Almaty, Kazakhstan

The world’s ninth-biggest country is the most economically advanced of the ‘stans’, thanks to its abundant reserves of oil and most other valuable minerals. That money has transformed the capital Nur-Sultan, on the windswept northern steppe, into a 21st-century showpiece with a profusion of bold futuristic architecture.

Travelers will find some fantastic restaurants and accommodation amongst the leafy avenues of Almaty too; its biggest city also boasts the chic ALZhiR Museum-Memorial

Complex, glossy shopping centres and hedonistic nightlife. But it's beyond the cities that you'll find the greatest travel adventures, whether hiking in the high mountains and green valleys of the Tian Shan, searching for wildlife on the lake-dotted steppe, enjoying homespun hospitality in village guesthouses, or jolting across the western deserts to remote underground mosques.

Photos

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival Almaty I Transfer to hotel

  Upon arrival, after clearing customs & immigration procedures followed by baggage collection, guests will be met by our English-speaking office staff in the arrivals hall, Our team will escort you to the vehicle.
  
  Proceed to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, check in & relax.
  
  Rest of the day at leisure
  
  The leafy city of Almaty with a backdrop of the snowcapped Zailiysky Alatau, has always been among the more appealing Russian creations in Central Asia.
  Today Almaty's new rich have expensive suburban apartments, large SUVs, glitzy shopping malls, Western-style coffee lounges, expensive restaurants, dance-till-dawn nightclubs and new ski resorts to help them enjoy life to the full.
  Meanwhile, others from the city's outer districts and the countryside squeeze into packed buses and rickety marshrutkas around the Green Market (Zelyony Bazar) or Sayakhat bus station.

• Day 2

  Almaty - CITY TOUR | KOK TOBE TOUR

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to city tour of Almaty
  
  Panfilov Park
  
  This large and attractive rectangle of greenery is one of central Almaty's most popular strolling and hangout places for all ages. At its heart stands the candy-coloured Zenkov Cathedral The park is named for the Panfilov Heroes, 28 soldiers of an Almaty infantry unit who died fighting off Nazi tanks in a village outside Moscow in 1941. They are commemorated at the fearsome war memorial east of the cathedral.
  
  Zenkov Cathedral
  
  Candy-coloured Zenkov Cathedral is Kazakhstan's nearest (albeit distant) relative to St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow and one of Almaty’s few surviving tsarist-era buildings. Designed by AP Zenkov in 1904, the cathedral is built entirely of wood (including the nails). Used as a museum and concert hall in Soviet times, it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995 and has been restored with colourful icons and murals.
  
  Kok Tobe
  
  It is the highest point in the city of Almaty. It is worth a visit to KokTobe because of its panoramic view of the city from all directions. Kok-Tobe Hill (or Kok-Tube) is a popular tourist attraction in Almaty and also a favorite spot amongst locals. The small mountain — standing at 1130 meters above sea level and presiding 200 meters over the relative height of Almaty — is located on the southeast edge of Almaty. With its name translating to “Blue Hill”, a small amusement park, various monuments, a myriad of viewing platforms, and the Almaty TV Tower are just a few of the attractions at Kok-Tobe. There is a cable car to the top as well as a road for cars and foot traffic.

• Day 3

  Almaty - Shymbulak Tour | GREEN BAZAAR + RAKHAT CHOCOLATE SHOP

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing
  
  10:00 Hrs:- FUN IN SHYMBULAK - Proceed on an excursion to the beautiful mountain resort of Shymbulak Ski resort including Gondola tickets to level 3 and services of our English-speaking guide. Located in the resort is a hotel, restaurant, café, and coffee shop with a variety of cuisines to suit all tastes. Time at leisure.
  
  15:00 Hrs:- Visit GREEN BAZAAR & RAKHAT CHOCOLATE SHOP - A Popular place to shop for dry fruits, Handicrafts, and world-class chocolates and candies at very affordable prices. (NOTE: Green bazaar closes at 06:00 pm)

• Day 4

  Almaty - VISIT TO CHARYN CANYON

  After breakfast at the hotel, depart for tour of Charyn Canyon ... 215 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours
  
  09:30 Hrs:- Visit for FULL DAY trip to Charyn Canyon with Packed LUNCH. The Charyn Canyon is located in the Charyn National Park about 215km east of Almaty and is approximately a 3-hour one-way drive. The Canyon has a great similarity to the Grand Canyon of the USA and is also described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother.

• Day 5

  Almaty - SHOPPING TOUR | DEPARTURE transfer for onward flight

  After breakfast at the hotel, do for shopping tour of the city
  
  11:00 Hrs:- Shopping Tour - Almaty is great for shopping. Some of the well-known malls are Mega Mall, Dostyk Plaza, and Villa Boutiques.
  
  In the evening, drop to airport for onward flight

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