Itinerary Almaty, Turkistan & Astana

June is an excellent time to visit Kazakhstan: expect warm days, clear skies in the south and cooler evenings in the north. Perfect for adventure, hiking, and cultural discoveries.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1600 USD
🏨 Accommodations	700 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	500 USD
Total	2900 USD

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇰🇿 Almaty - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Big Almaty Lake ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Spectacular turquoise mountain lake at 2,500m; best in the morning. Bring layers, no swimming allowed.

• [ ] 🏔️ Shymbulak Ski & Hike Resort ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Take cable car, summer hiking trails with panoramic city views; try the zipline.

• [ ] 🌳 Central Park (Gorky Park) ⭐ (~2h)

  • Relax, rent a bike or rowboat, local snacks available; family vibe.

• [ ] 🏛️ Central State Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Insightful exhibits on Kazakh history and culture; English signs.

• [ ] 🕌 Almaty Cathedral & Panfilov Park ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Stunning wooden cathedral, war memorials; shady park grounds.

• [ ] 🌿 Ile-Alatau National Park ⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Rugged hiking, waterfalls, wildlife spotting. Bring water and camera.

• [ ] 🏙️ Zeleny Bazaar & Arbat Street ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Bustling market, try dried fruits, explore local crafts and art.

• [ ] 🎨 Kasteyev Art Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Largest collection of Kazakh and Central Asian art; modern and folk.

• [ ] 🏙️ Kok-Tobe Hill ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)

  • City’s best panoramic view; cable car ride is a must.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bar 3200 (Kok-Tobe) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Trendy hilltop lounge with sweeping views; great cocktails, relaxed vibe.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Zhety Kazyna ⭐⭐⭐
  • Taste beshbarmak & manti; stylish, local favourite (~25 USD/person).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Medeu Ice Rink (~1.5h)
  • Scenic, historic ice skating venue; nice for walks or photos in summer.

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🇰🇿 Turkistan - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🕌 Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Kazakhstan’s most revered pilgrimage site; UNESCO World Heritage. Modest dress required.

• [ ] 🏛️ History Museum of Turkistan ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Regional history from Silk Road era; exhibits in English and Kazakh.

• [ ] 🏙️ Old Town Silk Road Area ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Wander among restored caravanserais, market atmosphere, artisan shops.

• [ ] 🌳 Azret Sultan Reserve ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Ancient ruins in a serene desert landscape.

• [ ] 🎨 Carpet Weaving Workshops ⭐ (~1h)

  • See artisans at work, handmade souvenirs.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Khan Shatyr Cafe ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Rooftop teahouse; try local teas at sunset.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Turkistan Bazaar Food Court ⭐⭐⭐
  • Lagman, shashlik, samsa; local food market (~10-15 USD/person).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Yassy Mosque (~1h)
  • Lesser-known, peaceful, worth a visit for architecture fans.

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🇰🇿 Astana (Nur-Sultan) - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Baiterek Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Astana’s emblem, panoramic views, glass sphere observation deck.

• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of the Republic ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Cutting-edge exhibits on Kazakh identity, large scale artifacts.

• [ ] 🎡 Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Giant transparent tent city: shopping, amusement park, indoor beach.

• [ ] 🏢 Palace of Peace and Reconciliation ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Futuristic pyramid hosting art exhibitions and events.

• [ ] 🌳 Central Park & Ishim River Embankment ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Riverfront promenades, boat rides, lively evening vibe.

• [ ] 🎨 Has Sanat Art Gallery ⭐ (~1h)

  • Contemporary Kazakh artists, small but impressive.

• [ ] 🕌 Hazrat Sultan Mosque ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Modern, monumental, largest mosque in Central Asia.

• [ ] 🏟️ Astana Opera House ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Imposing architecture; check for concerts or ballet.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Line Brew Astana ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Local steakhouse and brewery; lively, occasional live music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Rumi Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Classic Central Asian dishes with modern twist; (~30 USD/person).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Expo 2017 Sphere Museum (~1h)
  • Striking architecture, science & innovation exhibits.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇰🇿 Almaty

• [ ] 🎬 The Road to Mother (2016) — ⭐ 7.4 — Epic family saga set across Kazakhstan’s history — Amazon
• [ ] 📺 Kelinka Sabina (2014) — ⭐ 6.0 — Light Kazakh romcom, Almaty scenes — YouTube

🇰🇿 Turkistan

• [ ] 🎬 Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007) — ⭐ 7.2 — Sweeping steppes, Turkic heritage — Apple TV

🇰🇿 Astana

• [ ] 🎬 The Eagle Huntress (2016) — ⭐ 7.5 — Documentary; Kazakh culture and the steppe — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Nomad: The Warrior (2005) — ⭐ 5.9 — Epic action in Astana’s modern capital — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇰🇿 Almaty

• [ ] Beshbarmak (boiled horse meat & noodles)
• [ ] Shashlik (grilled skewers)
• [ ] Kurt (salty dried cheese balls)

🇰🇿 Turkistan

• [ ] Lagman (hand-pulled noodle stew)
• [ ] Samsa (savory pastries)
• [ ] Plov (rice pilaf with lamb)

🇰🇿 Astana

• [ ] Kazy (horsemeat sausage)
• [ ] Baursaki (fried dough balls)
• [ ] Chak-chak (sweet fried dough with honey)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇰🇿 Almaty

1. 🌤️ Big Almaty Lake
2. 🌙 Bar 3200
3. 🛍️ Zeleny Bazaar
4. 🏨 Rahat Palace Hotel
5. 🍽️ Zhety Kazyna

🇰🇿 Turkistan

1. 🌤️ Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
2. 🌙 Khan Shatyr Cafe
3. 🛍️ Silk Road Artisans Market
4. 🏨 Hampton by Hilton Turkistan
5. 🍽️ Turkistan Bazaar Food Court

🇰🇿 Astana

1. 🌤️ Baiterek Tower
2. 🌙 Line Brew Astana
3. 🛍️ Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center
4. 🏨 Rixos President Astana
5. 🍽️ Rumi Restaurant

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Almaty
• [ ] ✈️ Almaty → Turkistan
• [ ] ✈️ Turkistan → Astana
• [ ] ✈️ Astana → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Almaty	3	Rahat Palace Hotel	330 USD
Turkistan	2	Hampton by Hilton Turkistan	170 USD
Astana	2	Rixos President Astana	200 USD
Total	7		700 USD

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