Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations
Kazakhstan

For a quick trip to Kazakhstan, this action-packed itinerary will ensure you hit all the hotspots. Starting and ending the trip in Almaty, the country’s largest city, you will explore all the city sights but also nearby gems, including Kok-Tobe mountain, Issyk lake, and the petroglyphs of Tamgaly Tas. Mix in a trip to Shymkent to visit Sairam Ugam National Park, as well as Turkestan to see the ruins of Otrar and the ancient city of Sauran, and you’ve got a whirlwind week that you won’t soon forget!

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

  • Kok-Tobe: The highest point in Almaty, Kok-Tobe not only offers superb mountain views, but also jewelry-making classes with a local artisan.
  • Hiking: Trek the Turgen River Gorge, one of the country's prettiest natural beauty spots, to reach a powerful waterfall.
  • History: Explore the rich heritage of Turkestan, including a medieval-era bathhouse, the Hilvet Underground Mosque and the remnants of the citadel's fortress.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Almaty

On the first day of your exciting trip through Kazakhstan, you’ll arrive in the country’s largest city, Almaty, and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight, in preparation for the action-packed week ahead.

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.

See Hotel
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.

Day 2

Almaty

Kick off your trip bright and early with a city tour of Almaty, where you’ll visit sites including the Central Historical Museum, the central mosque and Kok-Tobe mountain, the highest point in the city. Enjoy dinner with the spectacular view of the city from Kok-Tobe while also undertaking a master class in jewelry making, before returning to your hotel for the night.    

Almaty
Almaty

Day 3

Almaty

Today, you’ll head just under 50 miles outside of Almaty to visit the stunning Issyk lake and explore the many archaeological monuments and burial grounds surrounding the area. After a visit to Issyk museum and lunch, you’ll get to explore a trout farm and an ostrich farm, as well as hike the Turgen River Gorge to a stunning waterfall. After visiting Sunkar farm for a falcon show, you’ll return to Almaty for dinner and overnight.      

Day 4

Almaty

On the fourth day of your journey, you’ll transfer to Tamgaly Tas (around 2.5 hours), an incredible petroglyph site known for its rock carving of the three Buddhas, a UNESCO-designated site. After lunch and a day of exploration, you’ll head back to Almaty for dinner and overnight. 

Almaty
Almaty

Day 5

Shymkent

This morning, you’ll take a short flight to Shymkent, from where you will be able to explore the Aksu canyon in Sairam Ugam National Park, featuring “The Valley of a Thousand Eyes”. After lunch, you’ll head back to Shymkent to explore the city’s underground mosque and take a ceramic master class, before enjoying dinner and staying overnight. 

Hotel Options
About

This boutique hotel in Shymkent, Kazakhstan is the perfect base from which to explore this vibrant city in the south of the country. With its world-class service and intricate design, Orbita Hotel is setting the standard for hotels in Shymkent.

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

For class, style, and a dash of opulence, the Rixos Khadisha Hotel is the perfect luxury-home-away-from-home in Shymkent. This world-class hotel, located in the business district of the city, features a grand staircase, a spacious entry, and a full-featured spa, including an indoor pool and fitness area, a sauna, and a Turkish hammam - the perfect way to relax after a busy day.

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 6

Turkestan

After breakfast, you will transfer to the city of Turkestan (3 hours), stopping at a museum in a small village of Shaulder, the ruins of Otrar and the Mausoleum of Arystan-bab along the way. After lunch in Turkestan, you will explore the nearby ancient city of Sauran in the afternoon, before returning to the city for dinner and overnight. 

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.

Turkestan
Turkestan

Day 7

Almaty

Today, you will explore some of the best sites of Turkestan, including an underground mosque, a bath and the ruins of the citadel's fortress. After lunch, you'll head back to Shymkent (3 hours) for the short flight back to Almaty, where you'll stay overnight. 

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.

See Hotel
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 8

Almaty

On your final full day, enjoy a trip to Medeo skating rink – the highest mountain skating rink in the world with a great view of Almaty – where you'll enjoy lunch and a trip to the Green Bazar. Afterward, settle in at the Shymbulak Ski Resort before taking in dinner and a show for your final night! 

Day 9

Departure

On your final day, you’ll check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport, where you may head home or catch a flight to another exciting destination in Central Asia. 

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–4

Ritz-Carlton Almaty
Preferred Hotel

Ritz-Carlton Almaty

Occupying the top ten floors of the Esentai Tower, the Ritz Carlton enjoys unrivalled views of Almaty and the sweeping, jagged, snow-peaked Ile-Alatau mountain range. Guests choosing to stay here have the best of both worlds with easy access to the city and all its famous historic sights as well as the ski slopes in the national park to the south. After a long day on the piste or exploring the city, guests can ascend the escalator into the luxurious surroundings and enjoy all that the hotel has to offer. With restaurants and bars decorated with the latest works from the hottest modern artists in the country, from cocktails with a view to sumptuous dishes prepared with expertise, dining and drinking at the Ritz Carlton is a feast for the senses. Rooms and suites boast stunning panoramas and are fitted with every modern convenience and comfort. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Six Senses Spa offers a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. 

The InterContinental Almaty

The InterContinental Almaty

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. The InterContinental’s rooms are big, bright and fresh with a whole list of facilities and services right on hand. The dining options are impressive too, with an excellent international breakfast buffet, Asian café, rooftop grill, Turkish restaurant and jazz bar. In the evening guests can enjoy relaxing in one of three bars, including a jazz bar and beer garden with light music and boardgames to wind down summer evenings. Elsewhere there is an indoor pool, children’s play area and tennis courts.

Suggested Hotels For Day 5

Orbita

Orbita


This boutique hotel in Shymkent, Kazakhstan is the perfect base from which to explore this vibrant city in the south of the country. With its world-class service and intricate design, Orbita Hotel is setting the standard for hotels in Shymkent. Located inside a historic two-storey house built by Japanese prisoners-of-war in the 1950s, the hotel combines Kazakhstan flair with traditional Japanese design, including the counter-clockwise numbering of the hotel’s seven rooms, each uniquely decorated. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar, the quiet location, just outside of the busting city, and most importantly, the top-quality service. 


Rixos

Rixos


For class, style, and a dash of opulence, the Rixos Khadisha Hotel is the perfect luxury-home-away-from-home in Shymkent. This world-class hotel, located in the business district of the city, features a grand staircase, a spacious entry, and a full-featured spa, including an indoor pool and fitness area, a sauna, and a Turkish hammam - the perfect way to relax after a busy day. Dining options abound: Kazakhasia restaurant, which serves a variety of Asian cuisine; Olivia restaurant, offering traditional Italian; a cocktail at one of the on-site bars; or room service delivered straight to the guest’s luxurious room or suite. At this hotel, guests should prepare to be treated like royalty. 


Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Karavansaray Kun Hotel

Karavansaray Kun Hotel

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. Some rooms and all suites come with private balconies. Facilities and amenities within the hotel include a spa with nail and hair salon, 24-hour dining, laundry services, and complimentary wifi throughout the property. The all-day restaurant, Eposia, serves both local and continental selections. The Kun Hotel is a part of the Karavansaray complex which includes the family-friendly Khaganate hotel, premium boutiques, a food court, outdoor theatre, a show arena, cinema, covered and open bazaars, and a flowing canal feature. The property is centrally-located and approximately 13.5 miles from the airport.

Suggested Hotels For Days 7–8

Ritz-Carlton Almaty
Preferred Hotel

Ritz-Carlton Almaty

Occupying the top ten floors of the Esentai Tower, the Ritz Carlton enjoys unrivalled views of Almaty and the sweeping, jagged, snow-peaked Ile-Alatau mountain range. Guests choosing to stay here have the best of both worlds with easy access to the city and all its famous historic sights as well as the ski slopes in the national park to the south. After a long day on the piste or exploring the city, guests can ascend the escalator into the luxurious surroundings and enjoy all that the hotel has to offer. With restaurants and bars decorated with the latest works from the hottest modern artists in the country, from cocktails with a view to sumptuous dishes prepared with expertise, dining and drinking at the Ritz Carlton is a feast for the senses. Rooms and suites boast stunning panoramas and are fitted with every modern convenience and comfort. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Six Senses Spa offers a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. 

The InterContinental Almaty

The InterContinental Almaty

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. The InterContinental’s rooms are big, bright and fresh with a whole list of facilities and services right on hand. The dining options are impressive too, with an excellent international breakfast buffet, Asian café, rooftop grill, Turkish restaurant and jazz bar. In the evening guests can enjoy relaxing in one of three bars, including a jazz bar and beer garden with light music and boardgames to wind down summer evenings. Elsewhere there is an indoor pool, children’s play area and tennis courts.

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