Kazakhstan Almaty Tour

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Upon arrival in Almaty, the largest city in the country, your driver guide will welcome you warmly and escort you to the hotel downtown. You will have the rest of the day to recover from jet lag. Look forward to tomorrow’s journey!

► Suggested Outfits to Bring with You
As this trip includes several hikes, you’d better wear non-slip and comfortable hiking shoes and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. In summer from June to August, Almaty has an average temperature of about 30℃ (85℉), and in winter from December to February, it has an average temperature of -10-0℃ (15-30℉). The temperature in high-altitude mountains is about 10℃ (50℉) lower than in urban areas all year round, so bring warm and windproof clothes for hiking.

► Why Should You Choose Our Guided Tour?
1. Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries attach great importance to protecting natural landscapes by constructing as few artificial facilities as possible, so it’s hard to handle emergencies like running out of gas if you drive yourself, and it’s easy to get lost since poor signal in remote areas makes navigation challenging. Besides, many rental car shops won’t let you drive out of the urban area. Our private car is worry-free about such problems. 
2. Kazakh and Russian are the official languages of Kazakhstan, with English being less popular. Even with the help of translation apps, misunderstandings may occur due to improper word usage or cultural differences. Having a guide can help you communicate with local people smoothly.

Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars) or similar

Today, we will spend a whole day exploring Almaty. After breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to Medeu Ice Arena in the Medeu Valley on the outskirts of Almaty. Surrounded by hills, Medeu Valley is much less affected by cold or warm fronts, so it’s milder in winter and cooler in summer than urban areas. It’s famed for the world’s highest ice skating rink and the Shymbulak ski resort, but few know that the Medeu Dam is the choicest for outdoor sports lovers to hike. We will climb over 800 steps of the Medeu Dam to overlook the Medeu Ice Arena, letting fresh air fill today with energy.

Then, drive back downtown to experience local Almaty life in Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), the largest market in Almaty. Everything is available here, from nuts, dried fruits, and smoked fish, to herbs, dairy products, fresh fruits, and spices unique to Central Asia. Countless stalls stacked with a wide variety of goods are all in order, clean, and hygienic without odor, changing your impression of the stereotype of a market being dirty and disorderly.
► Tip: There is a currency exchange with a green sign — said to be the most cost-effective one in Almaty — at the entrance of Green Bazaar (1 USD≈500 KZT), so you can exchange currency here in case you want to buy some specialties or snacks in the bazaar.

Leaving Green Bazaar and heading south to Panfilov Park, our next spot is Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), the world’s second-tallest existing wooden structure. Beyond marveling at its eye-catching candy-colored exterior, golden cross on top, and resplendent interior, you will also be surprised by its legendary history that the all-wooden structure miraculously survived the devastating 1911 earthquake.

Keep moving on to Almaty Central Mosque, the country’s second-largest mosque. As Islam is the main religion in Kazakhstan, this is also a tribute to Islamic design and cultural heritage, which is sincerely worshipped by the Muslim community. You will gravitate toward the exceptionally majestic exterior, with its golden dome particularly brilliant in the sun and five towering minarets, the highest of which can reach 47 meters (154 feet). Admire the main hall decorated with exquisite crystal chandeliers, Persian carpets, and colored marble tiles; no matter how scorching outside, you will calm down instantly as if baptized by the sacred atmosphere.

Before dusk, we will come to view the sunset at Kok-Tobe Hill on Almaty’s southeastern edge, marked by a 372-meter (1,220-foot) TV tower. Reach the mountain top by eco-friendly electric bus, and you can gain a panoramic view of Almaty city on the west and the snow-capped Heaven Mountains (Tian Shan) on the east. As you take the cable car downhill after the sunset, the city gradually sinks into darkness and becomes more charming, reminding you of the lovely atmosphere in the movie La La Land. Finally, the driver guide will transfer you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars) or similar

This morning, we will drive for about 3.5 hours to Basshi Village. After hotel check-in and lunch, follow your driver guide to explore Altyn Emel National Park, which will not disappoint you if you are up for desolate places with unusual natural landscapes. You may wonder why it is named “Altyn Emel”, “golden saddle” in Mongolian. The legend goes that Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, once passed by during his expedition to Central Asia. It was sunset then, and the mountains under the afterglow of the setting sun exuded golden light, so Genghis Khan said heroically: “Let’s call it ‘Altyn Emel’!”

We will drive directly to the park’s farthest point, the Aktau Mountains, once the bottom of an ancient dried-up ocean. Over time, large amounts of sediments have accumulated, and natural erosion has formed a unique geological structure, forming incredible canyons and gullies composed of banded sedimentary rocks of various colors, resembling a mysterious and fantastic scene from a science fiction movie, especially at sunset or sunrise. Driving back along the route, we will arrive at the Katutau Mountains, formed by the solidification of lava from volcanic eruptions. They were eroded into strange shapes by wind and sand and are the park’s driest and most barren part. But to Katutau Mountains’ west lies an oasis, with ancient populus pruinosa groves and other long-lived trees growing alongside streams and a lake, where we will visit a famous 700-year-old willow. Have a short break at the oasis, and the driver guide will escort you back to the hotel in Basshi Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basshi Hotel

In the morning, we will continue exploring Altyn Emel National Park to uncover the mystery of the Singing Dune. Strong winds all year round bring sand here to form a settled dune. In appearance, it is no different from other dunes, but as the name suggests, it can make an organ-like sound on dry days — only 30 dunes in the world can do this. Its volume changes according to the wind speed, sometimes light and gentle, sometimes wild and rough. You can climb to the top with your shoes off, but it is not as easy as you think since it will be challenging to take steps forward as if the sand grabs your feet.

As we leave the national park and head for Zharkent along the highway, we pass many landforms that border Altyn Emel National Park, including Tiger Mountains, actually the foothills of Katutau Mountains. Composed of white shale and red and yellow clays, Tiger Mountains earned the name from their tiger-like striped appearance. We will stop for a short visit, and you can take photos.

After a 1.5-hour drive, we will arrive in Zharkent and have lunch. Then, we will visit Zharkent Mosque, a 19th-century structure that perfectly fuses Central Asian and Chinese design, combining Chinese pavilions with Islamic minarets and crescent signs. In addition to the artful construction, the building materials, carefully selected Asian spruce, also showcase the mosque’s natural charm.

At the end of today, we will drive to our well-selected resort, where you can thoroughly relax in the hot springs. Chunja Hot Spring System consists of 140 hot spring water sources deep underground heated by volcanic magma, with a water temperature of around 39°C (102℉) all year round. As the water contains many mineral trace elements, bathing and swimming in the hot springs helps your body’s self-regulation and increases resistance, attracting people near Almaty to flock here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kara Dala Hot Springs Resort or similar

★ Touch Central Asia’s Scar: Exploring Charyn Canyon’s Rugged Beauty

After a 1.5-hour drive, we will reach today’s destination, Charyn Canyon National Park. The around 12-million-year-old Charyn Canyon is formed by the erosion of the Charyn River, stretching for about 154 km (96 miles) like a slit in Kazakhstan’s grassland and resembling the Grand Canyon. Charyn Canyon has five main branches: Temirlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Moon Canyon, Charyn Canyon, and Valley of Castles, each with jaw-dropping landforms. Today, the driver guide will lead you to appreciate the first four canyons’ stunning scenery.

The first stop is Temirlik Canyon, a branch canyon carved by the Temirlik River, an affluent of the Charyn River, famous for its red-hued cliffs. It is believed that ancient people mined iron ore here, and iron compounds in the soil caused the rocks to be crimson because “temir” means “iron” in Kazak. Continue to Bestamak Canyon, located west of Temirlik Canyon, which is made up of bright tangerine and pink rocks, giving off a dreamy vibe. We will stay here for a packed lunch and then move on to Moon Canyon, whose extraordinary rock formations resemble lunar landscapes. It is also called the Yellow Canyon because of the yellow clay in the rock formations — they even display different hues with light. In the end, admire the astounding sunset in Charyn Canyon, whose cliffs, accompanied by green trees and the clear river, become more magnificent in the setting sun.

Farewell to Charyn Canyon National Park. We will drive 1.5 hours to Saty Village. As the most essential transit point for visiting the natural scenery around Almaty, guest houses in Saty Village are always well-prepared for tourists. After check-in, you will enjoy a decadent dinner with Kazakh dishes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

After feasting your eyes on majestic canyons, a challenging adventure to enchanting mountain landscapes and alpine lakes awaits you. Starting early this morning from Saty Village, the driver guide will drive you to visit Kolsai Lakes, which consists of three lakes at different altitudes. Driving along the winding mountain road into Heaven Mountains, the long and narrow Lower Kolsai Lake gradually comes into view. Look at its crystal clear and blue water in the sun —surrounded by dense fir trees and the emerald meadow — and you’ll instantly get why it is called the “Pearl of Northern Heaven Mountains”.

We will hike about 7 km (4.5 miles) from Lower Kolsai Lake to Middle Kolsai Lake, taking about 3 hours one way. The first 4-km-trail (2.5-mile) is relatively easy, and you can enjoy the scenery and capture various plants and squirrels while walking; the last 3 km (2 miles) will be physically challenging as the altitude rises to nearly 2000 meters (6,560 feet), and paths in the forest become rough. You can carry some sports drinks and snacks to replenish your energy quickly. Although the trek is relatively long, the snow-capped mountains and lush primeval forests in the distance will help you overcome fatigue.

If your physical strength is limited, you can rent a horse to ride for the entire journey, which takes the same time as hiking. The horse will find its way and lead you to Middle Kolsai Lake, or you can also pull the reins to control the direction yourself. Some horses like to walk along the hillside, which is thrilling and the favorite experience of tourists.
► Note: Horseback riding, available from April to October, is at your own expense – a two-way fee of $30-40 per person.

After returning to Lower Kolsai Lake in the late afternoon, the driver guide will transfer you back to Saty Village for dinner and saunas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

Gird up your loins, and we will head to another treasure trove hidden in Heaven Mountains, Kaindy Lake, like a vast “emerald” in the valley. The earthquake in 1911 caused a landslide, and rainwater accumulated here and submerged the original spruce forest. Only the bare trunks stood above the water, forming a shocking scene as if masts of ghost ships or the spears of a mysterious army were waiting for some time to jump out.
► Note: The road from Sati Village to Kaindy Lake is bumpy, with deep potholes and water-damaged sections. If you are prone to motion sickness, remember to prepare some medicine.

Leaving Kaindy Lake, we will drive to Charyn Canyon National Park again to explore the most popular Valley of Castles, named after its boulders that resemble ancient castles, which best showcase the unique rock landforms and reddish-brown sandstone columns of Charyn Canyon. In addition to geological wonders, you can also get close touch with its rich flora and fauna. Arriving at the entrance viewing platform, you can choose one of two routes for a round-trip hike in the Valley of Castles of about 2 hours: walking along the top or bottom of the canyon. It is recommended to choose the latter, which takes 40 to 50 minutes to walk along the nearly 3-kilometer (2-mile) flat trail to the end. There are adequate facilities at the starting point, including toilets, rest stops, and drinking water. Reach the Charyn River at the end; please be careful if you want to play in the cool water. Since the returning journey is by the original route, many tourists will take the shuttle minibus, but there may be a long queue due to a few vehicles. You can decide to take it or not according to your physical strength.

Take a short break at the Tourists Center, and your driver guide will drive you to Almaty for 3.5 hours. Have a good rest in the hotel tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars) or similar

It’s time to conclude your Kazakhstan Almaty tours. Your driver guide will pick you up at the appointed time and send you to Almaty International Airport. If the Central Asian culture of Kazakhstan during the one-week trip gives you itchy feet to continue visiting the capital Astana, explore the ancient cities of Taraz and Otrar, or expand to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan or Tajikistan, please feel free to contact our travel consultants to customize an itinerary for you!

► Suggested Valuable Spot before Leaving Almaty
It only takes half an hour from the hotel to Almaty Airport, so if you are not in a hurry for the flight, you can visit the Museum of Musical Instruments on your own, a 10-minute walk east of the hotel, costing 1,500 KZT (about $3). The exquisite green-roofed walnut-colored wooden museum houses musical instruments from 34 countries, with over 120 pieces of dombra in 13 types. In addition, there are various wind and string instruments, percussion instruments of different shapes, and even a Chinese zither with bridges made from bones. Videos in the multimedia exhibition hall show how these instruments are played, much more alive than placed in the display cabinet.

Meals: Breakfast