Category: Kazakhstan

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Destinations by country Duration Family suitable Halal tour Horse riding Kazakhstan More than 8 days Theme Where

The best of Kazakhstan Altai Mountains


Day 1. Arrive Nursultan Airport Meeting by our guide in Nursultan airport and transfer to a hotel. Lunch in Kazakh traditional restaurant and a sightseeing tour round Nursultan, visit the Baiterek Tower, Central Historical Museum of the Republic Kazakhstan, Exhibition Center. Welcome dinner. Overnight in 4/5* hotel. (BLD)
Day 2. Flight to Oskemen and Visit Old Believers (260 km) Take a flight to Oskemen (Kazakh Altai ) and meet by local guide. Welcome lunch in Kazakh Traditional Restaurant. After lunch, we drive to north-east and come to one of Old Believer’s family. Evening drive back to Oskemen and overnight in 4/5* hotel. (BLD)
Day 3. Drive to Saur Mountain (515 km, 6-8 hr) We drive around the lake Zaisan and come to small city Zaisan.  Visit local museum. We need drive into Sauyr Mountain 18 km more by off road road and come to the eco resort « Saur Tau». This camp is located in a picturesque gorge of the Mountain Saur. You can fully enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the ancient Saur Mountain here. You can take advantage of the life-giving power of elk antlers and medicinal plants of the region, go on horseback riding and hiking or try your luck for photo-shooting of wild animals, such like elk, wild boar, mountain sheep and goat, and many others. Overnight in Saur Tau motel. (BLD)
Day 4. To Lake Markakol (250 km, 6-7 hr) Today we continue our driving to north, and come closer to the Kazakhstan-Chinese border. On the way we stop next to Kiyn Kirish red cliff, where you can see the beautiful rock formation. Red and yellow clay hills dominate the areas bordering the Bay of Shakelmes and in the territory of Kiyn-Kerish (Flaming Rocks). Melting water has eroded the rock into bizarre-looking and wonderfully carved formations. With a bit of imagination, it’s possible to imagine an entire city spread over 300 hectares: towers, castles and yurts, all glowing in various hues. Extreme heat and a laftk of water characterize this rough, fantasy landscape. Afternoon drive and reach the Lake Markakol. Overnight in wooden house. (BLD)
Day 5. To Rakhmanov Hot Spring in Katon-Karagai National Park (145 km) Today we drive to north by the road built in 1914-1916 by Austrian and Czech World War I prisoners of war to strengthen the border with China. This 70 km long road passes through amazingly beautiful places at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. You’ll see picturesque Lake Markakol, worth the trip alone. Moreover, one of the passes offers a breathtaking view on the legendary Belukha Mountain, the highest peak of the Altai Mountains (4509 m ). After lunch, we drive 69 km, and visit place for elk horns cutting off. And, if we are in luck, we see process of horns cutting off, drying and further processing of horns.  On the way see panorama of Belukha peak. Come to the Rakhmanov hot spring sanatorium. Main medicinal factor in the sanatorium is radon springs. Unique medical baths located straight on the thermal radon springs (t+34 +42°C) treat various diseases of support-motor apparatus: arthritis, poly-arthritis, various diseases of bones, muscles, sinews, spinal diseases, rheumatism, radiculitis, diseases of peripheral and central nervous system, various skin diseases. Radon water has sedative effect on central nervous system, improves sleep and soothes pain. Thanks to the general impact of radon water the cardiovascular system operates normally. Additional services include massage, exercise therapy, physical therapy, and phytotherapy. The sanatorium consists of medical houses, canteen and cosy residential cottages in folklore style harmonious with the landscape. Overnight in wooden house. (BLD).
Day 6. Explore the Archaeological Sites of Berel Valley and come to Oskemen  (420 km, 6-7 hr) Today we start our driving to Oskemen and explore Berel archaeological digs. Our road goes around the water basin-Buhtarma, where Russian big old boat will take us with our cars to bring other side of water basin. It is grade opportunity to enjoy with beautiful views. The water basin formed by Bukhtarma dam for hydroelectric power station on river Irtysh. Its filling has begun in 1960 and in 1966 carries out long-term regulation of a drain. The area – 5500 sq.km, the greatest width is 35 kms and average depth is 9,6 m. After 30 min traveling with big boat, we drive few more hours and reach Oskemen. Overnight in 4/5* hotel. (BLD)
Day 7. Fly to Nursultan city Transfer to Oskemen airport and take a flight back to Nursultan. Transfer to 4/5* hotel. (BLD)
Day 8. Depart Nursultan city Early breakfast and transfer to Nursultan airport. 
Fly back to home and leave Kazastan with full of memories.

 

 

 

 

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Destinations by country Duration Family suitable Halal tour Horse riding Kazakhstan More than 8 days Southern Theme Where

Classic Eagle Hunting & Explore Alatau Mountains

Day 1 Arrive at Almaty airport
Meeting in the airport, transfer to the hotel, resting. A sightseeing tour round Almaty, visit the Republic Square with the monument of Independence, Central Historical Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Panfilov park with its wooden Cathedral and Museum of national musical instruments. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. (B) 
Day 2 Drive to Eagle Hunter’s family
Arrival in Almaty. Meet by our team. Load a luggage and drive 3-4hrs towards Eagle Hunter’s family. Meet Kazakh Eagle hunter and his bird. Learn some hunting and horse riding skills. Overnight in traditional Kazakh wooden house. (BLD)
Day 3-6 Kazakh Eagle Hunting
Today we drive to the famous Charyn canyon. Camping at a glade, lunch. Evening hiking by the part of a canyon called “Valley of Castles” that is known for its unusual rock formations. The width of it ranges from 20 to 80 meters and the length is 2 kilometers. The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. This is not to detract from the sheer splendor of the canyon itself. The vista of dramatic erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements has created a dramatic and impressive landscape. Overnight in tents, in Charyn. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Explore Charyn Canyon, Lakes Kolsai and Kaindy
Say goodbye and drive is to the Charyn Canyon, which is located in the Charyn National Park about 215km east of Almaty and approximately a 4-5 hours drive. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep. One area of particular interest, is an area of 2km called the Valley of Castles, due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing, almost manmade structures. The story of the Canyon is that it was formed about 3 million years ago as the land around the canyon started to rise. A very large lake existed in the area around the top of the canyon and it started to empty. Over the next million years the canyon was formed by the Charyn River. Approximately 2 million years ago a large earthquake disturbed the flow of the river by blocking it with a land-slip. The visitor part of the canyon then has suffered from the elements forming the rock sculptures. The Charyn River still flows at the bottom of the canyon forming the next great canyon. Afternoon drive to south-west, and come near the high mountain lakes Kaindy and Kolsai that are situated in the beautiful gorges covered by forests of the Tian Shan fir tree. The lake Kaindy was created as the result of an enormous limestone landslide, triggered by the 1911 Kebin earthquake. The track to Lake Kaindy has many scenic views to the Saty Gorge, the Chilik Valley, and the Kaindy Gorge. Dried-out trunks of submerged Picea schrenkianatrees rise above the surface. (BLD)
Day 8 Drive to Almat by Turgen Gorge
Today, we drive by high mountain road and reach Assy-Turgen Observatory at Assy Plateau. The observatory is located on the Assy-Turgen plateau, 2750 meters above sea level. Assy-Turgen is the only observatory in Kazakhstan with ideal astroclimate: high transparency of the atmosphere, no light pollution and very small (average) turbulence. Assy Turgen Observatory 1-meter telescope is used for research of Herbig Ae/Be, symbiotic stars and binary systems with X-ray component. Next our stop is near Turgen waterfall. The sight of the beautiful waterfalls in the famous Turgen gorge leaves an unforgettable impression! There is a fish farm here, where they breed trout. You can catch a fish and have it fried in a local cafe. Afternoon drive to Almaty. Overnight in hotel. (BLD)
Day 9 Depart Almaty
Transfer to Almaty airport and depart Almaty. (B) Leave Kazakhstan with full of unforgettable memories.
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4-8 days Destinations by country Duration Halal tour Horse riding Kazakhstan Photo/filming Theme Where

The Best of Southern Kazakhstan

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Day 1 Arrive at Almaty airport
eeting in the airport, transfer to the hotel, resting. A sightseeing tour round Almaty, visit the Republic Square with the monument of Independence, Central Historical Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Panfilov park with its wooden Cathedral and Museum of national musical instruments. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. (B)
Day 2 To Issyk lake and Turgen watrefall
After early breakfast, we load our luggages on 4×4 car and start driving from Almaty in the direction of Turgen mountain gorge (North Tian Shan), by famous Kuldja Road (part of the Silk Way from China). Our first stop is Issyk town. Visit of a nice new museum of Saki culture. The museum is built just in the center of the King’s valley with its giant burials of ancient rulers and warriors of Saki tribes (IX – IIIc BC ). One of the burial is excavated and is open for the visitors so that everyone could see how people like a famous Golden Man (symbol of Kazakhstan) were living and dying. Excursion by the museum and a valley takes 45 minutes. Drive up to Issyk Lake (1756m a.s.l) located in the upper reaches of huge and pictorial Issyk gorge, short hiking around. Lunch at a lakeside. After lunch, we drive to Turgen ravine (another ravine of the Northen Tian Shan ridge), stop for a short hiking to the Lower Turgen waterfall. Drive from the waterfall to Batan place, where our comfortable Turgen safari-campsite is located. Accommodation and at a campsite. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 3 To Charyn Canyon
Today we drive to the famous Charyn canyon. Camping at a glade, lunch. Evening hiking by the part of a canyon called “Valley of Castles” that is known for its unusual rock formations. The width of it ranges from 20 to 80 meters and the length is 2 kilometers. The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. This is not to detract from the sheer splendor of the canyon itself. The vista of dramatic erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements has created a dramatic and impressive landscape. Overnight in tents, in Charyn. (B,L,D)
Day 4 To Altyn Emel Nat.Park
Drive 160kms (2-3hrs) and reach Altyn Emel Nat.Park. Before lunch, we will expore the beautifull mountians Katutau (Hard) and Aktau (White). 
Katutau Mountains (Harsh Mountains) are very ancient ruined mountains with preserved volcanic outputs. The breed is very fragile and breaks down under the physical impact. Water, time and wind carved intricate shapes in the rock. Sedimentary rock of the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean is preserved there. From the effects of environmental factors it took the form of intricate figures and landscapes. 
Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) are world-renowned paleontological field. In the layers of Paleogene lacustrine deposits well-preserved remains of ancient animals whose age is estimated at 25-30 million years have been found. Among the finds there are the remains the giant rhinos, crocodiles, turtles. Huge conical mountains remind the Egyptian pyramids and are a magical scene of the variety of shapes and colors. After picnic lunch in nature, we drive more to west and expore the Singing Dunes. Singing Dune, reaching a height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km, located in one of the corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a few kilometers from the Ili river between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan. This sandy hill consists of very fine pure sand, which starts to “sing” in windy weather and its sound reminds the organ music. Before a sandy storm the dune sounds like a drum. From the top of the Dune you can observe the grand panorama of the surroundings. In the south – thin strip of the Ili River is visible as well as purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty, looking out from the white peaks of the Ketmen ridge. On the west the horizon is obstructed by the steep slope of the Big Kalkan, and the Small Kalkan – from the east. In the north – violet-blue ridge of Djungarian Alatau mountains, Chulak mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel are visible. If the weather is dry and windy, the sand-dune will “sing” you its song, which could be heard as far as several kilometers… After few hours explore, we continue our driving by paved road (200kms-3hrs) between remote mountians to north-east and reach small Kazakh village of apple trees, located just on the south side of Djungar Altai Mountian. For overnight we will stay with Kazakh family and feel their grade hospitality. Overnight with family. (B,L,D).
Day 5-6 Explore Djungar Alatau (Djungar-Altai Mountians)
After breakfast, we walk by local family’s garden, where you can see planted apples and many other berries. After lunch, we drive along river Kora about 60kms and reach our campside. On the way, we make 2-3 stops (10-15 minutes) near the unique places of Jungar Alatau. Soft hiking. Overnight in tent. 
Mountains of Jungar Alatau have a length of 400 km. One of the most picturesque gorges of Zhetisu – Korinski Gorge lies in these mountains and stretches for 90 km. Kora River is feeding from age-old glaciers.Spruce and fir alternates with a lacy greenery of birch trees, and meadows are covered with colorful flower carpet. If you are lucky, can see a brown bear, deer, mountain goat, as well as the wolf, fox and the hare.Next day, we do a day hike towards Burhan Bulak Gorge, visit the top tier of the waterfall. 
Burhan Bulak waterfall, the highest in Central Asia, situated at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. The height of its three tiers is 112 meters. In clear streams on the background of reddish rocks covered with emerald moss, the sun is playing with its rays. Dozens of colorful rainbows complement the fascinating picture painted by the great artist – Nature.You are here on time to see the true nature of the Burhan-Bulak Waterfall. Overnight in same campside. (B,L,D)
Day 7 To Almaty
After breakfast, we drive back to Almaty through Taldykorgan (5-6hrs). Transfer to hotel (3*-4*) in Almaty. You will have a full day to explore the sprawling city of retro architecture, thrilling nightlife, wild traffic and exciting commerce. There’s plenty to see, do and eat – your guide will recommend some of the best places to dine at.(B,L,D)
Day 8 Depart Almaty
Transfer to Almaty airport and depart Almaty. (B)