Discover 7 Days of Kazakhstan

Duration: 7 Days | 6 Nights
Destination: Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Saty - Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes - Medeu - Issyk Lake
Departure & Return Locations: Almaty International Airport / Almaty International Airport

A week in Kazakhstan’s south-east, where Almaty sits beneath the snow-capped Tien Shan. You will walk the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon, see the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake and the blue waters of Kolsai, ride the cable cars from Medeu to Shymbulak, and get to know Almaty’s parks, bazaars and Soviet-era landmarks. Private touring with your own English-speaking guide, with all meals included.

Day 1: Almaty (L/D)
Arrive in Almaty, where your guide meets you and starts with a city tour. Visit the Almaty Museum for an introduction to the history of Kazakhstan’s southern capital, then walk through the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen to the Zenkov Cathedral – one of the world’s largest wooden buildings – the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments. Finish at the Green Bazaar, the city’s busiest market.
Overnight: hotel, Almaty

Day 2: Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Saty (B/L/D)
Drive about three hours east to Charyn Canyon, a 12-million-year-old gorge whose wind-carved cliffs look like ruined castles. Your guide fills the drive with stories of Kazakh history, nature and nomadic tradition. Take in the panorama from the rim, then walk down through the Valley of Castles between the towering canyon walls. Continue to the mountain village of Saty.
Overnight: guesthouse, Saty

Day 3: Saty - Kolsai Lake - Kaindy Lake - Saty (B/L/D)
Visit the first of the Kolsai Lakes, known as the “Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan” – the largest and most accessible of a cascade of three. After lunch drive to Kaindy Lake, at 2,000 m among pine forest. It formed in 1911 when an earthquake triggered a landslide that dammed the valley, and the trunks of drowned spruce trees still rise from the clear, icy water like ships’ masts.
Overnight: guesthouse, Saty

Day 4: Saty - Almaty - Kok Tobe (B/L/D)
Return to Almaty. In the afternoon go up to Kok Tobe hill for the best view over the city, stroll the park, toss a coin in the “apple” fountain and browse the souvenir stalls, then ride the cable car back down to the city centre.
Overnight: hotel, Almaty

Day 5: Almaty - Medeu - Shymbulak - Almaty (B/L/D)
See Almaty’s sports quarter – the Central Stadium and Baluan Sholak Sports Palace – and pass the Auezov Drama Theatre and the State Circus. Then head up to the Medeu Gorge (1,690 m), home to the world’s highest outdoor skating rink and the dam that protects the city from mudflows. Take the cable car up to the Shymbulak ski area for mountain views, and ride back down.
Overnight: hotel, Almaty

Day 6: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Turgen Gorge - Almaty (B/L/D)
Drive to the Issyk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, which displays a replica of the Golden Man and gold, ceramics and weapons of the Saka period. Continue up to Lake Issyk (1,756 m), formed by a huge landslide some 10,000 years ago, then on to the Turgen Gorge for a 30-minute walk to the Bear Waterfall. Return to Almaty.
Overnight: hotel, Almaty

Day 7: Almaty - Departure (B)
Transfer to Almaty International Airport for your onward flight.

Tour Price
• Price shown is per person, twin share, for a private tour with an English-speaking guide, based on 2 travellers and 3-star hotels.
• Choose your group size (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 travellers) and hotel category above – the per-person price falls as the group grows, and 4-star hotels are available as an upgrade.
• Single supplement available – contact us for pricing.
• Rates valid for travel until 31 October 2027.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once your booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Itineraries are subject to change due to road, weather and local conditions.

Inclusions:
• 6 nights’ accommodation: Almaty – Holiday Inn (3-star) or KazZhol Park (4-star), 5 nights; Saty – Alban Guesthouse, 2 nights
• Full board – all meals as shown
• Private transport throughout, including arrival and departure airport transfers
• English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all museums in the itinerary
• Mineral water during the tour

Exclusions:
• International flights
• Visa (if required for your passport)
• Early check-in
• Travel insurance
• Tips and personal expenses
• Anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusions

Please note:
• Saty is a small village and accommodation there is a simple local guesthouse.
• Only the largest Kolsai Lake is visited; the upper lakes need a long hike.
• Mountain sections (Kolsai, Kaindy, Medeu, Shymbulak) can be affected by snow outside the summer months – the program may be adjusted.
• We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.