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Back in the USSR - A Pioneering journey through Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Explored

13 Day Tour, from £3520 per person

Discover the highlights of Kazakhstan on this 13-day tailor-made tour. From bustling cities and remote towns to ancient ruins and stunning national parks, travel by road, rail and air in this fascintaing country. Explore Shymkent, Turkestan, Aralsk, visit the spectacular Charyn Canyon and spend time in the sparkly new capital Astana.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

FLY TO ALMATY (Saturday)

Fly to Almaty with Air Astana.

DAY 2

ARRIVE ALMATY

Arrive in Almaty and transfer to the hotel for an early check in. Enjoy some free time before meeting with the local guide for an introductory afternoon tour of the city. Discover Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral (one of the World’s unique wooden constructions built without any nails), Republic Square and the Independence Monument. At the end of the tour return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

DAY 3

ALMATY TO ALTYN EMEL

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

DAY 4

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 returning to Almaty. Check in to the hotel for two nights. (B,L)

DAY 5

ALMATY

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Almaty, the liveliest of the Central Asian capitals. (B)

DAY 6

DEPART ALMATY

Spend the morning exploring Almaty at leisure before transferring to Almaty train station in the afternoon to board the overnight train to Shymkent, travelling in a two berth 1st class compartment. Please note that this journey takes around 17 hours. (B)

DAY 7

SHYMKENT TO AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE

Arrive in Shymkent this morning and meet with the local guide. Spend the day travelling to the Aksu Zhabagly Reserve. Enjoy a brief excursion of Shymkent, the ruins or Otrar and of Turkestan. On arrival in Aksu Zhabalgy check into the guest house for two nights. (L,D)

DAY 8

AKSU ZHABAGLY RESERVE

Today spend the full day exploring the Aksu Zhabagly Reserve. This beautiful national park is a must-see in Kazakhstan with its green valleys, rushing rivers, snowcapped peaks and glaciers. The reserve is located west of the mighty Tien Shan Mountains and is surrounded by the Kyzyl Kum Desert. 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

DEPART AKSU ZHABALGY RESERVE

After breakfast transfer to Tulkubas train station and board the train to Aralsk. Travel in a two berth 1st class compartment on this journey taking around 22 hours. (B)

DAY 10

ARRIVE ARALSK

This morning arrive into Aralsk and meet the local guide and enjoy a tour of the small city. Four decades ago Aralsk was 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. After the introductory tour enjoy free time to explore this remote town at leisure. (B)

DAY 11

ARALSK TO ASTANA

This morning depart early on the train to Kyzyl-Orda, scheduled to depart at approximately 0500. On arrival in Kyzyl-Orda after a journey of around 7 hours meet with the local guide. Here 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.

DAY 12

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 early afternoon flight back to the UK. (B)

Pricing Information

13 day tour, from £3520 per person

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
Visas – we recommend getting visas in advance where possible. Visas are obtainable on arrival (for British passport holders) or in advance of departure please check with our visa specialists - CIBT http://cibtvisas.co.uk/tourkits.php

Price Notes

Per person when 2 persons travel: £3520
Per person when 4 persons travel: £2600