Kazakhstan tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kazakhstan tour Highlights
Seven days among the canyons, lakes and dunes near Almaty: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsai lakes and the Singing Dune. Along the way you meet the people of rural Kazakhstan and get to know their village life and culture.
The tour starts in Almaty with the Medeu gorge, the Zenkov Cathedral and the cable car ride up to Kok Tobe, followed by a day trip to the alpine Lake Issyk and the Medvezhy Waterfall in the Turgen Gorge. A long drive takes you to the Singing Dune in Altyn Emel National Park and on to Zharkent with its 19th-century mosque, before you walk down into the Valley of Castles at the bottom of Charyn Canyon.
Two nights in a simple guesthouse in the mountain village of Saty give you time for Kaindy Lake, reached by rugged Russian 4x4 on a mountain road, and for a walk around the first of the three Kolsai Lakes, before you return to Almaty.
Difficulty: Easy Sightseeing with short walks: about 2 km down to the bottom of Charyn Canyon and back up, walks at Lake Issyk, in the Turgen Gorge and at the first Kolsai Lake, and a 15 km 4x4 ride on a mountain road to Kaindy Lake (about 2,000 m). Long drives of about 500 km (day 3), 270 km (day 4) and 300 km (day 6); two nights in simple guesthouses in Saty, mostly with shared bathrooms.
Tour Itinerary
Your driver meets you at Almaty airport and takes you to your hotel in the city (early check-in from 06:00 is included), where breakfast is served until 10:00. Then drive up to the Medeu gorge, where the high-mountain sports complex lies at an altitude of 1,691 m – a favorite weekend spot of Almaty residents. Back in the city, visit the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of Almaty. Afterwards take the cable car up to Kok Tobe, the highest point of the city. The ride starts near the Soviet-style Hotel Kazakhstan and passes over some of the oldest parts of Almaty and its fruit gardens. At the top, next to the 372 m high TV tower that is visible from far away, you enjoy great views of the mountains and the city (about 70 km of driving today). Dinner at a restaurant in the evening (not included unless you book the meal package) and overnight at the hotel.
Medeu, Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), Kok Tobe Mountain, Almaty
- Almaty International Airport → Almaty (20 km)
- Almaty → Medeu (17 km)
- Medeu → Almaty (17 km)
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast drive about 70 km east of Almaty to Lake Issyk, an alpine lake at 1,760 m above sea level that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Walk around the lake and enjoy some time for a picnic and rest. Next travel to the Turgen Gorge for a walk to the Medvezhy (Bear) Waterfall; you can also visit an ostrich farm. Return to Almaty later in the day (about 200 km of driving in total) and stay overnight at the hotel.
Lake Issyk, Turgen gorge
- Almaty → Lake Issyk (70 km)
- Lake Issyk → Turgen gorge (40 km)
- Turgen gorge → Almaty (85 km)
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast drive to Altyn Emel National Park to visit the Singing Dune between the Big and Small Kalkan mountains. The dune is made of very fine sand that “sings” when the wind blows, with a sound very reminiscent of an organ. Later continue to Zharkent (about 120 km) and visit its central mosque, built in 1895 – a 19th-century architectural and historical monument under state protection. A long driving day of about 500 km (around 6 hours on the road). Overnight at a simple hotel.
Altyn Emel National Park, Singing Dune (Altyn Emel), Zharkent
- Almaty → Singing Dune (Altyn Emel) (380 km)
- Singing Dune (Altyn Emel) → Zharkent (120 km)
Overnight: Zharkent (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast drive to Charyn Canyon in the Charyn National Park, often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States. Erosion by the Charyn River has created dramatic and impressive landscapes. After taking in the panoramic view over the gorge, walk about 2 km down to the bottom of the canyon through the labyrinth known as the Valley of Castles. Then continue to the mountain village of Saty (about 270 km today). Dinner at the guesthouse (not included unless you book the meal package) and overnight. Guesthouses in Saty are simple, mostly with shared bathrooms.
Charyn Canyon, Saty
- Zharkent → Saty (270 km)
Overnight: Saty (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast board a rugged Russian 4x4 in Saty – perfect for the 15 km mountain road up to Kaindy Lake at about 2,000 m above sea level. The lake was formed in 1911, when an earthquake caused a landslide that blocked the valley with a natural dam and the water flooded the valley. Then continue to the famous Kolsai Lakes, three lakes at 1,800, 2,250 and 2,700 m that are among the most beautiful places of Kazakh nature, with a unique mountain landscape of three natural zones and a variety of rare plants and animals. You walk around the first lake, as the others require more time to reach. Later drive back to Saty (about 60 km in total today) and stay overnight at the guesthouse.
Kaindy Lake, Kolsai lakes, Saty
- Saty → Kaindy Lake (15 km)
- Kaindy Lake → Kolsai lakes (30 km)
- Kolsai lakes → Saty (15 km)
Overnight: Saty (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast drive back to Almaty (about 300 km, 5–6 hours) and enjoy free time in the city after arrival. Dinner at a restaurant in the evening (not included unless you book the meal package) and overnight at the hotel.
Almaty
- Saty → Almaty (300 km)
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Almaty airport for your departure.
- Almaty → Almaty International Airport (20 km)
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What's included
Included
- Accommodation as described in the program in double/twin rooms: 3 nights in a 4* hotel in Almaty, 1 night in a simple hotel in Zharkent and 2 nights in a guesthouse in Saty
- Early check-in on day 1 (from 06:00)
- Daily breakfasts
- All transfers in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, including the airport pick-up and drop-off: SUV for 2–4 travelers, Mercedes Sprinter minibus for 6–10 travelers
- English-speaking driver for 2–4 travelers, English-speaking guide for 6–10 travelers
- Visits described in the program
- Mineral water
Not included
- International flights
- Single room supplement (480 USD per person)
- Lunches and dinners (available as a meal package for 214 USD per person)
- English-speaking guide for groups of 2–4 travelers (1,248 USD per group)
- Late check-out (check-in at hotels from 14:00, check-out before 12:00)
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Personal expenses
- Alcohol
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Other services not mentioned as included
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Kazakhstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kazakhstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kazakhstan before booking.
The official currency is the tenge (KZT), and Kazakhstan has the most advanced banking system in the region.
ATMs and exchange
ATMs are widespread in the major cities, in banks, hotels and shopping centres, but most dispense only tenge. Every city has exchange offices for US dollars, euros, roubles, pounds, Chinese yuan and Kyrgyz som, and changing dollars or euros into tenge is easy at banks and exchange offices.
Paying by card
International cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and large supermarkets. Smaller shops usually take cash only and often have little change, so carry smaller notes.
The security situation is stable, but it can change. A few precautions go a long way.
Documents
Always carry original identification such as your passport, as police patrols may ask for it. When approached by a police officer, driver or official, ask to see their identification.
Crime and scams
- Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag theft and car break-ins is common. Keep valuables out of sight and be vigilant, especially at night.
- Never leave food or drinks unattended or with strangers.
- Be careful of online scams.
- Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings, and leave the area if there is unrest nearby.
Getting around
- Avoid walking alone and arrange transport in advance. Do not use unofficial taxis.
- On trains, keep your passport and travel documents safe and lock the compartment, especially on night trains.
- Roads are well maintained in and around the major cities, but rural roads may be in poor condition.
Laws and customs
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is banned near schools, playgrounds and medical facilities, in public places such as museums, public transport, airports, stations and underpasses, and in cars carrying children.
- Possessing or using illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence.
- Photography is restricted near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Avoid sharing images that could be seen as disrespectful to religion, culture or national symbols.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Kazakhstan's visa rules depend on your passport. Check whether you need a visa for your visit.
Passport
If you enter visa-free, your passport only needs to be valid for the length of your stay. With a visa, it must be valid for six months beyond the end of your stay.
Visas and registration
For a tourist visa from an embassy or an electronic visa, you first need a letter of invitation (LOI). You may need to register after arriving in the country.
The best times to visit Kazakhstan are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), avoiding the hot summers and snowy winters.
Summer and winter
Kazakhstan has a harsh continental climate, at its most extreme in the central steppe and around the capital, Astana. Temperatures can rise above 40°C in June to August and drop to −20°C in December to February.
Before you travel, make sure the places you are going can provide any medical help you might need, and that your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.
Medical care
Medical staff often speak little English.
Medicines
Non-prescription medicines are easy to buy. For prescription medicines you need a prescription from a local doctor, or a foreign prescription translated into Kazakh or Russian.
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