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Private, on your own dates · Kazakhstan

Classic Kazakhstan | A 7-Night Journey Through Cities, Culture & Nature

An 8-day luxury journey through Kazakhstan’s cities, Silk Road heritage and mountain scenery, with private transfers, curated sightseeing and premium hotels.

The route3 cities, joined by flight.
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8 days, 7 nightsDuration
3 citiesWhere you sleep
Daily breakfasts at hotelsMeals

Why this journey

Classic Kazakhstan brings together the country’s most recognisable contrasts in one trip: alpine scenery around Almaty, the red-stone scale of Charyn Canyon, the Silk Road heritage of Turkistan and the modern skyline of Nur-Sultan. Over 7 nights, the route is designed to keep the pace comfortable while still covering a wide stretch of Kazakhstan, with private transfers and carefully timed internal flights linking the main regions.

The journey begins in Almaty, where mountain viewpoints, the Zenkov Cathedral, Kok-Tobe Hill and the Green Bazaar give a first look at the city’s easy mix of Soviet-era character and local life. From there, the road leads out to Charyn Canyon for a day among its dramatic formations and open-steppe views before continuing to the high country around Big Almaty Lake and Shymbulak. These days balance sightseeing with travel time well, so the natural highlights feel unhurried rather than rushed.

After the mountain section, the itinerary shifts south to Shymkent and Turkistan, where the mood becomes more historical and cultural. Here, the UNESCO-listed Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, the Otrar ruins and local bazaars add depth to the journey and connect the trip to Kazakhstan’s Silk Road past. The final chapter in Nur-Sultan introduces a strikingly different capital, with Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the National Museum offering a modern contrast to the earlier landscapes and heritage stops.

With premium hotel stays, daily breakfasts, private airport transfers and guided excursions included, this is a strong choice for travellers who want a broad introduction to Kazakhstan without sacrificing comfort. The itinerary works especially well for first-time visitors who want nature, culture and contemporary city life in one well-linked route.

Trip highlights

  • 01Cover Almaty, Shymkent, Turkistan and Nur-Sultan in one connected route
  • 02Visit Charyn Canyon and the Valley of Castles on a full-day excursion from Almaty
  • 03See Big Almaty Lake and Shymbulak for the trip’s strongest mountain scenery
  • 04Explore the UNESCO-listed Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkistan
  • 05Enjoy private airport transfers and intercity logistics throughout the journey
  • 06Stay in premium hotels across the main stops for a comfortable travel pace
  • 07Experience both Silk Road heritage and modern capital architecture in one itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip8 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • 7 nights in luxury/boutique hotels in Almaty, Shymkent and Nur-Sultan
Transfers1
  • Private arrival and departure airport transfers and intercity transfers as per itinerary
Sightseeing1
  • Visits to Big Almaty Lake, Turkistan and Otrar ruins as specified
Flights1
  • Internal flights where included in the itinerary confirmation
Entrances1
  • Charyn Canyon entrance fees and other specified entry tickets
Guides1
  • Guided visits in Almaty, Shymkent, Turkistan and Nur-Sultan
Meals1
  • Daily breakfasts at hotels
Experiences1
  • Shymbulak cable car ride where specified
Plan and pay separately7 items not covered by this fare
Flights1
  • International flights to and from Kazakhstan
Visa1
  • Visa fees and processing
Insurance1
  • Travel insurance
Meals1
  • Lunches and dinners unless specified
Personal Expenses1
  • Shopping, laundry, minibar and phone calls
Optional Tours1
  • Ski equipment rental and adventure sports
Tips1
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

Meeting & drop-off
You're met atAlmaty
You're dropped atNur-Sultan

You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.

Private arrival transfer in Almaty and private departure transfer from Nur-Sultan are included.

15 go inside2 walk through4 exterior only
Almaty / Shymkent4 places
AlmatyEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Big Almaty LakeEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Shymbulak Ski ResortEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Medeu Ice RinkSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Almaty3 places
Kok-Tobe HillEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Panfilov Park & Zenkov CathedralEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Green BazaarPassed through on the guided tour
Walk through
Charyn Canyon1 places
Charyn CanyonEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Shymkent5 places
ShymkentEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Independence ParkEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Arbat Street, ShymkentEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
TurkistanEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Shymkent BazaarPassed through on the guided tour
Walk through
Turkistan3 places
Khoja Ahmed Yasawi MausoleumEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Nur-SultanEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Otrar RuinsSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Nur-Sultan5 places
Bayterek TowerEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Khan ShatyrEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Hazrat Sultan MosqueEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
National Museum of KazakhstanSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Palace of Peace and ReconciliationSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view

Kazakhstan

IdealGoodFairAvoid
SepGood

Summer (Jun–Aug) is the main travel season. Spring is pleasant for the steppe landscapes.

Almaty
Average High
24°C
Rainfall
20mm
Nur-Sultan
Average High
19°C
Rainfall
16mm
Essential

Passports, visas and entry requirements

  • Guests are responsible for ensuring their passport is valid for travel.
  • Visa fees and processing are not included.
  • Check current entry requirements before booking, as these may change by nationality.
Essential

Insurance and personal wellbeing

  • Travel insurance is mandatory for this package.
  • Guests should carry any required health documents or vaccinations.
  • If you have mobility or medical concerns, check the daily walking and transfer load before travelling.
Essential

Operational flexibility

  • The itinerary order may change without affecting the overall content of the trip.
  • Tours, entrances and transport are subject to local operating conditions and supplier availability.
  • Any unused services cannot be refunded.

What to pack for this route

  • Bring comfortable walking shoes for city streets, market visits and canyon paths.
  • Layered clothing is useful because mountain areas and city weather can differ significantly.
  • Sun protection and a refillable water bottle are recommended for outdoor sightseeing.

How you will move between destinations

  • Private airport transfers are included at arrival and departure.
  • The route uses a mix of road travel and internal flights to reduce long overland time.
  • Flight timings can affect the order of sightseeing in Shymkent, Turkistan and Nur-Sultan.

Hotel standards and substitutions

  • Hotels are planned at luxury or boutique level in the main cities.
  • If a listed property is unavailable, a similar-standard hotel may be used.
  • Check-in and check-out times follow each hotel’s own policy.

Meals during the trip

  • Daily breakfast is included.
  • Most lunches and dinners are at your own expense unless specifically stated.
  • If you follow a special diet, advise us in advance so restaurant recommendations can be checked where possible.

Spending during the tour

  • Allow extra budget for personal purchases, optional activities and gratuities.
  • Card acceptance can vary outside major hotels and restaurants, so carrying some local currency is sensible.
  • No refunds are given for unused inclusions once the tour has started.

Optional activities

  • Winter sports equipment hire may be available at Shymbulak at an additional cost.
  • Some special experiences and private meals may be offered locally but are not part of the standard package.
  • Optional activities are subject to local conditions and availability.

Common questions

Is this Kazakhstan itinerary suitable for first-time visitors?

Yes. It covers the country’s key city, heritage and mountain highlights in one route, so it gives a broad first look at Kazakhstan without feeling too compressed.

Are the internal flights included?

Internal flights are included only when they are confirmed within the itinerary. International flights to Kazakhstan are not included.

What level of accommodation is used?

The package uses luxury or boutique hotels in the main stops, subject to final confirmation and availability.

Do I need to book travel insurance separately?

Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be arranged before departure.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The sequence may be adjusted for operational reasons, weather or flight schedules, and similar-standard hotels may be substituted if needed.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
AI trip designer

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