Day 1

• Meeting at the airport with a sign “ML tour.” Transfer to the hotel.
• Hotel check-in.
• Sightseeing tour of Almaty. Visit to Kok-Tobe Hill (observation deck).

Almaty is a city that has adapted to changing times faster than any other city in Central Asia. It is adorned with numerous parks and squares. You will visit Panfilov Park, named after the heroes of the Great Patriotic War. Inside the park stands the Ascension Cathedral, designed by architect A. Zenkov. Built in 1840 without a single nail, it is one of the nine most unique wooden buildings in the world. The wall paintings and interior decorations amaze visitors with their beauty and splendor. Remarkably, the cathedral withstood a devastating 10-point earthquake on the Richter scale in 1911.

Next, we invite you to experience the true atmosphere of an oriental market at the Green Bazaar, the central market of Almaty, traditionally known as the “green” bazaar because it was once a place for selling the first greens and natural products of the fertile Zhetysu region.

You will also see Republic Square, the main square of Almaty — the city’s largest and most picturesque square with a magnificent ensemble of modern architecture. It is a central venue for parades, public festivities, and national celebrations.

Finally, enjoy a visit to Kok-Tobe Park, one of Almaty’s most famous landmarks. Located on Kok-Tobe Hill at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level, just 5 minutes from the city center, the park offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Almaty and the surrounding mountains.

Day 2

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check-out.
• Excursion to Kaindy Lake and Kolsai Lakes.
• Overnight stay at Kolsay Lake Town Resort.

Kolsai Lakes are a system of three alpine lakes in the northern Tien Shan mountains, located in the Kolsai Gorge that connects the Kungei Alatau and Zailiysky Alatau ranges. The lakes are situated in the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region, about 10 km north of the Kyrgyz border and 330 km southeast of Almaty, at altitudes of approximately 1000 m, 2500 m, and 2700 m above sea level.

Kaindy Lake, only 400 meters long, was formed after a massive earthquake in 1910. A huge landslide blocked the gorge, creating a natural dam. Over time, water filled the basin, submerging the forest and forming one of Kazakhstan’s most fascinating natural landmarks.

Day 3

• Breakfast at the resort overlooking the lake.
• Check-out.
• Excursion to Charyn Canyon.
• Return to Almaty.
• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Charyn Canyon stretches for 154 km along the Charyn River in southeastern Kazakhstan, about 195 km east of Almaty, near the border with China. It is part of the Charyn National Park, established on February 23, 2004. The canyon’s spectacular rock formations, often compared to the Grand Canyon, offer a unique glimpse into millions of years of geological history.

Day 4

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check-out.
• Excursion to Shymbulak Mountain Resort.
• Transfer to Almaty.

Shymbulak is a mountain resort located near Almaty on the Zailiysky Alatau ridge at an altitude of 2200–2500 meters above sea level. The climate is continental: average winter temperature −14°C, summer +26°C.

The ski slopes are served by a gondola cableway running from Medeu to the Shymbulak base station — the third longest in the world (4.5 km). A total of 114 comfortable cabins operate (capacity up to 2000 people per hour), along with two combined lifts (Combi-1 and Combi-2), one drag lift, and two four-seat chairlifts. The lifts will take you from 2260 m to the Talgar Pass, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains.

Included:

• Meet & greet at the airport with an English-speaking guide
• Accommodation in a 4★ hotel in Almaty with breakfast (twin sharing)
• Accommodation in Kolsay Lake Town Resort (twin sharing)
• Transfer to Kaindy Lake (UAZ vehicle)
• Excursion to Shymbulak
• Group transfers by comfortable coach according to the itinerary
• Excursions and entrance tickets as per program
• Ecological fees for all national parks in the Almaty region

Not included:

• International flight
• Medical insurance
• Optional excursions and personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program