Culture & Nature of Kazakhstan Group Tour

Fly to Astana from the UK.

Upon arriving in Astana in the morning, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where early check-in is included. This will allow you to have breakfast and relax until the afternoon sightseeing tour with your fellow travellers.

During the tour, you will be accompanied by a guide. The first stop is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, which was built as a symbol of friendship, unity, and peace in Kazakhstan. Please note that there will be no visit inside the palace. Next, you will proceed to the Hazret Sultan Mosque, built in the classic Islamic style and adorned with traditional Kazakh ornaments. The mosque, named after Sufi sheikh Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, is large enough to hold up to 10,000 people. 
Following that, you will visit the National Museum, the largest museum in Central Asia. Here, you can explore the Golden Hall and its main artefact, "The Golden Man," which dates back to approximately the 10th century BC. 
Finally, you will have the opportunity to visit the 105-meter-high Baiterek Tower, a symbol of Kazakhstan's new capital. The tower's outer appearance is inspired by ancient nomads and represents the mythological tree of life, where the magic bird of happiness, Samruk, has made its nest and laid its huge golden egg. (B)

Before flying to Almaty in the late afternoon, you do some more sightseeing, but this time in the old part of Astana city.  On the right bank of the Ishim River, you see buildings from the Soviet era, explore the Church of Constantine and Elena, which was built in 1854. 

In the afternoon visit the Nur-Alem Expo, the world’s largest spherical building with a diameter of 80m and 100m tall. Consisting of eight floors, the first floor presents Kazakhstan’s diverse history, while the other floors are dedicated to the Museum of Future Energy. At the end of the tour, visit Central Asia’s largest mosque - Nur-Sultan Mosque – one of the world’s ten largest mosques, with a total capacity of 235,000 worshippers. 

In the late afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Almaty where on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. The evening is free at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, leave Almaty for an interesting drive across the steppes to Charyn National Park. En route you pay a visit to a traditional Uygur family in Koram Village. Originally from the Xinjiang province in China, they are one of the 125 different nationalities who live in Kazakhstan and whose traditions and values are quite like the Kazakh people. 

Well-known for their rich gastronomic culture, you can and witness the preparation of homemade Laghman noodles. A national Central Asian pasta dish with vegetables and meat, which will also be served as your lunch. 

Continue your journey to Charyn Canyon and admire the view from above, before you descend via the stairs into the canyon. Walk along the Valley of Castles with its interesting red rock formations to the Charyn River. Return either on foot again or in a converted Russian army vehicle. The journey continues to Saty Village where another home-cooked dinner awaits at the guesthouse. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, board a different vehicle for the bumpy transfer to Kaindy Lake, located at 2000m above sea level. Formed after an earthquake in 1911, which caused some major landslides and submerged a small forest. The surrounding mountains, the green colour of the lakes, caused by limestone deposits, and with only the barren tree tops visible, gives the place an eery, yet fairytale vibe.  

To get to the lake you can walk for approximately one hour, or you can get to it on horseback or another, smaller vehicle. Retrace your steps to the guesthouse where a nice lunch has been prepared for you. 
After lunch you visit another lake – Kolsay Lakes often called the Pearls of Tien Shan. You have a good view of the first and largest lake from the car park above, but you can also get closer to it, by following the tarmac road to the lake shore to enjoy the magnificent scenery. 

Return to Saty Village where a visit to a traditional Kazakh family house is planned. A demonstration in Manty (Kazakh style dim-sum) will be given and you are encouraged to give it a  try as well. You can sample these home-made Manties during the dinner. Weather permitting you can then relax by the bonfire and enjoy the night sky. (B/L/D)
 

After breakfast at the guesthouse, return to Almaty, where the rest of the day and evening is free to enjoy on your own. You may want to visit Kok-Tobe Hill Park by cable car to see beautiful views of the city during sunset, go underground and check out Almaty small but spanking clean subway system. Or if you want to go for a relaxing stroll, check out the shops, the many big Apple art installations, cafes and pubs on Arbat Street. (B)

After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to explore Almaty. Start by visiting the famous Green Bazaar where you can sample delicious Kazakh delicacies such as smoked horse meat sausage, horse milk, and even camel milk. 
Next, head to Panfilov Park to see the impressive war memorial of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. A short stroll through the park will lead to the Cathedral of the Holy Ascension, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. Nearby, you can also visit the Museum of National Musical Instruments, which houses a collection of over a thousand national objects. 

Continue to the Republic Square in the heart of Almaty, where you can find main festivities, events, and demonstrations. Finally, finish your tour on Arbat Street, where you have some free time to visit shops, an outdoor gallery, local cafes, pubs, and enjoy street performers.

After lunch, transfer to the Falcon Nursery Farm where you can learn about the hunting birds in Kazakhstan. You have the opportunity to watch a hunting bird demonstration. Return to Almaty and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. (B)

Today, explore the centuries-old traditions, culture, and lifestyle of nomadic tribes such as the Saks, Usuns, Kangyuys, Turks, and Kazakhs during an all-day visit to the Nomad Ethno Centre. This unique historical and ethnographic complex is located in the open air in the foothills of Ushkonyr, not far from Almaty. At the centre, you can participate in master classes in archery, Kazakh national cuisine, and yurt assembly.

A local lunch is served inside a yurt. Afterward, return to Almaty and have the rest of the evening free. (B/D)
 

It's time to say goodbye to Kazakhstan. Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)