Kazakhstan Wonders | Almaty 4 Nights, 5 Days Adventure

Day 1: Departure

Arrival in Almaty

• Flight: Arrive at Almaty International Airport (ALA). Depending on your flight schedule, you may arrive in the morning or evening.
• Check-in: Transfer to your hotel in Almaty, check-in, and freshen up.

Afternoon

• Panfilov Park: Visit Panfilov Park, a beautiful green space in the heart of Almaty, and see the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden structures in the world.
• Almaty Central Mosque: Head to the Almaty Central Mosque, one of the largest in the country, to admire its stunning architecture.
• Green Bazaar: Explore the Green Bazaar, Almaty’s vibrant market, offering a variety of fresh produce, dried fruits, spices, and local delicacies.

Evening:

• Enjoy a traditional Kazakh dinner at a local restaurant. Try dishes such as beshbarmak (noodles with meat), kazy (horse meat sausage), and shashlik (grilled meat skewers).

Day 2

Explore Almaty – Mountains and Nature

Morning:

• Medeu Skating Rink & Shymbulak Ski Resort: Head to the Medeu Skating Rink, the highest skating rink in the world, located in the Tien Shan Mountains. If you visit during the winter, you can enjoy ice skating or skiing. Otherwise, take a cable car up to the Shymbulak Ski Resort for breathtaking mountain views

Afternoon:

• Big Almaty Lake: Drive to Big Almaty Lake (about 30 km from the city), a stunning turquoise mountain lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It’s an excellent spot for hiking, picnicking, and photography.

Evening:

• Return to the city for a relaxing evening. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant with views of the mountains, where you can try Kazakh specialties such as lagman (noodles) or manti (dumplings).

Day 3

Day Trip to Charyn Canyon

Morning:

• Early breakfast, then depart for a day trip to Charyn Canyon (approximately 3.5-4 hours from Almaty). This stunning canyon is often called the “Grand Canyon’s little brother” due to its similar landscapes

Afternoon:

• Explore the Canyon and its unique formations, including the Valley of Castles, which is filled with towering rock formations that resemble ancient fortresses. Hike through the canyon or take a guided tour to learn about the geology and history of the area.
• Enjoy a picnic by the Charyn River, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Evening:

• Return to Almaty and relax after a day of adventure. Dinner can be enjoyed at a local restaurant or café.

Day 4

Almaty’s Cultural Heritage

Morning:

• Kok Tobe Hill: Take a cable car ride to Kok Tobe Hill for panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding mountains. You can visit the Kok Tobe Tower, the highest point in the city, and take a stroll through the park with sculptures and a small zoo.
• Kazakh Museum of Arts: Visit the Kazakh Museum of Arts, one of the largest and most important art museums in Central Asia, showcasing traditional and contemporary Kazakh art.

Afternoon:

• Almaty Opera House: Take a walk around the Almaty Opera House and explore the cultural side of the city
• If you have time, visit the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, which exhibits a wide variety of traditional instruments from Kazakhstan.

Evening:

• Enjoy your final dinner in Almaty at a fine dining restaurant. Consider trying chak-chak (honey dessert) for dessert and enjoying the lively atmosphere of Almaty.

Day 5

Departure

Morning:

• Depending on your flight time, you can visit any final sights or do some last-minute shopping in the city’s central shopping areas.
• Transfer to Almaty International Airport for your departure.