Crystal Lakes Tour

Crystal Lakes Tour
Duration: 9 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Shymkent - Turkestan - Issyk Lake - Kaindy - Saty - Kolsai - Charyn - Almaty

Short summary:
On this tour, you cannot help but remain without colorful memories captured in the photo. You will see how much wonder nature can be and what wonderful sights people create. In addition, you will be surprised by the contrast of modern life against the background of untouched gifts of nature.

Day 1: Almaty 
Guide will meet and pick you up to the Almaty to have a city tour. Here you will be able to learn more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan while having a city tour. At first you will visit Green Bazaar where you can buy anything you want. After exploring it you will go to the one of the oldest parks in Almaty - Panfilov Park as well as Zenkov Cathedral that located near it. In course of the tour you will have an opportunity to visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Moreover you will explore the famous Medeo gorge where the highest skating ring is situated. Then is the place where you can witness the tallest TV tower in the world - Kok Tobe hill. In Kok-Tobe Park you will be gifted with the one of the most outstanding view as well as take a lot photos here. The tour will end with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Night is in hotel.

Day 2: Almaty - Shymkent
Toady your destination is Shymket which will be reached by domestic flight. Upon arrival you will be met by guide. The tour will start with exploring such significant site as park named after Sh.Kaldayakov "Zher Ana" monument, Ordabasy square Park "20 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", Museum of Victims of Political Repression (30 minutes), Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Flame to the fallen in the great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum, Regional Museum and others. Overnight is in hotel.

Day 3: Shymkent - Turkestan - Shymkent
In course of the tour you will drive to Turkestan. On the way you will have a stop at Otrar region where the Shaulder Settlement is situated to visit the Local History Museum "Otyrar", Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. While enjoying the travel here you will learn that this was the bon place of the feudal philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi. After you have done exploration here we will drive to Turkestan that appeared in 500 AD in the crossroad of caravan from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to northern Kazakhstan. Moreover this site is the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people of the XVI-XVIII centuries as well as used to be the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. While exploring the city you will visit "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan ancient settlement, Necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, Citadel with gates, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque. This night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Shymkent - Almaty
In the afternoon you will have a flight to Almaty. Here you will continue the exploration of this wonderful city. The tour will start by visiting Panfilov's alley and Arbat, President Park. While observe the Arbat you will notice that it is one of the most popular places in Almaty. This place is notable due to the artists who sell their works of art, local landscapes and everything about Kazakhstan. In addition you will have a chance to visit TSUM. This site ids the mall where you can buy and sell different staffs. In case of the Park you will be transferred to the southern part of Almaty to witness very impressive view of it. In this park is usually held the annual music festival called "Almaty - my first love" and you can observe it in front of the curved walkway. The amphitheater atmosphere is emphasized by the fountains and water features to the rear.  The park area consists of about1.5 km. You will enjoy to see a lot of plants. Night is in the hotel.

Day 5: Almaty - Issyk Lake - Almaty
Toady you will travel to the one of the most admirable sights of Kazakhstan that situated in breathtaking gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge which lies along the Kuldja tract. This place saw an endless stream of caravans. During the tour you will be learn more about history of as well as see the burial mounds of Saka period. On the way to lake you will have a stop at the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK". The road will lead you to the lake of 1756 meters above sea level high that lays in the valley that has same name. This lake appeared about 10,000 years ago in result of the colossal landslide and the natural dam of 300 meters in height appeared as well. Being there you will enjoy stunning beauty of its blue water surface and the Issyk Gorge. You will have an opportunity to take a lot of photos. Your night is in hotel.

Day 6: Almaty - Kaindy - Saty
Toady your destination of the travel is Saty settlement. On the way you will have a stop to explore the famous Kaindy Lake. This lake is also known as birch lake. You will be impressed by the location of this charming pine forest on the altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. This lake was farmed in 1911 as the result of the huge earthquake which blocked the alley by the natural dam and water has flooded the valley. Despite the fact that the water is cold it is very the waters are very cold and crystal clear. The surface of the lake will get all your attention. At such tours you will take lot of awesome photos. Don't miss to take awesome photos. Afterwards you will have transfer to Saty settlement. The night is in guesthouse.

Day 7: Saty - Kolsai
In the morning you will drive foe having trek from the lake Kolsai-1 to the lake Kolsai-2. While trekking to the lake you will know that this lake knows as "Pearls of the Northern Tien-Shan" due to the waterfall of three lakes. The largest lake is easy to reach due to it many people like to be here. In this area it can be possible to find mushrooms as well as having horse riding tour.  The highest is the smallest among them that lays on the border of fir-wood and the alpine meadows. You will have a great impact by view of the rich flora and fauna. Vertical drop between the three lakes is about 700 meters. To reach the lowest lake you can use car but to reach the highest one you need to trek. Moreover it possible to fishing there and gather bit of berries. On the way it will be possible to witness Marals, mountain goats, wolves and even bears. Afterwards you will return to the guest house.

Day 8: Kolsai - Charyn - Almaty
You will drive back to Almaty in the morning. On the way you will have a sop to enjoy the picturesque view of Charyn Canyon. This site attracts the tourist of around the world. This outstanding sight appeared during Paleogene and has similarity with the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America. You will be impressed be the height of canyon that is about 150-300 meters.  The wind and water made this incredible sight and it received the name -"Valley of Castles" with lots of rocks. The length of the valley is more than 2 km, width is 20-80 meters. You will be mesmerized by the fancy cliffs that look like the towers. Afterwards you will transfer to Almaty at 19:00.

Day 9: Flight
Breakfast. Check - out till 12:00. Airport transfer. 

Price per person 3*:
02 pax - 1 685 $
04 pax - 1 200 $
06 pax - 905 $
08 pax - 755 $
10 pax - 695 $
Single - 175 $ 

Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 

Price per person 4*:
02 pax - 1 760 $
04 pax - 1 285 $
06 pax - 990 $
08 pax - 835 $
10 pax - 770 $
Single - 220 $ 

Early check-in - 40 $
Single early check-in - 70 $  

Half board - 125 $ (7 dinners, 2 dinners are included to the accommodation price)
Full board - 200 $ (7 dinners + 7 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 lunches are included to the accommodation price)

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3* / "Kazzhol" Hotel 4*
Shymkent - "Megapolis" Hotel 3*/ "Aidana Plaza" Hotel 4*
Saty - Homestays
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour            

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