KAZAKHSTAN

🚶 Start getting to know the “southern capital” in the shade of the spruces and apple trees of Panfilov Park—this is the green heart of the old city, home to the Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), an exceptionally rare early-20th-century wooden church that survived powerful earthquakes. Nearby is the Ykhlas Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments, housed in a wooden building in the “Neo-Russian” style. Then pop into the Green Bazaar for dried apricots, apricot kernels, and sesame halva, and stroll along the Zhibek Zholy promenade—the local “Arbat” with street musicians and artisans. In the evening, have dinner in one of the courtyards on Dostyk Avenue: the food here ranges from kazy and beshbarmak to modern Pan-Asian cuisine, and at sunset the Zailiysky Alatau mountains glow pink.

🚡 Take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe—the panorama of the city and the Tian Shan range is impressive in any season. At the top are viewpoints, paths among juniper, and art installations. In the second half of the day, enjoy a leisurely walk through the Main Botanical Garden: paths between themed collections (thuja, Schrenk spruce, lilac), glass greenhouses, and photogenic ponds. It’s a great, calm “day up high” without exhausting transfers.

🚶 The high-altitude skating rink “Medeu” is located in an alpine valley at about 1,690 m: the legendary “record factory” is framed by conifer-covered slopes and a massive mudflow-protection dam with the “hundred steps.” From here you transfer to the cable car up to the Shymbulak mountain resort: in 15–20 minutes you glide above forests and gorges, rising toward misty ridgelines, view cafés, and trailheads. Even outside the winter season, viewpoints and trekking routes operate here. On the way back—hot tea and kumis at a teahouse by the lower station.

🏛 Spend the morning at the A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts—the country’s main art collection, from ancient artifacts to modernism and contemporary Kazakhstani art. Next, the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Scythian gold, ethnography and archaeology halls, and the history of Kazakhstan from the nomadic steppe to independence. Finish with a warm walk around Samal with mountain views and cafés near the museum.

🧘 Buffer for acclimatization and weather. Ideas: the trail to Ayusai Waterfall (an easy mountain route), an evening at baths or an onsen, a food route through the modernist center (Dostyk — Respublika — Panfilova). By evening—pack your backpack: layers, windbreaker, buff/bucket hat, SPF cream, 1 liter of water per person, snack. For tomorrow’s dirt roads, sneakers with tread are better; prepare cash bills for national park checkpoints in advance.

🚐 BAL is one of the most cinematic views of the Alatau: a turquoise bowl at ~2,510 m, surrounded by spruces and alpine meadows. The ascent follows a winding road through Ile-Alatau National Park; at the viewpoints there are winds and sharp temperature swings even in summer. During the day the water color shifts from milky jade to deep blue. Important: this is a water protection zone—descent to the shoreline is restricted, so stick to official trails and platforms. Return to Almaty before sunset.

🚗 In the morning—depart for Charyn National Park. The Valley of Castles is a chain of sandy-ochre “towers” and walls carved by the riverbed. The route along the canyon floor takes 1–1.5 hours one way: a hat/cap, water, and closed-toe shoes are required. After that—drive to the village of Saty (the gateway to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes), dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. If daylight allows—a short walk by Lower Kolsai.

🚐 Transfers: Almaty → Charyn Canyon ~ 3–3.5 h (≈ 200–220 km); Charyn → Saty ~ 2–2.5 h (≈ 120–150 km). Road is asphalt/gravel; in places you’ll encounter “washboard” sections.

🚶 In the morning—trails around Lower Kolsai: the water’s surface reflects spruces and ridgelines; the lakeside route works for beginners too (photo spots from footbridges and pebble spits). Next—Kaindy Lake, famous for the spruce trunks sticking out of the turquoise water—the result of a 1911 karst collapse. Getting to Kaindy includes a rough dirt section with rocks and river crossings—you’ll need a 4×4/UAZ or a local transfer. In the evening—return to Almaty (or to Saty—depending on how you feel; the option with an extra night makes the day gentler).

🚐 Transfers: Saty → Kaindy (4×4 off-road vehicle) ~ 1–1.5 h one way; Saty → Almaty ~ 4.5–6 h (≈ 300+ km).

🏜 Altyn-Emel National Park is a contrast of semi-desert and the Aktau/Katutau mountains. The symbol is the Singing Dune: when you slide down the loose slope, the dune “sings” with a low hum. You get around the park in off-road vehicles; basic infrastructure is concentrated in the village of Basshi (visitor center, guesthouses). Check in, have a home-style dinner, and spend the night under a starry sky where the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.

🚐 Transfer: Almaty → Basshi (Altyn-Emel office/visitor center) ~ 3.5–4.5 h (≈ 250–300 km). Inside the park—dirt/gravel; we recommend a 4×4 and an early start.

🚶 The colorful clay Aktau mountains resemble a layered cake of white, pink, and ochre strata sculpted by wind and time; Katutau are frozen volcanic “waves” and grottoes. By midday shade is rare and precious—be sure to wear a hat and carry water. On the way to the exit—Kokbastau valley, where by Chokan Valikhanov’s spring there is a shady poplar alley. After the day’s route—transfer back to Almaty and a free early evening.

🚐 Transfer: Basshi → park locations (Aktau/Katutau/Singing Dune) loop 120–180 km on dirt roads; Basshi → Almaty ~ 3.5–4.5 h.

✈️ Morning flight to Astana—the young capital on the left bank of the Ishim. In the afternoon—a walk along the Nurzhol axis: transparent spaces, windy squares, and futuristic silhouettes. The city’s symbol is the Baiterek Monument with a sphere on top and a view over Mangilik El Avenue. In the evening—warm facade lighting and a calm embankment.

✈️ Transfer: Almaty (ALA) → Astana (NQZ), nonstop flights ~ 1 h 30–2 h; option—overnight “Tulpar-Talgo” ~ 11–13 h (seat/compartment, saves on accommodation).

🏛 Morning—the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Independence Square: the “Hall of Gold,” antiquities, ethnography, the making of independent Kazakhstan. After lunch—the spherical “Nur Alem” museum on the EXPO grounds: 8 floors dedicated to the energies of the future—from sun and wind to water and biomass; at the top—viewing decks and media installations. In the warm season, add a river cruise on the Ishim or a food court stop at Mega Silk Way.

🕌 Turkistan is the spiritual capital of the Turkic world. The main draw is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (late 14th century, Timurid school): a majestic portal, the “kapa”—a huge copper cauldron-bowl, and underground rooms for dhikr. On the grounds of the Azret Sultan museum-reserve—archaeology, ethnography, madrasas, and the mausoleums of companions. In the evening, stop by the “Karavansaray” cultural and tourist complex with a water show and an Eastern-style street.

✈️ Transfer: Astana (NQZ) → Turkistan (HSA) ~ 1 h 45–2 h by nonstop flight; alternative—train ~ 12–14 h overnight.

🧿 Cement the impressions with a walk through the old town: spices and dried fruit at the bazaar, a teahouse with tandoor-baked samsa. Optional—the Mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begim (Timur’s wife) not far from the main ensemble. For your flight—transfer to Hazret-Sultan Airport. If your route returns to Almaty, several daily flights make it easy to connect to your trip home comfortably.