ALMATY WITH BAKU
06 NIGHTS / 07 DAYS • 03 NIGHTS ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN) • 03 NIGHTS BAKU (AZERBAIJAN)
Day 01: Arrival in Almaty – Welcome to Kazakhstan
• Depart on flight to Almaty International Airport.
• Clear immigration and customs, collect luggage and meet our tour manager in the arrivals area.
• Transfer to your hotel and check in.
• Evening proceed for welcome dinner at an authentic Indian restaurant.
• Transfer back to hotel. Free time to explore Almaty’s vibrant nightlife.
• Overnight stay at hotel in Almaty.
Day 02: Almaty – Charyn Canyon & Turquoise Kolsai Lakes Tour
• Breakfast at hotel (07:00 – 07:30 hrs).
• 08:00 hrs: Depart for an epic excursion to the world-famous Charyn Canyon, often described as Central Asia's Grand Canyon. Formed over millions of years by the Charyn River flowing from the Tian Shan mountains, the canyon showcases red sandstone towers and sculptures of the "Valley of Castles" reaching depths of 150 to 300 meters.
• Delicious local lunch included during the tour (traditional Uzbek/Kazakh pilaf).
• Continue to Kolsai Lakes National Park, a cluster of emerald-blue alpine lakes set amidst dense pine forests, meadows, and snow-dusted peaks near the Kyrgyz border.
• Enjoy leisure walks, photography, and the serene mountain breeze.
• Return to Almaty and proceed for dinner at an Indian restaurant.
• Overnight stay at hotel in Almaty.
Day 03: Almaty – Medeu Gorge & Shymbulak Ski Resort Excursion
• Breakfast at hotel (07:00 – 10:00 hrs).
• 10:30 hrs: Proceed for an unforgettable alpine excursion into the Trans-Ili Ala-Tau mountains.
• First stop at Medeu Gorge, site of the world’s highest high-altitude speed skating rink and the massive mudflow protection dam with panoramic view decks.
• Ascend via scenic cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort (cable car ticket included), located at 2,230 meters above sea level, offering world-class vistas of snow-capped peaks.
• Lunch at an Indian restaurant.
• Afternoon free time for shopping at the Green Bazaar or Mega Center.
• 19:00 hrs: Dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Almaty.
Day 04: Huns Ethno Village Cultural Experience & Flight to Baku
• Breakfast at hotel (07:00 – 10:00 hrs). Check out from hotel at 10:30 hrs.
• 10:00 hrs: Transfer to the traditional nomadic ethno-aul "Huns" (approx. 60 km from Almaty).
• Welcome by warrior guards in historic Saka battle armor, celebrated with the traditional Shashi sweet-tasting rite and fresh baursaks.
• Explore traditional Kazakh yurts, nomadic lifestyle, wool spinning, and the "Syrga Salu" wedding ritual.
• Enjoy an adrenaline-filled equestrian show by the "Sarbaz" horsemen with ancient stunt performances and traditional Kara Zhorga dance.
• Traditional lunch (Plov, salad, baursaks, tea).
• Try traditional archery and relax at the contact zoo.
• 16:00 hrs: Return to city. Transfer to Almaty International Airport for evening flight to Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Overnight flight to Baku.
Day 05: Arrival Baku – Old City (Icheri Sheher) & Heydar Aliyev Center
• Early morning arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku.
• Immigration clearance, private transfer to hotel, and early check-in (packed snack box provided).
• Breakfast at hotel (07:00 – 10:00 hrs). Time to rest.
• 10:00 hrs: Walking tour of Baku’s UNESCO-listed Old City (Icheri Sheher): explore the 12th-century Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs Palace complex, ancient stone caravanserais, and fortress walls.
• 13:00 hrs: Lunch at an Indian restaurant.
• 14:00 hrs: Stroll along the pedestrian shopping promenade of Nizami Street (Torgovaya).
• 17:30 hrs: Photo stop at the futuristic Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Zaha Hadid.
• 20:00 hrs: Dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight stay in Baku.
Day 06: Baku Fire Tour & Exclusive Gala Dinner
• Breakfast at hotel. Meet in the lobby at 10:00 hrs.
• Visit Ateshgah Fire Temple: a sacred pilgrimage site built over natural gas vents, revered for centuries by Zoroastrian and Hindu travelers on the Silk Road.
• Excursion to Yanardag ("Fire Mountain") on the Absheron peninsula, where natural methane flames have been burning continuously on the hillside for thousands of years.
• Lunch at an Indian restaurant.
• Visit the coastal Bibi-Heybat Mosque overlooking the Caspian Sea.
• Evening Gala Dinner at a top Indian restaurant featuring 2+2 snacks, local drinks, Indian music, and live belly dance performance.
• Transfer back to hotel. Overnight stay in Baku.
Day 07: Gobustan Ancient Rock Art, Mud Volcanoes & Departure
• Breakfast at hotel. Check out at 12:00 hrs.
• Lunch at an Indian restaurant.
• Excursion to Gobustan National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), home to over 6,000 ancient petroglyph rock engravings dating back up to 40,000 years.
• Board 4x4 vehicles to visit the remarkable bubbling Mud Volcanoes at Dashgil, where cold grey mineral mud bubbles up in an otherworldly Martian landscape.
• 19:00 hrs: Farewell dinner at an Indian restaurant.
• Transfer to Baku International Airport to board your return flight back to India with incredible memories of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Package Inclusions:
• 03 Nights accommodation in Almaty at 4-star hotel
• 03 Nights accommodation in Baku at 4-star hotel (with early morning check-in)
• Daily hotel breakfasts throughout
• Lunches and dinners as per itinerary at quality Indian restaurants (Veg / Non-Veg)
• Gala Dinner in Baku with entertainment and snacks
• Charyn Canyon & Kolsai Lakes full day excursion
• Medeu Gorge & Shymbulak Ski Resort tour with cable car tickets included
• Huns Ethno Village cultural tour with horse show, archery, and traditional lunch
• Baku Old City, Maiden Tower, and Nizami Street walking tour
• Ateshgah Fire Temple & Yanardag Fire Mountain excursion
• Gobustan National Park and Mud Volcanoes 4x4 excursion
• Private transportation in AC coaches with professional English-speaking guides
• Daily bottled mineral water during tours
Package Exclusions:
• International airfare (India – Almaty & Baku – India)
• Intercity flight from Almaty to Baku
• Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan e-Visa fees
• Travel and medical insurance
• Personal expenses, minibar, laundry, and telephone calls
• Optional activities not listed in inclusions
• Gratuities to drivers and tour guides