Kazakhstan

Arrival to airport in Almaty. Meeting and transfer to the city for sightseeing tour. The first place you will go to today is Almaty Museum, where you can get to know the history of the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Then you will visit one of the oldest of Almaty parks – Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world – Zenkov Cathedral is located. In the park, you will also see the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, listen to the stories of the guide and admire the beauty of the Museum of Musical Instruments. A leisurely walk under the crowns of park trees will take about 40 minutes. Next point of interest is a popular place for townspeople – the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Today you will have a trip to the Charyn Canyon. This is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and amazes with its vertical cliffs, reminiscent of ancient castles, created under the influence of wind, sun and rain. It will take you about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will be told a lot of interesting things about the history and nature of this region, the Kazakh people as well as their life and traditions. As soon as you see the Charyn Canyon, you will immediately forget about the long distance you traveled and amazed by the beauty and magnificence of the canyon. You can admire the grandiose panorama and then walk through the labyrinth of the Valley of Castles with its inaccessible walls hanging over you. Then transfer to the village of Saty. Night is at guesthouse.

Today you will have a walk drive to Kolsai Lake. Kolsai Lakes – “Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan” – represent a cascade of three lakes. The largest lake is accessible for all visitors. It is the most beautiful lake, having a lack of civilization and the abundance of mushrooms. Other 2 lakes we will not have time as needed long hiking. After lunch you will drive to Kaindy Lake (birch lake). It is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. Return to Saty. Night is at the guesthouse.

In the morning we will transfer from the village of Saty to Almaty. In the afternoon we will go to Kok-Tobe mountains to look at the panorama of the city. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck, throw a coin in the “apple” fountain and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to the hotel.

Today you will continue acquaintance with the wonderful city of Almaty from its sports center, where the Central Stadium and Baluan Sholak Sports Palace is located. Further, along the route you will see the Mukhtar Auezov Kazakh Drama Theater and the Kazakh State Circus. Then the tour continues with a ride to the Medeu Gorge (1690 meters above sea level) well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. Brief walk around with a chance to take your mountain-view pictures and breathe the fresh pine-tree air, then you will take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort area. Then you will go down the back way by cable car. Night is in a hotel.

In the morning, we will go to Lake Issyk. On the way, you will visit The Issyk State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, where you can get acquainted with expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of the Golden Man and gold items, ancient ceramics, weapons, elements of horse equipment. Then the route will lead to a height of 1756 meters above sea level to see the beautiful high-altitude – Lake Issyk. The lake was formed about 10 thousand years ago as a result of a huge mountain collapse. Then we will go to the Turgen gorge where you can see the Bear waterfall. The road over there takes about 30 minutes (1 km) one way. We will return to Almaty. Overnight is at the hotel.

In the morning, transfer to airport.