Example Itinerary

Highlights of Kazakhstan: Almaty, Shymkent & Turkestan

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

Map

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.

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.

Day 2

Map

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

Map

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

Map

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

Map

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

Map

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

Map

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.

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 8

Map

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

Map

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. 

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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