Kazakhstan's Golden Ring

Upon arriving at the Almaty International Airport, one of our representatives will be meeting and welcoming you with a placard showing Luxtripper’s logo. You will then be assisted to your hotel, where a room has been arranged from the previous night to ensure early check-in. After settling in, you have free time, and you may choose to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

Your Almaty city experience begins at the bustling Green Bazaar, a place where you can sense Kazakhstan’s multicultural spirit through the mix of products and the backgrounds of the vendors. Here, you meet a hostess who offers tastings of traditional specialities, including horse milk from the Almaty region and fresh camel milk brought from her brother’s eco-farm near Turkestan. 

 You will continue to the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, the Ascension Cathedral, and the Museum of National Musical Instruments, which features more than 1,000 items from the 17th century onward; note that it is closed on Mondays. 

Next, you visit Republic Square and then head to Kok Tobe Hill, 1,100 meters high, for panoramic sunset views of the city. You return to the hotel afterwards, with an optional dinner out before resting overnight.

You will begin your morning with breakfast at the hotel before checking out and starting your journey toward the Aktau White Mountains, which is located about 90 kilometres away. When you arrive, you step into a landscape shaped roughly 400 million years ago, where striking chalk formations dominate the scenery. From above and during a closer hike, you notice slopes tinted not only white but also soft shades of blue, pink, red, and green. 

A lunchbox is provided so you can enjoy a meal while exploring. Later, you continue to the renowned Singing Dune, timing your visit to witness an unforgettable sunset from its summit. In dry weather, the dune produces a deep, organ-like hum, adding to its reputation as a unique natural wonder. Its elevated viewpoints open onto sweeping panoramas of the surrounding terrain, making it a favourite destination for travellers. 

After your visit, you will be transferred to a guesthouse where a homemade dinner awaits, including a shared main dish, salad, traditional sweets, snacks, tea, and water. You spend the night there. This peaceful stay prepares you well for the next day's adventures ahead.

Start your morning with a scrumptious breakfast at the guesthouse before checking out and beginning the 240-kilometre drive to Charyn National Park. Along the way, you pause in Zharkent, an old settlement whose name translates to “city on a cliff.” Established in 1881 by refugees from the regions of Ugirui and Dangune, it sits only 29 kilometres from the Chinese border. Zharkent is recognised as one of the country’s most historic towns, once a vital stop along the Great Silk Road and long known for its merchants and craftsmen.

Here, you learn about the Uyghur community, who traditionally lived in the Xinjiang region before it became part of the People’s Republic of China. Today, they are among China’s officially recognised ethnic minorities and one of the many ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan. Their customs closely align with Kazakh traditions, especially their warm hospitality. You visit the 19th-century Zharkent Mosque, an extraordinary architectural blend of Chinese and Arabic design, often compared to a Buddhist temple because of its ornate decorations.

A Uyghur family welcomes you for lunch at their traditional café, where you watch homemade lagman noodles being prepared before enjoying your meal.

You then continue to the Valley of the Castles, descend into the canyon, and walk about 50 minutes to the Charyn River to explore and take photos. After visiting the viewpoint, you head to Saty Village for guesthouse check-in, followed by a homemade dinner and an overnight stay.

Quickly have your breakfast at your guesthouse and get ready for another exciting day ahead. Begin your trip toward Kaindy Mountain Lake. From the lower parking area, you ride in a Soviet-style minibus to the upper parking zone, as this is the only way up. You then take an easy mountain walk, reaching elevations of about 1,700 meters, before spending an hour relaxing beside the lake and absorbing the dramatic views of the Kungey Alatau Gorge. 

If you want a different experience, you may choose horseback riding to reach the lake. Your journey continues to Kolsay Lake, with an optional stop for lunch at a local café. There, you stroll peacefully along the first Kolsay Lake. These three lakes, often referred to as the “Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan,” lie roughly 300 kilometres from Almaty and sit at heights of 1,800, 2,250, and 2,700 meters. 

Their clear waters come from glacier-fed rivers, and they are deep, with the first lake reaching about 80 meters. After exploring, you transfer back to Almaty, check in to your hotel, enjoy an optional late dinner, and rest overnight.

Today, you will be heading to the Medeo Gorge, where you will get to see the world’s highest mountain skating rink, a major Almaty highlight, from the outside. From there, you ride a 6,200-meter cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort, set in the beautiful Trans-Ili Alatau Valley at about 2,200 meters above sea level. The pure mountain air and dramatic scenery offer a refreshing escape. 

You may choose to stop for lunch at a local restaurant before travelling 22 kilometres to the Falcon Nursery Farm. Here, you watch an interactive show featuring endangered birds of prey, including golden eagles, owls, vultures, and falcons, and learn about their traits, behaviours, and the history of falconry from an experienced specialist. 

Note that the nursery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

After the visit, you return to your hotel, where you can optionally enjoy dinner before settling in for the night to end your day comfortably.

Get ready for a complete day of thrill as you leave the hotel for Nomad Ethno Centre. At this place, you will get to explore the legacy of Scythian-Saka kurgans and their sacred role for ancient nomads across the Great Steppe. You will also get to learn how these mounds symbolised the universe and discover the armour, weapons, and riding tactics of formidable horse warriors, including demonstrations of mounted combat and archery. 

You then dive into the structure, purpose, and artistry of traditional yurts. Next, you witness the heritage of eagle hunting with Berkutchi and its cultural meaning. A national lunch in yurts is included there. Afterwards, you return to Almaty to stroll Arbat and Panfilov Streets, enjoy free time, an optional dinner, and overnight at the hotel.

Have your breakfast at the hotel before completing check-out, then proceed with your transfer to Almaty International Airport. You will be heading home from there with a lot of memories and souvenirs.