Highlights of Kazakhstan in 14-Days

Overview:

This tour is based on visits to two main regions of Kazakhstan and covers the most beautiful sights of Kazakhstan. In the first part of the trip, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Golden Triangle of Kazakhstan, which includes the three largest national parks in the Almaty region, such as Charyn, Kolsai, and Altyn Emel National Parks. By visiting these three national parks you will be able to enjoy three different natural wonders such as the desert, Sand Dunes, oasis and the emptiness of Altyn Emel National Park. In the Charyn Canyon, you can enjoy magnificent views as you walk to the Valley of Castles. In the Kolsai Lakes National Park, you can enjoy the best of Tien Shan nature, alpine lakes, forests and hiking. Almaty is a real destination and during your trip, you can meet local families and try traditional food and drinks.

The second part of the journey will continue in the southwestern part of Kazakhstan, the mysterious Mangystau region, famous for its Martian landscapes. Here we will take an off-road vehicle into the wild. Most attractions don’t have towns or tourist camps, so we’ll mostly be camping in the middle of nowhere. Here you can enjoy the magnificent Ustyurt plateau, Tuzbair, Valley of the Balls, Airakhty, Bozzhyra, and also visit several underground mosques dating from the 15th to 18th centuries.

We are flying on a domestic flight from Almaty to Aktau. During the trip, you will be accompanied by our experienced guides and drivers.

These are great expeditions and unforgettable memories are guaranteed!

Itinerary:

Welcome to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Our guides will meet you upon arrival at Almaty International Airport. You will be taken to your hotel in the city center. Welcome dinner at the restaurant

Here we go! We will pick you up early in the morning and take you to the Charyn Canyon National Park. It is a 150-kilometer canyon consisting of 5 main canyons such as Bestamak, Temerlik, Yellow, Red and Valley of Castles. We will visit the most beautiful part of the canyon and you will have the opportunity to take a walk and enjoy the surroundings. In the evening we drive to the traditional village of Saty. Overnight at a local guest house.

Kolsai Lakes National Park is known as the “Pearl of the Tien Shan”. There are three lakes located at three different altitudes. We will start our hike from the lower Kolsai Lake and reach the Middle Kolsai. Here you can admire the magnificent Alatau Mountains and enjoy hiking in the wild. In total, the hike takes about 5-7 hours. In the evening return to the village of Saty.

Altyn Emel means Golden Saddle. Today we will arrive in the small village of Basshi. Check in to the hotel and in the afternoon drive to the gorgeous Sand Dunes. Enjoy a great hike. Back to the village.

After breakfast, we will take you to beautiful mountains such as Aktau and Katutau. Here you can take a walk and enjoy the surroundings. The excursion continues with a visit to the Kosbastau Oasis, where a 700-year-old willow tree grows

Return to Almaty. In the afternoon, take a domestic flight to western Kazakhstan to Aktau city. Your support team will meet you at the local airport. Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Rest and prepare for the upcoming trip. Overnight at a local hotel

Mangystau is a truly fascinating region of Kazakhstan, known for its mysterious landscapes, rich history and cultural heritage. Our team will meet you on arrival at Aktau airport. Drive approximately 200km to Zhygylgan Cape. The name Zhygylgan means “fallen down” in Kazakh and it really looks like the earth has fallen down in this place. Zhygylgan Cape is an enchanting place with majestic cliffs and fascinating lion footprints from a distant past. Prepare to be mesmerised by the sweeping vistas and discover extraordinary geological wonders that will leave you in awe. Visit Sultan Epe (35km)Sultan Epe Mosque, the underground mosque of the protector of sailors holy Sultan Epe – a monument of religious architecture, the mosque was built around the IX-XII century. The mosque has 11 rooms. It is so narrow that in some places you have to crawl to get from one room to another. Its architecture, ventilation system and lighting show that it was built according to the most advanced models of the time. Drive another 20km to the Kapamsai Canyon. Kapamsai is a narrow limestone canyon with steep and even walls that reach a height of 70 metres. Overnight stay in the tent.

Enjoy your morning in the middle of nowhere. After breakfast, pack the camp and drive to the Shakpak Ata Mosque. The other mysterious underground mosque was built back in 9-10 centuries and famous for its masterpiece of architecture of that time, where you can discover how the ventilation system and lightning. It is well worth a visit. The next stop is a Torysh or well known as The Valley of Balls. Here you can enjoy the mysterious creation of nature, where you can discover balls of different sizes and colours, made of sedimentary rocks – sand and clay. Today’s final attraction is the breathtaking Sherkala Mountain (70 km). Sherkala is a lonely standing mountain of unusual shape, created during the formation of the mountainous Kara-Tau valleys as a result of the land rising from the depths of the sea.

From one side, the mountain resembles a huge white yurt, but from the other, Sherkala resembles a sleeping lion with its huge head resting on its paws. This is why the mountain is called Sherkala, which in Turkmen means ‘Lion Mountain’.

The Airakty-Shomanai Mountains, also known as the Valley of Castles, where colossal rock formations resembling grandiose castles provide a breathtaking backdrop for exploration and photography. Climb to the top of the mountains and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views. The next attraction is a Tuzbair (130 km). Tuzbair is a landscape with deserted shores surrounded by hills of multi-coloured clay are mesmerizing. Here you can enjoy the Martian landscapes. Overnight stay in the tent.

Drive to the Beket Ata Mosque, which takes about 1.5 hours. Beket-Ata was an important Sufi scholar who founded several underground mosques and a madrasa in the Mangistau region in the 18th century. Enjoy another great historical legacy at the Beket Ata Mosque. Drive on to one of the best attractions of the Mangistau region, the Bozjyra Tract. This is part of the Ustuyrt plateau. Enjoy the Martian views of the surrounding area! Overnight stay in tent.

Mount Bokty is a colourful natural wonder and one of the iconic sights of the Mangystau region. Rising 165 metres above the surrounding plains, the mountain is striped with shades of white, yellow, coral and brown, giving it the appearance of a layered cake. The clearly visible boundaries between its multicoloured clay and sandstone deposits make it a truly mesmerising sight. Kyzylkup invites you to marvel at the captivating beauty of Tiramisu Canyon, where the striking dark brown and white striped rock formations create a mesmerising spectacle. In the afternoon drive back to Aktau city. Check into local hotel in city centre. Farewell dinner with the team. Thank you for coming!

Upon arrival in Almaty city, we will take you to the Big Almaty lake, which is one of the best Almaty’s attraction. Enjoy a pure mountain lake and enjoy a hiking. The next stop is at hot spring of Alma Arasan. It is perfect time to enjoy a hot spring pools. Stay overnight in tourist camp.

Today we take you on a day tour of Almaty, including visits to the Medeu Ice Rink, Shymbulake Ski Resort and Koktobe Hill. Almaty is the cultural centre of Kazakhstan and was the capital until 1997. The city lies at the foot of the Alatau Mountains and is rich in beautiful attractions. Enjoy a traditional meal!

Thank you for coming! We hope to see you again!

Highlights of Kazakhstan in 14-Days

Duration:14-Days
Availability: Four seasons
Best time: April-November
Begin and end: Almaty
Tour type: Sightseeing
Price from: 2550 USD p.p

Our highlights

Kolsai Lakes National Park
Charyn Canyon, Valley of Castle
Altyn Emel National park
Ustyurt Plateau
Bozzhyra Tract
Torysh, Valley of Balls
Aktau, Caspian Sea
Many others

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Tour Price Includes

Fly ticket Almaty-Aktau-Almaty
Land Transportation
English speaking guide
Local Driver
Accommodation
Eat & Drink
Fees & Permits
Activities

Tour price excludes

Personal needs
Alcoholic beverages
Gratitude

Tour details:

Please pack all necessary things that you think might be needed. Here are some tips: day pack, sunglasses, anti-mosquito, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, hand sanitizer, toiletries, power bank, camera, headlamp, hat, hiking shoes, warm jacket, sandals, and personal medicine. And please have some cash in case you want to go shopping or buy souvenirs.

– We ask that you book your trip as soon as possible. To ensure everything runs smoothly, bookings must be made at least two months in advance.

– If any of the attractions are not open, we will replace them with other highlights that are no less exciting.

– The tour is flexible and we can create your own personal expedition based on your wishes.

We are responsible for visiting the places and seeing the attractions that we have mentioned in our itinerary. We are responsible for guiding you with pleasure and giving you a great expediton.

We are not responsible for any unplanned inconvenience during the tour. We are not responsible for the traffic in the city and finally we are not responsible for the bad weather conditions that you have to be prepared for in advance.

Please do not hurt the feelings of the locals and respect their traditions. When visiting the mausoleum, mosque and other local sacred sites, please dress promptly. Please get ready for the trip at the scheduled time. And if there is any inconvenience, please inform your guide first. Generally, there are not many inconveniences on this trip, but let’s remember that we are travelling and try to enjoy the moment! The group atmosphere is important and as an experienced team we try to make the tour as enjoyable as possible and ask you to help us.

You will be supported by the locals consisting English-speaking guide and driver.

This tour is available all year round. The best time is from the end of March to November. During this period the weather is warm and in the middle of summer it gets very hot. However, in some mountainous areas you may feel cold due to the altitude and we ask you to pack a warm jacket in this case. Please check the weather forecast before you travel.

To confirm your trip we ask you to pay 600 USD DEPOSIT and the balance can be paid 2 months before the tour start date. We ask you to make your payment by bank transfer (SWIFT CODE)

Here is our cancellation policy that we recommend our clients follow.

Cancelling the tour within more than 2 months, 50% of your deposit payment will be rebussed (300 USD)

Cancellation within less than 1 month, the deposit will not be refunded (600 USD)

All accommodation is based on local standards and during the expedition you will stay in a variety of types of accommodation, ranging from a 4-star hotel in the centre of the capital to camping in tents. You will also have the opportunity to experience traditional yurts and lodges. We choose only the best options.

Most restaurants have their own vegetarian and vegan dishes. On some days we may take our lunches in lunch boxes and eat them in the middle of nowhere, as this happens when we drive from one attraction to another and there is no place to eat on the way. And it will be an extra experience. We will have plenty of fresh bottled water and you can always ask for a snake. And please do not bring any stomach medicine with you, it very rarely happens that our clients have stomach problems when they try the local food.