Example Itinerary

Epic Kazakhstan: Nur-Sultan to Almaty via the Aral Sea

Duration
17 days / 16 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Off the Grid
Destinations
Kazakhstan

Get ready for the journey of a lifetime: from the capital city of Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana, to the Aral Sea, from old Silk Road stopovers to the Aksu-Jabagly natural reserves, this trip takes voyagers through the best that Kazakhstan has to offer. You will explore major cities, small villages and natural landscapes, even spending several days exploring on a four-wheel drive adventure. For culture, for history, for nature and for adventure, this wide-ranging trip has it all, and more.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Silk Road Heritage: Roll into Taraz by train then tour the museums and mausoleums to learn about the city's role as a stop on the Silk Road.
  • Wildlife: Wild donkeys and gazelles roam the the rocky landscapes of Altyn Emel National Park.
  • Great Outdoors: Right on the border of Kyrgystan, Basshi is known for its semi-nomadic tribes, trio of mountain lakes and excellent hiking and horseback riding trails.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Astana

Your exciting adventure begins today as you leave your home country to arrive in Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, at night. You’ll be escorted to your hotel, where you may settle in and relax ahead of your big adventure ahead.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Exceptional Culinary Establishments: The hotel’s three restaurants – MÖKKI, Selfie Restaurant, and ӨZEN – are among the vanguard when it comes to the fine dining landscape of Astana. Guests may enjoy sampling the traditional cuisine of Kazakhstan or branch out and test their palate on innovative courses.

A History of Excellence: The name “Ritz-Carlton” is synonymous with class and luxury in the hospitality industry – and with good reason, as evident in the beautiful décor and tasteful, spacious layouts of Ritz-Carlton Astana accommodations.

Ballroom Extravagance: The Ritz-Carlton Astana’s jaw-dropping 10,764-square-foot ballroom is an exquisite setting of glittering crystal chandeliers, elegant lighting, and sophisticated arrangement.

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Ritz-Carlton Astana Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Outstanding Service: Experienced, thoughtful butlers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that guests want for nothing.

Feature-Rich Accommodations: Heated floors, plush bathrobes, a wireless Geneva Model sound system, and a 27” AquaVision in-bathroom television are a few St. Regis room standards.

Prime Location: Close to some of the most breathtaking natural landmarks and treasures, such as the Baiterek Monument and the Hazret Sultan Mosque.

Events and Traditions: Enjoy and choose from numerous classic hotel rituals and experiences such as afternoon tea, the delicious, zesty St. Regis Bloody Mary, and champagne sabering.

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St. Regis Astana Preferred Hotel

Day 2

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Astana

After getting some much-needed sleep, you will explore the city highlights, including the landmark Baiterek Tower and the pyramid-shaped Khan-Shatyr shopping and entertainment center, before heading outside of town to visit an old labor prison. You will return to Nur-Sultan for the evening to relax and enjoy a restful sleep.

Astana
Astana

Day 3

Map

Aral Sea

Today, you will begin your journey towards the Aral Sea, taking a plane and train toward the former port of Aralsk, now 124 miles from the shore. Arriving very late in the evening, you will be transferred to a local hotel.

Hotel Options
About

Aral Hotel is the only hotel in Aralsk, (also known as just ‘Arul’), a small Kazakhstan city located in the south-west of the country. Being the city’s sole hotel, guests shouldn’t come expecting five-star luxury.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

The stunning five-star Renaissance Aktau Hotel offers wonderful Caspian Sea views as well as a range of modern and stylish rooms in the middle of Aktau, a large and popular western-Kazakhstan city. On top of its sumptuous sea views, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of guests’ own spacious and well-appointed rooms, this hotel also has an indoor and outdoor pool (with some more of those excellent sea views), a gym, spa facilities and various dining options.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

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Aral Sea

Spend the day exploring the former port of the Aral Sea, checking out the remains of stranded ships and visiting the local museum, learning about the area’s fascinating history. 

Day 5

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Aral Sea

Enjoy some more time exploring Aralsk at your leisure - checking out any attractions you may have missed in the days before - before boarding an overnight train for Turkestan, located nearly 500 miles to the east.

Aral Sea
Aral Sea

Day 6

Map

Turkestan

After travelling overnight from Aralsk, you will arrive in Turkestan in the afternoon with enough time to explore the historic city before dinner. One of Kazakhstan’s oldest cities, Turkestan dates back as far as the 4th century AD.

Hotel Options
About

The first true luxury hotel in Turkestan, the Kavaransaray Kun Hotel makes a grand entrance combining with 37 specially-designed plush rooms and suites with a fully decked entertainment space. Rooms start at 40 sqm with views featuring the inner square or surrounding foliage.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 7

Map

Tjulkabas

Today, you will have the chance to visit the famous Mausoleum of Hodzha Ahmed Yasswi, built in the late 14th century in memory of the prophet Hodzha Yassawi. In the afternoon, you will explore the ruins of Otrar, once a stop of the Silk Road, before boarding a train for the village of Tjulkabas - about 124 miles east – where you will stay overnight in a guesthouse.

Hotel Options
About

Throughout Kazakhstan’s remote corners, from the Aral Sea to Berikara Gorge, lies beauty and adventure, as well as a number of cozy guesthouses which happily host travelers. All rooms are compact, and simply and pleasantly furnished with comfortable beds, fresh linens.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

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Aksu-zhabagly Nature Reserve

Today, you’ll head back to the Aksu-Zhabagly natural reserve, visiting the Aksu canyon, carved by the Aksu river. Once again, enjoy a picturesque picnic lunch during your day-long excursion, and stay overnight at your guesthouse.

Hotel Options
About

Throughout Kazakhstan’s remote corners, from the Aral Sea to Berikara Gorge, lies beauty and adventure, as well as a number of cozy guesthouses which happily host travelers. All rooms are compact, and simply and pleasantly furnished with comfortable beds, fresh linens.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Aksu-zhabagly Nature Reserve
Aksu-zhabagly Nature Reserve

Day 9

Map

Taraz

This morning, you’ll board a train to the city of Taraz, located in the Jambyl Province. After getting settled in, you’ll embark on a city tour, checking out the history museum and the mausoleums of Alye Ata and Aisha Bibi and learning about the city’s history as a stop on the Silk Road. In the evening, you will catch a sleeper train to Almaty, 435 miles east.

Hotel Options
About

Kazakhstan’s expansive country is sparsely dotted with main cities that lie thousands of miles away from one another. One of the best ways to traverse the terrain, glimpse its rural landscapes, and meet its local people is by train, which connects all cities and smaller places.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 10

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Almaty

After arriving by morning in Kazakhstan’s largest city, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will have time to rest and refresh. After lunch, you’ll step into the city’s bustling streets, visiting the Panfilov park, the Zenkov Cathedral and the musical instrument museum.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: With the soaring peaks of the Ile-Alatau mountains to the south and the city of Almaty laid out to the north, the Ritz Carlton lies between wild nature and urban action.

Services: Every care is taken to ensure guests are satisfied at every turn, from airport limousine services to 24-hour concierge on hand at all times.

History: This ultra-chic, contemporary hotel soars above the ancient city of Almaty, juxtaposing the historic with modern-day Kazakhstan.

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Ritz-Carlton Almaty Preferred Hotel

Day 11

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Altyn Emei

Get ready to kick back into nature! Today is the first of several days you will explore the Almaty Province in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Your adventure will begin in the Kapachagai reservoir and Altyn Emel national park (around 4 hours' drive), where you will spot wild donkeys and gazelles in the semi-desert and rocky mountain landscapes, before settling in at a guesthouse for dinner and overnight.

Hotel Options
About

Throughout Kazakhstan’s remote corners, from the Aral Sea to Berikara Gorge, lies beauty and adventure, as well as a number of cozy guesthouses which happily host travelers. All rooms are compact, and simply and pleasantly furnished with comfortable beds, fresh linens.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Altyn Emei
Altyn Emei

Day 12

Map

Basshi Village

Today, you will explore the red-hued Aktau and Kakatau mountain ranges, hiking through the spectacular landscape as you take in truly epic panoramas, before spending the night in a guesthouse in the village of Basshi.

Hotel Options
About

Throughout Kazakhstan’s remote corners, from the Aral Sea to Berikara Gorge, lies beauty and adventure, as well as a number of cozy guesthouses which happily host travelers. All rooms are compact, and simply and pleasantly furnished with comfortable beds, fresh linens.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 13

Map

Saty Village

You will embark on a journey from Basshi to the border of Kyrgyzstan (around 5 hours), passing by semi-nomadic tribes before reaching the first of three Kolsai mountain lakes. Elevated more than seven miles in altitude, this area is ideally-positioned to offer excellent views and trails for hiking and horse riding. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a homestay in the village of Saty.

Hotel Options
About

Throughout Kazakhstan’s remote corners, from the Aral Sea to Berikara Gorge, lies beauty and adventure, as well as a number of cozy guesthouses which happily host travelers. All rooms are compact, and simply and pleasantly furnished with comfortable beds, fresh linens.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 14

Map

Almaty

Beginning your journey back to Almaty: you will visit Charyn Canyon, a spectacular 124-mile-long natural canyon, as well as a museum about hunting with eagles, known as “berkutchi.” You will arrive back in Almaty some 4 hours later to stay overnight in your hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: With the soaring peaks of the Ile-Alatau mountains to the south and the city of Almaty laid out to the north, the Ritz Carlton lies between wild nature and urban action.

Services: Every care is taken to ensure guests are satisfied at every turn, from airport limousine services to 24-hour concierge on hand at all times.

History: This ultra-chic, contemporary hotel soars above the ancient city of Almaty, juxtaposing the historic with modern-day Kazakhstan.

Read More
Ritz-Carlton Almaty Preferred Hotel
About

The InterContinental in Almaty is a luxury hotel sitting opposite the famous Presidential Palace in Republic Square. It’s the perfect location to see this popular attraction, as well as the city’s many others in this central area.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Almaty
Almaty

Day 15

Map

Almaty

Take a day trip just south of the city to the Medeo ice-skating rink, a world-famous complex situated over one mile in elevation. For even better views and hiking trails, you can go higher to the Chymbulaq ski resort (1.4 miles high) or even the top of the mountain, at nearly two miles high.

Day 16

Map

Almaty

Enjoy a free day exploring Almaty, checking out shops, local museums and nearby hikes. You will once again stay overnight at your hotel, resting up on your last night in Kazakhstan ahead of your onward journey tomorrow.

Day 17

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Departure

After your exciting two-and-a-half week journey through Kazakhstan, it is time to say goodbye. You’ll check out of your hotel and be escorted to their airport, or where you’ll either return home, or continue on to your next Central Asian destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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