The pearls of the Almaty region
Nomadic Soul 8 days classique

The pearls of the Almaty region

Between wild steppes and snow-capped peaks, a journey to the heart of Kazakh traditions and the grandiose landscapes of Central Asia.

From€900per person
26 years of local expertise4.5/5 (2 reviews including 2 Google)

Duration

8 days

From

€900/pers.

Ideal seasons

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Style

Guided tour

Comfort

classique

Travelers

Couple, Solo, With friends

The spirit of travel

This tour invites you to discover south-eastern Kazakhstan by combining a visit to Almaty with several nature stops, between canyons, lakes and villages. The itinerary follows a balanced pace, with accessible walking times, transfers in a private vehicle, and nights in hotel and guesthouse. A simple and authentic way to explore the region, through the planned visits and walks.

The stages of your journey

D1
AlmatyNuit à l'hotel
D2
BasshiyNuit à l'hotel
D3
JarkentNuit à l'hotel
D4
SatyNuit à l'hotel
D5
Lac KolsayNuit à l'hotel
D6–7
AlmatyNuit à l'hotel
D8
Aéroport International D'Almaty

Highlights

Almaty and Its Green Parks
Singing Dune of Altyn Emel
Millennial Charyn Canyon
Alpine Lakes Kaindy and Kolsay
Jarkent Mosque
Authentic Villages of the Tian Shan

Day-by-day itinerary

Jour 1
D1

Almaty, First Discoveries

To Almaty

30min20 km

Upon your arrival, you are taken to your hotel. You then enjoy a first day in Almaty to discover the largest city in Kazakhstan. Many agree that it is one of the most pleasant cities in Central Asia. Its numerous parks and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan make it a particularly appealing city.

You visit the Panfilov Park, which surrounds Zenkov Cathedral, one of the rare buildings from Imperial Russia that remain in Almaty. You stroll through the Green Bazaar, where you can find the products and scents of Central Asia. You also discover Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

Finally, you visit the Central Museum, as well as the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments (closed Mondays).

Nuit à l'hotelLunchDinner
Jour 2
D2

Singing Dune at Altyn Emel

AlmatyAltyn Emel

5h

In the morning, you leave Almaty heading towards the Altyn Emel natural park. On the way, you can visit the beach of the city of Konaev, located on the edge of a large water reservoir. You then arrive in the national park village named Basshi.

From Basshiy

1h45 km

Then, the track takes you for 45 km to the singing dune, where you can take a walk before returning to the village.

To Basshiy

1h45 km

Return to the village for the night.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner
Jour 3
D3

Cultural stop in Jarkent

From Basshiy

2h30140 km

After breakfast, you head towards Jarkent. Along the way, a stop is planned for a short walk in the striped mountains, weather permitting (not on rainy days).

To Jarkent

2h30140 km

Lunch takes place in Jarkent, before starting the city visits. You discover the mosque-museum, remarkable for its architecture inspired by Chinese design, as well as the local Orthodox church.

At the end of the day, you check into the hotel and enjoy some free time.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner
Jour 4
D4

Charyn Canyon, then Saty

JarkentCanyon de Charyn

3h215 km

Today, you continue exploring the region with a picturesque and well-known site: Charyn Canyon. There, you set off on a hike through this canyon that is tens of millions of years old.

Canyon de CharynSaty

1h45105 km

In the afternoon, you resume your journey towards the village of Saty, located near the Kolsay lakes, where you spend the night.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner
Jour 5
D5

Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes

SatyKaindy Lake

30min15 km

In the morning, you are transferred to the Kaindy Lake, nestled in the Tian Shan mountains. You enjoy a stroll by this mountain lake, famous for the tree trunks emerging from its turquoise waters.

Walking itinerary: approximately 2 hours.

Kaindy LakeSaty

30min15 km

Return to the village for lunch.

To Saty

20min12 km

Return to the village where you spend the night.

From Saty

20min12 km

In the afternoon, a short transfer takes you to Lake Kolsay for a walk around the lake.
Walking itinerary: approximately 1 hour.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner
Jour 6
D6

Iessik and return to Almaty

In the morning, you head towards the city of Iessik (Yesik), known thanks to the famous "Golden Warrior" and his armor, discovered in 1969 during archaeological excavations. The mystery of this young warrior has still not been solved, but it quickly became one of the symbols of Kazakhstan.

From Iessik

You continue with a visit to Lake Issyk-Kul, nestled in the heart of the Tian Shan mountains.

Lac IessikAlmaty

1h3075 km

In late afternoon, you reach Almaty.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner
Jour 7
D7

Almaty, mosque and old quarter

The day is entirely devoted to continuing your visit to Almaty. You discover the central mosque, then the historic neighborhood where the Cossacks lived, with a church and a small square.

The afternoon is free.

Nuit à l'hotelBreakfastLunchDinner

Price per person

1 pers.€1,870/pers.
2 pers.€1,270/pers.
3 pers.€1,000/pers.
4 pers.€900/pers.

Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.

This trip can be tailored to your preferences

This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.

Not included

  • Beverages
  • Personal Expenses
  • Activities/visits during free time
  • Everything that is not mentioned as included in the program

Included

  • Accommodation: hotels and guesthouses (according to program)
  • Meals: breakfasts, lunches and dinners as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Round-trip airport transfers
  • Visits and activities listed in the itinerary
  • All transportation included in the programme (private vehicle such as mini-van)

Practical Information

Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.

The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.

See our specific terms of sale for full details.

In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:

  • Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
  • Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
  • Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total

We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.

Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Kazakhstan dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.

Passeport

Pour entrer au Kazakhstan, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum six mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays et comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).

Séjour touristique sans visa

Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques au Kazakhstan.

Cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 30 jours par entrée sur le territoire. Le cumul des séjours ne doit généralement pas dépasser 90 jours sur une période de 180 jours. Tout séjour dépassant cette durée nécessite l'obtention d'un visa auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Kazakhstan avant le départ.

Les autorités peuvent également demander :

  • un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),

  • une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,

  • une confirmation de réservation d'hébergement.

Enregistrement auprès des autorités locales

Tout voyageur séjournant au Kazakhstan est tenu de s'enregistrer auprès des autorités locales dans les trois jours ouvrables suivant son arrivée.

Cet enregistrement est généralement effectué automatiquement par l'hôtel ou l'établissement d'hébergement. En cas de logement chez un particulier ou dans une location privée, la démarche doit être réalisée par l'hôte auprès du bureau des migrations compétent ou via le portail en ligne des services d'immigration kazakh.

Il est conseillé de conserver une preuve d'enregistrement pendant toute la durée du séjour, celle-ci pouvant être demandée lors du passage à la frontière au moment de quitter le territoire.

Santé et vaccins

Aucun vaccin n'est obligatoire pour entrer au Kazakhstan en provenance de l'EEE, de la Suisse ou du Canada. Cependant, il est recommandé de s'assurer que les vaccinations courantes sont à jour (diphtérie, tétanos, poliomyélite, rougeole).

Selon les régions visitées et la saison, des précautions supplémentaires peuvent être conseillées, notamment contre :

  • l'hépatite A et l'hépatite B,

  • la rage pour les séjours en zones rurales ou reculées,

  • l'encéphalite à tiques pour les randonneurs et les voyageurs en zones boisées.

Consultez un médecin ou un centre de vaccination internationaux plusieurs semaines avant votre départ pour un avis personnalisé.

Voyage avec des enfants

Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.

Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.

Autres nationalités

Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Kazakhstan de leur pays de résidence.

Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.

Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.

CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !

Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:

  • Explorer'Multirisque

  • Explorer'Annulation

  • Explorer'Assistance

  • Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire

Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.

Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.

Chapka — Cap Explorer

Our insurance partner

Travel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.

Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insurance

Frequently asked questions

To stay in Kazakhstan, a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry is required. A visa exemption exists for short-term stays. For longer stays, a visa must be obtained from the Kazakhstani consulate. Check with the Kazakhstani consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality before booking your trip.

Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.

You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.

For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 130 and 210 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (500-900 euros return) are additional. Kazakhstan offers stunning landscapes and warm hospitality.

Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.

Absolutely. We adapt every itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, educational and entertaining activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.

It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with complete peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.

In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.

Payment is generally made in two installments.

Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Atrau, Founder & Director
26years of expertise

Let's talk about your adventure — Almaty Tian Shan

Founder & Director, based in Alamaty

Kazakhstan is a land you carry within you: in the silence of the steppes, the strength of the mountains and the generosity of those who live there. Sharing it is sharing a part of my story.

Atrau

APST Guarantee Secure Payment 24/7 Assistance4.5/5