Welcome to Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Arrival to Nur-Sultan. Transfer to the hotel. Rest. Later on meet with the guide star sightseeing in Astana. Recently renamed Nur-Sultan in honor of the long serving first president, the city was purpose built to become the capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997. Similar to Washington D.C. in the United States or Canberra in Australia, Nur-Sultan is a planned city with the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa as its master mind. Now, Nur-Sultan is one of the most vibrant cities in Central Asia. If you arrive early, take the time explore and admire the futuristic city skyline. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

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This morning, head off on a city tour with your leader and see some of the most impressive designs of this ambitious new city. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque, built in 2005 – with its capacity of 5000 worshippers inside and an additional 2000 outside it is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Then you’ll stop at Palace of Peace & Reconciliation, a pyramid shaped conference hall that’s considered to be Astana’s symbolic center. You’ll also visit the President’s Culture Center which houses an array of exhibits that tell of the past, present and future of Kazakhstan, and of course, as its name suggests, the many achievements of it’s President. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.

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Take a morning flight to Shymkent. Arrival to Shymkent meet with the driver. Start sightseeing.  Today is reserved for Shymkent’s surroundings exploring. Excursion to Sayram village: “Ibragim-Ata” mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi’s father; “Kharashash-Ana” mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi’s mother, middle age minarets. After lunch continue to Kemekalgan village – so called “forgiving sins “Adam&Eve” cliffs”, stone made statues of animals, water from healing strings there are 3 spring with different taste, you will be able to taste the water.  Overnight at hotel.

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Head out on a city tour this morning, the highlight of which is a visit to the Kozha Akhmed Yasaui Mausoleum, Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. The blue and while-tiled Mausoleum is the final resting place of a great Turkic holy man and Sufi. Built by Tamerlane, it is said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it is a religious site, we recommend that women wear a headscarf when entering. In the surrounds you’ll find a rose garden, other monuments, an archeological museum and a mosque, which are all included in the entry ticket. Continue the journey to Shymkent (approximately 4 hours) by private vehicle, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. It was first excavated in 1969 and has a history dating back to the first century AD. Remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses can still be seen today. It is also where Genghis Khan’s army is said to have fought heroically (though unsuccessfully) when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. There’ll be some time to spend in Shymkent before boarding the overnight train (approximately 11 hours) to Almaty.

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Today embark on a full-day guided city tour of Almaty. The development and wealth you’ll see on display as you walk the streets comes from the country’s main export – oil. Kazakhstan is one of the world’s top five oil-producing nations in the world. Visit Central Square and the colorful Zenkoff Cathedral in historic Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Check out the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments and the State Historical Museum, which features a great collection of ancient relics. Finally, summit Kok Tobe Hill for great views over the city before returning to the hotel after a long but fulfilling day.

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After breakfast and drive the 240 km (approximately 3.5 hours) out of town to the spectacular Altyn-Emel National Park, where you will explore the Singing Barkhan – a sand dune extending 3km and up to 120m high. It gets its name from the way the fine sand hums in windy weather and the view from the top gives a great panorama of the surrounding Djungarian Alatau, Sogety, Boguty and other mountains. In dry, windy weather, the sand dune’s song can be heard up to a few kilometres away. These mountains have revealed preserved remains of prehistoric animals including giant rhinos, crocodiles and turtles, and many compare the huge, conical mountains to the man-made Egyptian pyramids. 

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Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer to Charyn Canyon. It is an amazing creation of nature that has existed for millions of years, picturesque and very diverse in geomorphologic aspects. The height of steep mountainsides reaches 150-300 meters. Numerous ravines and gullies make dense rambling net. Wind and water created stunning “Red Castles Valley”. All along the valley you are surrounded by towers of fantastical forms, built of sedimentary. Throughout time nature has created these architectural wonders, without haste, it has built majestic castles. A walk there.  Later on drive to Saty village. Dinner and overnight in Saty village.

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In the morning visit Kolsay Lake. Kolsay Lake is a name for a cascade of three lakes in Kungey Alatau ridge. The lakes are dark blue in color and filled with pure glacial water. Walking there. Later on drive to Almaty. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel. 

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After breakfast transfer to airport. Flight home.