KAZAKH WONDERS

Day 1 – Arrival

Almaty – Welcome! The city of a thousand colors! Clearing custom & immigration procedures and picking up your luggage, our English-speaking office staff will be waiting for you in the arrival’s hall. We will drive the group to their car. On board the vehicle, you will be served chocolates and refreshments. And then we proceed to hotel.

15:45 Hrs – Arrival
17:00 Hrs – Airport Meeting.
18:00 Hrs – Arrival to hotel.
20:00 Hrs – Dinner according to your preference of cuisine or restaurant.
22:00 Hrs – Hotel drop-off & stay overnight.

Day 02: SHYMBULAK SKI RESORT & walking tours to Panfilov & Arbat

Shymbulak Ski resort takes about 1 hour from Almaty city center to reach its highest point (3200 meters) and drink coffee in the highest bar in the CIS because of 3 tier world-class Gondola. Shymbulak will be a great time even if you don’t ski or snowboard. For the entire family, a whole day of entertainment is provided by the cafes and restaurants with great food and an observation deck with powerful binoculars that turn 360 degrees and a playground. The resort offers several high-ranked hotels for those who want to appreciate the mountain silence and look at the snowy slopes. The list of activities available includes Zip Lining, Paragliding, Horse riding etc. (you may add the list of activities here).

Now, after a short break start with Panfilov & Arbat walking tour.

An evening stroll along the promenade Panfilov. The fountain, which is located in front of the Kazakh Opera and Ballet Theater, is the site of small shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as beautiful illumination. What will be interesting for you is that you will listen to many artists singing songs & playing musical instruments of the country. We will finish the tour on the famous Arbat Street full of shopping centers and street entertainment.

10:00 Hrs – We will have a tour of Shymbulak Ski Resort.
14:00 Hrs – Lunch either at Shymbulak or one of your restaurants in the city.
16:00 Hrs – Check into the hotel for some relaxation.
18:00 hrs – Panfilov & Arbat walking tour
20:00 Hrs – Dinner at the restaurant of your choice or selected cuisine.
22:00 Hrs – The hotel drop-off and sleep tight.

Day 03, PANFIOV PARK, ZENKOV CATHEDRAL & KOKTOBE

Panfiov Park

Pampfius Park & Zenkov Cathedral is a kind of Almaty’s most favourite place for walking and having a picnic for people of all ages. The Park is named after and dedicated to Panfilov Heroes who were 28 soldiers of the Almaty Infantry division. Those memories are still imprinted on the skull of the war memorial which is located at the eastern part of Zenkov Cathedral. On this map, one can see 15 soviet republics. The park is a green oasis which is perfect for sitting, recouping, relaxing and watching the busy city life.

Zenkov Cathedral’

The ‘Zenkov Church’, which has a height of 56 meters and is situated in the green Panfilov Park of Almaty, is one of the most picturesque, splendid and architectural landmarks of Almaty. A. Zenkov was a supervisor in charge of this cathedral constructing at the beginning of the 19th century and the legend says it was built without a single nail. However, it’s not so. Although the design is amazingly distinctive place because of the high level of technological knowledge of that period. They have applied semiRuche concept of construction that involves use of concrete reinforced, timber preservation and ventilation.

Visit to KokeTobe Hill

KokTobe is the name of the highest point in the city of Almaty that is located at the 1,100 m hill at the south-east edge of the city. The fact that it is a hill that offers a panoramic view of the city from all directions should be a reason to visit it. In order to get to the KokTobe hill, a cable car ride should be taken which starts by Hotel Kazakhstan and goes to some of the oldest parts of Almaty and the fruit growing gardens which are gorgeous. Eventually, you will be able to see the 372 m high TV Tower, which is easily recognizable from far away, and offers amazing views of the mountains, the city, and many attractions at the top, including restaurants serving cuisines from across the globe.

07:00 – 10:00 Hrs – Breakfast at the hotel.
10:30 Hrs – Panfiov Park Trip
14:00 Hrs – Lunch at an Indian restaurant OR at any restaurant of your choice.(Optional)
15:00 Hrs – Zenkov Cathedrals Visit
17:30 Hrs – Visiting Koke Tobe Hill
20:00 Hrs – Indian or any other restaurant of your choice.
Lastly, the driver and the guide will see you off at your hotel.

DAY – 04. Green Bazaar + Rakhat Chocolate Shop

If you are the one who dislikes crowded places and malls and prefer small street markets in open air, or you belong to the old-school shopping type, then you are highly recommended to make your way to the Zelyony Bazaar in Almaty, which is located near the Paniflov Park. To add to this, the Green Market is a common local market where you can buy nearly all items ranging from meat, spices, fruits to even clothes and furniture. The main point is that you should reach a consensus with the seller and then you can buy it at a very acceptable price. You will be amazed at the colorful environment and the wide range of goods available. Just next to the shop is the world famous Rakhat Chocolate store. Chocolates Rakhat, a Kazakh company, have been in the market since almost 70 years ago. Overall, 3500 workers work at 2 factories, which are in Almaty and Shymkent city. In the same way, they produce chocolate for people with diabetes and their products such as candies, cookies and waffles which are low in calories are popular among both the residents and tourists.

07:00:00 – 10:00 Hrs – Breakfast at hotel.
Then start your tour of Green bazaar / Rakhat Chocolate Shop after breakfast.

Day-5: CHARYN CANYON (195 KMS)

Begin a tour of Charyn Canyon, situated 200 km from Almaty, that could be the most representing sight of Kazakhstan and at the same time the most famous. The canyon is 154 km long and is found at the point where the Great Steppe is superseded by the Tien Shan mountain. Charyn Canyon is the largest canyon in Central Asia. This is proved by the fact that the canyon’s age is 12 million years, according to scientists. The canyon is just as awesome no matter what time of the year you choose to visit it! The tour kicks off at about 7 o’clock as we hit the road that leads from Almaty to Charyn Canyon and goes for more than 3 hours. Breathtaking landscapes, panoramic highways and Valley of Castles where steep cliffs with height of more than 100 meters will be your companion. Here you can have a wonderful time with your friends and take beautiful photos, sip on delicious tea at the edge of the canyon or just enjoy the incredible scenery created by nature. The tour will take about 10- 12 hours the whole day and you should be ready for that.

10:00 Hrs – Breakfast at the hotel.
14:00 Hrs – Lunch at a neighbourhood café or brown bag lunch
17:00 Hrs – Head back to the hotel.
A chance for yourself to be able to relax in your own comfort zone.
20:00 Hrs – Dinner of your choice at your selected cuisine or the restaurant.
22:00 Hrs – Guest house departure and a good night rest.

Day 6 – Trip end Day – RETURN TO HOME

04:00 – 04:30 Hrs – Having our packed breakfast & checking out of the hotel.
04:30 Hrs – “It’s time to bid adieu to the lovely city”. We will send you our driver who will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home or to the next location.