Arrive at Almaty International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the leafy central district — drop your bags, freshen up, and enjoy a strong Kazakh-style coffee or tea. Take a relaxed stroll down Dostyk Avenue toward Panfilov Park to stretch your legs, stopping to admire the colorful wooden façade of the Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral) and the memorials in the park for an immediate introduction to the city’s history and scale.
After a light lunch of beshbarmak-inspired flavors or plov at a nearby café, visit the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments and the Central State Museum to get cultural context for the rest of the trip. Continue with an orientation walk through the Green Bazaar to sample local dried fruits, kurt and fresh bread — a great place to ask vendors about regional specialties and pick up snacks for tomorrow's outings.
Return to your hotel to rest briefly, then head out to the vibrant Kok Tobe hill via the cable car for panoramic city views at sunset and a walk among sculptures and cafés. Finish the evening with a relaxed dinner at a restaurant on Furmanov Street offering modern Kazakh cuisine or shashlik, followed by a short night-time stroll along Arbat pedestrian street to soak up Almaty’s evening energy.
Begin your second day with a leisurely breakfast near Panfilov Park, then return to the park to spend more time at the vibrant Panfilov Heroes Memorial and the ornate Ascension (Zenkov) Cathedral — don’t miss photographing the cathedral’s colorful wooden façade and exploring the quiet chapels. From there walk to the nearby Central State Museum for a deeper dive into Kazakhstan’s history and ethnography, and pop into the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments to hear traditional dombra recordings that bring local culture to life.
After a hearty lunch at a nearby café serving beshbarmak-inspired dishes or shashlik, stroll through the bustling Green Bazaar to taste local cheeses, kurt and dried fruits, and pick up tea for later; bargain gently with vendors for souvenirs. Continue to Panfilov Park’s outskirts to visit the small but atmospheric Kasteyev State Museum of Arts to admire Kazakh painting and Soviet-era works, then relax with a coffee at a street-side café on Abai Avenue while watching daily city life unfold.
As daylight fades, take the cable car or a short taxi ride up Kok Tobe again if you’d like different evening views, or choose a quieter option and enjoy a sunset walk along Arbat pedestrian street sampling street snacks and local crafts. Finish the evening with dinner at a modern Kazakh restaurant on Furmanov Street—try local specialties like kuurdak or a contemporary twist on plov—and if you’re up for it, stop by a small live-music venue to hear contemporary Kazakh artists before returning to your hotel to rest for the mountain day ahead.
After a hearty breakfast in the city, take a scenic 30-40 minute drive or taxi to the Medeu valley to admire the high-altitude ice rink and the surrounding Tian Shan peaks; stroll the promenade, breathe the crisp mountain air, and visit the Medeu cable car station where you’ll board the gondola up toward Shymbulak. On the ride enjoy panoramic views of Almaty below and learn about the valley’s Soviet-era sporting history before stepping out at the gallery-like upper station to explore short trails and photo points.
Arrive at Shymbulak Resort for lunch at a mountainside café—try local soups and hearty stews to warm up—then either ski or snowboard (season permitting) on groomed runs or take gentle walks along marked paths to the Talgar pass viewpoint; hire a guide or instructor if you want a lesson. Visit the open-air observation platforms and sample hot tea at a chalet while watching skiers and the dramatic surrounding ridgelines, or take the Funicular/Second cable car further up for wider panoramas.
Return to Almaty in the late afternoon and freshen up at your hotel, then enjoy a relaxed dinner at a restaurant on Furmanov or Dostyk offering grilled shashlik or kazakh-style lagman to round out your mountain day. If you’ve still got energy, finish with a gentle evening walk along Arbat pedestrian street or a cozy drink at a local café recalling the day’s alpine views before retiring for the next day’s Charyn Canyon adventure.
Depart Almaty early for the 3-4 hour drive east along the Ili River valley, pausing at small roadside villages to stretch and admire steppe views before arriving at Charyn National Park; begin your visit at the park entrance and follow the short walk down to the legendary Valley of Castles, where the rust-red sandstone spires glow in the morning light and make for dramatic photos. A guided stroll along the canyon rim and a descent to the riverbed will let you explore narrow slot-like passages and learn about the geology and local legends from your guide.
After a picnic or lunch at the park’s picnic area—sample local flatbreads, dry-cured sausage and fresh fruit—head to the forested Ash Grove (Sogety) for a contrasting landscape of ancient poplars and calm shade, ideal for a gentle walk and birdwatching; if conditions allow, opt for a short boat or wading exploration along the shallow Charyn River. Before leaving, stop at the viewpoint above the canyon to watch the late-afternoon light intensify the colors, and browse a small local stall for handwoven souvenirs or regional dried fruit to take home.
Return to Almaty in the early evening, arriving in time to freshen up at your hotel, then choose a relaxed dinner on Furmanov or near your hotel—try a warming bowl of kuurdak or lagman to replenish after a day of hiking. If you’re not too tired, finish with a peaceful stroll along Arbat pedestrian street or a rooftop café for a final look at the Almaty skyline, reflecting on the stark beauty of the canyon before tomorrow’s travel north to Astana.
Check out after breakfast and transfer to Almaty Airport for your mid-morning flight to Astana (Nur-Sultan); arrive in the capital, collect your bags and take a short taxi to your centrally located hotel to drop off luggage and freshen up. If time allows, walk out to the nearby Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center to admire the striking tent-like exterior and grab a coffee while you orient yourself to the city’s futuristic skyline.
Spend the afternoon exploring the riverfront precinct: stroll past the gleaming Bayterek Tower and pop into the observation deck for sweeping views, then visit the nearby Palace of Peace and Reconciliation and the modern Nur Alem EXPO sphere to appreciate Astana’s bold architecture and contemporary museums. Pause for lunch at a riverside café on Mangilik El or try national dishes at a local restaurant—sample beshbarmak or manty—before returning to your hotel to rest or unpack.
As daylight fades, enjoy an easy evening walk along the Ishim River promenade to see illuminated landmarks such as the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and the dramatic Astana Opera House from across the water. Finish with dinner at a stylish restaurant in the city center—try a chef’s take on Kazakh cuisine or pan-Asian fare—and if you’re up for it, stop by a rooftop bar or the nearby EXPO boulevard for late-night city views before turning in.
Start your day with breakfast near Bayterek Tower, then ride the elevator up to the observation platform for a morning panorama of the Ishim River and the city’s futuristic skyline. From there, walk to the nearby Palace of Peace and Reconciliation to admire its pyramid geometry and, time permitting, join a short guided tour to learn about Kazakhstan’s multicultural vision and contemporary architecture.
After lunch at a riverside café on Mangilik El, head to the Nur Alem EXPO pavilion to explore interactive exhibits on technology and sustainability and step inside the striking glass sphere for unique exhibition spaces and photo opportunities. Continue with a visit to the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan to see immersive displays on Kazakh history, nomadic culture and statehood — allow time to browse the archaeological and ethnographic halls that deepen the context from your Almaty days.
As daylight fades, stroll along the Ishim River promenade toward the illuminated Astana Opera House, pausing for photos of the Ak Orda Presidential Palace across the water, then treat yourself to a performance at the opera if the schedule aligns. Finish the evening with dinner at a stylish central restaurant sampling modern Kazakh cuisine or international dishes, and enjoy a final walk along EXPO Boulevard to take in the city lights before returning to your hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast at your hotel before checking out, then take a short taxi to the Central Concert Hall or the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan for a last cultural deep-dive—both venues open early and offer final context on Kazakh history and contemporary art. If you prefer shopping, head to Khan Shatyr’s indoor mall to browse local designer boutiques, pick up packaged baursaks or tea, and grab a coffee while you wait for airport transfer.
Store your luggage at the hotel or use airport lockers and spend your last hours strolling the Ishim River promenade to photograph Bayterek and the Ak Orda Palace from a fresh angle, or visit the EXPO Boulevard shops for modern souvenirs and gourmet chocolates. Pause for a relaxed farewell lunch at a riverside café or at Khan Shatyr’s food court—try manty or beshbarmak one last time—then collect your bags and allow extra time for the short drive to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport for your departure.
If your flight departs late, enjoy a calm airport café meal and reflect on highlights from Almaty’s mountains and Charyn Canyon through to Astana’s futuristic skyline; duty-free offers regional honey, tea and handicrafts to take home. Otherwise, after your evening departure head home full of vivid landscapes, architectural contrasts and memorable cultural encounters from your Kazakhstan adventure.