Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: Peaks, Lakes & Canyons

5N / 6D

Upcoming departure dates

Departures

Departure

8 Jun 2027

Tuesday

Return

13 Jun 2027

Sunday

17 seats

About this tour

Overview

A 5N/6D Kazakhstan itinerary based entirely in Almaty — the country's largest city and often likened to its "New York." Beyond the tree-lined boulevards, Soviet-era landmarks and the all-wooden Zenkov Cathedral, the real draw lies just beyond the city limits: the mountain resorts of Medeu and Shymbulak, the alpine waters of Big Almaty Lake, the thermal springs of Alma-Arasan Gorge, and the dramatic red cliffs of Charyn Canyon. With a single hotel base throughout, there's no repacking or internal flights — just easy access to one of Central Asia's most striking mountain regions.

Day-by-day (6 days)

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Almaty▾

Arrival in Almaty
Transfer to hotel, Check in, rest at hotel
Overnight in Almaty

Day 2Medeu & Shymbulak▾

Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel, leaving for Medeu and Shymbulak.
Visit Medeu Ice Rink
Visit the world's highest Olympic-standard ice rink, situated at 1,691 meters above sea level in the Medeu gorge outside Almaty. Marvel at the vast open-air skating oval surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Visit Shymbulak Ski Resort
Ride the gondola up to Shymbulak, Central Asia's premier mountain resort perched in the Zailiysky Alatau range just outside Almaty. Enjoy panoramic alpine views, skiing or snowboarding in winter, and scenic walks in summer.
Kök-Töbe Hill Cable Car (Almaty Panorama)
Ride the scenic cable car up to the summit of Kök-Töbe Hill, Almaty's most famous viewpoint, and enjoy sweeping 360-degree panoramas of the city skyline set against the snow-capped Zailiysky Alatau mountains. The hilltop also features the landmark TV tower, souvenir shops, and a small amusement park.
TV Tower Almaty
A visit to see the Almaty TV Tower, located atop Kok-Tobe Hill.
Base Camp Yurta, Shymbulak
Base Camp Yurta, located at the top of Shymbulak.
Return to hotel
Overnight in Almaty

Day 3Big Almaty Lake + Alma-Arasan Hot Springs▾

Breakfast, leave for the day
Drive to Big Almaty Lake
Journey up a scenic mountain road into the Ile-Alatau National Park to reach the stunning turquoise Big Almaty Lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The high-altitude glacial lake sits at 2,511 meters and offers breathtaking views and photography opportunities.
Astronomical Observatory, Big Almaty Lake
A visit to the astronomical observatory located at Big Almaty Lake.
Explore Alma-Arasan Hot Springs
Visit the historic Alma-Arasan gorge and its famous therapeutic hot spring baths nestled in a forested mountain valley near Almaty. The mineral-rich waters have been used for relaxation and wellness for over a century.
Return to hotel
Overnight in Almaty

Day 4Charyn Canyon & Kolsai Lake▾

Breakfast at the hotel
Day tour to Charyn Canyon
A day tour from Almaty to Charyn Canyon, a dramatic canyon landscape amid otherwise steppe-like terrain.
Lunch at Baiseit village cafe
Lunch at a cafe in Baiseit village en route to Charyn Canyon.
Charyn Canyon observation deck
Panoramic views of Charyn Canyon from its observation deck.
Baiseit village life & open-air market
An opportunity to see local village life and visit an open-air market selling local organic food.
Walk the Canyon Trail to the Charyn River
Descend into Charyn Canyon via a scenic trail that winds down through layered rock formations to reach the banks of the Charyn River at the canyon floor. The riverside setting offers a cool, tranquil contrast to the dramatic cliffs towering above.
Visit Kolsai Lakes
Explore the spectacular Kolsai Lakes system — a series of three glacial alpine lakes set within dense spruce forests in the Northern Tian Shan mountains. The area is a protected national park and one of Kazakhstan's most iconic natural treasures.
Return to Almaty
Overnight in Almaty

Day 5Republic Square & Panfilov Park▾

Breakfast at the hotel
Visit Republic Square and Independence Monument
Explore Almaty's grand central plaza, Republic Square, dominated by the towering Independence Monument topped by the Golden Warrior — a replica of the famous Scythian warrior found in Kazakhstan. The vast square is the symbolic heart of the city and a prime spot for understanding modern Kazakh national identity.
Visit Zenkov Cathedral
Admire the magnificent Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world's few all-wooden structures built entirely without nails, constructed in 1907 in vivid multicolored hues. This Russian Orthodox cathedral within Panfilov Park is a masterpiece of tsarist-era architecture and a symbol of Almaty.
Seven Bar and Restaurant
Evening snacks or an early dinner at Seven Bar and Restaurant in Almaty.
Visit Panfilov Park
Stroll through Almaty's beloved Panfilov Park, a leafy city park dedicated to the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen who heroically defended Moscow in World War II. The park features the solemn Eternal Flame memorial, military equipment displays, and the colorful Zenkov Cathedral on its grounds.
Overnight in Almaty