Central Asia along the Old & New Silk Road - Travel like a local in Kazakhstan, see the small "Grand Canyon", stay in a yurt and "cross over" to China (September 2025)

Day 1: Arrival in Almaty Welcome to the old capital of Kazakhstan - Almaty. Most flights from Europe land in Almaty in the very early morning. So feel free to head to the city and store your luggage before we meet at noon :). Once everyone arrives in Almaty (12:00 by the latest) we will pick up the rental 4x4 jeep, throw in our bags (or store the big luggage in a secure locker in the city center) and embark on our first day of the road trip adventure covering around 350km just today. We make several toilet, photo and grocery stops en-route and will witness the gradual change of landscapes. INCLUDED ✅ 4x4 jeep from Astana and me as your personal driver ;-) EXCLUDED ❌Airport transfer ❌Local bus / taxi and entry tickets to museums etc. ❌Fuel

Day 1: "New Silk Road" experience In the afternoon, we arrive at the Chinese- Kazakh border Khorgos/Horgos. Here, the atmosphere changes into a somewhat chaotic and interesting mix of cultures with influences of Chinese-Kazakh-Russian. This is THE gateway from China to the West and part of the "New Silk Road", officially known under the name "Belt and Road Initiative", which China initiated around 11 years ago. Get to know the new Silk Road and let`s soak in the atmosphere here and maybe even do some bargaining and shopping in the visa-free zone between China and Kazakhstan ;-). We will spend the night in a guesthouse /hotel close to the border. INCLUDED ✅ 1 night in a guesthouse or hotel (twin bed room) en-route EXCLUDED ❌Meals and shopping in Hargos

Day 2: Altyn Emel National Park (~ 300km) As we leave the border city behind and drive west - the mountainous region of the Altyn Emel National Park appears in the distance. After passing several border controls, we finally reach the national park, where we will spend the next two nights like nomads in a traditional Central Asian dwelling called yurt in Kazakh (known as ger in Mongolian). Toilets and showers will be shared with other guests and meals can be prepared in a so-called "summer kitchen" or purchased on site in the restaurant (food prices are cheap in Kazakhstan, we are talking 5€ for breakfast for example). Day 3: Aktau mountains Today, we start our adventure with a scenic drive into the Aktau Mountains (White Mountains), famous for their vivid layers of white, red, and orange rocks. The area’s dramatic canyons and eroded hillsides make for excellent hiking and photography. If we have some spare time, I will drive into the nearby Katutau Mountains for a quick stop as well, where ancient volcanic activity has left behind fantastically shaped rock formations. On our return, we will make a rest stop at the Kosbastau oasis. The oasis is home to a centuries-old willow tree and a warm spring, providing a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the shade. In the late afternoon we reach our yurt and make it cozy for our last night here in this beautifully remote area. Day 4: Singing Dunes After breakfast we head early to our main destination for today: the Singing Dunes. It is a towering sand formation that stretches for several kilometers. And when the sand is dry, it produces a deep, resonant sound as it shifts—an unforgettable natural phenomenon that gives the dunes its name. As we travel through the wild steppe, keep an eye out for wildlife such as gazelles and wild horses, which there are plenty in this region. We need to leave the national park before it closes for the night and head back to Almaty (~300km drive, partly dirt roads). INCLUDED ✅ 2 nights in Altyn Emel National Park (sleep in a shared yurt, a Kazakh traditional dwelling) ✅ National park fees ✅ Day tour to Singing Dunes ✅ Day tour to the multi-colored Aktau mountains EXCLUDED ❌Meals

Day 5: Almaty We have a full day to explore Almaty, the old capital of Soviet Kazakhstan. We stroll together along the Allee Zhibek Zholy, which is lined with small independent shops, cafes and restaurants. And make photo and sightseeing spots at the vibrant Green Bazaar, the orthodox Zenkov Cathedral & its surrounding Panfilov Park honorig the hero of World War II. We can ride the cable car to the hilltop Kok Tobe (accitional fee of ~ 5€) that opens up a beautiful panoramic view over Almaty and the mountains. The evening is free to visit the Republic Square, home to the Independence Monument and significant government buildings. INCLUDED ✅ 2 nights in Almaty in apartment (twin bed rooms) ✅ Almaty city walk & sightseeing EXCLUDED ❌Local bus / taxi, meals and entry fees if applicable

Day 6: Charyn Canyon Our adventure begins early as we are picked up in Almaty, ready to leave the city behind and head toward the wild beauty of Kazakhstan’s landscapes once more time. As our English speaking guide takes us across the steppe, anticipation builds for your first destination: Charyn Canyon’s legendary Valley of the Castles. Arriving at Charyn Canyon, we’re greeted by a breathtaking scene—towering red sandstone formations carved over millions of years into shapes that resemble ancient castles. The Charyn Canyon will probably look somewhat familiar to you, and that is no coincidence since it is similar to the famous Grand Canyon in the US in its geological formation and landscape. We set on an easy and scenic walk with plenty of opportunities to scramble up for new perspectives or simply soak in the silence and grandeur. After exploring the canyon, we continue our journey to a small village, where a hearty lunch awaits in a local guesthouse. As evening falls, we settle into our yurt for the night. INCLUDED ✅ Tour incl. local guide and transport to Charyn Canyon ✅ 1 night in a yurt shared with other tour participants of the same gender ✅ Home-cooked local food (1x breakfast, 2x lunch, 1x dinner - vegetarian options available) ✅ National park fees EXCLUDED ❌Additional tours such as horse riding

Day 7: Lakes Kaindy & Kolsai The second day in the mountains begins with a local breakfast and we soon after depart to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, famed for its sunken forest and surreal turquoise waters. Whether you choose to hike or ride horseback, you’ll have time to explore all the best viewpoints around the lake, capturing its unique beauty. After a short break and refreshed, we set off for the serene Kolsai Lake. Here, you have time to wander the lakeshore or lake a gentle hike. The scenery is tranquil and pristine, framed by forested slopes and distant peaks. Upon returning to Saty village, the guide will pause with us for lunch break before beginning the journey back toward Almaty. Along the way, we might make some other short stops at the dramatic Black Canyon and the otherworldly Yellow (Moon) Canyon, if time allows. As the sun sets, we arrive back in Almaty and take either the metro/bus or a shared taxi to the train station for our next adventurous train ride to Turkistan. INCLUDED ✅ Day tour incl. local guide and transport to UNESCO world heritage sites Kaindy Lake & Kolsai Lake ("Sunken Forest") ✅ Night train in 4-berth sleeper cabin Almaty - Turkistan (21:50 - 14:45+ arrival next day) EXCLUDED ❌Additional tours such as boat and horse rides

Day 8: Turkistan Upon arrival in Turkistan we make our way to the centrally located accommodation for our one night and leave the bags in the house in order to start our exploration of the city. After some rest (a shower and a meal), we head first to the city center that has drawn pilgrims and travelers for centuries: the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Kazakhstan’s most iconic building, built in the 14th century in honor the great Sufi mystic and poet. The mausoleum’s grand scale and turquoise dome are stunning, and the site remains a major center of spiritual life in Kazakhstan. After soaking in the atmosphere and history, we stroll around the pedestrian area surrounding the mausoleum, where a lively mix of shops, cafes, and entertainment are inspired by the Silk Road’s spirit. INCLUDED ✅ 1 night in Turkistan in apartment (twin bed rooms) ✅ Turkistan city walk & bazaars ✅ Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum EXCLUDED ❌Local bus / taxi, luggage locker, entry tickets and meals

Day 9: Day train Turkistan to Shymkent After breakfast we will begin our trip to the legendary ruins of Otrar located close to Turkistan (we share a taxi to Otrar, ca. 1 hours drive). Once a thriving city at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Otrar played a major role in trade and culture across Central Asia. The city has been mostly reconstructed in the past 10 years since it was destroyed by Genghis Khan. And although it is not all back to its former glory, it still remains beautiful to wander and explore history. In the afternoon we take the train from Turkistan to Shymkent passing the vast steppe with the mountain peaks visible from time to time. We have a full day on the train to enjoy the local atmosphere, chill in the restaurant and maybe even start some conversations with locals. Day 10: Shymkent Today we experienced both the ancient side of Sayram and the vibrant city life of Shymkent, all while following in the footsteps of the Silk Road caravans. We early start our day in Shymkent with a short drive by bus or shared taxi to Sayram, just 10 kilometers away. Sayram is one of the oldest settlements in Kazakhstan and was a key stop along the ancient Silk Road. At the heart of Sayram, we visit the historic mosque—one of the earliest in the region—and take a little time to walk around the old minarets and mausoleums. The peaceful surroundings remind us that this area once welcomed countless caravans and merchants journeying between East and West. Returning to Shymkent, we set out on foot to explore the city’s highlights, all within easy walking distance. Our first stop is the Old Town Citadel, which was originally built as a fortress to protect Sayram and the Silk Road trade routes. From the Citadel, we make our way to Ordabasy Square and Shymkent Arbat, the city’s pedestrian street lined with fountains, sculptures, and cafes. Here, we can grab a lunch snack. If we have extra time, we can visit one of the many cool museums: the Shymkent Regional Museum to see artifacts and learn more about the city’s Silk Road history, or the privately owned Kyluet Ethnographic Museum. INCLUDED ✅ Visit the Otrar / Otyrar hill ford ✅ Seat on train Turkistan - Shymkent (~ 4 hours train ride) ✅ 2 nights in Shymkent in apartment (twin bed rooms) ✅ Shymkent city walk & bazaars ✅ Visit the 3000 years old Sayram district EXCLUDED ❌Local bus / taxi, entry tickets and meals

Day 11: Astana We take it easy in the morning and after check out take the flight to Astana. We are expected to land at around noon and have time to explore the new capital. What used to be vast steppe not so long ago is now a bustling metropolis and the second-largest city of the country. Since Astana became the capital in 1997 a lot has changed and the city is unrecognizable today with many critics arguing that it is like a second "Dubai" that without a soul grew out of the Kazakh steppe. We will walk and visit the most famous city sites and learn about Kazakhstan and it`s history in the National Museum. Make up your own mind after seeing Astana with your own eyes. We will have a leisure walking around the city, where most of the iconic buildings are located, such as the (in)famous Bayterek Tower, the divine Nur-Astana Mosque and the amazing National Museum. P.S.: Photos are taken by myself during my last visit to Nur-Sultan / Astana few years ago. ;-) Day 12: Departure from Astana It`s our final day and time to say "farewell" to our new found travel buddies. Our amazing Cenral Asia adventure comes to an end, where it began. You can decide to either fly back home today or extend your trip by few more days in order to explore more of Astana :). Sounds good? Then what are you waiting for ;-)? Hope to see you soon on this wonderful trip to Kazakhstan! INCLUDED ✅ Flight Shymkent - Astana incl. 23 kg check-in baggage ✅ 1 night in Astana (twin bed room) EXCLUDED ❌Airport transfer ❌Local bus / taxi and entry tickets to museums etc.