Explore the rich history and stunning landscapes of Kazakhstan on this comprehensive 11-day tour. From the vibrant squares of Astana to the ancient Silk Road sites in Turkestan and the breathtaking natural wonders of Charyn Canyon and Kolsay Lakes, this journey offers a deep dive into the heart of Central Asia. Enjoy local cuisine, guided tours of UNESCO sites, and the unique Singing Dune phenomenon. This tour is perfect for adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike, with ample opportunities to experience Kazakhstan's diverse heritage and natural beauty.
Visit the iconic Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and Charyn Canyon.
Enjoy guided tours in Astana, Almaty, Turkestan, and Shymkent.
Savour traditional meals at local restaurants throughout the journey.
Includes hotel accommodation and transport in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter.
Activity location
Astana
Astana, Kazakhstan
Meeting/Redemption Point
Independence Square
020000, Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan
Check availability
11 Day Kazakhstan Adventure Astana Turkestan Almaty
Activity duration is 11 days11d
11d
English
Starting time: 08:00
Price details
£2,609.47 x 1 Adult£2,609.47
Total
Price is £2,609.47£2,609.47
includes taxes & fees
Loading
What's included, what's not
What's excludedWhat's excluded
Travel insurance
Know before you book
Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).
Activity itinerary
Day 1: DAY 1 – ASTANA | Arrival
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Best Western 4* Hotel Astana
Astana
1d
Independence Square
The main square of Astana, hosting national celebrations and events. Highlights include the Kazakh Eli Monument with the mythical Samruk bird, surrounded by key landmarks such as the Palace of Independence, Palace of Peace and Accord, Hazret Sultan Mosque, National Museum, and other cultural buildings.
Triumphal Arch “Mangilik El”
A symbolic monument built to mark 20 years of Kazakhstan’s independence. Its 20- metre height represents each year of sovereignty.
Lunch at a local restaurant Photo stop:
• Ak Orda Presidential Residence (exterior)
• Bayterek Tower – the main symbol of Astana, representing renewal and growth.
Hotel check-in at 16:00
Free time.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight in Astana.
Day 2: ASTANA → SHYMKENT → OTRAR → TURKESTAN
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Caravan Saray Turkestan
Shymkent
1d
Packed breakfast at hotel 06:00 Transfer to Astana Airport
09:50 Arrival in Shymkent, meeting with guide
Shymkent City Tour
Shymkent, the third largest city in Kazakhstan, is one of the country’s oldest cities, founded in the 12th century on historic trade routes of the Silk Road.
Highlights:
• Historical Museum of South Kazakhstan
• The largest mosque in Southern Kazakhstan (exterior/interior)
• Ayna Bazaar – lively traditional market with local products
Lunch at a local restaurant
Otrar Archaeological Site
Afternoon transfer to the ancient city of Otrar (Farab), an important Silk Road trading centre and former capital of Tamerlane’s empire. The site features remains of a highly developed city with irrigation systems, pottery workshops, and baths. Today, Otrar is an open-air museum listed on the UNESCO Tentative List.
Visits include:
• Archaeological excavations of Otrar
• Shaulder Museum with excavation findings
• Arystan Bab Mausoleum (en route)
Day 3: TURKESTAN → ALMATY
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, snacks
Accommodation: Mildom Residence 4* Almaty
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
1d
Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel
08:00 Check-out from the hotel
Meeting with the guide and start of the city tour.
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO)
Visit of the most important historical monument in Kazakhstan – the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Complex (14th century), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes the mausoleum, citadel, ancient bathhouses, fortress walls, and Juma Mosque. The mausoleum itself is a masterpiece of medieval architecture with more than 30 rooms and halls.
Lunch
14:30 Transfer to Turkestan Airport
18:00 Arrival in Almaty Dinner at a local restaurant
Transfer to hotel, check-in.
Overnight in Almaty
Day 4: ALMATY → CHARYN CANYON → KOLSAY LAKE
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Kolsay Hotel
Charyn Canyon National Park
1d
Breakfast at hotel
Check-out from Almaty hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Charyn Canyon (250 km / approx. 3 hours)
Charyn Canyon
Visit of one of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular natural landmarks, located within Charyn National Park (est. 2004). The park protects rare geological formations and endangered wildlife. The area is also home to the unique Sogdian ash grove, a natural monument dating back millions of years and protected under UNESCO.
14:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
Kolsay Lakes – Lake 1
Transfer to Kolsay Lakes, a group of three alpine lakes in the Kungey Alatau Mountains, listed among the most beautiful natural sites in Kazakhstan. Visit of the First (Lower) Kolsay Lake, located at 1,800 m above sea level.
Check-in at Kolsay Hotel or similar Dinner in Saty village
Overnight near Kolsay Lakes
Day 5: KOLSAY LAKE → KAINDY LAKE → ALMATY
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Mildom Residence 4* Almaty
Malyye Kaindy Lake
1d
Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel
Check-out.
09:30 – 13:00 Kaindy Lake
Visit of Kaindy Lake, a unique natural attraction famous for its submerged forest. The trunks of flooded trees rise above the crystal-clear, icy water, creating an unforgettable landscape.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
14:30 Transfer to Almaty (300 km / approx. 4 hours) 19:00 – 20:00 Dinner
21:30 Check-in at hotel
Overnight in Almaty
Day 6: ALMATY → ALTYN-EMEL NP → BASSHY VILLAGE
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
Accommodation: Basshy village
Altyn-Emel National Park
1d
Admission ticket included
08:00 Transfer to Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park by Mercedes Sprinter; sightseeing inside the park by local jeeps.
Altyn-Emel National Park
Located in Almaty Province, Altyn-Emel National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Kazakhstan. The park is famous for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, sandy deserts, sandstone formations, and vast steppes. Among its main highlights are the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau Mountains.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch in Basshy village
Katutau Mountains
The Katutau volcanic mountains. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the solidified lava has created unusual shapes, making Katutau a unique natural monument.
Aktau Mountains
The Aktau Mountains, also known as the “White Mountains,” form an open-air geological museum. Although they appear white from afar, their canyons reveal colourful rock layers, towers, and dry valleys filled with calcite crystals.
19:00 Arrival in Basshy village. Check-in. Dinner at the guesthouse
Day 7: BASSHY → ALMATY
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Mildom Residence 4* Almaty
Altyn-Emel National Park
1d
Admission ticket included
Breakfast at hotel
Check-out.
08:00 – 12:00 Singing Dune, Altyn-Emel NP
Visit of the famous Singing Dune, a unique natural phenomenon producing sounds when the sand moves under the wind, ranging from a soft hum to organ-like tones.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch in Basshy village
14:30 Transfer to Almaty (300 km / approx. 4 hours) 19:00 Arrival in Almaty
19:30 – 20:30 Dinner
21:30 Check-in at hotel
Overnight in Almaty
Day 8: ALMATY CITY TOUR
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Mildom Residence 4* Almaty
Almaty
1d
Breakfast at hotel
08:30 – 14:00 Sightseeing tour
City tour starting from the hotel, introducing the history and development of Almaty. Visit of the main landmarks, including the Central State Museum, Presidential Residence (exterior), Republic Square with the Independence Monument, Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, and central city squares. The tour continues through the historic part of the city with 19th-century Vernensky buildings, Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments.
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch at a local restaurant
15:30 – 17:00 Kok-Tobe Hill
Cable car ride to Kok-Tobe, offering panoramic views of Almaty. Time for a walk in the park and souvenir shopping.
Day 9: ALMATY → ASTANA
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, snacks
Accommodation: Best Western 4* Astana
Almaty
1d
Breakfast at hotel
Alma-Arasan Gorge
Visit of the scenic Alma-Arasan Gorge, located in the mountains southwest of Almaty. Time to enjoy fresh alpine air, natural surroundings, and beautiful views.
Alma-Arasan Hot Springs
Stop at the Alma-Arasan hot springs, known for their sulphur mineral water and relaxing, healing properties.
Falcon Show – Sunkar Falconry
Visit to Sunkar Falconry with a traditional falcon show, presenting trained birds of prey and the ancient art of falconry.
Dinner at a local restaurant 18:00 Transfer to the airport
Flight to Astana
Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Astana
Day 10: ASTANA CITY TOUR
1 stop
Meals: breakfast, snacks
Accommodation: Best Western 4* Astana
Astana
1d
Breakfast at hotel
Hazret Sultan Mosque
Visit of Hazret Sultan Mosque, the second largest mosque in Astana, built in traditional Islamic style and named after Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a renowned Sufi thinker and poet.
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Visit of the iconic Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, also known as the Pyramid, built in 2006 to host the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre
Stop at Khan Shatyr, a futuristic shopping and entertainment complex shaped like a giant tent and one of the main landmarks of Astana.
Astana Opera
Photo stop at Astana Opera, a grand theatre opened in 2013, symbolising the cultural life of the capital.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Return to hotel. Overnight in Astana
Day 11: DEPARTURE
1 stop
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Not included
Astana
Packed breakfast
Goodbye picture
Transfer to the airport
Location
Activity location
LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
Astana
Astana, Kazakhstan
Meeting/Redemption Point
PEOPLEPEOPLE
Independence Square
020000, Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan
Best Deals on Things to Do
Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Astana your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.
Top experiences in Astana
With so many things to do in Astana, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Astana. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Astana to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.