Best of Kazakhstan
Astana, Shymkent, Almaty & Altyn Emel
based on 9 nights inc. flights & daily experiences
Price Guide:
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* Pricing is a guideline only and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
Price includes:
Internal flights
Private transfers
Daily experiences
Daily Breakfast
Lunch and dinner in Altyn Emel
Entrance fees
Price is based on two people sharing one room.
At a Glance
Diverse terrain of Singing Sand Dune, Red & White Mountains and turqouise lakes
Get up close to the nomadic Kazakh life at Sofievka ethno-village
Be amazed by the billion-dollar metropolis of Astana, a city of the future
Unravel the Silk Road heritage of Turkestan and Otrar
Be charmed by the chic Almaty, surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Weather varies substantially in Kazakhstan. However, winter can get cold with snows and sub-zero temperatures. While it may get a little warm on the Southern Desert, the Summer and Autumn months between June and October is overall the best time to enjoy pleasant temperatures and relatively lower rainfall in the other parts of Kazakhstan.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 020 3993 8476 to start planning your holiday.
Itinerary
Discover the many facets of Kazakhstan, from the futuristic billion-dollar metropolis of Astana, ethno-village Sofievka, Silk Road heritage of Southern Kazakhstan and finally the charming Almaty province with a wealth of natural landscapes: singing sand dunes, azure alpine lakes, rugged canyon and surreal red-and-white mountains.
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Fly into Astana
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Days 1-4: Astana
Start in the bustling metropolis of Astana. Enjoy a city tour taking in Central Asia's largest mosque, a local museum to see the “Golden Man”, panoramic views from top of Baiterek Tower alongside other highlights including Constitution Square and Kazakh Eli Square.
Another day beckons with an excursion to Borovoe, often dubbed as Kazakhstan's Switzerland as the nature reserve is blessed with 14 crystal clear lakes hugged by coniferous forests and rocky outcrops. Enjoy a short walk and take a boat trip as you learn about the famous Kazakh legends in this reserve.
Spend a day excursion to Sofievka to get a glimpse into the nomadic life of traditional Kazakhs. Visit a yurt to sample local delicacies alongside Kazakh music, witness an eagle hunting demonstrations, learn how to make Kazakh cheese and gain an insight into a variety of Kazakh traditions.
Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton Astana (3 nights)
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Fly into Shymkent
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Days 4-6: Shymkent
Shymkent will be your base for the next 2 nights. Discover Silk Road history with a visit to Otrar including the Local History Museum, Arystan-Bab Mausoleum and Otrar archaeological site before exploring the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Hilvet underground mosque and Necropolis in Turkestan. Also explore Sayram, one of Kazakh’s oldest settlements including a visit to the Local History Museum, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum and medieval minaret.
Accommodation: Rixos Khadisha Shymkent (2 nights)
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Fly into Almaty
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Days 6-9: Almaty
Next, get a taste of the very best of Almaty, including the charming Panfilov Park, the exotic Green Bazaar, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, and the Central Mosque. Enjoy panoramic views of Almaty from Kok Tobe Hill, home to the world’s tallest TV tower.
Make a day trip to Big Almaty Lake and witness the eagle-hunting tradition at Sunkar Falcon Centre. At additional cost, you can also enjoy optional activities at Qazaq-Oner artisanal centre or a leisurely excursion to Shymbulak ski resort area.
Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton Almaty (3 nights)
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Days 9-10: Altyn Emel National Park
Onwards to Altyn Emel National Park. Along the way, we can do an optional stop at Tamgaly Tas with its Buddhist petrogylphs at additional cost. Reaching into Altyn Emel, gaze over the surreal Aktau-Katytau mountains with Martian-like red-and-white colouring before staying for a night.
Rise early morning to scale around the Singing Barchan Dune. During early morning, you may be lucky to encounter gazelles, kulands and birds on their way to Ili River for a morning drink. On your return, en route to Charyn Canyon which is spectacular at 154km long and 300m deep with unique towering structures of various colours.
After a walk in Charyn Canyon, we will transfer you to the airport while you await for your midnight flight home. Alternatively, you may want to stay another night in Almaty with optional experiences the next morning such as a visit to Tamgaly UNESCO petrogylphs or Turgen Falls.
Accommodation: Aigai Kum Guesthouse (1 night)
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Fly home from Almaty
Experiences
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Aktau-Katutau Rainbow Mountains
Gaze over the surreal Aktau-Katytau mountains with mars-like red-and-white colouring.
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Almaty City Highlights
Get a taste of the very best of Almaty, including the charming Panfilov Park, the exotic Green Bazaar, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, the Central Mosque and Central Sate Museum.
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Big Almaty Lake
Make a visit to the natural alpine reservoir of Big Almaty Lake, a famous alpine lake just slightly outside Almaty. The lake's temperature is 8-10 degree Celsius and swimming is prohibited here.
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Borovoe: Kazakhstan’s Switzerland
Blessed with 14 crystal clear lakes surrounded by rocks, pinewood and coniferous forests, enjoy a short walk and take a boat trip as you learn about the famous Kazakh legends in this nature reserve.
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Charyn Canyon
Known as the little brother of Grand Canyon, Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon is spectacular at 154km long and 300m deep. Visit the famous Valley of Castles with its unique towering structures.
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Highlights of Astana
As essential Astana city tour taking in Central Asia's largest mosque, a local museum to see the “Golden Man”, panoramic views from top of Baiterek Tower alongside other highlights including Constitution Square, and Kazakh Eli Square.
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Kok Tobe Hill with Gondola Ride
Enjoy panoramic views of Almaty from Kok Tobe Hill, home to the world’s tallest TV tower.
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Sayram Mausoleums
Discover Sayram, one of Kazakh’s oldest settlements including a visit to the Local History Museum, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum and medieval minaret.
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Singing Dune
Scale around the Singing Barchan Dune and hear first-hand the music of the desert.
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Sofievka Ethno Village
Get a glimpse into the nomadic life of traditional Kazakhs. Visit a yurt to sample local delicacies alongside Kazakh music, witness an eagle hunting demonstrations, learn how to make Kazakh cheese and gain an insight into a variety of Kazakh traditions.
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Twin Silk Road Cities: Turkestan & Otrar
Discover Silk Road history with a visit to Otrar including the Local History Museum, Arystan-Bab Mausoleum and Otrar archaeological site before exploring the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Hilvet underground mosque and Necropolis in Turkestan.
Location
Astana, Shymkent, Almaty & Altyn Emel
- 100% financial protection
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator