Kazakhstan Tour Itinerary – Explore The Best Places To Visit in Kazakhstan in 2024

The Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan is quickly gaining popularity among travellers across the globe. This blog will help you to plan your Kazakhstan tour itinerary and find the best places to visit in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan Tour Itinerary – 10 Days

This 10 day Kazakhstan tour itinerary will take you through the best places to visit in Kazakhstan at a relaxed pace. This Kazakhstan tour itinerary is crafted to get acquainted with Kazakh culture and history.

DAY	DESCRIPTION	OVERNIGHT
Day 1	Arrival In Almaty	Almaty
Day 2	Almaty	Almaty
Day 3	Almaty	Almaty
Day 4	Charyn Canyon and Lakes	Saty
Day 5	Return To Almaty	Train To Shymkent
Day 6	Shymkent	Shymkent
Day 7	Turkistan Day Trip	Shymkent
Day 8	Arrival In Astana	Astana
Day 9	Astana	Astana
Day 10	Astana	Return Flight

Day 1 – Arrival in Almaty

Land in Almaty, the most populous city in Kazakhstan. There are many places to explore, with rich traditions dating back to the prehistoric era – making the city an essential stop for any Kazakhstan tour itinerary.

Here are a few places you should visit on your first day in Almaty:

Ascension Cathedral
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
Yihlasa Museum of Folk Music Instruments

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 2 – Almaty

Use this day to get an orientation of Kazakhstan’s history. Here are a few interesting places to consider:

Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
M. Auezov’s House Museum
Archaeology Museum
Republic Square

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 3 – Almaty

After a day of history and learning, unwind with some traditional Kazakh fun. Here’s where we suggest you go on your last full day in Almaty.

Falcon Farm at Sunkar
Kok-Tobe Hill
First President’s Park

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 4 – Charyn Canyon and Lakes

Head out early in the morning towards the Grand Canyon of Asia, the Charyn Canyon. Although in no way close to the scale of the American landmark, the area is absolutely mesmerising.

Afterwards, head to Kolsai Lake, surrounded by the lush forests of the Tien Shan foothills. Nearby is the equally spectacular Lake Kaindy, known for the spruce trees sticking out of the lake bottom. It was formed in 1911 after an earthquake trapped a stream.

Stay overnight in Saty, a village transformed into a hub for adventure travel enthusiasts.

Day 5 – Return To Almaty

On the road back to Almaty, there are a few interesting places where you can stop.

The first stop is the Black Canyon, a stunning area with mesmerising cliffs with the Sharyn River running below it.

The second stop is the Chunja hot springs, another place to be mesmerised by nature. The water may seem inviting, and you will get offers to enter. However it is not advisable to bathe in the springs as the water is contaminated by radon, and may result in radiation poisoning.

After reaching the city, head over to Almaty-2 Station for your train to Shymkent. Alternatively, you could also take the train from Almaty-1 Station.

Day 6 – Shymkent

Shymkent is the third largest city in Kazakhstan by population, after Almaty and Astana. It is also one of the oldest cities in the nation, with a history dating back to the early dates of the Silk Route. The rich history makes this city unmissable if you have a few days to fill on your Kazakhstan tour itinerary.

Here are a few places that you must explore during your visit to this city:

Abay Park
Koshkar Ata mosque
Ordabasy Square

Stay overnight in Shymkent.

Day 7 – Turkistan Day Trip

Take a trip to the historic town of Turkistan. It is also an important pilgrimage destination for the muslim population of Central Asia, and is often referred to as “The Second Mecca of the East”.

Here are a few places that you should see while visiting this historic town:

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
The Intimate Ruins of Sauran
Mausoleum of Rabigi Sultan Begum
Oriental Bath

Return to Shymkent and stay the night there.

Day 8 – Arrival in Astana

Take an early flight to the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. This city is full of incredible places to explore – definitely worth exploring on any Kazakhstan tour itinerary.

Here are the places to see on your first day here.

Baiterek Tower
Nurzhol Boulevard
Presidential Palace
Khan Shatyr

Stay overnight in Astana.

Day 9 – Astana

Astana is filled with unique places to visit, especially after Expo 2017 Astana, when many of the places to visit today were revamped and modernised. Here are a few places that can’t be missed.

National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
Hazrat Sultan Mosque
Shabyt Palace of Creativity

Stay overnight in Astana.

Day 10 – Astana

For your last day in Astana, you should visit the most impressive places to see. These are the places you should go:

Grand Mosque of Astana
Nur Alem Future Energy Museum

After seeing these places, head to the airport for your flight home.

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Kazakhstan Tour Itinerary – 5 Days

This 5 day Kazakhstan tour itinerary covers only the most popular places to visit in Kazakhstan. This Kazakhstan tour itinerary will give you a good orientation of Kazakhstan in a short period of time.

DAY	DESCRIPTION	OVERNIGHT
Day 1	Arrival In Almaty	Almaty
Day 2	Almaty	Almaty
Day 3	Almaty	Almaty
Day 4	Charyn Canyon and Lakes	Saty
Day 5	Return To Almaty	Return Flight

Day 1 – Arrival in Almaty

Your journey begins in Almaty, the most populous city in Kazakhstan – an essential stop for any Kazakhstan tour itinerary. Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan while the area was under the Russian Empire and subsequently Soviet rule.

On your first day in Almaty, you should visit these places:

Ascension Cathedral
28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
Yihlasa Museum of Folk Music Instruments

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 2 – Almaty

Almaty has a range of fascinating museums that showcase many facets of Kazakh life. Here are a few places to get a feel of Kazakhstan’s history:

Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
M. Auezov’s House Museum
Archaeology Museum
Republic Square

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 3 – Almaty

After a day of history and learning, unwind with some traditional Kazakh fun. Here’s where we suggest you go on your last full day in Almaty.

Falcon Farm at Sunkar
Kok-Tobe Hill
First President’s Park

Stay overnight in Almaty.

Day 4 – Charyn Canyon and Lakes

At dawn, begin making your way to the Charyn Canyon, also known as the Yellow Canyon. Be enchanted by sights such as the Valley of Palaces, where the rocks have taken the shape of massive towers.

Next, prepare to be enchanted by the Jewel of the Tien Shan mountains – Kolsai Lake.

Don’t miss the unique sight of Lake Kaindy – a stunning lake formed by a trapped stream after a major earthquake in 1911..

Stay overnight in Saty.

Day 5 – Return To Almaty

While driving back to Almaty, don’t miss the chance to visit some spectacular places.

The Black Canyon is a mesmerising landscape that cannot be found elsewhere on Earth.

The Chunja hot springs are also mesmerising, particularly during the colder months when you can see the steam rising from the water, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Get dropped off at the airport for your flight home.

Best Places To Visit in Kazakhstan

To get the best experience from your Kazakhstan tour itinerary, you should see the best places to visit in Kazakhstan. Here are a few places that you definitely should not miss during your visit to Kazakhstan.

Baikonur Cosmodrome

Formerly a missile testing site, the Baikonur Cosmodrome is one of the most famous spaceports in the world.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is most famous for being home to “Gagarin’s Start”, the launchpad from where Yuri Gagarin took off on Vostok 1 to become the first man in space.

Situated near the city of Baikonur, the spaceport is currently leased to Russia. Visitors are allowed with special permissions.

This place should have a special spot on your Kazakhstan tour itinerary if you are interested in space exploration and travel.

Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve

Nature lovers should not miss the stunning Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve. Located on the western side of the Tien Shan Mountains, this stunning reserve will mesmerise you.

Home to a variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, brown bears and more – this nature reserve should be on the Kazakhstan tour itinerary of every nature lover.

Best Time To Visit Kazakhstan

It is common knowledge that a great holiday is heavily dependent on the weather when you visit. To maximise the value of your Kazakhstan tour itinerary, you should plan your tour dates to match with the best time to visit Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan experiences many forms of extreme weather – scorching summers, freezing winters and heavy rainfall. This makes choosing the best time to visit Kazakhstan all the more important.

There are 2 points of the year where the weather is suitable to get the most out of your Kazakhstan tour itinerary.

The first time is during the spring season, from April and May. During this time, you will get to see the best of Kazakhstan’s natural wonders, and enjoy comfortable temperatures in the city as well.

The other period to visit Kazakhstan is during the autumn season from September to October. During this time, you will get to see an incredible display of fall colours, as the greenery begins to shed leaves for the long harsh Kazakhstan winters.

You should work with our travel experts to craft a Kazakhstan tour itinerary that will enable you to see the natural and cultural wonders of this nation during the best weather.

Get The Right Kazakhstan Tour Itinerary For You With Flying Squirrel Holidays

Crafting the perfect Kazakhstan tour itinerary has never been simpler than just contacting Flying Squirrel Holidays. Our team of travel professionals will transform your travel experience at every level.

Our travel experts will help you to craft a Kazakhstan tour itinerary that is crafted to cater to your interests. From a table at Astana’s most exclusive restaurants, watching launches at the Baikonur Cosmodrome or meetings with the nomadic tribes of the Kazakh Steppe, just ask and be amazed.

Our unparalleled customer service will always be just a phone call away. Whether you have questions about your Kazakhstan tour itinerary, places to visit in Kazakhstan or you need emergency support – just contact them for any help you need.

Kazakhstan is an incredible country full of spectacular sights. From the Kazakh Steppe to the Tian Shan mountains, to the glamorous streets of Alamty and Astana – a well-planned Kazakhstan tour itinerary is all you need to discover the wonders of this stunning nation.