Kazakhstan
Cultural immersion through the legends of Kazakhstan
Réf : AKAZ14X
In summary
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Sports
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Duration15 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationAsia / Kazakhstan
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions3100.8 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages🇫🇷French
In a few words
From the endless steppes to the peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains , this journey to Kazakhstan reveals the richness of a still largely unknown country. Upon arrival in Astana , the capital with its bold architecture, the contrast between modernity and nomadic heritage is striking. In Almaty , the former capital, you'll be immersed in a warm atmosphere, amidst bustling markets and local flavors . Then, it's off to the sculpted landscapes of the Charyn Canyon , before a cultural immersion in Zharkent , at the heart of Uyghur traditions.
The route continues into Altyn Emel National Park , where the famous singing dune intrigues travelers and scientists alike. Further south, Shymkent reveals its cultural melting pot , a blend of Turkish, Persian, and Soviet influences. In Otrar , a legendary city on the Silk Road, archaeological remains tell a story spanning millennia. The journey concludes in Turkestan , a spiritual center of the country, whose majestic mausoleums bear witness to a still-vibrant Sufi tradition.
This tour combines human encounters , natural treasures and historical heritage , for a deep and sincere exploration of Kazakhstan.
The highlights
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A journey into an authentic culture, in the heart of a still little-known country
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The natural beauty of the Charyn and Altyn Emel canyon
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The rich cultural history of Almaty in Turkistan
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
🇫🇷
French
Supervisor
Supervisor
Program
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Flight to Astana
- Transportation Plane - 07h35 - 5215km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
International flight with a stopover in Astana.Day 1 -
Arrival in Astana
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon arrival at the airport, we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel. We then depart for a panoramic city tour. Nicknamed "the Singapore of the steppes," Astana, the world's youngest capital, has already reinvented itself to become one of the most innovative cities. Its architecture is an impressive blend of contemporary and avant-garde styles. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the Bayterek Tower, a symbol of modern Kazakhstan with a large golden sphere offering panoramic views of the city. We have lunch in the city and continue our tour with visits to other iconic landmarks.Day 2 -
Astana - Almaty
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we head to the ALZHIR Memorial Complex, a poignant site that commemorates a period in Soviet history when thousands of women and children were detained during the political repressions of the 1930s to 1950s. We then continue with a visit to the Great Mosque and other iconic landmarks of the city. At the end of the day, we have dinner and then go to the train station to board an overnight train to Almaty, where we spend the night.Day 3 -
Almaty
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We have breakfast on board the train before arriving in Almaty, nicknamed the Pearl of Kazakhstan. The country's former capital, this city lies at the foot of the impressive Tian Shan Mountains, whose peaks offer spectacular views. We begin our day with a visit to the city's iconic landmarks. After lunch, we explore the Central State Museum, which houses rich collections on ancient history, ethnography, archaeology, and Kazakh art.Day 4 -
Almaty - Tanbaly
- Transportation 04h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We depart early in the morning to explore an archaeological site renowned for its petroglyphs, rock carvings dating from various periods. The Tanbaly site, our destination, is famous for its vast collection of rock engravings, bearing witness to the Bronze Age through to the medieval period. After lunch, we return to Almaty and explore the city's market, often called the "green market." This market is popular for its flatbreads, as well as its dried and fresh fruits, spices, and other Kazakh specialties.Day 5 -
Almaty - Charyn - Zharkent
- Transportation Minibus - 05h - 300km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're heading to Charyn Canyon, a place of unique landscapes where rock formations sculpted by erosion over millennia rise majestically. The canyon walls can reach heights of 150 to 300 meters and display a variety of shapes and hues, ranging from bright red to yellow and ochre. After this exploration, we'll travel to the city of Zharkent, where we'll discover the culture and traditions of the Uyghur people. The day will conclude with a traditional Uyghur dinner.Day 6 -
Zharkent - Altyn Emel
- Transportation 01h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we explore Zharkent in greater detail, an authentic city that allows us to immerse ourselves in local life while discovering Kazakhstan's history and culture from a different perspective. Zharkent is a city with a thousand-year history, originally established as a military fortress in the 11th century by the Karakhanids, an ancient dynasty. Over the centuries, the city has been shaped by the influences of various cultures and civilizations, including the Mongols, the Oirats, and the Qing of China. We have lunch in the city before departing for Altyn Emel National Park, a natural and cultural treasure, where we visit the famous "Singing Dune." The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at a family-run guesthouse.Day 7 -
Altyn Emel
- Transportation Minibus - 03h30 - 150km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast at the lodge, we set off to explore the Katutau Mountains, renowned for their fascinating geological formations. Characterized by peaks, canyons, and valleys sculpted by erosion, these mountains are distinguished above all by their multicolored rocks. These rocks offer an extraordinary natural panorama, with shades ranging from red to yellow, white to pink, creating an almost lunar and dazzling landscape. Return to the lodge for dinner.Day 8 -
Altyn Emel - Almaty
- Transportation 04h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at the hostel and free time before our departure for Almaty. We have lunch en route. We are transferred to the train station to catch a train to Shymkent. Dinner and overnight on the train.Day 9 -
Shymkent - Otrar - Turkistan
- Transportation 03h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We arrive in Shymkent in the morning. We set off to explore Otrar, also known as Farab. Located at the crossroads of the Silk Road trade routes, Otrar is an ancient city that played a key role as a commercial hub. We enjoy lunch with a local family, immersing ourselves in the local flavors. Afterward, we head toward Turkestan. En route, we visit the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, a significant historical site in the region. Dinner is served in a charming setting along this legendary caravan route. Overnight at the hotel.Day 10 -
Turkistan
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we explore the city of Turkistan, renowned as a spiritual and cultural center. We visit its UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch is served in a traditional Kazakh yurt, where we can savor the flavors of the south. Afterward, we continue our tour of the city's iconic landmarks. As night falls, we attend a musical performance in the Caravansaray (subject to availability).Day 11 -
Turkistan - Shymkent
- Transportation 02h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we are transferred to the city of Shymkent, in a region inhabited since antiquity. Over the centuries, the region has been influenced by civilizations such as the Persians, Arabs, and Mongols due to its strategic location on the Silk Road trade routes. We visit the city and its iconic landmarks (Baidibek Biy Monument, Kazybek Biy, the oldest street in the city, the Jami Mosque, the Nicolski Cathedral, etc.). Dinner at a traditional restaurant and overnight stay at the hotel.Day 12 -
Shymkent - Almaty
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast followed by a visit this morning to the Oriental Bazaar, the oldest in Shymkent. We enjoy the aromas and colors, the music and the smiles of the Kazakhs... We are then transferred to the airport for our flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel for check-in, followed by a visit to the National Museum and then free time to relax. Note: Depending on the domestic flight schedule, the Oriental Bazaar may be visited the day before, and the day will be free in Almaty.Day 13 -
Almaty - Esik
- Transportation 03h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we depart to visit Medeo, also known as Medeu, a famous mountain ice rink near Almaty. Located in the Tian Shan Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,691 meters, it is one of the highest ice rinks in the world. The Medeo ice rink is renowned for its vast ice surface, which covers more than 10,000 square meters. We will have lunch there while enjoying the magnificent panoramic views. Afterwards, we depart for a visit to the Esik archaeological site. We will explore the famous remains, a series of kurgans (burial mounds) dating back to the Bronze Age. Return to Almaty. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.Day 14 -
Departure for France
- Transportation Plane - 07h35 - 5215km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Departure during the night. Transfer to Almaty airport. We take off for our international return flight.Day 15
Note
This itinerary is provided as a guide only: depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide may modify this itinerary for your safety and that of the group.
Accommodation
🏨 3-star hotel
Access
Departure
Astana, Kazakhstan
Day 1
End of stay
Astana, Kazakhstan
Day 15
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isAlmaty
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Price details
The price includes
- International flights Paris / Astana and Almaty / Paris
- Domestic flight Turkistan / Almaty
- Local train and vehicle transfers
- Air taxes
- Accommodation as mentioned in the program
- Full board except for meals indicated as "free" in the day-by-day itinerary
- Supervision by a French-speaking guide
- Visits and excursions as mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees to the sites
The price does not include
- The contribution to carbon neutrality: €10 per person
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the home team (see "Tips" section)
- Drinks
Options
- Additional night in Astana in a double room with breakfast : CHF54.89 / person
- Additional night in Astana in a single room with breakfast : CHF91.48 / person
- Additional night in Almaty in a double room with breakfast : CHF59.46 / person
- Additional night in Almaty in a single room with breakfast : CHF100.63 / person
- Airport transfer if arrival or departure is at a different time for the group (1 to 3 people) : CHF36.59 / reservation
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
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• 821 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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