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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.

8 days, 7 nightsDuration
4-star hotels · breakfastStay and meals

Overview

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

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

The route

Almaty → Shymkent → Nur-Sultan

3 cities, joined by flight.
The route3 cities, joined by flight.
Loading map…

Explore the daily plan, including overnight stops and meals.

Arrive at Almaty International Airport, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel.

After time to settle in, explore Kok-Tobe Hill for city and mountain views, Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, then finish at Green Bazaar for local snacks and a lively first taste of the city.

  • Kok-Tobe Hill
  • Zenkov Cathedral
  • Green Bazaar
overnight
Almaty
Daily schedule
Afternoon
Kok-Tobe Hill cable car ascent and viewpoint stopVisit Panfilov Park and Zenkov CathedralBrowse Green Bazaar
  • Kok-Tobe Hill — City panorama from the summit viewpoint
  • Zenkov Cathedral — Wooden Orthodox cathedral in Panfilov Park
  • Green Bazaar — Local market experience

Guided introductions to local food and market culture may be available at the bazaar.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking around central Almaty.

Bazaar visits are a good place to try local produce and dried fruits.

What's included

Included in your trip9 items covered in this fare
Your hotels
  • 4-star hotel accommodation
Hotels
  • 7 nights in luxury/boutique hotels in Almaty, Shymkent and Nur-Sultan
Meals
  • Daily breakfasts at hotels
Transfers
  • Private arrival and departure airport transfers and intercity transfers as per itinerary
Sightseeing
  • Visits to Big Almaty Lake, Turkistan and Otrar ruins as specified
Flights
  • Internal flights where included in the itinerary confirmation
Entrance fees
  • Charyn Canyon entrance fees and other specified entry tickets
Guides
  • Guided visits in Almaty, Shymkent, Turkistan and Nur-Sultan
Experiences
  • Shymbulak cable car ride where specified
Plan and pay separately7 items not covered by this fare
Flights
  • International flights to and from Kazakhstan
Visa
  • Visa fees and processing
Insurance
  • Travel insurance
Meals
  • Lunches and dinners unless specified
Personal Expenses
  • Shopping, laundry, minibar and phone calls
Optional Tours
  • Ski equipment rental and adventure sports
Tips
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
Accommodation4-star hotel accommodation
MealsDaily breakfast included
Almaty2 nights
Hotel confirmed before travel
Shymkent2 nights
Hotel confirmed before travel
Nur-Sultan3 nights
Hotel confirmed before travel

Your hotel names are confirmed before you travel. Where alternatives are listed, the confirmed property will be a 4-star hotel of the same standard.

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.

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

A planned visit does not automatically include an admission ticket. Check the inclusions and your booking summary for ticket costs.

Almaty
Kok-Tobe HillCity panorama from the summit viewpointDay 1
Zenkov CathedralWooden Orthodox cathedral in Panfilov ParkDay 1
Green BazaarLocal market experienceDay 1 · Walk through

Indicative monthly averages for the route cities shown, not a forecast. Figures are omitted where city data is unavailable.

Almaty · Nur-Sultan

IdealGoodFairAvoid
NovAvoid
Almaty
Average High
6°C
Rainfall
40mm
Nur-Sultan
Average High
0°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.

Dates & prices

Share your dates, travellers and preferred hotels. We will prepare a personal quotation.

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