Almaty (20km 40 min)

Arrival in Almaty. Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Rest. Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel. Meals: no

Almaty sightseeing

Breakfast. Almaty sightseeing: visit: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral church, Memorial complex devoted to the World War Two and eternal flame. Continue sightseeing at green bazaar – a place where you can buy souvenirs, central Mosque, Republic Square with three main symbols of Kazakhstan and Obelisk devoted to the independence.

Lunch in restaurant.

Then back to Almaty to visit the top of Kok-Tobe hill (by cable car) where you can enjoy unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. Accommodation at the hotel.

 Meals: breakfast

Almaty – Tamgaly-Tas – Altyn-Emel (380 km 6-7hrs)

Breakfast.

Transfer to the Tamgaly-Tas located on the Ili River to begin Altyn-Emel Reserve and Charyn Canyon Tour. Tamgaly Tas is a unique monument, where you will see rock-carved images of Buddha’s and writings in Tibetan, Kalmyk and other languages. Discover interesting facts and legends about Tamgaly-Tas and enjoy the beautiful views.

Continue to the village of Baschi. After lunch, excursion in Altyn-Emel National Park. Drive to the Singing Dune located in one of the corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a few kilometers from the Ili River, between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan.

Dinner and overnight in guesthouse. Meals: full board

Altyn-Emel

Breakfast. Drive to mountains of Aktau and Katutau. Katutau Mountains (Harsh Mountains) are ancient ruined mountains with volcanic outputs. Water, time and wind carved intricate shapes in the rock. Sedimentary rock of the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean is preserved there. Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) are one of the largest paleontological fields in the world. The chalky hills consist of sandstone and red clay, layered with yellow and pink cornelian, jasper and white quartz. Late in the afternoon return to the hotel.

Meals: full board

Altyn-Emel – Charyn canyon – Saty village (310 km 5-6 hrs)

After breakfast depart Altyn-Emel and drive to Charyn Canyon. En route stop to see the old ash-tree grove on the Temerlik River. After some time for picnic and rest continue drive to Charyn Canyon. Arrive in Canyon. Walk along Canyon and enjoy its beautiful views, one of which is the so-called “The Valley of Castles”. It is thought to be one of the sights of the Canyon – these rock deposits resembling a tower by its form seemed to be created by unknown giants. The Valley of Castles is over 2 km in length and its width reaches from 20 to 80 m at some places. Meals: full board

Kolsay and Kaindy Lake

Breakfast.

Today we will visit very amazing lakes. Drive to Kolsay lakes is the system of 3 picturesque lakes on the altitude of 1800m, 2250m and 2700m respectively. Kolsay lakes are often calling the Pearls of Northern Tian-Shan. Here you will take short hike near lake one (option: boating).

Back to guesthouse for lunch.

Transfer to Kaindy lake by old Russian jeep. The imposing shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest there, now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide. Walking in the surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Saty village at the guesthouse.

Saty village – Issyk lake - Almaty (300km 5-6hrs)

Breakfast. Drive to Almaty.

On the visit village of Issyk where you will visit the Golden Man Museum, with treasures from the surrounding burial mounds from the Sakh period.

Then visit Issyk Lake and Turgen waterfall.

Lunch-picnic (by your own) near the lake. Continue drive to Almaty.

Accommodation at the hotel. Meals: breakfast

Almaty – Kazakh Ethno Village – Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to Kazakh Ethno Village “Huns”.

The ethno-village is a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of ethnic Kazakhs. The village, about 35 km from Almaty in the Talgar district, is also a great way to escape to the mountains for fresh air, horseback riding and to discover Kazakh traditional games and rituals.

From the moment of entrance and welcome ritual “shashu” to the horseback riding in the mountains, you will be surrounded by the Kazakh’s culture, hospitality and traditions.

You will enjoy the entertaining program. This includes:

Show of felt craft and a close look at the yurts with every detail described;

Performance of “Besikke salu” or “Tusau kesu” rituals, which are still actual in Kazakh families;

Horse games like “Kyz kuu” – when young man is chasing a girl to kiss her while riding a horse, and “atpen audaryspak” – wrestling of two young men on horseback;

Traditional dances and music, where guests will be shown moves and take part in group flash mob;

Master class of cooking “baursak” – traditional Kazakh pastry.

Lunch in national way.

Optionally: guest can request a horseback riding tour for 30 minutes or 1 hour to explore the area and enjoy the nature.

At 16.00, you return to the city, the rest of the day is free.

Almaty – Airport (20km 40 min)

Breakfast. Check out from hotel. Transfer to Airport. End of the tour. Meals: breakfast