Kazakhstan Complete — 9 Days Private: Almaty to Astana Grand Tour
| Duration | 9 Days / 8 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Kazakhstan (Central Asia) |
| Price From | $3,381 USD per person (~$376/day) |
| Tour Style | Private, Complete Circuit, Culture & Nature |
| Operator | Ventus Touristik GmbH (TourRadar, German/English guide) |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Almaty — Apple City Arrival
Arrive in Almaty. Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon exploration: the Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar, and Kok-Tobe Hill for sunset views of the city against the Tian Shan. Welcome dinner featuring Kazakh cuisine.
Day 2: Almaty Mountains — Shymbulak & Big Almaty Lake
Cable car to Shymbulak (2,260m) with stunning alpine views. Afternoon drive to Big Almaty Lake — a spectacular turquoise mountain lake at 2,500m. The colors shift with the light. Return to Almaty for the evening.
Day 3: Charyn Canyon — The Valley of Castles
Full day at Charyn Canyon. Walk through the Valley of Castles, descend to the Charyn River, and marvel at 300m red rock walls carved over 12 million years. Picnic lunch at the canyon. Return to Almaty.
Day 4: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
Trek to Lower Kolsai Lake, the first of the three blue pearls. Then to Kaindy Lake — the surreal sunken forest with spruce trunks emerging from turquoise water. Overnight in Saty village guesthouse.
Day 5: Almaty to Taraz — Ancient Silk Road
Drive to Taraz (or fly from Almaty). Visit the Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, a 12th-century masterpiece of terracotta tile work. Explore the Karakhan Mausoleum and the ancient city archaeological site. Taraz is over 2,000 years old — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the Silk Road. Overnight in Taraz.
Day 6: Shymkent to Turkestan — The Spiritual Center
Visit Shymkent and the ancient Sayram settlement. Continue to Turkestan for the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO World Heritage) — Timur’s architectural masterpiece. Explore the citadel, underground mosque, and medieval bath house. Overnight in Turkestan.
Day 7: Turkestan to Astana — Futuristic Capital
Fly from Turkestan/Shymkent to Astana. Afternoon introduction to Kazakhstan’s space-age capital: Bayterek Tower, Nur-Astana Mosque, and Khan Shatyr (the giant transparent tent). Astana’s skyline is like a sci-fi movie set on the steppe.
Day 8: Astana — Full Day Exploration
Visit the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (the Norman Foster glass pyramid), the National Museum, and Hazret Sultan Mosque. Afternoon excursion to Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage wetland that’s a crucial stopover for migratory birds, including the rare Siberian white crane. Return to Astana for farewell dinner.
Day 9: Astana Departure
Morning at the Expo 2017 site and Nur Alem sphere. Last-minute shopping at Khan Shatyr. Transfer to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. Nine days, two Kazakhstans: the ancient Silk Road south and the futuristic steppe capital — a journey through 2,000 years of history.
What’s Included
• 8 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Professional guide (English/German)
• All transportation including internal flight
• Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
• Turkestan UNESCO site
• Astana city tour
• Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve
• All entrance fees
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance
• Tips
