding, and marching, including many weapons, bows and arrows, musical instruments, and ethnic costumes from the Genghis Khan period.

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

The following four landmarks we will visit are all artfully constructed modern architecture. Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a pyramid-shaped building covered with stainless steel grids and light grey granite, is mainly used to hold international regional leaders’ meetings, so if an international conference is being held, we can only visit from outside. Head west to the 79-meter (260-foot) high Bayterek Tower, the most prominent landmark on Nurzhol Boulevard, crowned by a giant glass ball on top, symbolizing a Kazakh legend: the mythical bird Samruk laid a golden egg on a cloud-kissing poplar tree, inside which hidden the secret of human desire and happiness. Take the elevator to the interior of the “Golden Egg,” where you can enjoy Astana’s panorama and ponder the secret in the “Golden Egg.”

Keep moving west to Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, which looks like a giant Mongolian-style tent, known as the world’s tallest tent. Affected by the cold front from Siberia, Astana is the second coldest capital in the world, so Khan Shatyr was designed to have a constant temperature, allowing Astana citizens to enjoy the tropical climate and indoor water entertainment facilities. After all visits, the driver guide will transfer you back to the hotel. Remember to pack up and rest earlier since we will leave Astana tomorrow morning.

Today, we will drive from Astana to visit Burabai National Park, one of Kazakhstan's most famous resort areas. Upon arrival, you can stroll along a fir-lined path to the shore of Lake Borovoe. There, you may rent a boat on your own (approx. KZT 2,000–4,000 / USD 5–10 per hour) and cruise out to Zhumbaktas Rock, which rises dramatically from the center of the lake. If time allows, climb to the summit of the 147-meter (480-foot) mountain for a sweeping panoramic view of the surrounding lakes and unique rock formations. After a full-day exploration, you will be transferred back to Astana.

Almaty

This morning, the driver guide will escort you to Astana Airport, where you will fly 1.5 hours to Almaty. In the afternoon, the driver guide will take you to the Sunkar Raptor Center for the Local Show (available from Apr. to Oct. except for Monday & Tuesday).

Basshi

Today, we will first leave Almaty for Basshi Village by driving for 3.5 hours.

Altyn-Emel National Park

This afternoon, we will spend three hours exploring Altyn Emel National Park, Kazakhstan’s largest nature reserve. We will dash deep into the park to climb the Singing Dune. As its name suggests, the dune emits a low humming sound as if singing when the wind blows over. After getting down from the dunes, we will return to the hotel at Basshi Village.

Aktau Mountains

This morning, we will continue exploring Altyn Emel National Park to the Aktau Mountains. Here, you’ll see acres of Mars-like landscapes, with rock formations in rich colors.

Basshi

Then, return along the coming route to the Basshi Village for lunch. Lagman, a classic staple diet in Kazakhstan, is worth tasting. After the lunch break, a two-hour drive will lead you to our hand-picked resort in Chunja Hot Springs for an overnight stay, where you can soak in the mineral water to relax.

Charyn Canyon National Park

Today, we are going to appreciate two kinds of distinctive scenery. After driving for 1.5 hours, we’ll first arrive at Charyn Canyon National Park, known as the “Little Colorado Grand Canyon” in Central Asia. We’ll visit Moon Canyon, where wind-eroded rock formations, tinged with yellow, create a lunar landscape.

Lower Kolsai Lake

Drive another 1.5-2 hours to the Saty Village, and settle the luggage at the guest house. After a short break, we will head to Kolsai Lakes. It consists of three lakes at different altitudes, and we will drive directly to Lower Kolsai Lake, 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) above sea level. There are some falconers by the lake, and you can pay to take photos of a golden eagle standing on your shoulder. At the end of the day, we will return to Saty Village.

Lake Kaindy

Starting early morning from Saty Village, we will make it to Kaindy Lake, hidden in the Heavenly Mountains. After an over 30-minute bumpy drive, the lake’s turquoise water will suddenly catch your eyes, with many notable straight dead spruce trunks standing in it.

Charyn Canyon National Park

Leaving behind the sapphire water, we will once again enter Charyn Canyon and head to its most beautiful and popular part, the Valley of Castles, which is worthy of its name with boulders resembling ancient castles. We will leave you enough time to hike through peculiar rock landforms.

Almaty

Then, the driver guide will transfer you to Bayseit Village for dinner and continue driving for 3.5 hours to Almaty. Rest well in the hotel tonight to relieve the fatigue of such a long journey.

The Central Mosque of Almaty

Today, we will visit the Central Mosque of Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s largest and most beautiful mosques.

Park Named After Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen

Next, head south to the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. Here, you’ll find a solemn statue commemorating the soldiers who fell in the war against the Nazis

Ascension Cathedral

Keep moving to the Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral) in the center of the park.

Zeleny Bazar

Let’s continue to the Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), the largest comprehensive market in Almaty.

Later, the driver guide will escort you to the Medeu Gorge in the southeastern mountainous area. Jumping on a cable car, you’ll be taken to the Shymbulak Ski Resort Area, one of the world’s highest skiing.

Before dusk, you’ll be transferred back to the suburb of Almaty and ascend the Kok-Tobe Hill to watch the sunset. Finally, you will be escorted back to the hotel.

Almaty

On the last day of our 10-day Kazakhstan private tours, your driver guide will pick you up at the hotel and escort you to Almaty Airport today at the appointed time.