The Name of tour: Treasures of Kazakhstan
Duration: 6 days
Visiting landmarks: Almaty, Altyn Emel, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, Kolsai lakes
Day 1: Almaty
Upon arrival you will have a sightseeing tour. Today you will discover the first destination Almaty Museum. You are going to explore the history of the southern capital of Kazakhstan. After that you will discover Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre. This attraction is very famous for the fabulous architecture and interesting history. Then you will stroll and discover the oldest park in the city – Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. You will have a chance to explore there the gorgeous architecture of wooden Zenkov Cathedral and Museum of Musical Instruments. Then you will continue the tour with discovering the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. It was erected in memory of soldiers who died in the Great Patriotic War. The tour route will take you to the Green Bazaar. You are going to see the popular place for shopping among the local people. You will have a great chance to bargain with the seller to lower the price! In the second part of the tour you will direct the Medeo Gorge (1690 meters above sea level). There are located the worldwide popular highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Further you will travel to Shymbulak ski resort area by a cable car. You are going to go back by a cable car. After that you will transfer to the Kok-Tobe hill, where you will see the highest (above sea level) TV tower in the world. There you will transfer along the wonderful mountain road on the park eco-cars. Then you will come back to the city by the famous Almaty cableway. On Tuesdays in the tour departing at 10 a.m. cableway does not work. Instead of it, we can use park eco-cars. At the end of the day, you will check into the hotel.
Day 2: Almaty – Altyn Emel
This day you will travel to the fascinating place Altyn Emel. Then you will travel to Altyn Emel National Park. Here you will have a chance to observe the fabulous highlight - Singing Dune. This attraction is located just a few kilometers from the Ili river between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan. The Siging Dune - 150-meter sand dune stands alone in the desert near the Ili River between the two ridges of the Dzungarian Alatau-Kysty-Kalkan (Small Kalkan) and Ulken-Kalkan (Big Kalkan). The length of the dune is about 3 km. All around – only a rocky desert, overgrown with saxaul and small bushes. Currently, the "Singing Dune" is included in the list of "7 Wonders of Kazakhstan" and has the official status of a state natural monument of national significance. The area of the dune is 240 hectares, it consists of two dunes: the southern one, m and the northern one about 100 m. The absolute heights of the ridges of the dunes reach 600-650 m. A special impression is made by the large southern dune, which is a mountain of pure crystalline sand without a single blade of grass, with steep slopes that you cannot climb up. Then you will travel to the hotel.
Day 3: Altyn Emel
This day you will discover the fantastic highlights as Katutau and Aktau mountains. The mountains of Aktau and Katty Tau are located on the territory of the National Park "Altyn Emel". These amazing chalk mountains, captivating with their grandeur and their lifelessness, with fantastic canyons and colorful slopes that resemble a multi-layered pie, were formed many millions of years ago. Back then, dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and where the White Mountains now stand, the ancient Tethys Ocean raged.The ocean has long since retreated, exposing its bottom. Water and wind have done their work for millions of years: the weak rocks have weathered and washed away, and an amazing panorama of mountains, bizarrely carved by erosion, has appeared on everyone's view - with fabulous figures against the background of an unreal, "lunar" landscape.In the layers of Paleogene lake sediments, well-preserved remains of ancient animals are found, the age of which is estimated at 25-30 million years. Among the finds are the remains of giant rhinos, crocodiles and turtles.The overnight stay will be organized in the hotel.
Day 4: Altyn Emel – Charyn Canyon – Kolsai Lakes
After breakfast you will travel to the wonderful Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River. Here you will have an opportunity to discover see the relict species of Sogdian Ash-Tree that grow in the lower reaches of the Charyn River and its tributary Temirlik. In course of the tour you will see the pristine beauty of Charyn Canyon. Canyon was formed under the influence of three elements: water, sun and wind. But there is an opinion that this is a tectonic fault at the border of the plates, and the water, sun and wind only gave the canyon a modern look. The length of the Charyn Canyon is 154 km, which is three times less than its American counterpart-the Grand Canyon. The depth in some places reaches 300 meters, which is already six times less than that of the main canyon of the western hemisphere. The width reaches 5 km, which is also six times less than that of the Grand Canyon. The canyon was formed approximately 12 million years ago. Then you will travel to the guest house in Saty village.
Day 5: Kolsai – Kaindy lake – Almaty
This day you will explore the fascinating Kaindy Lake. Its formation occurred at the beginning of the last century as a result of an earthquake. The avalanche blocked the path of the river, and the valley was filled with water. Today, the depth of the lake is very small-25 meters. The water temperature in the mountain reservoir is 6-8 degrees all year round. In course of the tour you will explore that the lake itself is translated as "birch", as there is a forest of birch trees nearby. the attraction of Kazakhstan at an altitude of 1667 meters above sea level, attracts tourists not only domestic, but also foreign. Despite the low water temperature, divers do not miss the opportunity to walk along the paths of the drowned forest. The perennial Tien Shan spruce trees that grew along the riverbed were suddenly flooded. However, over time, the trunks of the mighty trees did not rot, but remained standing, majestically towering over the water surface of the lake. After that you will travel to Almaty. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 6: Flight
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel and transfer will take you to the airport.
Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04 pax – Minivan
06-10 pax – Mercedes Sprinter
Price per person:
02 pax – 1 045 $
04 pax – 735 $
06 pax – 660 $
08 pax – 545 $
10 pax – 500 $
Single – 125 $
Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 60 $
Half board – 130 $
Full board – 230 $
English speaking guide – 730 $ per group
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
Altyn Emel – “Aigaikum” Guesthouse
Saty village – Home stays
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide