Itinerary
- Day 1
Almaty
Your driver guide will meet you when you arrive in Almaty and take you to your hotel downtown. Spend the rest of the day resting after your travel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Renion Park Hotel, Almaty or similar)
- Day 2
Almaty
Your guide picks you up to explore Almaty's cultural sites. You'll visit the Almaty Museum to learn about the city's past, stop at the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen to pay respects, and see the Ascension Cathedral. After browsing the Green Bazaar market, head to Medeu Gorge and take the cable car up to Shymbulak Ski Resort. Later, catch the sunset from Kok-Tobe Hill before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Renion Park Hotel, Almaty or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Almaty Museum
- Explore Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen
- Visit Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)
- Explore Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar)
- Cable car ride to Shymbulak Ski Resort
- Ascend Kok-Tobe Hill for sunset view
Landmarks/POIs Almaty Museum Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral) Green Bazaar (Zeleny Bazar) Medeu Gorge Shymbulak Ski Resort Kok-Tobe Hill - Day 3
Almaty to Basshi Village
You'll drive about 3.5 hours to Basshi Village. After checking in and grabbing lunch, explore Altyn Emel National Park with your guide. The Singing Dune is the main highlight here, one of roughly 30 dunes worldwide that produce organ-like sounds when sand moves on dry days. Return to your hotel before sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Basshi Hotel)
Included Activities
- Explore Altyn Emel National Park
- Visit Singing Dune
Landmarks/POIs Altyn Emel National Park Singing Dune - Day 4
Basshi Village
Start early to explore the Aktau Mountains, the park's farthest area and the spot where an ancient ocean once covered this landscape. You'll see the geological formations, canyons, and gullies with layered sedimentary rocks. Head back to Basshi Village around midday for lunch. Later in the afternoon, travel to a resort where you can soak in the Chunja Hot Spring System, warmed by volcanic activity deep below the surface.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Resort (Kara Dala Hot Springs Resort)
Included Activities
- Explore Aktau Mountains
- Relax in Chunja Hot Spring System
Landmarks/POIs Aktau Mountains Chunja Hot Spring System - Day 5
Basshi Village to Saty Village
After a 1.5-hour drive, you'll reach Charyn Canyon National Park. Explore four of the main five branches: Temirlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Moon Canyon, and Charyn Canyon, each with unique rock formations. The Valley of Castles is a key stop here. Then drive 1.5 hours to Saty Village, check in, and have dinner featuring traditional Kazakh food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch-box), Dinner (Decadent dinner with Kazakh dishes)
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Saty Village Guest House)
Included Activities
- Explore Charyn Canyon National Park
- View Temirlik Canyon
- View Bestamak Canyon
- View Moon Canyon
- View Charyn Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Charyn Canyon National Park Temirlik Canyon Bestamak Canyon Moon Canyon Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles - Day 6
Saty Village
Leave Saty Village early to reach the Kolsai Lakes, three separate lakes at different elevations in the Heavenly Mountains. You'll do a relaxed light hike around the Lower Kolsai Lake. Next, visit Kaindy Lake, an emerald-colored lake formed when an 1911 earthquake triggered a landslide that submerged a spruce forest. Only tree trunks stick out of the water now. Return to your guest house in Saty Village for dinner and sauna time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch-box), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse (Saty Village Guest House)
Included Activities
- Light hike around Lower Kolsai Lake
- Explore Kaindy Lake
- Enjoy saunas at guest house
Landmarks/POIs Kolsai Lakes Lower Kolsai Lake Kaindy Lake - Day 7
Saty Village to Almaty
After breakfast, drive back to Charyn Canyon National Park to see the Valley of Castles with its boulder formations. Pick a 2-hour hike either along the top or bottom of the canyon. The bottom path has a nearly 3-kilometer flat trail taking 40 to 50 minutes, and you might catch a shuttle minibus back if one's available. After a short break at the Tourists Center, drive 3.5 hours back to Almaty and rest at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Renion Park Hotel, Almaty or similar)
Included Activities
- Hike Valley of Castles (round-trip approximately 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Take shuttle minibus for return journey from Valley of Castles (optional due to physical strength preference)
Landmarks/POIs Valley of Castles Charyn Canyon National Park - Day 8
Almaty
Your guide will pick you up at the scheduled time and drive you to Almaty International Airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
