Tour program

Day 1. Almaty
Arrival to Almaty. Your driver will be waiting at Almaty (ALA) airport to take you directly to your hotel in Almaty – a 30-minute drive. There are no activities planned for today.

Please keep in mind that hotel check-in time is typically after 2.00pm. Early check in is not guaranteed, but if you do arrive early luggage storage is available at the hotel.

Overnight at a hotel in Almaty


Day 2. Almaty – Ust-Kamenogorsk
Breakfast in the Hotel. Transfer to the airport to take domestic flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk (1 hr. 20 min flight). Arrival to Ust-Kamenogorsk, hotel check in. Lunch at the local café. After lunch, Ust-Kamenogorsk City Tour (includes visit to ethnic village – unique museum under the sky, where are the farmsteads of different nations presented. After excursion dinner / free time.

Overnight at a hotel in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3. Katon-Karagai State National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Katon-Karagai State National Park. Check in to Qaton Qaragai Resort & SPA. Lunch at the resort. After lunch transfer to Royal Valley / Skif Mounds. Dinner / Free time.

Katon-Karagai State National Natural Park is the largest National Park in Kazakhstan. Visit to the park is a great opportunity to visit an ecologically clean area with picturesque nature, rich in flora and fauna. The species included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan have survived here. Fans of active leisure are offered: hiking and horse trails in the National Park; sports and amateur fishing; visits to pantotherapy centers, apiaries, guest houses.

Places to visit: Lake Yazevoe, Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kokkol, Arasan waterfalls, Berel kurgans, Old Austrian Road leading to Lake Markakol, two-headed queen of the Altai mountains – Belukha Mountain 4509 m., and many other sights are the pride of Kazakhstan, world, natural and cultural heritage.

Overnight at a Katon-Karagai
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 4. Markakol State Nature Reserve.
After breakfast, transfer to Markakol Lake (Topkain – Svinchatka – Urunkhaika). Check in to the Urunkhaika Guest House on the banks of Markakol Lake. Lunch at the Guest House. After lunch visit to Markakol Nature Reserve Museum, walking around, enjoying the view. Dinner / Free time.

The Markakol State Nature Reserve was organized to preserve and study the natural complexes of the southern part of Altai, to study the ecology and dynamics of fish abundance in the unique reservoir of Lake Markakol. The territory of the reserve near the border of China and not far from the Altai territory. It was formed around Lake Markakol, which is the largest body of water in Altai.

Places to visit: Markakol lake, Aksu-Bas Mountain 3304 m., Kara Kaba river, Old Austrian road.

Overnight at a Markakol Guest House
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 5-6. Zaisan Lake
After breakfast transfer to Zaisan Lake. Check in to the "SAUR TAU" Eco Resort and pantotherapy center. Accommodation in a mountain eco-hotel. Acquaintance with national traditions. You will try national Kazakh dishes. Observation of marals on maral farm.

Overnight at a mountain eco-hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 7. Canyon Kiin-Kerish.
After breakfast, transfer to Kiin-Kerish Canyon. Kiin-Kerish is a clay canyon, composed of a variety of red and colored clays, the origin of which was influenced by the hot tropical climate. The flora and fauna of this valley attracts attention. The flora is represented by the rarest species of plants, as well as the rarest representatives of the animal world, which are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan: bustard, yellow lemming, black-bellied sand grouse, eagle owl, balaban falcon, golden eagle, steppe eagle, jack, desert shrike, lapwing. Lunch break in the canyon (lunch boxes), after that transfer back to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Hotel check in, dinner / free time.

Overnight at a hotel in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 8. Almaty. Excursion to Northern Tien Shan Mountains.
Morning check out from the hotel, transfer to airport to take flight to Almaty city (1 hr. 30 min flight). Arrival to Almaty.

This day you have 2 options (depending on a time of arrival to Almaty)

Option 1. Almaty City Tour (includes visit to the National Central Museum, Green Oriental Market, Panfilov Park with Russian Orthodox Cathedral). After City Tour your driver will drop you at the hotel. Free time.

Option 2. Excursion to Northern Tien Shan Mountains.
Transfer to Ile – Alatau National Park (15 km) to the high-altitude skating rink "Medeo" (1600 m a.s.l.). Take a cable car lift to Shymbulak Ski Resort and further up to Talgarsky Pass (3128 m.) Panoramic view to the Zailiskiy Alatau chain of mountains and Almaty City. Couple of hours hiking around and enjoying the views. Descent by cabin to Medeo. Drive to Almaty. Free time.

Overnight at a hotel in Almaty.
Meals: breakfast


Day 9. Departure.
A transfer will be provided from your hotel to ALA Airport - a 30-minute drive. We wish you a safe homeward journey and hope to see you again in Kazakhstan soon.

Inclusions:
All transport services according to the program in an Air-conditioned tourist transport – tourist bus / Van or 4WD car.
Double\ Twin sharing accommodation: 4* hotel in Almaty – 2 nights, 4* hotel in Ust-Kamenogorsk – 2 nights, guest house in Katon-Karagai – 1 night, guest house in Markakol – 1 night, guest house in Zaisan – 2 nights
English speaking guide throughout the tour
Meals according to the program
Entrance fees for the tourist sites as specified in the program (Museums, fee for the National Parks)
Mineral water for the entire itinerary

Exclusions:
International / domestic air tickets
Visa to Kazakhstan (if required)
Travel insurance
Meals that are not included above
Single supplement charge
Drinks that are not included above
Personal expenses