From  £4425
per person
Tour Highlights
  • Enjoy a city tour of Almaty
  • Spend time at Atlyn Emal National Park
  • Discover Charyn Canyon
  • Explore Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve
  • Visit the Bayterek Monument in Astana
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Kazakhstan Explored

13 Day Tour, from £4425 per person

Embark on a 13-day personalised journey through Kazakhstan's diverse landscapes. Traverse vibrant cities, remote villages, ancient ruins, and breathtaking national parks using road, rail, and air travel. Delve into the cultural richness of Shymkent, Turkestan, and Aralsk, marvel at the awe-inspiring Charyn Canyon, and immerse yourself in the modern allure of the newly minted capital, Astana. This tailor-made tour offers a captivating blend of history, nature, and contemporary splendour, ensuring an unforgettable exploration of Kazakhstan's vibrant tapestry.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
FLY TO ALMATY

Fly to Almaty with Air Astana.

DAY 2
ARRIVE ALMATY
ARRIVE ALMATY

Arrive in Almaty and transfer to the hotel for an early check in. Enjoy free time before meeting a guided introductory afternoon tour of the city. Discover Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral which is one of the world’s unique wooden constructions built without any nails. Continue to Republic Square and the Independence Monument and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B)

DAY 3
ALMATY TO ALTYN EMEL
ALMATY TO ALTYN EMEL

Depart Almaty for Atlyn Emel National Park, an area largely comprised of desert and rocky terrain. Tour the area in detail with visits to the fascinating Singing Dune and Besshatyr burial mounds. Overnight in a guesthouse in Altyn Emel. (B,L,D)

DAY 4
ALTYN EMEL TO ALMATY
ALTYN EMEL TO ALMATY

From Altyn Emel visit Charyn Canyon, known locally as 'The Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan'. The Charyn River has carved a 150-300 metre deep canyon into the burnt red rocky ground. Visit the canyon known as the Valley of Castles, before ending the day in Almaty. Check in to the hotel for two nights. (B,L)

DAY 5
ALMATY
ALMATY
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Almaty, the liveliest of the Central Asian capitals. (B)
DAY 6
ALMATY TO AKSU ZHABAGLY RESERVE
ALMATY TO AKSU ZHABAGLY RESERVE

Spend the morning exploring Almaty at leisure before transferring to Almaty train station in the afternoon to board the overnight train to Shymkent. Please note that this journey takes around 9 hours. Overnight onboard. (B)

DAY 7
AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE
AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE

Arrive in Tulkubas train station this morning and meet with the local guide. Drive to Zhabagly village and check into a guesthouse before exploring the green valleys, rushing rivers and snow-capped peaks of the reserve. The reserve is located west of the mighty Tien Shan Mountains and is surrounded by the Kyzyl Kum Desert. (B,L,D)

DAY 8
AKSU ZHABAGLY RESERVE
AKSU ZHABAGLY RESERVE

Today spend the full day exploring the Aksu Zhabagly Reserve. The itinerary today will be flexible dependent on your interests, but would typically include the Kshi-Kaindy Falls and the Aksu Canyon. The day can also be tailored for walkers or bird watchers. (B,L,D)

DAY 9
AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE TO SHYMKENT
AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE TO SHYMKENT

After breakfast drive to Shymkent. Explore the ruins of Otrar and Turkestan. Otrar has a history that dates back 2,000 years as a once prosperous trading centre. Ancient palaces, bathhouses and mosques tell of the grandeur the city once held. After exploring, catch an overnight train to Aralsk. (B,L)

DAY 10
ARALSK
ARALSK

This morning arrive into Aralsk, meet the local guide and enjoy a tour of this small city. Aralsk was once an important fishing village and the large mosaic in the train station depicts fishermen with their catch. Due to Soviet irrigation schemes the Aral sea has shrunk some 60km from Aralsk. This afternoon enjoy free time to explore this remote town at leisure. Depart on an overnight train to Kyzyl-Orda. (B)

DAY 11
ASTANA
ASTANA

This morning arrive into Kyzyl-Orda. Embark on an afternoon tour of this former capital of Soviet Kazakhstan before taking an evening flight to Astana. On arrival in Astana transfer to the hotel and check in for two nights. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (-)

DAY 12
ASTANA
ASTANA
Today enjoy a tour of Astana. Astana has sprung out of the majestic Steppe landscape with a glut of futuristic skyscrapers and fantastical towers straight from the mind of the country’s ambitious president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, via the pen of British architects Foster and Partners. Visits will include the Square of Independence, Khazret Sultan Mosque, Water Green Boulevard and the Bayterek Monument. The tour will finish mid-afternoon and those who wish can continue exploring this bizarre city independently. (B)
DAY 13
FLY TO THE UK

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)

Pricing Information

13 day tour, from £4425 per person
(Single person supplement + £400)

Price Includes

  • International flights in economy class with Air Astana from London Heathrow
  • Domestic flights 
  • All airport taxes 
  • Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses with breakfast 
  • Meals as specified (B= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) 
  • All transfers and transportation
  • 1st class train tickets Almaty - Shymkent, Tulkubas - Aralsk and Aralsk - Kyzyl-Orda
  • Sightseeing with English-speaking guide/driver

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips and gratuities

Price Includes

Price Excludes

  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Optional excursions

Tour Route Map


  1. Kazakhstan, Almaty
  2. Kazakhstan, Altyn Emel National Park
  3. Kazakhstan, Almaty
  4. Kazakhstan, Shymkent
  5. Kazakhstan, Turkestan
  6. Kazakhstan, Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve
  7. Kazakhstan, Aralsk
  8. Kazakhstan, Kyzyl-Orda
  9. Kazakhstan, Astana

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