Customized 8 Days Best Kazakhstan Family Tour, Daily Start & Exclusive Guide

After breakfast, your driver guide will drive you to Medeu Ice Arena in the Medeu Valley. We will climb over 800 steps of the Medeu Dam to overlook the Medeu Ice Arena. Then, drive back downtown to experience local Almaty life in Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar), the largest market in Almaty. Next, heading south to Panfilov Park, our next spot is Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), the world’s second-tallest existing wooden structure. Keep moving on to Almaty Central Mosque, the country’s second-largest mosque. Before dusk, we will come to view the sunset at Kok-Tobe Hill on Almaty’s southeastern edge. Finally, the driver guide will transfer you back to the hotel.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we will drive for about 3.5 hours to Basshi Village. After hotel check-in and lunch, follow your driver guide to explore Altyn Emel National Park. We will drive directly to the park’s farthest point, the Aktau Mountains, once the bottom of an ancient dried-up ocean. Driving back along the route, we will arrive at the Katutau Mountains, formed by the solidification of lava from volcanic eruptions. But to Katutau Mountains’ west lies an oasis, where we will visit a famous 700-year-old willow. Have a short break at the oasis, and the driver guide will escort you back to the hotel in Basshi Village.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, we will continue exploring Altyn Emel National Park to uncover the mystery of the Singing Dune. It can make an organ-like sound on dry days — only 30 dunes in the world can do this. As we leave the national park and head for Zharkent along the highway, we pass Tiger Mountains, which famous for their tiger-like striped appearance. We will stop for a short visit, and you can take photos. After a 1.5-hour drive, we will arrive in Zharkent and have lunch. Then, we will visit Zharkent Mosque, a 19th-century structure that perfectly fuses Central Asian and Chinese design. Finally, we will drive to our well-selected resort, where you can relax in the hot springs. 

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

★ Exploring Charyn Canyon’s Rugged Beauty

After a 1.5-hour drive, we will reach Charyn Canyon National Park. Charyn Canyon has five main branches, and the driver guide will lead you to appreciate four canyons’ stunning scenery. The first stop is Temirlik Canyon, famous for its red-hued cliffs. Continue to Bestamak Canyon, which is made up of bright tangerine and pink rocks. We will stay here for a packed lunch and then move on to Moon Canyon, whose extraordinary rock formations resemble lunar landscapes. In the end, admire the astounding sunset in Charyn Canyon.

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Farewell to Charyn Canyon National Park. We will drive 1.5 hours to Saty Village. After check-in, you will enjoy a dinner with Kazakh dishes.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Starting early this morning from Saty Village, the driver guide will drive you to visit Kolsai Lakes. We will hike about 7 km (4.5 miles) from Lower Kolsai Lake to Middle Kolsai Lake, taking about 3 hours one way. The first 4-km-trail (2.5-mile) is relatively easy; the last 3 km (2 miles) will be physically challenging as the altitude rises to nearly 2000 meters (6,560 feet), and paths in the forest become rough. If your physical strength is limited, you can rent a horse to ride for the entire journey. 

► Note: Horseback riding, available from April to October, is at your own expense – a two-way fee of $30-40 per person.

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After returning to Lower Kolsai Lake, the driver guide will transfer you back to Saty Village for dinner and saunas.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Gird up your loins, and we will head to another treasure trove hidden in Heaven Mountains, Kaindy Lake. Leaving Kaindy Lake, we will drive to Charyn Canyon National Park again to explore the most popular Valley of Castles. Arriving at the entrance viewing platform, you can choose one of two routes for a round-trip hike in the Valley of Castles of about 2 hours: walking along the top or bottom of the canyon. It is recommended to choose the latter, which takes 40 to 50 minutes to walk along the nearly 3-kilometer (2-mile) flat trail to the end. Reach the Charyn River at the end. Since the returning journey is by the original route, many tourists will take the shuttle minibus, but there may be a long queue due to a few vehicles.

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Take a short break at the Tourists Center, and your driver guide will drive you to the hotel in Almaty for 3.5 hours. 

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It’s time to conclude your Kazakhstan Almaty tours. Your driver guide will pick you up at the appointed time and send you to Almaty International Airport.

If the Central Asian culture of Kazakhstan during the one-week trip gives you itchy feet to continue visiting the capital Astana, explore the ancient cities of Taraz and Otrar, or expand to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan or Tajikistan, please feel free to contact our travel consultants to customize an itinerary for you!

Meals: Breakfast