Kazakhstan Adventure

Day 1  Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kazakhstan      
Arrive in Nur-Sultan and transfer to your hotel. Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting followed by a local dinner in town.        

Day 2  Nur-Sultan (Astana)      
After breakfast take a guided city tour and see some of the most impressive designs of this ambitious new city. Visit one of the largest Mosques in Central Asia, the Nur-Astana Mosque. Stop by at the Palace of Peace & Reconciliation considered to be Astana's symbolic center. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure.        

Day 3  Nur-Sultan to Ak-Tau      
An early morning flight takes you to Ak-Tau, on arrival get acquainted with the city before you continue on to Jana Ozen the oil industry center of Kazakhstan,  crossing Karagie, one of the world’s deepest depressions ,  

Day 4  Jana Ozen to Boszhira Valley
Get ready for a full day of exploring the Boszhira Valley a truly otherworldly landscape made up of moon like terrain. Drive through waste salt lakes before climbing up the East Karatau range, from where you can see the Chalky Mountains of East Ak Tau far in the distance.                  

Day 5  Boszhira Valley to Ak-Tau  
Start the day with a drive north to Airakty Shumanai Valley, known among locals as the valley of castles. From here, drive on to Mount Sherkala, famed for its fascinating dome shape. Torysh, the Valley of Balls, is your next stop – another natural miracle made up of spherical rock formations.  

Day 6  Ak-Tau to Turkistan
This morning, board your flight to Shymkent and then continue to Turkistan. Grab some snacks, sit back and relax as the epic landscape rushes by. Located in southern Kazakhstan, the city of Turkistan contains more historical relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. You will arrive in the late afternoon.  

Day 7  Turkistan    
Head out on a city tour this morning, the highlight of which is a visit to the Kozha Akhmed Yasaui Mausoleum, Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. The blue and while-tiled Mausoleum is the final resting place of a great Turkic holy man and Sufi. Continue the journey to Shymkent by private vehicle, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. It was first excavated in 1969 and has a history dating back to the first century AD. Remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses can still be seen today. It is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought heroically (though unsuccessfully) when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia.  

Days 8-9  Turkistan to Almaty  
Arrive into Almaty early this morning and drop off your bags at the hotel before embarking on a full day guided city tour. Visit Central Square and the colourful Zenkoff Cathedral in historic Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII.  Finally, summit Kok Tobe Hill for great views over the city before returning to the hotel after a long but fulfilling day. On day 9 enjoy a day trip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at Issyk Museum, dedicated to Scythian culture. Continue to Ile-Alatau National Park, where the peaceful mountain-clad Lake Issyk is situated. After some time here, carry on to Turgen Gorge, where a short hike will bring you to a 20-metre waterfall. Return to Almaty in the afternoon.  

Day 10  Almaty to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan      
Visit the impressive Charyn Canyon, situated on the Sharyn River before continuing on to the border into the mountainous nation of Kyrgyzstan.  

Day 11  Karakol        
Explore this quaint town as you stroll along Karakol’s streets and spot Russian style gingerbread houses. Stop by at the Dungan Mosque, Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, a local market and the Przhevalsky Museum. After lunch drive for an hour to the picturesque Djety Oguz for a hike, venture through the forest to a waterfall with stunning views. Return to Karakol for the night.  

Day 12  Karakol to Bishkek        
Drive to Bishek along the northern shore of Issyk Kul - the second largest alpine lake in the world. Enjoy lovely views of Issyk Kul surrounded by snow-capped mountains along the way. Stop off at Cholpon Ata and head to the petroglyph's site to see the ancient relics. Arrive in Bishkek late afternoon.        

Day 13  Bishkek  
Enjoy a tour of the city today and visit Ala-too Square, another great place for a wander is Dubovy (Oak) Park, where you'll find a few open-air cafes. The century-old oaks here and all along Freedom Avenue make Bishkek one of the greenest cities in Central Asia. The afternoon is free to further explore Bishkek on your own.        

Day 14  Bishkek        
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast.