Kazakhstan Almaty Tour

Welcome to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan! Located in the eastern mountainous area of Kazakhstan, this city has developed economy and beautiful scenery. Today our English-speaking driver-guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars)

Ili-Alatau National Park is the first destination of our Almaty tour. First we will visit the Big Almaty Lake in the park which can present different color under sunlight. Then we'll head to Medeu Skating Rink, the highest ski resort in the world, and Shymbulak Ski Resort. These are good places for skiing in winter. When the snow melts in summer, visitors can enjoy the beautiful meadows and blooming wildflowers here. After lunch, visit the Green Market, Zenkov Cathedral and the Central Mosque of Almaty, the largest mosque in Kazakhstan. Zenkov Cathedral is the second tallest existing wooden structure in the world. The peculiarity of this church is that the entire building does not use a single nail, but it is very strong and intact after a strong earthquake. Finally we will enjoy the stunning sunset at Kok-Tobe Hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars)

After breakfast, we will drive to Basshi Village 300 kilometers away, taking about 3.5 hour. Check in the hotel and have lunch.

We will spend two days at the Altyn Emel National Park, a magical land with unique landscapes. The Aktau Mountains, Katutau Mountains and Singing Dune are essential parts of the park. Aktau Mountains is our first stop. Also known as White Mountains, they are generally white but dotted with colorful stones in red, green, pink, and light blue, which will surprise visitors. Next, we'll visit Katutau Mountains, which have formed spectacular Martian landscape due to volcanic eruption. There are grooves and cracks of various shapes and sizes on the mountain, shaped like shelves, cups or royal thrones. The national park is also rich in biodiversity. 260 species of animals including the mountain goats, wolves and foxes and more than 600 plants have been found. We'll see a famous 700-year old willow here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Basshy Hotel

Today we will continue to explore the national park. First we will visit the Singing Dune which will make a sound like a pipe organ when the wind is strong. Then visit the Tiger Mountain before we drive to Zharkent. We will pay a visit to the Zharkent Mosque famed as the art museum of Kazakhstan. The white Mosque looks like a Chinese pagoda, containing the artistic styles of Central Asia and China. Then we will move ahead to the Hot Springs which is 180 kilometers away. Check in the hotel and you can enjoy swimming in the hot spring pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karadala Hot Springs Hotel

Today we will visit one of the highlights of Almaty - Charyn Canyon National Park. It is about 154 kilometers long, like an extending and narrow crack torn apart in the hinterland of the grassland, comparable to the Colorado Grand Canyon in the United States. The cliffs formed by red rocks on both sides of the canyon have different strange shapes. We will visit the Temerlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Moon Canyon and Charyn Canyon and watch the sunset. We will have a boxed lunch at the Bestamak Canyon halfway through. Drive to Saty Village and check in hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

Today we will hike from the Third Kolsai Lake to the Second Kolsai Lake, with a packed lunch box. The 16 km route will take 6 hours. From April to October, you can also choose to ride horses, and the cost of two-way horse riding is $30 per person (not included in the quotation). The Kolsai Lake is located in the northern part of Tianshan Mountains and surrounded by dense spruces and towering mountains. The lake is crystal clear, like a sparkling pearl. When we finish hiking, return to the hotel for dinner, enjoy the sauna and bonfire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

What we are going to visit today is the Kaindy Lake. It is a dammed lake formed by the earthquake in 1911, about 30 meters deep. The water of the lake is blue-green with birch trees standing in the lake. Later, drive to the Valley of Castles, where we will hike for 2 hours. Then drive back to Almaty 300 kilometers away in 3.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars)

Your trip comes to an end today. We will send you to the airport and see you off. Wish you a pleasant home trip!

Meals: Breakfast