Turquoise Lakes of Kazakhstan

 

Day 1: Nur Sultan

Arrive to International airport of Nur Sultan and meet your guide and begin your travelling. Then drive to the capital city of Kazakhstan. First, visit Constitution Square, where the first president of Kazakhstan N.A.Nazarbayev declared the change of the capital from Almaty to Astana. Then interesting excursion awaits you at the Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Here you will learn more about Golden Man, the most valuable archeological finding of Central Asia. It tells about the ancient story of this area. Following the Center, you will visit the biggest shopping center Khan Shatyr. It is an extraordinary work of architecture looks like a huge tent. Then you will enjoy city’s panoramic view from the top of the monumental tower “Astana-Baiterek”. After lunch, you will go to the other side of Ishym River to Kazakh Eli Square. Nur Sultan has unique architectural buildings; one of them is the Palace of Peace and Accord. Later, you will have a glance to mesmerizing Khazret Sultan mosque.  The city tour will end at Palace of Independence, where long-term development plans of Nur Sultan was exhibited. Night in a hotel.

 

Day 2: Nur Sultan – Borovoe – Nur Sultan

This day is devoted to the nature. In the morning, transfer to Burabai National park (Borovoe) for a day tour in nature. It is a park covering the area of 85000 hectares on the northeast part of Kokshetau elevation. Burabai has about 14 lakes (with over 1sq.km surface) and many other small lakes. In order to travel to the resort part, we will drive about 270 km. En route, your guide will tel you about geography, history and wildlife of this area. Upon arrival, you will walk to Khan’s pass and see "Burabay" mountain. Later in Abylaykhan Valley, there will be stunning view of rocks like “Ush-kyz”, “Ok-Zhetpes”, “Zhumbaktas” and “Kokshetau” mountain. Your guide will tell you a legend about each mountain, where you can derive history and identity of Kazakh people. After lunch at local restaurant, you can have free time to walk around. Then, you will enjoy a short hike to Bolektau” mountain, which has a stunning view of famous “Borovoe” lake and its wonderful surrounding. After having enjoyed the nature, drive back to the city and rest in a hotel.

 

Day 3: Nur Sultan – Almaty

The morning flight will take you to Almaty to continue your travelling. The entire you will explore the largest city of Kazakhstan. The Green Bazaar will be the starting point of your tour in Almaty, where you will see friendly sellers offering to taste their juicy fruits. Then continue to central park-Panfilov, named for the honor of the famous Panfilov division participated in the World War II. It is one of the oldest parks of the city. In the center of the park, there is a colorful building of Zenkov Cathedral. It is the world’s most beautiful wooden construction. Its mesmerizing beauty charm every visitor. Following other cultural sites, transfer to Medeo gorg. There is the highest alpine skating rink of the world in this gorge. Up to the gorge, there is a popular ski resort Shymbulak. When you return to the city, you will climb to Kok-Tobe hill; you can see a panoramic view of whole Almaty. In addition, there is a TV tower that considered to be highest in the world (if we count from the sea level) and some nice souvenir shops. On the way back, you can take a cableway to city center. Stay in a hotel.

 

Day 4: Almaty – Kolsai Lakes

In the morning, you continue your adventurous tour to the nature. Today you will have an opportunity to hike from Kolsai Lake I to Kolsai Lake 2, most popular in Kazakhstan. Kolsai lakes are the most beautiful lakes of Northern Tien Shan. They include three wonderful lakes. It is possible to drive to the first Kolsai Lake.  It is a place of completely calmness and rich in variety of plants. If you like riding, you can order a horseback trek to this lake. The last lake is the highest; located in the lush meadow terrain and admirably beautiful. While the altitude difference between lakes is about 700 m, the distance on track is few km. From the first lake there are path going to second and third lake. This place is popular among travelers; here you can find different nature activities starting from berries ending with fishing. There is a special kind of trout-“rainbow trout” in the river. Furthermore, you can just find you spot and look for Marals, Mountains goats and bears grazing on the top of mountain. Overnight in Saty village, in a guesthouse.

 

Day 5: Kolsai Lakes – Kaindy Lake

Today you will visit another incredible lake Kaindy for a picturesque tour in Kazakhstan. The way to Kaindy gorge goes on mountain road covered with spruce. Kaindy lake is located on the altitude 2000 meters on the top of the gorge. The lake appeared in 1911, in the result of the earthquake. Due to cascading during the earthquake, side lands blocked mountain water and made this turquoise lake. Nowadays, the needles of flooded trees are well preserved, they can be seen through the transparent glacier water of the lake. The dried-out trunks of the trees rise above the surface of the water and look like the masts of sunken ships. When there is sunshine, snow-capped peaks, beautiful fir trees mirrored in the water. This marvelous view will stay in your memory for a long time. We will have our picnic with view of the lake. After having enjoyed the nature, return to the Saty settlement. Here it is possible to request a horse riding around the village (for extra charge). Overnight in a guesthouse.

 

Day 6: Kaindy Lakes – Charyn Canyon – Almaty

After having breakfast at the guesthouse, we will drive to another extraordinary monument of nature to have a great tour. It is outstanding Charyn Canyons which are very popular in Kazakhstan. This incredible natural beauty was formed millions of years ago by the erosion of wind, water and the sun. While we drive from Kaindy Lake, you will have a chance to listen and know more about the life of Kazakh people, about the history of this area. Later you will stop at local restaurant to have a lunch. When you will arrive to the wonderful Canyon Charyn, it will make you forget about long way of travelling. The high cliffs, magical forms, and different colors are unbelievable. Here you can see the beauty from observatory or walk down to maze leading to the famous part: Valley of Castles. After enjoying the charming beauty, you will drive back to Almaty. Night in a hotel.

 

Day 7: Flight

After having packed all your best memories from the trip, drive to airport for next adventures.