Airport pickup
Your guide meets you at arrivals, transfer to hotel, check-in. Time to settle in.
Panfilov Park & 28 Guardsmen Memorial
Peaceful park in the heart of Almaty. Soviet-era memorial, shaded walkways, local life.
Zenkov Cathedral
One of the world's tallest wooden churches, built without a single nail. Stunning architecture.
Arbat Street (Panfilova)
Almaty's pedestrian street. Cafés, street art, local vendors. Good spot for a coffee.
Green Bazaar
Almaty's main market. Spices, dried fruits, kumis, fresh produce — sensory overload in the best way.
Dinner — on your own
Your guide recommends the best spots. Kazakh cuisine, Georgian food, or modern bistros — all walkable.

Departure to Medeo
20-minute drive up into the mountains. Your guide briefs you on the day ahead.
Medeo — 1,700m
The world's highest outdoor skating rink. Walk the dam, views of the gorge, first taste of mountain air.
Shymbulak cable car — 3,200m
Three-stage cable car to Shymbulak ski resort. Panoramic views of Tian Shan glacier. Temperature drops — bring a layer.
Lunch at mountain restaurant — included
Warm meal at 2,200m with glacier views. Kazakh and European menu. Included in your tour price.
Kok-Tobe cable car + professional photos
Cable car up Kok-Tobe hill. Panoramic view of Almaty with mountains behind. Professional photographer captures the moment — included.
Return to hotel — free evening
Rest, explore Almaty's restaurant scene, or take an evening stroll. Your guide has a list of recommendations.

Slow morning — no schedule
Sleep in, have a long breakfast at the hotel. This day belongs to you.
Optional: Esentai Mall or city stroll
High-end shopping, Kazakh designers, souvenir hunting. Or just a coffee and a walk — no pressure.
Lunch — on your own
Your guide has a curated list of the best restaurants near the hotel by cuisine and budget.
Spa session — included (3–4 hours)
Hammam, full-body massage, pool and relaxation area. Pre-booked and included in your tour price.
Free evening
Dinner at leisure. Tomorrow is a long day — Charyn Canyon. Early start at 07:30.

Departure from Almaty
Early start — 200km east toward the Chinese border. Scenic steppe drive, ~2.5–3 hours with stops.
Charyn Canyon — arrival & photo session
First views of the canyon rim. Photographer starts here. The red rock formations are unlike anything in Central Asia.
Valley of Castles walk — ~3km
Descend into the canyon and walk the Valley of Castles trail. 80m-high red sandstone formations on both sides. 45–60 min at your own pace.
Charyn River — canyon floor
Reach the river at the bottom. Cool off, rest, final photos. The scale of the canyon hits you here.
Lunch — on your own (café at canyon)
Simple café at the canyon entrance. Lagman, samsa, shashlik. Or bring your own picnic — your guide can organise.
Return drive to Almaty
~3 hours back. Your guide shares stories, the steppe turns golden in the afternoon light.
Hotel drop-off — free evening
Legs will be tired. Good night for a quiet dinner close to the hotel.

Early departure from Almaty
330km southeast toward the Chinese border. Mix of highway and mountain road — ~4 hours. Bring snacks.
National park entry & permit check
Kolsai is a protected national park. Permits are pre-arranged by us — no queues, straight through.
Kolsai-1 — First Lake (1,800m)
Emerald-green lake surrounded by spruce forest. Walk the shoreline, take in the silence. One of the most peaceful spots in Kazakhstan.
Optional: Kolsai-2 by horseback (2,250m)
3km trail up to the second — and most beautiful — lake. Horses available on site. Not mandatory, your call.
Lunch in a traditional yurt — included
Beshbarmak, bread, tea. Seated inside a real Kazakh yurt by the lake. Included in your tour price.
Return drive to Almaty
~4 hours back. Long but beautiful. Hotel by 19:30.

Departure from Almaty
~370km. Longer drive than Charyn, but the destination is worth every kilometre. ~4–4.5 hours.
Kaindy Lake — arrival
Born from a 1911 earthquake, this lake swallowed an entire spruce forest. Trunks still stand above the water. The colour is impossible — turquoise and silver.
Photo session — professional photographer
This is the single most photogenic spot of the entire trip. Your photographer knows exactly where to shoot. Give them an hour.
Lunch — on your own (café near lake)
Small café at the entrance. Simple local food. Or pack your own — the setting is worth a picnic.
Return drive to Almaty
~4 hours back. You arrive tired — in the best way.
Spa session at hotel — included
Second spa session. Hammam, massage, pool. After a long day in the mountains, this feels like a reward.

Horseback riding in the foothills
1.5–2 hour ride through the mountain foothills above Almaty. Suitable for beginners. Mountain backdrop, clean air, peaceful ending to the trip.
BBQ farewell lunch — included
Open-air BBQ at the riding base. Shashlik, salads, bread, tea. Your guide joins. Relaxed, warm, no rush.
Gift ceremony
We present your gifts in a warm setting. A small Kazakh tradition — a way to say thank you and send you off properly.
Hotel check-out
Collect luggage, final freshening up. Your guide handles all logistics.
Transfer to airport
~30 min to Almaty International. Your guide stays with you until check-in. Photos delivered to your inbox within 7 days.