Kazakhstan Adventure
Kazakhstan Adventure
Kazakhstan Adventure
10 Days Starting in Astana and ending in Almaty
Visiting: Astana, Turkistan, Turkistan/ Overnight Train, Almaty, Kolsay Lakes National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
KFSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
16-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Explore the vast reaches of Kazakhstan from Astana to Almaty. See the contrast of the futuristic and the ancient as they come together in this unique country. Visit the Silk Road ruins of Otrar, stand in awe of the grand Yasaui Mausoleum, explore the culturally rich Almaty, and hike the incredible Kolsai Lakes region. Explore underwater forests, majestic canyons, mountainous alpine regions and wide expanses of the Kazakh steppe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Astana
Location: Astana
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Salemetsiz be! Welcome to Astana, Kazakhstan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in the hotel lobby. Astana was purpose-built to become the capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997 and is home to meticulously planned city streets and architecture. The modern metropolis was designed by leading Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, who won first prize in a competition against other world-renowned architects. Now, it is one of the youngest cities in Central Asia. If you arrive early, take the time to explore – take a stroll along the Astana waterfront, or go shopping in the world’s largest tent at the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre. Tonight, join your leader and group for an included welcome dinner in town for your first authentic Kazakh food experience.
Day 2: Astana
Location: Astana
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, join your leader for a city tour and see some of the most impressive designs of this ambitious new city. First up is Bayterek tower and then take a stroll down Nur Boulevard that stretches from Ak Orda - president’s office down to Khan Shatyr, another city landmark in the shape of a giant transparent tent. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque – with its capacity of 5000 worshippers inside and an additional 2000 outside, it’s one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Then, you'll stop at the Palace of Peace & Reconciliation – a pyramid-shaped conference hall considered to be Astana's symbolic centre. , then why not find some tandyr nan (a type of Central Asian bread, often decorated) or plov (a popular rice dish with chunks of lamb, onions and carrots) for lunch? The afternoon and evening are yours to explore the city.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Turkistan
Location: Turkistan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy a free morning in Astana and then in the afternoon, take a flight to historic centre of Kazakhstan, Turkistan. It is home to more relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. With a late afternoon arrival, make sure you see the Yasawi Mausoleum illuminated in the night to catch its vividly coloured and patterned exterior in a different shade. You’ll also visit the new Caravan Serai – a complex recently built to model ancient Silk Road trade centres, giving visitors a taste of what life was once like here.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Turkistan/ Overnight Train
Location: Turkistan/ Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Meals Included: breaksfast
Head out on a city tour this morning, returning for a daytime visit to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. The blue and white-tiled mausoleum is the final resting place of a great Turkic holy man and Sufi. Built by Tamerlane, it is said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it is a religious site, it’s recommended that women wear a headscarf when entering. On the grounds, you'll find a rose garden, monuments, an archaeological museum and a mosque, which are all included in the entry ticket. Leaving the mausoleum, jump in your private transport and continue the journey to Shymkent, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. First excavated in 1969, it has a history dating back to the first century AD, with remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses that can still be seen today. It is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. There'll be some time to spend exploring Shymkent before boarding the overnight train to Almaty.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Pulling into Alamaty this morning, hop off the train and head out to find some breakfast. Today, you’ll be going on a day trip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at the Issyk Museum – a museum and archaeological reserve dedicated to Kazakh history and Scythian culture (an ancient nomadic people who were particularly skilled in horseback warfare). Continue to Ile-Alatau National Park, where peaceful Lake Issyk is nestled in the foothills of the surrounding mountains. Relax and refresh on the lakeshore of this stunning spot before carrying on to Turgen Gorge, where a short hike will bring you to a 20m waterfall. On the way back to Almaty stop by a local winery – a local craft winemaker where you can sample some raw wine and craft cheese and enjoy a hearty lunch.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today you’ll embark on a full day guided city tour of Almaty. This former capital of Kazakhstan and the most populus city, Almaty now has a complete different vibrancy to Astana with its wide tree-lined streets, numerous parks and the view of the snow-capped mountains. Visit Central Square and the colourful Zenkoff Cathedral (also the 2nd tallest wooden building in the world) in historic Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Check out the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, which features a great collection of ancient relics. Finally, summit Kok Tobe Hill for great views over the city before returning to the hotel for some much-deserved rest and relaxation.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Location: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning, drive to Saty Village with a stop along the way at the spectacular Charyn Canyon. The richly coloured canyon carves a stunning path through the surrounding landscape, with vivid tones of oranges and browns shifting and changing as the sun travels across the sky. Enjoy some time here to marvel at this natural wonder and grab some photos before continuing to Saty Village, where you’ll check into your homestay and experience a taste of local life in the Tien Shan Mountain Range.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Location: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Explore the surrounding area of Saty Village today with a hike to Kolsai Lakes – also known as ‘the blue necklace’ for the clear blue waters framed by lush, green mountains. If there’s time, visit the lesser-known Kaindy Lake – a stunning turquoise lake with a striking ‘submerged forest’ protruding from the water. Amazingly, the lake was created by an earthquake in 1911 which caused a limestone landslide, creating a natural dam in the forest. As time went on, the dam filled with water and the trees were covered, leaving just their trunks standing dramatically in the centre. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike and then return to your homestay for a hearty meal after a big day on your feet. After dinner, the evening is all yours to rest, relax or explore as you wish.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, return to Almaty. Why not visit Medeu after lunch – the highest altitude ice skating rink in the world and a popular weekend destination for many locals. Then you can take the cable road to Shymbulak – a local ski resort, where you can take in the immense mountain scenery. Or you can use your free time to explore the many museums in the area or ask your leader for the best spots to share a beer or two and round out your last day by grabbing dinner with your travel mates and toasting to celebrate your journey through Kazakhstan.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your adventure ends after breakfast today and you can depart at any time. Bid farewell to your new travel buddies or continue your own travels through Central Asia. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Bishkek - City Tour
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Nur-Sultan - City tour
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Baikonur - Yuri Gagarin Museum & House
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Baikonur - Space Museum
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Baikonur - Cosmodrome
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Otrar - Ancient settlement
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Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
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Almaty - Central State Museum
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Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum
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Almaty - Medeu
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Private vehicle , Plane , Overnight Sleeper Train
Included Activities
- Nur-Sultan - City tour
- Baikonur - Yuri Gagarin Museum & House
- Baikonur - Cosmodrome
- Baikonur - Space Museum
- Otrar - Ancient settlement
- Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum
- Almaty - Central State Museum
- Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
- Almaty - Kok Tobe Hill
- Almaty - Panfilov Park
- Almaty - Medeu
- Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
- Charyn Canyon - National Park
- Karakol - Dungan Mosque
- Karakol - Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
- Karakol - Przhevalskiy Museum
- Karakol - Jeti Orghuz Canyon Hike
- Cholpan Ata - Petroglyphs
- Bishkek - City Tour
Accommodation
- Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Train (1 night), Guesthouse/Homestay (2 nights)
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 & 6-8, where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight and train tickets booking no later than 45 days prior to departure. Fees may apply for amendments or failure to provide the required details within 45 days of departure.
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
We are a global company, on most of our tours we will have passengers from all over the world joining.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
A tour leader will be with you throughout the trip, except for free time
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What currencies are required for this tour?
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Is this trip right for you
Be prepared to experience the full legacy of the Soviet era – not just in the sights and history, but also in the standards of accommodation and service. In other words, while you’ll be comfortable, don’t expect luxury.
In true adventure style, the trip involves some long travel days by private vehicle and trains. While tiring, this is a great opportunity to sit back, unwind and let the sweeping views roll by. -
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
This trip will run with just one person booked on
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No but we can arrange these for you at an additional cost
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
If you wish to have a hotel list, please ask a booking agent. Please note, these are subject to change.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The trip is requires a reasonable level of fitness as you will be exploring the places you visit on foot. There are no strenuous activities included.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes. All prices listed are on a twin-share basis. If you are travelling solo, you can pay the twin-share rate to be roomed with another solo traveller of the same sex. Alternatively a single supplement is available for an additional cost. Single supplements are subject to availability.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Please speak to a medical profession regarding vaccinations before you travel
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions