Kazakhstan

Upon your arrival at Almaty international airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and transferred to the hotel.

Note: one group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra cost.

You will then enjoy a half-day tour around the most famous landmarks of the city. Almaty means 'city of apple trees', and, because of its relatively mild climate, it has a wide range of apple trees. The Almaty area is said to be the ancestral home for many varieties of apples and is often visited by researchers and scientists in search of the real beginnings of this domesticated fruit. A folktale suggests that Eve tasted the famous apple (in the old testament) in Almaty. Also, the Turkic name for apple is Alma, and Ata means forefather, indirectly connecting Almaty with the Garden of Eden. The city, located at an altitude of around 850m in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau, is particularly beautiful as the the backdrop of mountains against the taller buildings makes a dramatic and impressive sight.

Welcome dinner at the Central Asian Restaurant, where you will also enjoy traditional Central Asian performances.

Accommodation: Almaty at Ibis Almaty Jetisu or similar.

After breakfast, you will head towards the Shymbulak ski resort, at an altitude of 2,000m (an approx. 40-50-min drive, 25 km).

There, a cable car will take you even higher, to the snow-capped peaks (over 3,000m altitude), for a 2-3-hour scenic hike above the clouds.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Sunkar falcon farm (a 1-hour drive) to will watch a 1-hour Eagle and Falcon show, one of the most traditional activities of the nomad Kazakhs. You will then return to your hotel for the night (a 40-min drive).

Accommodation: Almaty at Ibis Almaty Jetisu or similar.

After an early breakfast you will head to the Charyn Canyon. (around 3–3.5 hours drive).

Charyn Canyon consists of 5 canyons, of which the Valley of Castles is the most well-known and easy to access. It got its name from the pillars and rock formations that resemble man-made towers and turrets.

You will explore the canyon and enjoy a 1-1.5-hour (2.5 km) trek through its winding paths.

After the hike, set off toward the right bank of the Charyn River (20 km, asphalt road), where you’ll unwind with a picnic lunch by the water, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.

After a picnic lunch there, you will visit the "Stone Shelf" and the “Napoleon” location (50 km, off-road).

In the afternoon you will head to the Kolsay Lakes (an approx. 2-hour drive, 110 km, off-road, asphalt road)

Overnight in eco hotel Kolsay Lakes Town or similar.

After a traditional breakfast, you will head to Kayindi Lake (20 km, asphalt, off-road)

The lake is widely known for its scenery, especially the trunks of submerged birch trees that rise above the surface of the water. The area is often referred to as the "sunken forest". You will spend a few hours around the lake, hiking 1.5-2 hours (1.5 km), relaxing in the serenity of nature, and enjoying a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon, you will return to Almaty (approx. a 4-hour drive, 293 km, asphalt road).

Accommodation: Almaty at Ibis Almaty Jetisu or similar.

Today, you can enjoy some free time exploring the city at your own pace and maybe do some last-minute shopping until you head to the airport for your flight back home.

Note: One group airport transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra cost.