🇰🇿
Experience the full spectrum of Kazakhstan's natural wonders and cultural heritage on this epic 10-day journey. From the dramatic red cliffs of Charyn Canyon to the pristine alpine waters of Kolsay Lakes, from sleeping in traditional yurts to galloping on horseback through mountain valleys — this is Central Asia at its most magnificent.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your 10 Days Adventure
1
Charyn Canyon → Saty Village → Kolsay Lake
Canyon · Village · Alpine Lake
08:00Depart Almaty and drive east toward the spectacular Charyn Canyon (approximately 3 hours).
11:00Arrive at Charyn Canyon. Hike through the Valley of Castles — towering red sandstone formations sculpted over 12 million years. Photo opportunities at every turn.
14:00Lunch at a local café near the canyon rim with panoramic views.
15:30Continue to Saty Village, a traditional mountain settlement at the gateway to Kolsay Lakes.
17:00Arrive at Kolsay Lake 1. Enjoy a peaceful evening walk along the lakeshore surrounded by spruce forests and snow-capped peaks. Check into your guesthouse in Saty.
19:30Traditional Kazakh dinner at the guesthouse — try beshbarmak and freshly baked baursak.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
2
Kayindi Lake → Black Canyon → Altyn Emel/Basshy
Horseback · Underwater Forest · Canyon
08:00Breakfast at the guesthouse. Saddle up for a horseback ride through mountain trails to the surreal Kayindi Lake — famous for its submerged spruce forest rising from emerald waters.
12:00Return from Kayindi Lake. Packed lunch with mountain views.
13:30Drive to the Black Canyon — a hidden gem with dramatic dark volcanic walls contrasting against turquoise river waters.
16:00Continue toward Altyn Emel National Park, arriving at the Basshy area. Settle into accommodation near the park.
19:00Dinner under the stars with views of the vast steppe landscape. Rest up for tomorrow's big adventure in Altyn Emel.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
3
Altyn Emel → Almaty
Aktau · Katutau · Singing Dunes · Willow
07:00Early breakfast. Full-day exploration of Altyn Emel National Park — Kazakhstan's largest national park.
08:30Visit the Aktau Mountains — stunning white, red, and orange layered mountains shaped like ancient castles rising from the desert floor.
11:00Explore Katutau — volcanic rock formations and ancient lava flows creating a surreal moon-like landscape.
12:30Visit the 700-year-old willow tree — a sacred natural monument standing alone on the vast steppe.
14:00Lunch in the park. Then head to the famous Singing Dunes — 150m sand mountains that produce an eerie humming sound when the wind blows.
17:00Depart Altyn Emel and drive back to Almaty (approximately 3 hours).
20:00Arrive at your Almaty hotel. Relax after an epic day of natural wonders.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
4
Shymbulak → Kok Tobe
Cable Car · 3200m · Mountain Views
09:00Breakfast at the hotel. Head to the Medeu skating rink area and begin the cable car ascent to Shymbulak Mountain Resort.
10:30Ride the world's third-longest gondola lift from 2,200m up to Talgar Pass at 3,200m. Breathtaking panoramic views of Almaty and the Tien Shan range at every stage.
12:00Lunch at a mountain restaurant with sweeping valley views. Try traditional Kazakh lagman soup at altitude.
14:00Descend and head to Kok Tobe — Almaty's beloved hilltop park. Ride the cable car up for sunset views over the city.
17:00Visit the famous Kok Tobe TV Tower viewpoint, explore the park, and enjoy the panoramic cityscape as the sun sets behind the mountains.
19:00Dinner at a restaurant in Almaty. Return to hotel.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
5
Almaty City Tour
Cathedral · Bazar · Arbat · Rakhat
09:00Begin at Panfilov Park — a beautiful green space with tree-lined paths and monuments honoring the heroes of WWII.
10:00Visit the stunning Ascension Cathedral — one of the world's tallest wooden buildings, painted in cheerful candy colors. Inside, ornate icons and golden chandeliers create a breathtaking atmosphere.
11:30Explore the legendary Green Bazar — Almaty's oldest and most vibrant market. Sample dried fruits, spices, smoked cheeses, and fresh nuts. A feast for all senses.
13:30Lunch at a local restaurant featuring authentic Kazakh cuisine — plov, manty, and shashlik.
15:00Visit the Rakhat Candy Factory shop — sample and purchase famous Kazakh chocolates and sweets to take home.
16:30Stroll along Arbat — Almaty's lively pedestrian street with street artists, musicians, cafés, and local artisans selling handmade crafts.
19:00Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with views of the illuminated city and mountains.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
6
Ethnic Village — Nomadic Culture Day
Yurt · Saka · Dzhigitovka · Kara Zhorga
09:00Depart for the Ethnic Village — an immersive nomadic heritage complex where ancient Saka civilization comes alive.
10:30Traditional Saka greeting ceremony — warriors on horseback welcome you with ancient rituals and songs as you enter the village.
11:00Step inside a traditional Kazakh yurt and learn about nomadic life. Watch kattama bread being baked on a cast-iron pan over an open fire — then taste it fresh with honey and jam.
12:30Witness dzhigitovka — the breathtaking art of Kazakh horseback stunts. Riders perform acrobatic feats including hanging from the saddle, picking up objects from the ground at full gallop, and standing on horseback.
14:00Traditional Kazakh feast for lunch — beshbarmak (the national dish of boiled meat and pasta), kuyrdak, and endless cups of sweet Kazakh tea.
15:30Learn and dance the Kara Zhorga — Kazakhstan's famous traditional shoulder dance. Our hosts will teach you the joyful, rhythmic movements as live dombra music fills the air.
17:00Try your hand at archery with traditional bows — the ancient skill of Saka warriors. Compete with your travel partner for bragging rights!
18:30Return to Almaty. Dinner at leisure.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
7
Almaarasan → Big Almaty Lake → Falcon Show
Gorge · Alpine Lake · Park · Birds of Prey
08:00Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Almaarasan Gorge — a lush mountain gorge with cascading waterfalls and natural hot springs, just outside Almaty.
10:00Hike through the gorge along forest trails, crossing streams and enjoying panoramic views of the city below. Stop at the natural hot springs.
12:00Continue up to Big Almaty Lake — the stunning turquoise glacial lake at 2,511m, cradled by 4,000m+ peaks. The vivid colors shift with the light, creating endless photo opportunities.
14:00Lunch at a mountainside café with views of the lake and surrounding peaks.
15:30Descend and visit First President Park — Almaty's grand park with fountains, manicured gardens, and mountain views.
17:00Attend a spectacular Falcon Show — watch trained golden eagles, falcons, and hawks demonstrate their incredible hunting skills in a dramatic outdoor setting. A centuries-old Kazakh tradition brought to life.
19:00Return to hotel. Dinner at leisure in Almaty.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
8
Bear Waterfall → Trout Farm → Issyk Lake
Waterfall · Trout · Ancient Lake
08:00Breakfast at hotel. Drive east toward the mountains to visit the Bear Waterfall — a powerful cascade nestled in a forested gorge.
10:00Short approach walk to the waterfall. Feel the mist and power of the rushing water surrounded by lush greenery.
11:30Visit a local trout farm — learn about sustainable trout farming in mountain streams. Enjoy incredibly fresh trout prepared right before your eyes.
13:00Trout lunch at the farm — grilled or smoked, served with fresh bread and local herbs.
15:00Continue to Issyk Lake — a beautiful mountain lake formed over 8,000 years ago. This is where the famous Issyk Golden Man (2,500-year-old Saka warrior armor) was discovered. Walk the lakeshore and visit the small museum.
18:00Return to Almaty. Dinner at leisure.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
9
Bear Waterfall Hike → Assy Plateau by SUV
800m Hike · Highland Plateau · Outdoor Dining
07:00Early start. Return to the Bear Waterfall area for a more extensive 800-meter hike along the gorge trail — deeper into the wilderness with more dramatic views of the cascading water.
11:00Packed lunch in nature. Then begin the thrilling SUV journey up to the Assy Plateau at 2,500m.
13:00Arrive at the Assy Plateau — a vast highland of endless green pastures with panoramic mountain views stretching to the horizon. One of Kazakhstan's most dramatic and remote landscapes.
14:00Outdoor dining experience on the plateau — enjoy a freshly prepared meal surrounded by nothing but mountains, sky, and the sound of wind through alpine grasses. An unforgettable picnic at the top of the world.
16:00Explore the plateau's ancient petroglyphs and enjoy the raw, untouched beauty of this remote landscape. Perfect for photography and quiet contemplation.
18:00Drive back to Almaty through scenic mountain passes. Arrive at hotel around 20:00.
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
10
Nomad City → Ili River → Tamgaly Tas → Almaty
Nomad Village · River · Petroglyphs · Farewell
08:00Final breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for Nomad City — an immersive heritage park where ancient Saka civilization is brought to life.
10:00Explore Nomad City — traditional yurts, ancient crafts, nomadic games, and cultural demonstrations. A fitting grand finale to your Central Asian journey.
12:00Drive to the Ili River — Kazakhstan's mighty river flowing through dramatic desert landscapes. Stop for photos and enjoy the contrast of blue water against golden cliffs.
13:30Visit Tamgaly Tas — sacred rocks along the Ili River with ancient Buddhist petroglyphs and Sanskrit inscriptions dating back over 1,000 years. A powerful spiritual site connecting you to the deep history of the Silk Road.
15:00Farewell lunch — a final feast of Kazakh specialties. Share stories, exchange contacts, and say goodbye to your guides who have become friends.
16:30Drive back to Almaty. Drop-off at your hotel or the airport. Until next time — saubolynyz! (Goodbye in Kazakh)
SUV Transfer
Canyon Entry
Lunch + Dinner
Guesthouse
What's Included
- Private SUV transfers throughout the tour
- English-speaking guide for all 10 days
- Accommodation (guesthouses in Saty/Basshy, hotel in Almaty)
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All entrance fees to national parks and attractions
- Horseback riding experience to Kayindi Lake
- Cable car tickets (Shymbulak + Kok Tobe)
- Ethnic village cultural program (dzhigitovka, archery, Kara Zhorga)
- Falcon show experience
- Trout farm visit and lunch
- Outdoor dining on Assy Plateau
- Bottled water throughout the tour
Not Included
- International flights to/from Kazakhstan
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guides and drivers