Upon arrival at Almaty International Airport, your guide will meet you and accompany you on a transfer to the hotel.
The remainder of the day is free for personal activities and relaxation.
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Then, you will board a comfortable vehicle and begin your sightseeing tour of Almaty.
- After breakfast, we will travel to the Medeu Tract (1,690 m above sea level). The gorge is home to the famous high-altitude Medeu Skating Rink and the protective mountain dam. You will take a short guided walk to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
- Then we will proceed to Shymbulak Ski Resort (2,260-3,200 m above sea level), one of the most popular mountain destinations near Almaty. A cable car will take you above the forested slopes and into the mountains, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and gorge. At the resort, you will have time to enjoy the mountain scenery, explore the area, and visit its restaurants and cafés.
- The tour will continue to Kok-Tobe Park, a popular recreational destination offering panoramic views of Almaty. The hill is home to a television tower, which is among the tallest in Central Asia when measured from sea level. You will have time to explore the park and enjoy the city panorama from the observation deck. You can also visit the apple-shaped fountain, where visitors traditionally toss coins for good luck, and browse the shop offering Kazakh national souvenirs.
- Next, we will visit the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, one of Almaty's historic green spaces. The park is home to the magnificent Ascension Cathedral. During your visit, you will also see the Memorial of Glory dedicated to those who fought in World War II, and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments.
- We will then explore the Green Bazaar, Almaty's most well-known historic marketplace. There, you'll browse traditional souvenirs and discover an assortment of spices, dried fruits, and local products.
- After completing the city tour, we will drop you off at your hotel.
Duration: Approximately 9 hours
09:30 AM – Hotel lobby pickup and transfer to Gunny Ethnic Village.
11:00-11:10 AM – Welcome ceremony. Guests are greeted by warriors dressed in authentic Saka-style armor. The host will then demonstrate the traditional Kazakh shashu welcome ritual.
11:10-11:30 AM – Interactive baursak masterclass. You’ll take part in a hands-on cooking session and discover how to make baursaks, traditional Kazakh fried dough treats.
11:30 AM-12:00 PM – Introduction to yurt architecture and nomadic crafts. Learn about the construction of the traditional Kazakh yurt and its spiritual significance. Watch demonstrations of traditional nomadic household activities, including wool processing, spindle spinning, hand-grinding flour, and the Kazakh besik cradle ceremony.
12:00-12:40 PM – Sarbaz nomad show and traditional horse games. Enjoy a lively performance featuring ancient equestrian skills, traditional games, and Kazakh dance.
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Jigitovka: Acrobatic stunts performed on horseback.
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Audaryspak: Traditional Kazakh horseback wrestling.
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Kyz Kuu (Catch the Maiden): A spirited horseback chase rooted in Kazakh courtship traditions.
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Kara Zhorga: A performance of the traditional Kazakh dance.
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Horseback Riding: You’ll take a short horseback ride.
1:00-2:00 PM – Lunch. Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring a selection of dishes.
2:00-2:30 PM – Interactive archery class. Try your hand at traditional Kazakh archery under the guidance of experienced instructors.
3:00 PM – Turgen waterfall. We’ll then continue to picturesque Turgen Gorge and visit Turgen Waterfall, located at an altitude of approximately 1,756 meters (5760 ft) above sea level.
Dinner
Transfer to the hotel
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Distance: ~115 km (~70 mi)
08:00 AM – After breakfast, we’ll depart from Almaty and drive to Lunar Canyon, located within Charyn National Park (140 km/87 mi). The canyon is known for its pale yellow clay formations and softly sculpted landscapes shaped by wind and erosion.
After exploring the canyon, we’ll continue to Saty Village (96 km/60 mi). Upon arrival, you’ll check into a traditional guesthouse, your home for the next two nights, and have a lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Lake Kaindy, famous for its submerged spruce forest. You can enjoy a scenic walk around the lake before returning to Saty Village for dinner and an overnight stay.
Duration: ~10 hours
Distance: ~350 km (~217 mi)08:00 AM – After breakfast, we’ll depart for Kolsay Lakes. Bottled water and packed lunches will be provided for the day.
Upon arrival at Lower Kolsay Lake, we’ll begin a scenic mountain trek to Middle Kolsay Lake (optional). The trail winds through dense pine forests and alpine meadows, following a crystal-clear mountain river.
Trek Details:
- Distance: Approximately 7 km (4.3 mi) one way
- Duration: 3-3.5 hours one way
- Elevation gain: From 1,818 m (5,965 ft) to 2,250 m (7,382 ft) above sea level
- Difficulty: Moderate, suitable for active travelers with a basic level of fitness
Upon reaching Middle Kolsay Lake, you’ll enjoy a scenic outdoor lunch surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and the majestic Tian Shan peaks.
In the afternoon, we’ll hike back to Lower Kolsay Lake and transfer to Saty Village, where a home-cooked dinner and overnight stay await.
Note: Guests who prefer not to hike to Middle Kolsay Lake can enjoy a leisurely stroll along Lower Kolsay Lake, rent a rowboat, or relax with a coffee at one of the local lakeside cafés.
At 09:30 am, we will depart from Almaty and travel to Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s most impressive natural landmarks.
Upon arrival, you will enjoy panoramic views of the canyon from the scenic viewpoints before following a 2 km (1.2 mi) walking trail through the Valley of Castles. The trail leads between towering rock formations shaped by wind and water over millions of years and continues down to a lush oasis along the Charyn River.
After the walk, we will stop at a local café where you'll have an opportunity to sample traditional local dishes.
At approximately 7:00 pm, we will return to Almaty, where you will have dinner before being transferred to your hotel.
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Distance: Approximately 300 km (186 mi)
In the morning, we'll take a flight from Almaty to Tashkent, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Upon arrival, we'll take you on a city tour of Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. You'll visit Chorsu Bazaar, a traditional market known for its colorful stalls and local produce. Then you can explore Independence Square, one of the city’s main landmarks, and Amir Timur Square, dedicated to the famous Central Asian ruler. The city tour will also include the Hazrati Imam Complex, a significant religious and architectural site in the historic part of Tashkent.
We'll take a morning flight from Tashkent to Urgench. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Urgench, we'll continue by road to Khiva, a distance of about 35 km (22 mi) that takes 40-45 minutes.
After arriving in Khiva, we'll take you on a guided tour of Itchan Kala, the historic walled inner city of Khiva. The sightseeing tour includes Kalta Minor Minaret, distinguished by its colorful turquoise decoration, Tash Khauli Palace, with its ornate courtyards, and Juma Mosque, known for its impressive wooden columns. The sightseeing tour takes approximately 3-4 hours.
Today, we’ll travel to Bukhara by high-speed train. Upon arrival, you'll explore Bukhara’s historic center, known for its remarkable Islamic architecture and rich Silk Road heritage.
We'll visit the Lab-i Hauz Complex, a picturesque ensemble built around a historic pond, and the Ark Fortress, the former residence of Bukhara’s rulers. You'll also see the Poi Kalyan Ensemble and the Bolo-Hauz Ensemble. The tour will also include the Samanid Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture.
Today, we’ll travel from Bukhara to Samarkand by high-speed train. The journey covers approximately 270 km (168 mi) and takes around 1.5-2 hours.
Upon arrival, you'll see Samarkand’s most famous landmarks, including Registan, Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble, and Bibi Khanym Mosque. You’ll also explore Siab Bazaar, a traditional market where you can browse local produce, spices, sweets, and freshly baked Uzbek bread. The sightseeing tour lasts approximately 4-5 hours.
Today, we’ll take a high-speed train back to Tashkent. The journey covers approximately 300 km (186 mi) and takes around 2 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a short city tour before going to the airport for your departure. Dinner will be served on board.