Tian Shan lakes, red canyons and the futuristic skyline of Astana
Drive from Almaty into the Tian Shan for turquoise alpine lakes and the red walls of Charyn Canyon, then fly north to Astana's bold steppe-capital architecture.
Most travellers begin in Almaty. Our specialists typically suggest 6–10 nights to see the highlights without rushing — longer if you’d like to combine regions or add beach time.
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A long canyon system cut into red sedimentary rock by the Charyn River, about 200 kilometres east of Almaty near the Chinese border. Its best-known stretch, the Valley of Castles, is lined with eroded towers, and the whole area is protected by Charyn National Park, created in 2004.
A natural alpine lake about 15 kilometres south of central Almaty, lying at 2,511 metres inside Ile-Alatau National Park. Its water shifts from light green to turquoise through the year, and it is a main source of drinking water for the city, so access is tightly controlled.
Three lakes strung along the Kolsai River on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan, at the heart of the Kolsai Lakes State National Nature Park. The lower lake can be reached by road from the village of Saty, while the middle and upper lakes are reached on foot or on horseback through spruce forest.
Astana has been Kazakhstan's capital since 1997, and its new administrative centre on the left bank of the Ishim River was planned and built almost from scratch. At its heart stands Baiterek, a white lattice tower holding a gilded sphere with an observation deck 97 metres above the ground.
Landmarks, sacred sites, islands, parks and food streets — each with its story, the best time to go and what’s nearby.
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Kazakhstan · 7 nights4★ HotelKazakhstan · 6 nights4★ Hotel8 days · 4★ hotel · indicative from $2,028 pp. Every day can be adjusted.
View full packageYou’re met at Almaty International Airport and driven to your hotel in the leafy city centre, with the Tian Shan mountains on the skyline.
A guided tour of Panfilov Park and the wooden Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar, ending with the cable car up Kok-Tobe hill for sunset views.
Drive up into the mountains to the turquoise Big Almaty Lake, then on to the Medeu ice rink and the Shymbulak cable car.
Head east to walk through the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon, then continue to the village of Saty for a guesthouse stay.
Walk the forest trails around the first Kolsai lake, then visit Lake Kaindy, where the trunks of drowned spruce trees rise from the water.
Drive back to Almaty through the steppe, with the afternoon free to explore the city’s cafés.
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