Kazakhstan tour and Nomad Games
DAY 1, UK to KAZAKHSTAN
DAY 2, AKTAU
This afternoon meet your guide in the reception of the hotel to commence an introductory tour of the “secret city” of Aktau. Built during the Soviet era in the 1960’s as a site for nuclear energy production, the city housed people purely there to work in the nuclear sector. At its inception it was supposed to be a well kept secret, one of numerous ZATO cities “closed administrative-territorial formations” it did not appear on any maps and the population were forbidden to disclose where they lived. Ak- tau is one of a number of planned cities still in existence today which have since opened their doors to the world.
Depart the hotel on foot on a walking tour of the city. Take a walk along the embankment of Aktau city, where the Amphitheatre is located, and continue along the Skalnaya tropa. More commonly called the Rocky Path, it is approx. 1.5 km long and includes 24 viewing platforms offering magnificent views of the Caspian Sea. Admire the rock paintings which in the evening are lit by coloured lights.
DAY 3, AKTAU
An early start today! This morning drive out to the remote Torysh Valley, also known as the Valley of the Balls. The site is home to naturally formed spherical rock formations spread out over the steppe. The balls range in size with the largest the size of a car.
The area has received little international research interest so there is some uncertainty as to the geological origins of the balls but the site remains impressive. From here continue to visit Sherkala or Lion Mountain which sits near the town of Shetpe along the ancient Silk Road route accessible via a road locally known as “the gate of fairy tales”. The mountain is often thought to resemble a huge sleeping lion or an oversized yurt!
Proceed to visit the Sultan Epe Necropolis. Sultan Epe was re- garded as the protector of sailors and the complex is home to an underground mosque, a garden with a well linked to a holy spring and a number of interesting rock carvings. The low ceilinged un- derground mosque is lit and aired by openings in the roof formed by concentric layers of stones. If time allows, there will also be a visit to 10th Century Kyzylkala, or Red City, to see the remains of this Silk Road town and fortress abandoned in the 13th Century after the regional defeat by Genghis Khan. The site is still used today in winter months by local nomads who set up camp in the shelter of the walls.
DAY 4, AKTAU
An early start today! Today head east into the wilds of the region with a visit to dramatic Bozjyra, located on the Ustyurt Plateau around 300km from Aktau. En route pass grazing camels before stopping off to view in the distance the multi-coloured layers of Kyzylkup, known locally as the “tiramisu mountains”. Amidst this ethereal scenery, is the possibility of finding fossilised shells and shark teeth from the Mesozoic Era. The main stop of the day is the incredible Bozjyra. Stops are made from various vantage points to take in the unrivalled perspective of the surrounding landscape, a place once submerged beneath the ancient Tethys Ocean during the Mesozoic Era. Today, the site is a testament to the passage of time, presenting an endless panorama of moon- like, light grey landscapes, adorned with imposing cliffs, towering buttes and magnificent limestone pillars.
DAY 5, AKTAU
Today enjoy further explorations of this planned city. Visit the Aktau Museum to learn a little about the history of the city before pushing on to see the famous MIG statue. Continue to the Cara- vel of Columbus Monument located in Astana Square. Weighing a mighty 150 tonnes it was built by local craftsmen and depicts the ship Columbus sailed when searching for the Americas. Also included is a visit to the World War II Eternal Flame Memorial which is built in the style of an open yurt. Despite the name, the eternal flame is generally only lit on special occasions.
Continue to drive along Primorsky Boulevard and past the old lighthouse which sits incongruously atop a residential apartment block. Officially called the Melovoi lighthouse, it was built in 1974 and the lighthouse attendant and his family live in an apartment just beneath it.
After your explorations, head out on the waters of the Caspian Sea on a catamaran for a short cruise to take in the sight of the city from the water. Return to land and enjoy dinner in a local res- taurant.
DAY 6, AKTAU TO ALMATY
Today we leave the remote and little-visited Mangystau Province behind and dive into the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty.
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world so flight time is approx. 3hrs and upon landing in this bustling metropolis we head to to the Kazzhol Park Hotel and relax after two long days on the road.
DAY 7, ALMATY
This morning depart the city and drive to the nearby Medeo gorge, home to the highest skating rink in the world. Enjoy a brief stop on the huge Medeo dam, which protects the city from de- structive mudflows. Take the cable car up to the mountain ski resort of Shymbulak—enjoy amazing views of the peaks of the nearby Tien-Shan Mountains.
Return to the city and visit the bustling Green Bazaar, a two-tier market bursting with the flavours of Central Asia. Here you can find all manner of local foodstuffs including kymyz (fermented horse milk), shubat (fermented camel milk) and numerous food stalls selling the ubiquitous plov. We will take a walk to Panfilov Park and visit the unique Zenkov Cathedral which, at 56 metres high, is not only one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world but was constructed entirely without the use of nails. The park is also home to the Memorial of Glory which houses the Eternal Flame, a dedication built in 1974 for the 30th anniversary of the Kazakh victory in the Great Patriotic War.
If time allows, end the day with a visit to Almaty’s underground. The metro boasts marble floors, various forms of artwork on the walls and even chandeliers in some stations! With trains arriving every 10-15 mins and the air-conditioned atmosphere, this is definitely the way to travel during the summer months!
DAY 8, CHARYN CANYON
Today we will drive out to Charyn Canyon. Said to resemble the Grand Canyon, in appearance if not size at least, the red sand- stone canyon is 150km from end to end and in some places up to 300 metres deep. Formed 12 million years ago, the canyon was at that time underwater so the fossilised remains of marine life can sometimes be found. Spend the day exploring this picturesque national park with a visit to the stunning Valley of Castles, a popu- lar section of the canyon with visitors and locals alike: it is a fa- vourite picnic spot for those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
DAY 9, ETHNO VILLAGE
This morning is a drive out to the Huns Ethno Village to discover the ancient culture and traditions of Kazakh nomads. There’s a master class in cooking Kazakh “baursak” puffy bread before learning about the construction of a Kazakh yurt and its sacred meaning for a nomad. To get into the mood for the Nomad Games there are some traditional Nomad events such as jigitovka – horseback riding with acrobatic elements—before a traditional lunch.
This afternoon, it’s an archery class before returning to Almaty. In the evening Kok-Tobe Hill, where the 372 metre tall TV Tower is located. There is a great viewing deck offering sweeping panoramic views of Almaty, as well as souvenir shops and bizarrely enough a bronze monument devoted to the Beatles.
DAY 10, ALMATY TO ASTANA
The morning is free at leisure to relax before being collected and transferred to the train station for the overnight train to Astana. Embarkation is approx. 1330pm, arriving into Astana the following morning approx. 0520am: journey time, approx. 16hrs. We intend to book tickets on the comfortable high-speed Talgo train service. This a high speed service and the trains can run at speeds of up to 200km per hour. Facilities onboard include air- conditioning, charger sockets, individual bedside lighting, com- posting toilets in the main carriage as well as a bar and restaurant car.
Lynn n I have decided 16 hours on a cramped sleeper train isn’t exactly “Orient Express” so are flying at a cost of £40
DAY 11, ASTANA
Later today a sightseeing tour of the new national capital, Astana, a stroll along Water-Green Boulevard and see the architecture of this newly-built financial district. A visit to the new Nur Sultan Mosque which opened its doors in in 2022 and is the largest in central Asia. Then on to Bayterek Tower which sits at the very centre of the city. Translated as “tall poplar” the tower stands at 97 metres high to represent 1997, when Astana was announced as the country capital. The design is said to represent a birds egg laid in the tree of life and relates to an ago old Kazakh folk tale about happiness and new beginnings and a trip to the top of the tower and enjoy magnificent views over the city.
Then to the Astana Opera Building which is the largest theatre in central Asia and the third largest in the world. The style of the construction is inspired by the Italian theatres of the 19th century merged with frescoes depicting local sites such as Charyn Canyon. Continue to the Presidential Palace, also called “Ak-Orda”. The palace is topped by a blue and gold spire and houses various halls for important events including the Oriental Hall which is built in the form of a yurt. The building also sits within picturesque gar-dens alongside the Ishim River. Finally a visit the Mangilik El, also known as the Triumphal Arch, built to symbolise the achievements of the Kazakh people and unveiled to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the country’s independence and a stroll along the embankment bordering the river, a popular place with locals and visitors alike.
DAY 12, ALZHIR MEMORIAL COMPLEX ASTANA
Today we depart the city and drive to the ALZHIR memorial complex. The cryptic acronym ALZHIR (pronounced just like the capital of Algeria) stands for the Russian for “Akmolinskiy internment camp for the wives of the betrayers of the homeland”. This was the par- ticularly Stalinist gulag for the wives and children of political prisoners who were deemed traitors. The wives were simply considered as guilty as their husbands by association. The camp was in operation from the 1930s through to the early 1950s (more precise figures claim from 1937 to 1946) and was one of the most notorious camps in central Kazakhstan – not just because of its special role as a women`s camp within the gulag system, but also be- cause it had several high profile prisoners, including artists and actresses. The ALZHIR memorial museum at Malinovka was opened in 2007 by President Nazarbayev and is a fairly modern affair. The outdoor part has since been expanded and now incorporates the Memorial to the Victims of Political Repression, recently relocated here from Astana. Return to Astana.
This afternoon a visit to the large National Museum which sits on Independence Square and offers a complete history of the country. The square is also home to the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation and the Khazret Sultan Mosque which we will also visit.
DAY 13, WORLD NOMAD GAMES
Today is the introduction to the 5th World Nomad Games. Called by many the “Olympics of the Nomads”, the event showcases traditional nomadic sports and events including those you would have heard of archery, wrestling to those you may not kok buru (headless goat polo), alysh (a traditional form of wrestling) and burkut saluu (eagle hunting). This is now an international event with many different nationalities taking part and not just from central Asia! The attraction of the games has since extended as far afield as Europe and the USA.
DAY 14, WORLD NOMAD GAMES
The final day not only in the country but also at the Games.
Again the day is free to attend whatever event(s) you would like to observe and there may be medal ceremonies to attend.
Tonight we intend to (try and) obtain tickets for the Closing Ceremony of the Games. Historically this has been a rather spectacular affair so we are hoping for a similarly exciting event—a great way to end the holiday and the games!