Fairy Tale of Kazakhstan

Name of tour: Fairy Tale of Kazakhstan 

Length: 9 days and 8 nights 

Overnight stays: Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Altyn Emel, Kaindy, Kolsai lakes

Day 1: Nur-Sultan
This day you will arrive to wonderful Kazakhstan! You will be picked up from the airport and drive to the capital Nur- Sultan. You will be picked up from the hotel at 10:00. This day is dedicated to a wonderful city tour where you will immerse into the history of country as well as explore the fascinating modern sites. The tour starts with visiting the Constitution Square where the first President of the country indicated the change of the capital from Almaty to Nur- Sultan.  Then the tour route will take you to one of the most charming buildings in the city as Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan* with the Golden man. You will like the tours in Kazakhstan. Then you will get acquainted with the modern city life and explore unique shopping center Khan Shatyr. After that you will go to the top of the amazing Astana-Baiterek monument by elevator where you will be inspired by the magnificent panorama views of the city. Further you will cross Ishym river and reach the Kazakh Eli Square. You are going to explore the fascinating Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Today you will also admire the picturesque Khazret Sultan mosque. The tour route will lead you to the next spot National Museum of History of Kazakhstan*. There you will explore the history and the development of Nur-Sultan. Today you can learn a lot of interesting facts about the development of Kazakhstan, learn the history and cultural heritage of the country. Then you will be transferred to the hotel around 17:00.

*Note: Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and National Museum of History of Kazakhstan don’t work on Mondays. You can visit another attraction according to your request.

Day 2: Nur-Sultan – Borovoe – Nur-Sultan
Today you will transfer to Burabai National park (Borovoe). Burabay with its majestic trees, clean air and an abundance of medicinal herbs is considered one of the best places to relax.  Travelling there you will have a chance to admire the fascinating 14 lakes in the park with area of more than 1 sq.km as well as small lakes. We sure you will like it! It is a Paradise on earth because of the majestic mountains and nature of amazing beauty. People come here to restore the respiratory system, test the theory of treatment with koumiss and enjoy the magnificent scenery. Burabay is an amazing place: among the yellow lifeless steppes there is a real oasis, surrounded by mountains and dense coniferous-deciduous forest. Therefore, you will not find anything material here, only truly paradisiacal nature. After arrival you will be amazed by Khan’s pass and observe Burabay and Zheke-Batyr mountains. Travelling here you will have a chance to admire Abylaykhan Valley and be inspired by Ush-kyz, Ok-Zhetpes rocks and Kokshetau mountain. Today you will have a great tour exploring the fascinating sites. You will have time o explore the nature and have hiking trip on Bolektau mountain. In the top of this place you will be impressed by the landscapes of Borovoe lake and fabulous Zhumbaktas rock. Many will be amazed by the beauty of Kazakhstan and will be able to enjoy the great steppes of the country. 

Day 3: Nur-Sultan – morning flight Almaty
After breakfast you will have a flight to Almaty city. Upon arrival you will have a city tour where you will be plunged into the history and development of the southern capital. You will be amazed by the significant attractions in the tour. The first attraction of the tour will be popular Green Bazaar! This place is always noisy and full of people. Travelers love this place for its beautiful and colorful rows full of goods. Here you can see the national ones and buy them. Don't miss the opportunity to bargain and get a discount.  After that you will explore the oldest Almaty parks - Panfilov Park. There you will get acquainted with the majestic wooden building Zenkov Cathedral that is one of the most beautiful in the world. We sure you will like this place! Then you will explore the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame which were erected in honor of the soldiers and warriors who fought for the freedom of the Motherland. Then you will direct to the Medeo Gorge where you will observe the highest skating rink and enjoy the views. You will not resist the beauty of nature, beautiful and majestic mountains.  Then you will explore the Kok-Tobe hill where you will admire the tallest TV tower in the world! Today you will have a chance to enjoy the enchanting mountain road. You will walk along the park of Kok Tobe and visit the shops. There you will have a wonderful opportunity to observe the fascinating panorama of the city from the special observation desk. Today you will end the tour with exploring Almaty cableway where you will have ride from the top to the center of the city. Then you will transfer to the hotel for overnight. 

Day 4: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
The next destination of the tour is located on the picturesque Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge. You will get there and observe the Kuldja tract. In the old days, caravans of the Great Silk Road passed here. Today you will explore the ancient history and admire the fabulous nature. You will have a chance to find the burial mounds of Saka period. There was explored popular "Golden Man" that became the great symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan became. Visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. You will discover ancient attributes of the Saka period as well as a copy of Golden Man. There are golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment and the model of Saka burial mound are placed. Then you will transfer to the altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. You will explore the stunning lake Issyk. According to geologists, the lake was formed about 8-10 thousand years ago as a result of a powerful mountain collapse. Initially, the depth of Issyk was 50-79 m, length - 1850 m, and width - about 500 m. The water in the lake had a green-blue color. But in 1963, a natural disaster occurred on the lake. Here you will be impressed by the amazing views and discover the fascinating views. You will make a picnic and admire fresh air. After that you will be transferred to the hotel.

Day 5: Almaty – Tamgaly Tas – Altyn Emel
This day you will start the tour at 08:00 and transfer to Tamgaly Tas that is situated on Ili River. Tamgaly Tas (translated as ”stone with drawings”) is located about 120 km away. North-West of Almaty. For the first time drawings and inscriptions of Tamgaly-TAS were examined and described in the middle of the 19th century by the outstanding Kazakh researcher CH.Valikhanov. Many petroglyphs, images of mysterious deities, and late Buddhist inscriptions have been preserved on the black-tanned rocks. There are about 1000 different rock carvings. The inscriptions and drawings are attributed by historians to the 12th century. Not far from the altar there is another stone with inscriptions in the ancient Turkic runic script dating from the 8th-9th centuries.  Then you will transfer to the village of Baschi. The tour continues with driving to Altyn Emel National Park to the Singing Dune. a unique natural wonder. The phenomenon of nature on the right Bank of the Ili river is famous for the fact that in dry weather the Sands emit a sound similar to the melody of an organ. This huge dune reaches a height of 100 meters and stretches for a distance of 3 kilometers. "Singing dune" makes an unforgettable impression, its hum and trembling is caused by a barely noticeable shedding of sand on the slopes.  We promise you will like the tour. The night will be in the hotel. 

Day 6: Altyn Emel – Saty – Kaindy
This day you will drive to Kolsai Lakes at about 12:00. You will explore the fabulous lakes. This is a young lake in Kazakhstan with turquoise water and fir trees, as if grown into it. It was formed during a limestone landslide and subsidence that occurred as a result of the Kemin earthquake in 1911. The lake is translated as "abundance with birches", which in Kazakh sounds "Kaindy", because only 5 kilometers from the place there is a huge birch grove. The reservoir is located in the Trans- Ili Alatau gorge. Its length is 400 meters. The average depth is 20 meters, sometimes up to 30 meters. Around it are rocky mountains covered with fir trees. When the place was flooded in 1911, spruce trees grew here, and their pillars remained in the lake. Under the water, you can even see spruce branches that have not rotted just because the lake has a low water temperature all year round. It is better to see such beauty with your own eyes and enjoy the charm of nature.  Then you will be driving to transfer to Saty, and spend the night in guest house.

Day 7: Saty – Kolsai Lakes
This day you will wake up at 7:00. After breakfast you will start the tour. You will explore the wonderful Kolsai-1 to the lake Kolsai-2 and have trekking there. This is a great place for travelers. In summer, the water temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. The lakes are flowing and connected by the Kolsai river, which originates on the Kungei-Alatau ridge. Almost to the water's edge, slender Tien Shan spruce beauties descend. You will see a riot of colors and shades of vegetation. Lush carpet of mountain herbs. The air seems to be filled with juicy aromas.  There you will have a chance to try horse riding. This place will fascinate you will incredible meadows and mushrooms. There you will admire the picturesque panorama. The place is rich with flora and fauna. It important to note that vertical drop between the three lakes is about 700 meters and can be reached by car. You will walk to get to the second and the third lake you for few km. There you can also try fishing for the rainbow trout (fish) which appear only in spring water. Don’t miss chance to see marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears being in mountains. Then you will spend the night in the guest house.

Day 8: Saty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
After breakfast you will start the tour to the outstanding natural attraction Charyn Canyon. You will enjoy the views of the canyon, mountains of sedimentary rocks formed more than 12 million years ago. The canyon stretches for 154 kilometers along the Charyn river. The height of the rocks reaches 150-300 meters. The canyon will enchant you with its views that resemble fairy-tale rocks, towers and castles. This natural Park is rich in relict flora and fauna. There is growing relic ash Sogdiana. You can also walk 2 km to the Valley of Castles, which will amaze you. Locals are proud of this natural beauty and call it the younger brother of the American Grand canyon for its landscapes.  We sure you will be amazed. Then you will transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 9: Flight
Breakfast in the hotel. Check – out till 12:00. Airport transfer. Departure.

Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04 pax – Minivan
06-10 pax – Mercedes Sprinter in Almaty / Toyota Hiace in Shymkent

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 645 $
04 pax – 1 050 $
06 pax – 810 $
08 pax – 680 $
10 pax – 610 $
Single – 170 $

Early check-in – 40 $
Single early check-in – 65 $

Half board – 160 $
Full board – 255 $ 

English speaking guide – 905 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
      Nur-Sultan – “Come Inn” Hotel 3*
      Saty – Homestay
      Altyn Emel – Guesthouse
- Museum admissions
- Mineral water supply           

Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide