Culture & Nature of Kazakhstan Group Tour

Fly to Almaty from the UK.

• Hotel Description

Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, begin exploring the city with a visit to the Green Bazaar, a lively market filled with stalls selling dried fruits, nuts, spices and traditional Kazakh delicacies. Continue to Panfilov Park, dedicated to soldiers who fought during the Second World War, and admire the colourful Ascension Cathedral, an impressive wooden structure that survived the devastating earthquake of 1911. You will also pass the Museum of National Musical Instruments, home to a collection celebrating Kazakhstan's musical heritage, before returning to your hotel. (B)

• Hotel Description

Travel into the foothills outside Almaty to visit the Nomad Ethno Centre, where Kazakhstan's centuries-old nomadic traditions are brought to life. Watch demonstrations of traditional military techniques, including horseback archery and sword fighting, and learn how the weapons and armour of steppe warriors evolved over time. A golden eagle demonstration introduces the ancient practice of hunting with birds of prey, an important part of the region's cultural heritage. You will also have the opportunity to try traditional archery, sword techniques or horse riding, before enjoying a Kazakh lunch inside a yurt. Return to Almaty to visit the Abilkhan Kasteev State Museum of Arts, which houses an extensive collection of Kazakh paintings, traditional crafts and works from across Central Asia. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Fly to Shymkent, one of southern Kazakhstan's oldest cities and an important centre along the ancient Silk Road. Begin exploring the region's cultural heritage at the Ethnographic Museum, created by local craftsman Kendebay Karabdalov. Its collection of handmade musical instruments, pottery and traditional household objects offers an insight into everyday Kazakh life. Part of the museum is built underground in the style of a hilvet, a traditional place of spiritual retreat. Continue to the Altyn Orda Art Gallery, established by the Beisbekov family to preserve and celebrate traditional Kazakh craftsmanship. Explore its workshops and exhibitions, where local artisans keep centuries-old artistic traditions alive. (B)

• Hotel Description

Travel from Shymkent to the ruins of Otrar, once a prosperous trading city at the crossroads of the Silk Road. The settlement flourished for centuries before falling to Genghis Khan's Mongol army in 1219. Today, its archaeological remains offer a glimpse into the region's importance as a centre of trade and cultural exchange. Continue to the Mausoleum of Arystan Baba, a revered Sufi pilgrimage site dedicated to the spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Later, visit Akmeshit Cave, a vast natural chamber regarded as sacred by local communities. Sunlight enters through an opening in its roof, illuminating the cavern below. According to local tradition, Sufi dervishes once gathered here for prayer and meditation. (B)

• Hotel Description

Begin the day at Shymkent Citadel, the historic heart of a city with more than 2,200 years of history. Once a fortified stronghold protecting important Silk Road trading routes, the archaeological site reveals the city's long history as a commercial and cultural centre. Continue to nearby Sairam, one of Kazakhstan's oldest settlements. Known historically as Ispidjab, the town was an important trading and religious centre, connecting the nomadic communities of the steppe with the great cities of Central Asia. Explore its historic surroundings and discover the role it played in the movement of merchants, travellers and scholars along the Silk Road. Later, transfer to Shymkent Airport for your flight back to Almaty. (B)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, travel to Kolsay Lake, part of a series of three alpine lakes nestled among the forested slopes of the northern Tien Shan Mountains. Often referred to as the Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan, the Kolsay Lakes are known for their clear mountain waters and dramatic setting. Visit the first and most accessible lake, situated approximately 1,800 metres above sea level, where pine-covered hillsides rise above the water. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the lakeside trail, passing through forest and stopping at viewpoints overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. The gentle route offers plenty of opportunities to appreciate the scenery. Return to your guesthouse for lunch before travelling back to Almaty. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After an early breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to Kazakhstan. You'll be transferred to the airport for your departing flight, filled with unforgettable memories. (B)