Kazakhstan small group tour: 5 days / 4 nights – City, Lakes, Canyon

About the tour

Itinerary

1. 01
   DAY 1Almaty City Tour

   Meet your guide and driver at the hotel
   City Tour: Start with Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral (a wooden Orthodox church)

   • Walk through the leafy city park
   • Visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame

   Explore the Green Bazaar and Rakhat Chocolate Factory Shop

   Lunch at a local Kazakh restaurant (try beshbarmak or plov)

   Visit Kok-Tobe Hill by cable car

   • Great views of the city and mountains
   • Bronze Beatles statue, souvenir stalls

   Stop at Republic Square, Independence Monument, and Presidential Palace

   Dinner in a national cuisine restaurant (optional live music)

   Optional (not included): Almaty night city lights drive or visit to the Sky Lounge bar
   

   Overnight in Almaty

2. 02
   DAY 2Issyk Lake (summer) Shymbulak Ski & Medeu ice ring (winter)

   08:00: Breakfast at the hotel
   09:00: Drive to Issyk Lake in the Ile-Alatau National Park (approx. 1.5–2 hrs)

   11:00-13:00: Explore the beautiful alpine Issyk Lake

   • Light walking along the lakeshore
   • Photos at panoramic viewpoints
   • Optional: picnic or hot tea with a mountain view

   13:30-14:30: Lunch at a local roadside café or in the park

   15:00-16:00: Visit Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum

   • Learn about ancient Saka burials and see the Golden Man replica

   16:00-18:00: Drive back to Almaty

   19:00: Dinner in the city, free evening

   Overnight in Almaty

3. 03
   DAY 3Charyn Canyon Adventure

   07:30: Breakfast and check-out
   08:30: Depart Almaty for Charyn Canyon (approx. 3.5–4 hrs drive)

   • Scenic ride through open steppe and desert valleys

   12:30-15:00: Arrive and explore Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles)

   • Walk (1.5 km) down to the river
   • Picnic or lunchbox at the bottom
   • Optional: visit the eco-museum and the viewpoint platforms
     

   15:30-17:30 – Continue drive to Saty village 

   18:00: Check-in at cozy guesthouse or yurt lodge in Saty

   19:00: Homemade dinner at the guesthouse with local specialties

   Overnight in Saty village

4. 04
   DAY 4Saty – Kolsai & Kaindy Lake – Almaty

   • 06:30 – Early breakfast and check-out.

   • 07:00 – 10:30 – Morning excursion to Kolsai Lake and Kaindy Lake (short hikes and photo stops at both).

   • 10:30 – 11:00 – Depart Saty area for Almaty (approx. 5–6 hrs drive with rest stops).

   • 13:30 – 14:30 – Stop for lunch in a roadside café.

   • 14:30 – 18:30 – Continue journey to Almaty.

   • 18:30 – 19:00 – Arrival in Almaty and hotel check-in.

   • 19:30 – Group dinner in Almaty.

   Overnight in Almaty

5. 05
   DAY 5Shopping & Departure

   Breakfast and check-out at 12:00 

   • If you have time, go shopping, time to buy some souvenirs!
   • Transfer to the airport (end of tour)

Price

Terms & Conditions

• In case of early check-in on day 1, an extra night for the accommodation is charged: 80 USD per person in a twin / double room
• The maximum group size for the fixed departure group is 18 persons
• It is recommended to have warm clothes for the mountainous area (jeans, jackets, a hat, socks, warm shoes)

• A 20% Deposit payment should be made not less than 7 days prior to the tourist group’s arrival by bank transfer, as per the invoice; the remaining balance should be paid upon arrival in cash/cash.

• Cancellation prior 45 days – No charges apply
• Cancellation prior 44-30 days – 30% charge of the tour price
• Cancellation prior 29-20 days – 50% of the tour price
• Cancellation prior 19 days – 100% charge of the tour price

The tour map