10-Day Kazakhstan Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Kazakhstan tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaKazakhstan travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Kazakhstan Itinerary, incl. Astana and Almaty

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Astana

    Start your journey in Kazakhstan's futuristic capital. Visit Hazrat Sultan Mosque before 9 AM to beat the tour buses. Women should bring a headscarf. Book your Bayterek Tower observation deck time slot ahead to avoid long midday lines. Watch the sunset at Khan Shatyr to see its tent-like structure glow beautifully.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Almaty & Surrounds

    Take a quick 1.5-hour flight to Almaty. Visit the Sunkar Raptor Center for the 4 PM falconry show. Grab a front-row seat to experience birds flying right overhead. Take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe Hill around 6 PM for city views. Pack warm clothes as mountain evenings get cold even in summer.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Altyn Emel National Park

    Take a 3.5-hour drive to Basshi Village to access Kazakhstan's largest nature reserve. Visit the red Aktau Mountains in the morning light. The 150-meter Singing Dune needs good walking shoes. A recent visitor shared: "The dune climb is steep but worth it. Go early before the sand gets too hot to walk on."

    
  • Day 7

    Charyn Canyon & Alpine Lakes

    Plan 2-3 hours to explore the Valley of Castles. Wear shoes with good grip on the dusty trails. Visit Kaindy Lake to see its underwater forest of dead spruce trees. You'll need a 4x4 vehicle for the rough roads.

    
  • Day 8

    Kolsai Lakes

    Begin at dawn for the 7km hike to Middle Kolsai Lake. The trail climbs about 400m and can get muddy. Consider a horse ride ($30-40) if the hike seems too challenging. Bring food as there are no services at the lake. The best photos are between 10 AM-2 PM when sunlight hits the turquoise water.

    
  • Day 9

    Almaty City & Return to Astana

    Start at the Central Mosque, then browse the Green Bazaar where locals do their shopping. Try the 842 steps at Medeu Ice Arena for city views. Take an evening flight back to Astana.

    
  • Day 10

    Final Morning

    If you have an afternoon departure, visit the Astana Grand Mosque near the airport. Leave extra time for morning traffic if flying out early.

    

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• 9 Day Kazakhstan Itinerary, incl. Almaty and Turkestan

  

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  • Day 1

    Almaty Arrival

    Arrive in Almaty in the afternoon or evening to avoid intense summer heat. The city sits at 4,413 feet, so take time to adjust to the altitude at your downtown hotel.

    
  • Day 2

    Almaty City Exploration

    Head to Medeu Valley early to avoid crowds. Take on the 842-step "Health Stairs" to Medeu Dam but pace yourself at this altitude. Visit Green Bazaar for lunch and sample local Kurt cheese and dried fruits. See the wooden Zenkov Cathedral before taking the cable car to Kok-Tobe Hill around 5:30 PM for sunset city views.

    
  • Day 3

    Charyn Canyon Adventure

    Drive three hours to Charyn Canyon. Explore Valley of Castles but bring sturdy shoes for the loose paths. Visit between 10 AM-2 PM for the best photos of the 12-million-year-old rocks. Bring lots of water and sun protection. Stay overnight in Saty Village in simple but clean guesthouses run by local families.

    
  • Day 4

    Alpine Lakes

    Visit Kaindy Lake early morning. The drive is rough so consider motion sickness medication. Morning light is perfect for photos of the submerged forest. At Kolsai Lake walk the lakeside path to see wildflowers in summer. Return to Almaty takes about 3.5 hours.

    
  • Day 5

    Taraz Journey

    Travel seven hours to Taraz. Stop at local roadside spots to try beshbarmak. Visit the 11th-century Karakhan Mausoleum in the morning before it gets busy. Late afternoon light works best for photos at Aisha Bibi Mausoleum.

    
  • Day 6

    Turkestan Exploration

    Drive five hours with a stop at Ak Meshit Cave. Plan to reach the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi by 3 PM. Visit the cool underground Hilvet Mosque and see Rabia Sultan Begum Mausoleum at sunset when the architecture looks its best.

    
  • Day 7

    Otrar and Shymkent

    Start at Otrar archaeological site. Wear good shoes for the uneven ground. Visit Arystanbab Mausoleum but remember to dress modestly. Spend the afternoon exploring Shymkent's parks and local culture.

    
  • Day 8

    Return to Almaty

    Visit Shymkent's Qyrgy Bazar before 10 AM for good deals. Consider flying back to Almaty instead of the 9-hour drive. Book flights after 2 PM to avoid morning traffic.

    
  • Day 9

    Departure

    Plan afternoon flights to avoid morning traffic. The airport is 30-45 minutes from downtown but allow extra time during rush hour (7-9 AM).

    

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• 9 Day Kazakhstan Horse Trek Itinerary, incl. Almaty and Charyn Canyon

  This 9-day horseback trek winds through Kazakhstan's rugged terrain, covering 310km with daily 4-5 hour rides. The trail leads to Khan Tengri base camp, Bayankol gorge, Tekes waterfall, and the striking Charyn Canyon, featuring 8 nights of wilderness camping.

  

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  • Day 1

    Almaty to Narynkol

    Leave Almaty early for a 5-hour drive to Narynkol. Bring your passport for the frontier post check. You'll meet your horse guides at 2,300m near Khan Tengri base camp. After lunch and basic riding lessons, spend 3 hours following the Akkol River through forest to Akkol Lake (3,080m). The altitude gain is significant, so drink lots of water and pace yourself. Camp near the lake for the night.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Bayankol Gorge

    Trek through diverse landscapes from conifer forests to alpine meadows and permanent snowfields. You'll see the massive Khan Tengri peak (7,010m) on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-China border. Look for red deer, Tien Shan bears and ibex in the morning. Note: The gorge needs a special border zone permit. Get this at least 2 weeks before your trip.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Tekes Waterfall

    Ride 4-5 hours daily through the Bayankol region. Getting to the waterfall requires careful navigation but offers an icy pool perfect for soothing sore muscles. You'll camp in a protected valley. Pack a good 4-season sleeping bag as nights can drop below freezing even in summer.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Tuzkol Lake and Shalkodesu Valley

    Head to Tuzkol salt lake, which spans 5km. The surrounding steppe is home to 35 bird species including endangered cranes. The trail continues to Shalkodesu Valley, a traditional summer pasture where local shepherds often set up yurts with their flocks. It's a 22km ride taking about 4 hours on good terrain.

    
  • Day 8

    Ketmen Pass

    A long 50km day crossing Ketmen Pass at 3,300m. The pristine alpine landscape features stunning waterfalls and clear streams. This remote section requires experienced guides who know the safest camping locations.

    
  • Day 9

    Charyn Canyon to Almaty

    Visit what locals call "Kazakhstan's Grand Canyon." It's 300m deep and stretches 150km through ancient seabed. Early morning light creates perfect photo opportunities of the red rock formations. Take a 5-hour drive back to Almaty for well-earned hot showers.

    

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