Private South Kazakhstan Tour, Daily Stars and Exclusive Car

In the morning, the driver guide will take you out of Almaty city to the Medeu Valley. Climbing the 842-step “Health Stairs” up to the top of Medeu Dam, you can overlook the whole Medeu Ice Arena. Drive back downtown to Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), one of the oldest markets in Almaty, to experience Kazakhstan people’s daily lives. Near the bazaar is Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), a landmark in Almaty. Then, continue to visit the Central Mosque of Almaty, the second-largest mosque in Kazakhstan. Later, follow your driver guide to view the sunset at Kok-Tobe Hill. After going downhill by cable car, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars)

Today, we will drive three hours to Charyn Canyon National Park, exploring specific landforms of several branch canyons. Our first stop is the Valley of Castles, the most marvelous part of Charyn Canyon, whose rock walls have been formed into colorful rock layers by the magic of nature for 12 million years. After having a packed lunch in the Valley of Castles, we’ll drive to Moon Canyon (Uzunbulak Canyon), appreciating its moon-like yellow-hued landforms. Then, continue to Bestamak Canyon to find traces of extinct animals and prehistoric plant species in the fantastical pink rock formations. Finally, admire the scenery of Charyn Canyon in the setting sun, and we will leave for Saty Village and arrive in 1.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Accommodation: Saty Village Guest House

Today, we will begin at Saty Village and drive a 30-minute bumpy trail deep into Heaven Mountains, arriving at Kaindy Lake. After visiting Kaindy Lake, head west for about 11km to another charming alpine lake, Lower Kolsai Lake. Surrounded by dense fir trees and mountain meadows, the lake looks extraordinarily blue and clear in the sun. You can walk along the path on the right side of the lake to the end to enjoy the lake view and meet various cute flowers and plants. Finally, the driver guide will transfer you back to Almaty by driving for 3.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars)

Today, we will drive around seven hours from Almaty to Taraz. After arriving, follow your driver guide to visit the Karakhan Mausoleum, the tomb of a potentate of the Karakhanids (840-1212), and an architectural symbol of Taraz in the 11th century. Then, move on to visit the Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, the tomb of a noble female from the 11th to 12th century AD. The driver guide will also show you around the Ancient Taraz City, which witnessed the first and only confrontation between the two most powerful empires in history, the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Arab Empire (632-1258), in 751 AD, namely the Battle of Taraz. Settle in the hotel and sleep early tonight to relieve the fatigue of today’s long travel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Pride Hotel, Taraz

Today, we will travel to Turkestan. After a three-hour drive, we will stop at Ak Meshit Cave, a spacious yurt-shaped cave made of limestone formed during the Neolithic period (8000-1500 BC), growing mulberry and caragana trees. 

Next, we’ll drive for another two hours to reach Turkestan to visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. We will also explore several other buildings in the mausoleum complex. Go down to the Hilvet Underground Mosque, built to protect worshippers from the scorching summer heat. Next, watch Ancient Baths built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Then, learn about specific items used by mosques in the Juma Mosque Museum. Opposite the museum is our last spot today, the Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begum. As we admire it at dusk, it’s the best time when the setting sun makes the mausoleum’s ornate details even more inviting.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Edem, Turkestan

After breakfast, we will drive for one hour to Otrar, one of the important towns in the fertile Syr-Darya Valley in the past. Otrar is home to the Mausoleum of Arystanbab, a legendary mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, whose mausoleum we’ve visited yesterday. Leave Otrar and drive nearly 2.5 hours to Shymkent, where we will take a stroll around the downtown. Ubiquitous parks and leisure citizens allow you to closely experience Kazakhstan’s authentic life. After that, the driver guide will send you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Shymkent (4 stars)

Early this morning, the driver guide will accompany you to visit local bazaars in Shymkent, especially the best one, Qyrgy Bazar, where everything is cheaper than stores or supermarkets. Since a long drive back to Almaty awaits you today, you can also have a meal in the bazaar’s restaurant before departure. After all visits, we will drive for 9 hours back to Almaty.

► For your information:

We can provide train or flight options if you feel a 9-hour drive too tiring, and our travel consultant will give specific cost changes according to your choice.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars)

On the last day of our Kazakhstan tour package, the driver guide will pick you up and escort you to the airport. We wish you a smooth journey home! If Kazakhstan leaves you panting for more to explore its young capital, Astana, or expand your trip to other Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc., you can contact our travel consultants to customize the itinerary!

Meals: Breakfast