7-Day Itinerary for Kazakhstan in October 2023

1. Day 1: Nur-Sultan
   15 minutes (9.5 km) from Nur-Sultan International Airport

   Visit the Astana Opera House in the morning, followed by lunch at the Old City restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Bayterek Tower and enjoy the sunset at the Nur-Astana Mosque.

2. Day 2: Almaty
   2 hours 30 minutes (1,261 km) from Nur-Sultan

   Take a morning flight to Almaty. Visit the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan in the morning, followed by lunch at the Navat Restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Kok-Tobe Hill and enjoy the sunset at the Almaty Tower.

3. Day 3: Charyn Canyon
   3 hours 30 minutes (215 km) from Almaty

   Take an early morning drive to Charyn Canyon. Enjoy a hike in the canyon and have a picnic lunch. Visit the Moon Canyon in the afternoon before driving back to Almaty.

4. Day 4: Shymbulak Ski Resort
   40 minutes (25 km) from Almaty

   Take a morning cable car ride to the Shymbulak Ski Resort. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the morning, followed by lunch at the Kok Zhailau Restaurant. In the afternoon, take another cable car ride to the Talgar Pass and enjoy the views.

5. Day 5: Kolsai Lakes National Park
   3 hours 30 minutes (300 km) from Almaty

   Take a morning drive to Kolsai Lakes National Park. Hike around the Lower Kolsai Lake in the morning, followed by lunch at the Kolsai Lakes Guesthouse. In the afternoon, visit the Middle Kolsai Lake before driving back to Almaty.

6. Day 6: Big Almaty Lake
   40 minutes (28 km) from Almaty

   Take a morning drive to Big Almaty Lake. Enjoy the scenic views and have a picnic lunch. Visit the Almaty Observatory in the afternoon before driving back to the city.

7. Day 7: Almaty
   15 minutes (8 km) from Almaty International Airport

   Take a morning walk around the Panfilov Park and visit the Zenkov Cathedral. Have lunch at the Alma Brasserie and visit the Green Bazaar in the afternoon.

Recommendations

Consider taking a day trip to the Turgen Gorge from Almaty. You can also visit the Tamgaly Petroglyphs from Nur-Sultan. For maximizing your fun, try traditional Kazakh foods like beshbarmak or kuyrdak and attend a Kazakh cultural performance. If you have extra time, visit the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Astana Opera House (2 hours, 2,500 KZT)
• Old City restaurant (1 hour, 5,000 KZT)
• Bayterek Tower (1 hour, 500 KZT)
• Nur-Astana Mosque (1 hour, Free)
• Central State Museum of Kazakhstan (2 hours, 1,200 KZT)
• Navat Restaurant (1 hour, 7,000 KZT)
• Kok-Tobe Hill (2 hours, 3,000 KZT)
• Almaty Tower (1 hour, 2,000 KZT)
• Charyn Canyon (8 hours, 15,000 KZT)
• Moon Canyon (2 hours, Free)
• Shymbulak Ski Resort (8 hours, 20,000 KZT)
• Kolsai Lakes National Park (10 hours, 10,000 KZT)
• Big Almaty Lake (6 hours, 5,000 KZT)
• Almaty Observatory (2 hours, 2,000 KZT)
• Panfilov Park (2 hours, Free)
• Zenkov Cathedral (1 hour, Free)
• Alma Brasserie (1 hour, 5,000 KZT)
• Green Bazaar (2 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: 83,200 KZT