Top Kazakhstan How to Get Around - page 3

Visit Kazakstan’s Charyn Canyon hassle-free by booking this private tour from Almaty, where all the logistics are planned for you. After your drive from Almaty, stretch your legs and hike through the canyon. In addition to this, visit a local village, try some local Kazakh food, and take some time to reflect while sitting along the Charyn River. Enjoy this tour at your own pace, since this is a private tour for your group.

Discover the best Astana has to offer with Astana Horizons! Join us for a private, full-day city tour through Kazakhstan’s vibrant capital with a local guide—perfect for both solo travelers and groups, dedicated to giving you the most authentic experience available! You will be taken to the city’s iconic landmarks like Central Asia’s largest mosque and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, plus much more. Dive deeper into Astana’s history with unique stops at early 20th-century merchant houses. With a flexible, personalized itinerary, you will enjoy a delicious local lunch and have the option for a local wine-tasting experience. Book now and experience the best of Astana with a guide who’s passionate about sharing Kazakhstan’s authentic heart and soul. Note: the National Museum is closed on Mondays!

Discover Almaty’s top mountain highlights on a full-day tour combining nature, culture, and stunning views. Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the Butakovka Visit Center before hiking through scenic pine forests to Butakovka Waterfall (about 1 hour each way). Guests who prefer not to hike can relax at the Visit Center and enjoy the mountain scenery. After the hike, enjoy free time for lunch at Auyl Restaurant (lunch is not included), a unique mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge. Continue to Medeu, one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, then ride the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort for free time to explore and take photos. Finish the day at Kok Tobe, Almaty’s most famous viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains before returning to the city center.

You might already know that Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon are the top must-visit places in case you are travelling to Almaty. We suggest you private tour and full service but at the same time good price and flexibility. We will make our best so that you can enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Kazakhstan!

First, we will visit Big Almaty Lake, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Almaty City. On the way to the lake, you will observe the beautiful mountains, crowded pine trees, and landscape. Upon arriving at The Big Almaty Lake, you will wonder how it was formed as a Big Lake on the top of the mountain hundreds of years ago. Big Almaty Lake is a natural alpine reservoir. It is located in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, 15 km south of the center of Almaty in Kazakhstan. The lake is 2511 meters above sea level. During the exploration of the lake, everyone would easily notice the color of the lake change according to the intensity of sunlight from light blue to heavy dark. Next, our journey takes us to the Alma-Arasan Gorage. You will see a river that comes from the spring on the top of the mountain and be astonished by its pureness. We will hike along the river for around 1km. Then, we will discover the Ayusay Gurge. Finally, we are going to First President Park.

Astana can sometimes feel inaccessible to foreign visitors, but this private walking tour with a local guide makes the city easy to explore. This is a personalized tour where you will discover the exterior of monuments, including museums. However, if you’d like to include a museum visit, your guide can create a fully customized itinerary—just let us know in advance. Your guide contacts you beforehand to understand your interests, ensuring you visit only the places that appeal to you. As you wander the streets of Astana, gain insider knowledge about local life, uncover hidden gems, and hear fascinating stories about the city’s history and culture. Perfect for families, solo travelers, or couples, this tour offers an exclusive, authentic experience tailored just for you.

We will explore the pure nature and historical architectures of Almaty city during the whole day. The only thing we guarantee is that you have chosen the best option for your Almaty city tour.

Explore the natural wonders surrounding Almaty on this private day trip to Big Almaty Lake and the Alma-Arasan Gorge. Witness the changing colors of the lake which is surrounded by towering peaks and evergreen forests. Then, discover the picturesque Alma-Arasan gorge with its scenic trails, hot springs, and a charming waterfall.

Our tour programme is really unique, during one day guests visit 6 interesting, different locations in the canyons of Charyn River. In addition to walking inside the popular Castle Valley Canyon (Location # 1), we offer guests a visit to the observation deck, the view from the top of Castle Valley Canyon is a breathtaking view of the entire canyon (Location # 2). Next we visit Moon Canyon with a truly lunar, ethereal scale, the ground turns from a burgundy colour to a yellow hue (Location # 3). The next stop on the route is "Stone Shelf", a place with volcanic activity a million years ago (Location # 4). The "Napoleon" location includes an unforgettable view of the main canyon of the Charyn River and a huge amount of free space (Location # 5). The last point of the route is the "Austrian View" - the turns of the Charyn River take shape in the form of a giant snake, bordered by the green edge of an ancient tree - turanga (Location # 6).

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Almaty and spend the day immersed in nature on this tour to Charyn Canyon. With a private guide, depart the city and head to Charyn Canyon National Park where you first explore the Valley of Castles. Then, enjoy hikes through the canyon to get better views of the surrounding areas.

IMPORTANT! When booking this private arrival transfer from NQZ International Airport to your hotel, you will need to advise your flight details and your hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed within 24 hours of booking, and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All vehicles feature a clean and spacious interiors and you will be met and escorted by a professional chauffeur. Choose from: 1) a standard sedan, transfer up to three people (Toyota Camry 70) 2) a standard minivan, transfer that carries up to seven passengers (Mercedes Sprinter) 3) a luxe sedan, 4) a luxe minivan, Price is per car, up to three passengers per sedan or up to seven person per minivan. ONE WAY transfer only.

Get out of Almaty and enjoy spending time in the mountains on a private day tour to the Medeu skating rink, Shymbulak ski resort, and Big Almaty Lake. Ride a cable car for impressive views of the Trans Ili Alatau mountains and learn about nomadic culture during a falconry show. This is an easy way to see and do a lot on a day trip without having to catch public transport.

Explore the Altyn Emel National Park, including the famous lakes and canyon of the Almaty region on this 4-day private jeep tour. Your guide and jeep will cover lots of ground that you couldn’t get to in a normal vehicle. You’ll also learn about Kazak culture by exploring villages and meeting local people. Feel free to customize this itinerary according to the interests of your group.

Want to visit top sights in Almaty in one day?! Then do it to us! We visit the world-famous Medeo high mountain ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters above sea level. Next, we make a mini ascent up the Health Mountain Staircase to Medeo Dam - 842 steps. From here you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of the mountain peaks of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Afterwards, we drive to the Medeo – Shymbulak gondola road and take the high-altitude cable car to the Shymbulak ski resort. Here you will understand why this Resort has been officially added to the Guinness Book of Records, and you will be greatly impressed by the beauty of the peaks and glaciers of the Tien Shan Mountains. All three locations in one day as part of a luxurious, action-packed excursion!

Visit two of Kazakhstan’s most impressive natural sites on an easy private day tour from Almaty. After an early morning pickup from your hotel, head to ancient Charyn Canyon, where you can admire the views and take a short (1.8-mile/3-kilometer) hike. In the afternoon, head to Kolsai Lake, which has beautiful reflective views of the Tien Shan Mountains. This is a must-do tour for nature lovers.

- will see from above the highest mountain skating ring in the world and will speak of its history - will discuss the mud protection systems on the rivers near Almaty with the view of the first dam of this kind that saved the city in 1973 from a tremendous mud flow that was ready to ruin it. - if the weather is clear (and its often clear in Almaty) we will get panoramic view of the whole city and far away steppes that start right behind Almaty -Finely we will get to the altitude of 3200 m above the sea level and will admire the greatness of glaciers that seem to be at hand from the top point of the cable road. We will speak about the history of exploring of Tian-Shain and the peculiarities of this wonderful mountain chain. - Upon your wish we can have a cup of tea or other traditional drink in authentic yurta-café with the view of Talgar gorge or if you prefer European style, there are plenty of restaurants at the second stop of the cable road – Shymbulak ski resort

Discover the unique landscapes of Charyn Canyon and Kolsay Lake on a day trip from Almaty. The tour includes various activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and boating, allowing tourists to engage with the environment actively and enjoy different perspectives of the lakes. Kolsay Lake, often referred to as the "Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan," offers breathtaking views with its serene blue waters surrounded by lush green mountains. Interacting with the local Kazakh communities and experiencing their hospitality and traditions enriches the cultural aspect of the tour. Guests can enjoy local cuisine and learn about the lifestyle of people living in this remote area. Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon, features stunning geological formations that are millions of years old. Opportunities for adventure activities such as hiking through the Valley of Castles and exploring hidden caves make this tour appealing to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Prepare to travel back in time on this captivating tour, where we will explore the historic city of Karaganda and the nearby KarLag Museum, a must visit for history lovers fascinated by the Soviet era. Located two and a half hours from Astana, Karaganda was once a coal-mining industrial heartland and offers a fascinating glimpse into its past with landmarks such as the famous Gagarin’s Monument and impressive Soviet-era theaters. The highlight of our journey will be a visit to the KarLag Museum, located 35 km outside Karaganda. This vast museum provides a deeply moving and detailed look into the history of Stalin’s labor camps, offering invaluable insights into a dark chapter of Soviet history. We'll also take time to enjoy a delicious lunch, giving us the energy to continue our exploration of this city steeped in history and resilience.

In one day, you can visit the most beautiful places with spectacular nature: Charyn Canyon, "the little brother of Grand Canyon," Kolsay Lake, the pearl of Tyan Shan Mountain, and Kaindy Lake, a flooded forest. Incredible views of the most unusual, mysterious, and inexplicable natural phenomena won't leave you indifferent. Inspire yourself with the beauty of Kazakhstani nature.

If you want to explore the largest canyon in Central Asia on your own terms, with a private guide and driver, this is the tour for you. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, then drive you comfortably to the canyon where you can explore, take photos, and do some hiking. No need to organize a thing. Your guide will take care of everything, even a picnic lunch.

7:00 AM — departure from your hotel by jeep/SUV. Drive 80 km (about 2 hours). First stop — Issyk Lake (1,760 meters above sea level). Time for a walk and photos. Next — a 1-hour hike to Bear Waterfall. The trail is suitable for both children and seniors. Time to relax, take photos, and swim if you’d like. Hike back to the car — about 1 hour. Drive to a trout farm — около 1 hour. Fishing is optional (extra charge). Your catch can be cooked on site. Lunch. Return to Almaty — about 2 hours. Hotel drop-off around 6:00 PM. Feel free to ask your guide to take photos throughout the day!

Alzhir - Akmola camp for the wives of traitors of Motherland - one of the largest camps of the Soviet Union and one of the three "islands" of the "Gulag Archipelago". The camp was opened at the beginning of 1938, when it received the first stages of the prisoners - mostly members of the families of traitors. According to incomplete data, the number of repressed exceeded 18,000 convicts. It is located 40km west of Nur-Sultan, so you will have an opportunity to drive through the endless Kazakh steppe. Today, the museum-memorial complex includes the following objects: A train carriage from Stalin’s time for transportation of prisoners. The museum building The Wall of memory with names of more than 7,000 women spends their term in Alzhir camp. The barrack – the building, where women prisoners lived. and other courtyard exhibits Drive through the village Malinovka - stops can be arranged by request. Transfer to the hotel.

Escape from the the city and enjoy a refreshing day surrounded by mountains, forests, and crystal-clear air. This tour takes you to the stunning Issyk Lake and the peaceful Turgen Gorge, where you can experience the beauty of Kazakhstan’s nature at a relaxed pace. The trail to the Bear Waterfall is short and easy (around 1.8 km), making it suitable even for travelers with no hiking experience. This experience is perfect for families, couples, and anyone who simply wants to slow down and reconnect with nature. Even if you prefer not to hike, you can enjoy your time by the river, breathe in the fresh mountain air, walk among pine trees, and take in the views of the surrounding peaks. There are plenty of comfortable spots to relax, take photos, or just sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for light activity or a calm nature escape, this tour offers the perfect balance of easy walking, beautiful scenery, and total relaxation.

Experience the best of Almaty in one unforgettable day! Ride the cable car to 3,200 meters at the Shymbulak Ski Resort and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and the city below. Explore the city’s top landmarks — Republic Square, Zenkov Cathedral, and the bustling Green Bazaar — after returning from the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. Immerse yourself in the true spirit of Kazakhstan! Taste traditional Kazakh dishes, sample kumis (fermented horse milk), and buy pure mountain honey at the lively Green Bazaar. Your friendly tour guide will share captivating stories and insights, helping you discover the real soul of Almaty — a perfect blend of culture, nature, and flavor.