Castles Valley Tour

Tour 1: Castles Valley Tour
Duration: 5 days
In short: Almaty – Issyk – Charyn – Almaty

Day 1: Almaty
Meet the guide at the airport. The tour will start by transferring to Almaty city. Today you will visit Almaty Museum. The beauty of modern and interesting museum will not leave anyone indifferent in tours. There are ancient tools and exhibits came from the Great Silk Road. Then you will a short break in Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre. Later on visit one of the oldest of Almaty parks - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and get inspiration of wonderful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral.  Being in the park you will see the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and like the beauty of the Museum of Musical Instruments. After that visit the famous Green Bazaar, where you can buy anything you want. Don’t miss to bargain there! This place is noisy and crowded but worth travelling in Kazakhstan and see it. It is important to note that this bazaar accepts only cash in tenge (local currency), so it is better to take some tenge currency. The night is in accommodation.

Day 2: Almaty surroundings
Today’s tour is dedicated visiting Medeo Gorge (1690 meters above sea level). When you arrive there you will see the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam which protects the city from dangerous mudflow. There are beautiful panoramic views will not leave you indifferent! Take photos! Then you will take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort area. You will ride about 20-25 minutes above wonderful fur-trees up to the altitude of 2260 meters above sea level. In addition you can find restaurants, ski, snowboarding school and mountain hotel. Then you will finish cable and return to the city. Almaty is also called “the Apple city”. We would like to impress you by mountain adventure at the top of Kok-Tobe hill, where the tallest TV tower in the world is located. You will have the opportunity to see panoramic view and enjoy the nature. There is also the famous Almaty cableway* will inspire you by beauty from the top. Transfer to airport.

* Note: On Tuesday’s tours, at 10:00, cableway is not available, only park eco-cars are available.

Day 3: Almaty – Charyn – Almaty
The next destination will move on by visiting Charyn Canyon. You will be provided by comfortable car or minivan. In addition you will have 1,5L of bottled water from our company. You can also take some snacks, tea, and coffee in a container with a lid on it. After 4 hours you will reach the canyon. On the way the guide will inform you about history, culture as well as traditions of Kazakh people. We are sure you will like it in the tour. Visit the local museum of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. Also you will have the opportunity to have a lunch at the local cafe an hour before arriving in the canyon. On arrival to Charyn Canyon, you will be impressed by panoramic views and take outstanding photos! Walking for 2 km through the maze of the Castles Valley you will find its walls of unusual shapes. The bottom of the Canyon has trivial slope to the end of the walk, where you can see the fresh oasis on the bank of icy cold Charyn river. You will find natural park with several yurts - dwellings as well as a small open air café which works only in summer. after that you will have the chance to  see another panoramic views and enjoy the pristine nature.

Day 4: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
Today you will travel to the most beautiful gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge. It lies along the Kuldja tract. Before traders used to cross this road. You will be told about its history and find the burial mounds of Saka period. The famous “Golden Man” was found there. Nowadays it became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. There are ancient attributes dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period as well as copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment and the model of Saka burial mound. Later on you will drive to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, where you can see the beautiful mountain lake Issyk. This amazing lake was found 10,000 years ago due to colossal landslide, resulted in formation of the natural dam of 300 meters in height. Being there you will be impressed by its beauty and landscape of turquoise water. This is Issyk Gorge! You will be told about the natural disaster of 1963. Have the picnic near the lake and take a rest! Afterwards you will transfer to hotel.

Day 5: Flight
Airport transfer
 

Price per person:
02 pax – 760 $
04 pax – 530 $
06 pax – 410 $
08 pax – 350 $
10 pax – 310 $
Single – 70 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 50 $ 

Half board – 105 $
Full board – 155 $ 

English speaking guide – 105 $ per group per day

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
     Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
- Museum admissions
- Mineral water supply            

Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide

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