Kazakhstan: From Canyons to the Capital — 8 Days of Almaty, Charyn & Astana
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Kazakhstan (Central Asia) |
| Price From | $1,500 USD per person (~$188/day) |
| Tour Style | Cultural, Nature, City & Canyon |
| Operator | GidOman (TourRadar Traveller’s Choice) |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Almaty — Arrival in the Apple City
Arrive in Almaty, the name meaning “Father of Apples” — wild apples originated in these mountains. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon walk through Panfilov Park, see the candy-colored Zenkov Cathedral (the world’s second-tallest wooden building), and explore the Green Bazaar. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Day 2: Shymbulak & Medeu — Alpine Kazakhstan
Take the cable car to Medeu, the world’s highest ice-skating rink at 1,691m, surrounded by mountains. Continue to Shymbulak Ski Resort at 2,260m — in summer, alpine meadows replace snow, offering spectacular hiking. Panoramic views of the Tian Shan range. Return to Almaty for an afternoon exploring the Central State Museum and the Golden Man exhibit. Evening at Arbat walking street.
Day 3: Charyn Canyon — The Valley of Castles
Full day excursion to Charyn Canyon National Park. Walk the Valley of Castles trail — 2km through towering red rock formations that resemble medieval fortresses. Descend to the Charyn River at the canyon bottom. Picnic lunch with views. The canyon, carved over 12 million years, rivals the American Grand Canyon in beauty but remains wonderfully uncrowded. Overnight in Saty village.
Day 4: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes — Blue Pearls of the Tian Shan
Morning trek to the Lower Kolsai Lake, a pristine alpine lake at 1,800m surrounded by pine forest. Then continue to Kaindy Lake — the famous “sunken forest” where dead spruce trunks rise from turquoise water, created by a 1911 earthquake. Afternoon return to Almaty. This is one of Kazakhstan’s most photographed landscapes.
Day 5: Almaty to Astana — High-Speed Train Adventure
Morning flight or high-speed train to Astana (Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan’s futuristic capital. Afternoon exploration: Bayterek Tower — the iconic monument with a golden egg atop a 97m tower (climb for city views), Nur-Astana Mosque (the largest in Central Asia), and the Khan Shatyr — a giant transparent tent housing a shopping center with an indoor beach. Astana feels like a sci-fi city on the steppe.
Day 6: Astana — The Futuristic Capital
Full day in Astana. Visit the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (the glass pyramid designed by Norman Foster), the National Museum of Kazakhstan, and the Hazret Sultan Mosque. Walk along the Ishim River embankment. See the Independence Square and the Kazakh Eli monument. Astana’s architecture is unlike anything else on the Silk Road.
Day 7: Burabay National Park — Kazakh Switzerland
Day trip to Burabay (Borovoe) National Park, 250km north of Astana. This “Kazakh Switzerland” features pine forests, blue lakes, and strange rock formations rising from the steppe. Hike to the Bolektau viewpoint for panoramic views over Lake Burabay and the surrounding hills. Legend says the rocks were dropped by God as he flew over Kazakhstan. Return to Astana for farewell dinner.
Day 8: Astana & Departure
Morning visit to the Expo 2017 site and the Nur Alem sphere — the world’s largest spherical building. Last-minute souvenir shopping at the Khan Shatyr. Transfer to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. Eight days, two faces of Kazakhstan: the apple-scented mountain city of Almaty and the space-age capital of Astana.
What’s Included
• 7 nights accommodation (hotels + guesthouse)
• Daily breakfast
• English-speaking guide
• All transportation
• Shymbulak cable car
• Charyn Canyon National Park fees
• Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes trek
• Burabay National Park excursion
• Astana city tour
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Almaty to Astana flight/train (~$40-100)
• Lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance
• Tips and personal expenses
