Kazakhstan Round trip - In the land of endless steppes

The best season for a trip to Kazakhstan comprehends the months of May to early October, when there are long, warm days with lots of sun. In winter, however, it is very cold in most areas of Kazakhstan - sometimes with heavy snowfall.

After landing at Almaty International Airport, you will meet your guide, who will drive you to your hotel. As the arrival in Almaty usually takes place at night, there isn’t a program for you today yet.

Almaty airport to hotel: approx. 17 km / approx. 20 minutes

1 night stay with full board in Almaty, Kazakhstan

After a fortifying breakfast and a refreshing shower, your adventure in Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country in the world, begins in the morning.

Your first stop (which you will get to by car) is one of the most famous speed skating rinks in the world, the Medeu ice skating rink. From there, a cable car will take you to the Shymbulak ski resort. During the ride to the top station, you will enjoy the view of the impressive Medeu and the surrounding mountains of the Transili-Alatau mountain range. Once at the top, you will be be gifted with an impressive panorama at 3,200 meters above sea level. Can you make out the country houses built into the slopes below you? Some of them belong to former Kazakh and Russian presidents.

After you have had your fill, take the cable car back to the valley. Speaking of full - a lunch of Georgian cuisine will be served to you at the Daredzhani Restaurant in Almaty.

In the afternoon you will visit the Green Bazaar. Taste delicacies from all over the world during a tasting of various specialties. How about mare's milk from Almaty or fresh camel's milk from Turkmenistan?

Afterwards, take a walk through the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. A visit to the Ascension Cathedral and a detour to the Museum of National Music are also on the agenda.

Just in time for sunset, head to the Kot Tobe cable car to get to the top of the eponymous mountain. The 1,100 m high hill, crowned by a 372 m high TV tower, is the landmark of the city of Almaty. Enjoy a bird's eye view as night slowly settles over the city.

After this exciting and eventful day, drive to Navat Restaurant, where a dinner of local cuisine awaits you. Afterwards, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

1 night incl. full board in Almaty, Kazakhstan

After a tasty breakfast today you will set off to Huns Ethno Village. The village is the perfect place to experience the nomadic past of ethnic Kazakhs. In the idyllic setting far from the fast pace of big city life, you will have the opportunity to get fresh air, go horseback riding, and discover traditional Kazakh games and rituals. Among other activities, you can expect a cooking demonstration, photo sessions in traditional costumes and a traditional lunch in a yurt.

In the afternoon, continue to Falcon Nursery Farm. During an interactive bird of prey show, learn how endangered birds of prey such as saker falcons and golden eagles are bred and released into the wild. An internationally recognized falconer and ornithologist will also explain the biological characteristics and lifestyle of birds of prey, as well as the history of falconry.

Your dinner today will be served at the Tandyr Museum & Restaurant. The name is no coincidence - it is a former caravanserai (caravan yard), whose current design incorporates numerous ancient handicrafts and wrought ironwork.

After enjoying dinner in an extraordinary ambience, you will drive back to your hotel in Almaty.

Hotel Almaty - Huns Ethno Village: approx. 52 km / approx. 1 hour each way

1 night stay with full board included in Almaty, Kazakhstan

It is time to leave Almaty. After the previous day's cultural activities, today's focus is on the nature of the wonderful country of Kazakhstan. In the morning at 8 o'clock you will leave for the Charyn National Park, which is three hours away by car.

At the latest after your arrival you will understand why this park is also called Kazakhstan's little Grand Canyon. Your first destination is the so-called Valley of the Castles. Its surreal looking, tower-like rock deposits seem to have been created by mysterious giants.

After lunch, drive up in converted safari jeeps to Bestamak Canyon, a compact and small canyon in characteristic red tones. The third stop in Charyn National Park is Moon Canyon. Enjoy the streams and little waterfalls.

In the late afternoon, you will go to your new accommodation for the next two nights - a Kazakh family house in Saty Village. After settling in, you will have a Kazakh dinner in a traditional nomadic yurt.

Hotel Almaty - Charyn National Park: approx. 240 km / approx. 3 hours

Charyn National Park - Saty Village: about 91 km / about 1.5 hours

1 night stay with full board included in Saty Village, Kazakhstan

Another day in the untouched nature of Kazakhstan awaits you! After breakfast you will go to Kolsai Lakes National Park. Kolsai means "a lake in the valley". The three lakes, which are also called the pearls of the northern Tien Shan, are located at an altitude of 1,800 m, 2,250 m and 2,700 m - forming a cascade. With an icy water temperature of six degrees in summer, we leave it up to you whether to take the plunge.

But even without cooling down, the sight of the mountain lakes is a unique experience, because they are so clear that the impressive landscape of the park is reflected in them. After an easy hike along the Kolsai Lake 1 trail, enjoy a picnic on the shore. Optionally, you can also rent a boat (for a fee) to sail across the lake.

In the afternoon, return to your guesthouse. Spend the rest of the day as you wish. In the evening, a traditional dinner in the yurt awaits you again, before you end the day at the campfire under the starry night sky.

Guesthouse - Kolsay Mountain Lakes: about 30 minutes each way.

1 night with full board included in Saty Village, Kazakhstan

After breakfast today we will drive you to Kaindy Lake. This idyllic mountain like is located in a coniferous forest at an altitude of 2,000 meters in the Kungei Alatau Mountains. It was formed as a result of a natural disaster: a gorge was flooded with water, which submerged most of the coniferous trees. The dried trunks now tower proudly above the water, like sunken ship masts.

After visiting this unique natural wonder, you will return to the guesthouse for a fortifying lunch.

Your last stop on the program is Saty Gorge. Enjoy the open panorama of wild nature along the mountain river and review the experiences of the last days. After a final dinner in the outdoor courtyard of your guesthouse, it's time to say goodbye. Your driver will take you to Almaty airport for your flight back.

Guesthouse - Almaty airport: approx. 270 km / approx. 3 hours

Hotel Kazakhstan****, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Stay at Hotel Kazakhstan with views of Almaty and the Alatau Mountains. The design hotel features stylish rooms and free Wi-Fi, as well as a restaurant open around the clock serving Turkish and European cuisine. Regional and international dishes are available at the classically decorated Kazakhstan Restaurant. At BarFly on the 25th floor, you can enjoy panoramic city views with a refreshing drink.

Kazakhstan Family House, Saty Village, Kazakhstan.

At this classic guesthouse, you'll stay in simple, clean guest rooms. Meals are served either in the cozy outdoor courtyard or in the traditional yurt.

Closest city: Almaty

Closest airport: Almaty Airport

Duration of the trip: 6 days/5 nights

Included

• Private guided round trip with 5 nights in the described hotels or similar.

  • 3 nights in Almaty in the Kazakhstan**** hotel in a standard room

  • 2 nights in Saty Village in a Kazakh family house in a standard room

• Meals and catering as described in the itinerary
• Tours & transfers with a local guide
• Entrance fees during the tour

Not included

• International flights
• Meals and beverages not mentioned in the scope of service
• Personal expenses, such as minibar and tips
• Excursions and entrance fees, which are not mentioned in the scope of service
• Insurances
• Visa