10 DAYS KAZAKHSTAN: FROM SILK ROAD EPOCH TO FUTURISTIC ASTANA

Transfer: Airport to Accommodation with Sightseeing

Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your accommodation. If your flight time permits, we can experience some sightseeing along the way.

Astana’s Old City Centre

Experience the old city centre of Astana, visiting the monument of Kerey & Zhaniber, KGB office, as well as monument of Tomiris the Queen among others. You will also visit the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, one of Central Asia’s largest mosque, as well as the Zig-Zag Astana Waterfalls.

Best of Astana

Our journey brings us to the Nurzhol Boulevard, which stretches from the presidential residence Akorda to Khan-Shatyr. Its centrepiece have to got to be the futuristic Baiterek monument, often considered to be the geographical centre of the Eurasian continent. At the top of the monument, you can admire a 360-degree panoramic view of the Nurzhol Boulevard. As the largest tent-shaped structure in the world, Khan Shatyr is a magnificent lifestyle centre of Astana which features a shopping centre, entertainment facilities, restaurants and food courts. Other highlights of today include the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Astana EXPO-2017 site, as well as the Central Mosque of Astana.

Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

You will be transferred to the airport for your onwards journey.

Flight: Astana to Turkistan

Transfer: Airport to Accommodation with Sightseeing

You will be transferred from the airport to your accommodation with sightseeing along the way.

Otrar, Mausoleum & Karavan Saray

Also known as Farab, Otrar was a well-known city along the Silk Road, at the crossroads of settled and agricultural civilizations. Otrar was also the hometown of Abu Nasr Muhammad Al-Farabi, a renowned philosopher, scientist, cosmologist, mathematician, music theorist and physician of the 9^th century.

Visit the Arystan Bab Mausoleum, dedicated to the religious mystic who bridged the teachings of Mohammad and Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. In Turkistan, you will also visit Karavan Saray, a Silk Road-inspired entertainment complex with canals, shopping, dining and evening boat shows.

Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Altyn Samruk & White Mosque

Visit the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, dedicated to the famous Sufi poet and preacher of the East. Witness the Altyn Samruk show through a walk-through exhibition to uncover the abundant heritage of nomads and Kazakhstan’s rich background. Today’s trip will also take you to Ak Meshyt or the White Mosque.

Transfer: Turkistan to Shymkent via Aksu Zhabagly

Thereafter, you will be transferred to Shymkent. You will also have a visit to Aksu Zhabagly.

Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve

Measuring 500 meters deep, the Aksu Canyon is one of Eurasia’s most grandiose creations. At the bottom of the canyon, there is the Aksu River which cuts through the canyon, with apple and juniper trees dotting the slopes and snowy peaks of the Ugam mountain range in the distance.

Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

You will be transferred to the airport for your onwards journey.

Flight: Shymkent to Almaty

Transfer: Airport to Accommodation with Sightseeing

You will be transferred from the airport to your accommodation. Depending on your flight timing, we may be able to include some sightseeing along the way.

Central State Museum & Gorky’s Park

Visit the Central State Museum to learn about the country’s history from Bronze Age through the nomadic ages and the World War II eras. There is also a large replica of the Golden Man (a national symbol of Kazakhstan) in the main hall. Time permitting, you will also visit Gorky’s Park for some free time. The park has a water park, boat ride, coasters, ferris wheel, horse carriage rides, along with other activities.

Almaty Essentials

Visit the Main Square where the Monument of Independence is located in, the Panfilov Park surrounding the Zenkov Cathedral, as well as the Green Bazaar at the heart of the city, where you will have the opportunity to purchase and taste local products such as mountain honey, dry fruits, nuts, and the city’s famous apples. If time permits, you may visit the famous chocolate factory “Rakhat” located nearby.

Panfilov Walking Street & Kok-Tobe Hill

Head downtown for a stroll through the city centre’s main walking street: Zhybek Zholy street, where you can explore merchant’s goods, pop-up stores and the Grand Opera Theatre named after Abay. Enjoy a cable car ride up to Kok-Tobe Hill, the highest point of Almaty for panoramic views of the city in all directions.

Wine Tasting at EXTRA at Arbawine Store

Discover the finest local wine crafter for a taste of their vineyards.

Charyn Canyon

Once a river valley bustling with flora and fauna, millennia of soil erosion had formed sedimentary rocks that became the magnificent Charyn Canyon today. You will explore the canyon from various viewpoints at the top, as well as a shuttle bus tour at the bottom of the canyon to explore the beauty of the canyon up close. The drive between Almaty and Charyn Canyon is approximately 3.5 hours per way.

Option 1: Medeu & Shymbulak

Depart to Medeu, the world’s highest ice skating rink sitting at 1,691 metres above sea level. If you would like, you can challenge yourself into the famous “wellness stairways” with 842 stairs that will reward you with access to the best viewpoint of Medeu Gorge. You will also take a scenic 25-minute gondola ride up to Shymbulak, the most prominent ski resort in Central Asia, at 2,260 metres above sea level. There are optional activities such as paragliding, horseback rides, and rope park available at an additional cost.

Another cable car ride will take you up to 3,200 metres to visit the Talgar Pathway, where if time permits, you can enjoy an 8km hike of 2.5-3 hours to the Bogdanovich Glacier (3,500 metres), the most accessible glacier in the Almaty mountains. The hike is accessible year-round, though additional equipment will be required during the winter season and the trail may get a little muddy at some points during the summer. Alternatively, you can also visit the Central State Museum to learn about the country’s history.

Option 2: Tamgaly Tas

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the petroglyphs of Tamgaly on the east bank of Ili River ranging from the Iron Age, Bronze Age to Medieval times! You will explore the rock carvings, and if you would like, we can also arrange an optional extension to experience rafting/SUP board at Ili River or a visit the retro museum of vintage cars at an additional cost. The drive between Almaty and Tamgaly is approximately 2-2.5 hours per way.

Option 3: Turgen Gorge

Head to the Issyk area to visit the Golden Man Museum to explore the culture and traditions of ancient nomads. Issyk was the site where archaeologists discovered a burial mound of the Golden Man back in 1969. You will also visit the Turgen Gorge, a beautiful site within the Ili-Alatau National Park. You can visit the Turgen Waterfalls along a mountain path of approximately 2km, try your hand in trout fishing and enjoy the surrounding river. If you would like, we can also arrange an optional extension to an ostrich farm.

Option 1: Almarasan Gorge

Embark on a short hike to see the Lower Bear Waterfall and learn about the Bear Gorge. Enjoy an e-bike ride up to Big Almaty Lake, situated between two mountain gorges, as well as visiting the best photo viewpoints overlooking the lake. Depart towards Sunkar Falconry to learn about the Kazakh people who used to tame birds of prey and became masters of this art, as you observe an immersive show with these birds of prey.

Option 2: Hunns Ethno Village

Set along a picturesque foothill of Zayliy Alatau, this recreational centre is a lovely place to learn about the customs of the Kazakh people and sample delicious national dishes. You will be met by two warriors in battle armour from the Saki period and the Shashu ritual, gain insights into the structure and sacred meaning of the yurt, as well as familiarising yourself with the life of the Kazakhs such as cleaning and whipping wool, making yarn with a spindle, getting flour and talkan in dermen, the rite of laying the child in Besik, the rituals of Tusau kesu and Atka Otyrgyzu

Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or to your onward journey.