Blessed Land Of Zhetisu Private Tour

Route: Almaty, Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)

Season: March - November

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Almaty, Arrival

Arrival in Almaty, the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Meeting and greeting at Almaty International Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. The Best of Almaty Sightseeing Tour (7 hours) at 10:00.

After meeting the guide at your hotel, you will start the tour with a visit to the Almaty Museum, one of the most modern and interesting museums, equipped with multimedia tools. It will captivate you with rich museum collections and a variety of ancient exhibits, allowing you to study the history of the region since the Great Silk Road in a short time.

After the museum, you will continue the tour and have a short stop for a detailed acquaintance with the architecture and history of the Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Then you will visit one of the oldest parks in Almaty - the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world, Zenkov Cathedral, is located. In the park, you will also see the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, listen to the stories of the guide, and admire the Museum of Musical Instruments.

The next point of interest is a popular place for locals - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is a great chance to experience the atmosphere of a real Eastern market with its colors, smells, and crowds.

Here you can buy famous oriental sweets, dried fruits, local products, and souvenirs, but don’t forget to bargain. Cash in tenge (local currency) is accepted in the market, so it is advisable to carry some, or you can use the nearby exchange point.

Time for lunch at a local restaurant or café.

After lunch, you will begin the second part of the tour with a drive to Medeo Gorge (1690 meters above sea level), well known for the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam that protects the city from dangerous mudflows. Enjoy a brief walk, take mountain-view photos, and breathe the fresh pine-scented air. Then you will take a cable car to the Shymbulak Ski Resort.

After a 20–25 minute ride above magnificent fir trees up to an altitude of 2260 meters above sea level, you will reach the first level of the ski resort, featuring restaurants, a ski & snowboarding school, and a mountain hotel.

The resort is very popular for its mild climate, numerous sunny days, winter snow, and remarkable mountain scenery. You will have time to walk around and take photos of the breathtaking peaks before descending by cable car and returning to the city.

Meanwhile, you will hear the story of why Almaty is called the “Apple City.”

Your mountain adventure continues at Kok-Tobe Hill, where the tallest TV tower in the world (if measured from sea level) is located. You will reach it via a picturesque winding road using eco-cars.

At Kok-Tobe Park, you can stroll along winding paths, enjoy panoramic city views from the observation deck, toss a coin into the “apple” fountain, and visit souvenir shops. The tour ends with a short ride by the famous Almaty cableway* back to the city center, followed by a transfer to your hotel.

On Tuesdays, the cableway is not available for the 10:00 tour; eco-cars are used instead.

Day 3: Almaty Region

Breakfast at the hotel. The Big Almaty Lake Tour (7 hours at 13:00) or the Issyk Lake Tour (7 hours at 11:00), depending on the season:

The Big Almaty Lake Tour (7 hours):

The tour starts with a drive to the Big Almaty Gorge, where, at an altitude of 2,510 meters above sea level, lies Big Almaty Lake—one of the most picturesque lakes in the Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake is especially beautiful when its calm blue surface reflects the sky and surrounding mountains.

The lake was formed due to the movement of an ancient glacier. Because of its high-altitude location, the water remains cool—even in July, the temperature does not exceed 10°C. The lake serves as a source of drinking water for Almaty, so access is limited. The tour continues to an altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, where scientific facilities for astronomical and space research are located.

Here, at the base of Big Almaty Peak, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains and the lake, surrounded by fir trees, aspen, and juniper. On the way back, you will visit a Falcon Farm and enjoy a spectacular falconry show—one of the unique traditions of Kazakh culture.

The Issyk Lake Tour (7 hours):

The tour route passes through Issyk Gorge along the historic Kuldja tract, once used by trade caravans. Along the way, you will learn about the region’s history and nature and see burial mounds of the Saka period, where the famous “Golden Man” was discovered—now a national symbol of Kazakhstan.

You will also visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Issyk,” featuring exhibits of Saka culture, including a replica of the Golden Man, ancient ceramics, weapons, horse equipment, and burial mound models.

The tour continues to Issyk Lake, located at 1756 meters above sea level. Formed around 10,000 years ago by landslides, the lake offers stunning turquoise waters and scenic surroundings. You will also learn about the natural disaster of 1963 and enjoy a picnic and free time in nature.

Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Almaty Region, Charyn Canyon

Breakfast at the hotel. Charyn Canyon Tour (9 hours) at 09:00.

Charyn Canyon is one of the most unique natural monuments in Kazakhstan. Approximately 12 million years old, it features dramatic vertical cliffs resembling ancient castles shaped by wind, sun, and rain.

The drive to the canyon takes about 3 hours, during which you will learn about the region’s history, nature, and Kazakh traditions, and stop for lunch at a local café.

Once you arrive, the breathtaking beauty of the canyon will make you forget the long journey. You can enjoy panoramic views and walk through the famous Valley of Castles, surrounded by towering rock formations.

Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Almaty.

You may visit shopping malls, including Zangar (Central Department Store), a great place for handicrafts and traditional Kazakh jewelry. The top floor features small shops selling souvenirs such as felt slippers, toys, bags, dolls, and mini yurts.

You can also walk along Zhibek Zholy Street, a pedestrian street known as the “Almaty Arbat,” with benches, fountains, shops, and cafés. It is a popular spot for artists to display and sell their work.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Almaty, Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out (until 12:00 noon). Transfer to the airport. Departure.

TOUR PRICE: On request

TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:

Double accommodation in a 3* hotel in Almaty (5 nights)

Airport transfers

Services of a professional English-speaking guide

Meals: Standard hotel breakfast, lunch/picnic on Days 2–4

Sightseeing tours according to the program on Days 2–4

Environmental fees, admission fees, and tickets

TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price

Visa support and registration in Kazakhstan, if required

Surcharge for early check-in and/or late check-out

Single accommodation supplement

Personal expenses and other costs not indicated in the program