Places to visit: Astana - Almaty - Shymkent - Big Almaty Lake - Charyn - Shymkent - Turkestan - Arystan Bab - Issyk Lake - Almaty
Day 1: Astana
Your guide will pick you up at International Airport and accompany you to Astana City. Today you will have a city tour. First of all you will visit complex «Astana - Baiterek». The unique construction is a symbol of Astana. The viewing platform is located at the height of 97 meters, and from the height of the bird's flight you can see the panorama of building of a new capital of Kazakhstan. Also after walking around the city you will have time to visit the singing fountains alley. The wide alley cuts the left river-bank into two parts. The object is extremely difficult. The parkway represents a three-level gallery type construction consisting of two pavilions, glass transition-passes, open galleries, green lawns, colorful sidewalks and huge bowls with musical fountains. In the evening you will have a dinner at 7 p.m. Night is in a hotel.
Day 2: Astana - Almaty Your guide will pick you up at International Airport and accompany you to Almaty City. Today we will have a city tour. You will get acquainted with Almaty's history and see the Ascension Cathedral - the second highest wooden building in the world. Then you will visit the Square of 28 Panfilov Heroes. Afterwards you will visit the Museum of Musical Instruments. After lunch You will go to the Medeo Gorge, where in the wonderful mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau the largest high mountain skating rink in the world is located. Next destination is Shymbulak ski resort, located at an altitude of 2230 meters above sea level. It is very popular for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days and snow through the winter and remarkable scenery of mountain ranges. In the evening we drive to Kok Tebe to see the panoramic view of Almaty. Night will be in a hotel.
Day 3: Almaty - Big Almaty Lake - Almaty
In the morning we will drive to the most beautiful Big Almaty Lake. It is located at an altitude of 2511 m, on the upper side of the canyon by the same name, is fed by the Almaty River running through it, and is part of a wonderful national park. Big Almaty Lake is set high up in a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka River, 2,511m above sea level and 28.5km south of Almaty. It lies in a hollow like a gleaming mirror, surrounded on all sides by majestic peaks. Fed by glacial water, the lake is 1.6 km long, almost a kilometer wide and 40 m deep. We will drive to the "Hawks nursery". There you will see different hunting dogs and many birds of prey. At this place people train hawks, eagles, golden eagles to hunt together with them. Your guide will tell you about amazing traditions of Kazakh hunting with hawks. In the evening you will come back to Almaty city.
Day 4: Almaty - Charyn - Almaty
Today we will visit one of the most popular places of Kazakhstan - Charyn Canyon. It is an amazing creation of nature that has existed for millions of years, picturesque and very diverse in geomorphologic aspects. The height of steep mountainsides reach 150-300 meters. Numerous ravines and gullies make dense rambling net. Wind and water created stunning "Red Castles Valley". All along the valley you are surrounded by towers of fantastical forms, built of sedimentary. Throughout time nature has created these architectural wonders, without haste, it has built majestic castles. The road to the Canyon and back is 400 km. After a short walk in the canyon we will drive back to Almaty.
Day 5: Almaty - Shymkent - Turkestan
In the morning is a flight to Shymkent. Today we will drive to Turkestan. It attracts people with its historical monuments and rich history. You will have a full day excursion in Turkestan. We will visit Azret-Sultan historical-architectural complex and Khodja Akhmed Yassayu mausoleum. He is the first great Muslim holy man that brought religious glory to the town. The mausoleum in honor of Kozha Akhmed Yasaui, was built on a grand scale by Timur in the late 14th century (from 1389 to 1405). Also we will visit Turkistan town's necropolis, oriental baths, and underground mosque. It is a small but very interesting town! Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 6: Turkestan - Arystan Bab - Shymkent
In the morning we will drive to Arystan Bab mausoleum. The mausoleum was erected over the grave of a famous religious mystic Arystan Bab, who lived in XII century. The first building of the mausoleum belongs to the 14-15 centuries. In the 18th century section of the site an ancient tomb was destroyed by an earthquake, was built two domed building with aiwan, supported by two carved wooden columns. The 18th century building was destroyed and in 1909 was rebuilt again. The mausoleum was built of baked bricks. In the afternoon we arrive in Shymkent town. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 7: Shymkent - Almaty
In the morning flight to Almaty. Arrival and transfer to the city. You will visit our historical museum. Almaty was the capital of independent Kazakhstan from 1991 to 1997. In 1997, the capital moved to Astana; since then, Almaty has been referred to as the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan. The city is located in a mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Almaty is the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. After lunch you will visit a popular place for townpeople - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors, smells and crowds. There you can obtain famous Oriental sweets, but don't forget to bargain... In the evening you will have a dinner in a national restaurant. After the dinner we will drive to the hotel.
Day 8: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Almaty
In the morning we will drive to the Issyk Gorge. The route will take you to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain Issyk Lake. The lake was formed about 10,000 years ago due to colossal landslide, which resulted in the formation of a natural dam of 300 meters in height. At the lake you will enjoy the majestic beauty of its turquoise water surface and the views of Issyk Gorge. We will have a picnic there to spend more time having a rest. In the afternoon you will return to Almaty city.
Day 9: Almaty - Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport.
This Amazing Kazakhstan Tour is one of the most popular tours set by our team, including great places, such as the unique construction «Astana - Baiterek», Trans-Ili Alatau the largest high mountain skating rink in the world, "Hawks nursery", amazing creation Charyn Canyon, Azret-Sultan historical-architectural complex and Khodja Akhmed Yassayu mausoleum, mystic Arystan Bab, the Green Bazaar, Issyk Gorge and many other places of interest. Enjoy diverse awesome activities and experience the contrast of Kazakhstan's past in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, and Turkestan. You will see an attractive country with wonderful nature, diverse landscape, metropolitan splendor of cities combining eastern peace and Western luxury, many carefully preserved traditions and true exotic Asian culture.
Feedbacks from our clients:
Erez Hirsh:
Hi everyone! I want to share with you my amazing experience throughout the country of Kyrgyzstan. So, last summer me and my wife thought to go to Kyrgyzstan, but we weren't sure about it. But, after we spoke with Sergey from "Travel Experts" we knew that this is the provider we want. And it turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences we could ever ask! After a very short conversation with Sergey, we understood that this is the destination that we want for ourselves. And in the end it turned out to be amazing! Perfect! This country will give you everything you need. Nature! Genesis nature! Mountains! People! Culture! Music! Food! The food - wow... the food! I really really recommend Kyrgyzstan! And if you do so, please try to go through "Travel Experts"! And I can guarantee your experience will be perfect! Thank you!
Mark Janssen:
Hello! My name is Mark Janssen from the Netherlands. I have been in the trip through Kyrgyzstan organized by Sergey and the team of "Travel Experts" and this it's been the journey that will always stay with me. Kyrgyzstan is stunningly beautiful! You are in the mountains all the time. You enjoy the views, the lakes. You will be with very friendly people and add to this is the perfect organization by Sergey and "Travel Experts". The fantastic guide and you have an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend the trip through Kyrgyzstan organized by "Travel Experts". You will enjoy every second!
Joe Sinisi: I am Joe Sinisi, and I am in Kyrgyzstan, one of the 20 countries that we serve. This is certainly one of the most interesting and the most special: from the 2nd largest alpine lake on earth lake Issyk Kul, to mountains over 7 000 meters, the people that keep their ancient nomadic traditions. This is the special place to visit, the one that should not be missed. Please, make sure to visit this wonderful country. You will not regret!
Piyush Sonsale:
Hi! I am Piyush from India and I have travelled to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan with "Travel Experts" in the last 4 years many many times. And I've had a great experience so far. They have fantastic cars and fantastic service when it comes to hotels and food arrangements! Sergey and his team are very prompt and they make sure you have a very great holiday. So I highly recommend them for you travel in Central Asia!
Shviro Meir:
Hi everybody! My name is Shviro and I am a tour guide for "Tripology" Company. I touring in Kyrgyzstan for the last 9 years. In all our tours we always use "Travel Experts", managed by Sergey - our local partner. "Travel Experts" are doing for us everything in Kyrgyzstan. They do everything - all our logistics, accommodation, transportation, local teams, attractions - everything we need. I highly recommend people who want to travel in Kyrgyzstan to use "Travel Experts" as the local agent. You won't regret it. See you on the road!
Owen Cawley: Hello! My name is Owen, I am from Scotland. I am here in beautiful Kyrgyzstan, nearby lake Issyk Kul. You can see just here it is so amazing moment behind. Kyrgyzstan is a wonderful, beautiful country and culture is fantastic. The scenery as you can see is beautiful and wonderful. People here have been super friendly and accommodating. So if you want to come here I would highly recommend it. I recommend going with "Travel Experts". They have been genuinely really good, Sergey has been lovely. My guide, my driver, everyone here has been amazing. All problems have been smoothed over very quickly. That's has been fantastic experience. I would highly recommend going!
Hanani Ohani:
Hello! Last august we spent two amazing weeks in Kyrgyzstan, me and my family. It was amazing! Thanks to "Travel Experts" that gave us excellent service! And this amazing country that has a great view, great culture, great people. Beautiful place! Love you Kyrgyzstan! Love you "Travel Experts"!