Kazakhstan Adventure Tour: Mangystau & Nature – 11 Days

Breakfast at the hotel.

• Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Almaty, exploring the city’s main landmarks and historical highlights.
  
• Visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Memorial of Glory, and the Eternal Flame. Continue to Republic Square and the Independence Monument, where you can experience the atmosphere of the “Apple City” and learn more about its history and cultural heritage.
  
• Visit Kok-Tobe Hill, one of Almaty’s most famous viewpoints, home to the city’s iconic TV tower. Enjoy a short ride from the top of the hill to the city center by the famous Almaty cableway, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Transfer to Altyn-Emel National Park, one of Kazakhstan’s most unique natural destinations:

• Upon arrival, explore the famous Singing Dunes, a remarkable natural phenomenon located in the middle of the desert. The mysterious sound produced by the dune when the wind blows creates the impression of a natural melody. Due to its impressive size and unique “singing” feature, the Singing Dune has gained worldwide recognition as one of Kazakhstan’s most fascinating natural wonders.
  
• Continue exploring the extraordinary landscapes of the region, including the colorful Aktau Mountains, ancient chalk formations shaped millions of years ago. With their unusual colors and dramatic shapes, these mountains create an otherworldly landscape that feels like stepping onto another planet.

Transfer to Basshi Village. Overnight stay at Aigai-Kum Guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Explore the unique landscapes of the Aktau and Katutau Mountains located in the eastern part of Altyn-Emel National Park:

• The Aktau Mountains, formed more than 50 million years ago, are known for their extraordinary colors and unusual geological formations. Their dramatic landscapes, shaped by natural forces over millions of years, create an atmosphere that feels like visiting another planet.
  
• Continue to the Katutau Mountains, a unique volcanic range formed by ancient volcanic activity during the Permian period. Over time, wind and water erosion shaped the solidified lava flows into impressive rock formations, creating a surreal landscape often compared to the scenery of Mars.
  
• Discover these breathtaking natural wonders and experience the unforgettable beauty of Kazakhstan’s “otherworldly” landscapes.

Transfer back to Basshi Village and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Excursion to Charyn Canyon:

• Visit Charyn Canyon, located on the spurs of the Tian Shan Mountains near the border with China. This natural monument was formed from sedimentary rocks dating back approximately 12 million years and stretches for 154 kilometers along the Charyn River valley.
  
• Explore the famous “Valley of Castles,” the most interesting and frequently visited area of the canyon. The canyon is also home to a grove of relict ash trees that survived the Ice Age, with another similar grove found only in North America.
  
• The diverse landscapes of Charyn Canyon create a rich variety of flora and fauna. The canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon in North America, smaller in size but equally impressive in beauty.
  
• Continue to Kolsay Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes located in the surroundings of Almaty. Also known as the “Blue Necklace of the Northern Tien Shan,” Kolsay Lake offers breathtaking natural scenery. In the Kazakh language, “Kolsay” means “a lake in the valley.”

A boat trip is included in the offer.

Optional activities:

• Horseback riding to the second Kolsay Lake: An extreme route; the cost will be specified on the spot.
• Hiking tour to the second Kolsay Lake: A long walk around the surrounding area.

Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Visit one of the most beautiful lakes located in the surroundings of Almaty — Kolsay Lake.

It is also called the “Blue Necklace of the Northern Tien Shan.” And it is quite understandable — such beauty cannot be found anywhere! In the Kazakh language, “Kolsay” means “a lake in the valley.”

Optional activities:

• Boat trip on the first Kolsay Lake: Approximately 6,000 tenge per boat. The trip lasts about 30 minutes (duration may vary).
• Horseback riding to the second Kolsay Lake: An extreme route; the cost is specified on the spot.
• Hiking tour to the second Kolsay Lake: A long walk around the surrounding area.

Excursion to Kaindy Lake:

Kaindy (“Birch” in the Kazakh language) is a lake located in a magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The lake’s length reaches about 400 m, and its depth is about 30 m.

Transfer to the guesthouse and overnight.

Breakfast at the guesthouse, check-out.

Transfer back to Almaty.

Excursion to Medeo & Shymbulak:

• Visit the famous Medeo Ice Rink, located at an altitude of 1,691.2 meters above sea level and known worldwide. Built in 1972, the ice rink covers an area of 10,500 square meters, allowing competitions in skating, hockey, and figure skating.
  
• Continue to Shymbulak Ski Resort, located in the picturesque valley of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains at an altitude of 2,260 meters above sea level, approximately 25 km from the center of Almaty. At an altitude of 3,163 meters above sea level, the cable car elevators begin their descent.

Available activities at Shymbulak (for additional payment):

• Horse riding: From 8 USD (starts from 15 minutes / 1.5 km distance). May be unavailable due to weather conditions. Available daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm by appointment.
• Paragliding: 82 USD. Additional options: photo – 7 USD, video – 12 USD, photo + video – 15 USD. Cable car to the top and back: 15 USD. May be unavailable due to weather conditions. Available daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• ATV (Quadricycle) ride: From 50 USD (starts from 20 minutes / 1.5 km distance). Available daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Alpine Park: 10 USD. Available daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
• Rope Park: From 7 USD + cable car to Medeo station and back: 12 USD. Available daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
• Gorilla ZipLine: 15 USD for regular descent and 30 USD for horizontal descent. Available daily from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, except Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Transfer to Almaty Airport.

• Flight to Aktau.
• Arrival at Aktau Airport.

Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Transfer to Bozzhyra Valley.

Bozzhyra is one of the most spectacular destinations in Mangystau.

• The valley is famous for its massive white limestone cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and breathtaking panoramic viewpoints.
  
• Formed millions of years ago when the region was covered by the ancient Tethys Ocean, Bozzhyra offers landscapes unlike anywhere else in Kazakhstan. Visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, and unforgettable sunset views over the unique desert scenery.

Picnic lunch.

Overnight at the tent camp.

Breakfast at the camp.

• Visit Torysh Valley (Valley of Balls), Sherkala Mountain, and Airakty Valley.
  
• The Valley of Balls (Torysh) is a fascinating natural wonder featuring hundreds of perfectly rounded stone spheres scattered across the steppe.
  
• Sherkala Mountain, known as the “Lion Mountain,” is one of Mangystau’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its unusual shape and rich historical legends.
  
• Airakty Valley, often referred to as the “Valley of Castles,” is known for its spectacular rock formations resembling ancient fortresses rising from the desert landscape.

Overnight at the hotel in Aktau.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Transfer to Aktau International Airport. Departure home with warm memories.