Kazakhstan · HALF-DAY
The 7 best half-day tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Explore Astana with a private guide and driver in an air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the Grand Mosque, Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, Hazret Sultan Mosque, Palace of Peace, and Aq Orda. Guides such as Darman, Beq, Kadyrbek, and Nura tailor the route to your interests and schedule.
“A great tour with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. I highly recommend this tour as an introduction to the city.”
Escape Almaty with a private half-day trip to Big Almaty Lake and Alma-Arasan Gorge. Your guide, such as Dastan or Nursultan, handles the drive, park access, and walking route. Expect a high-mountain lake, a river gorge, hot springs, a small waterfall, bottled water, and flexible start times. The $139.50 price covers your vehicle, guide, and fees, but not lunch.
“They were very accommodating and changed time for us! Our guide was so sweet and very informative! We got to see the lake and a falcon show !”
See Astana, formerly Nur-Sultan, with a private guide and driver in four to five hours. Walk the Millennium Axis, ride up Bayterek Tower, enter Hazret Sultan Mosque, and stop at Khan Shatyr, Astana Opera, the Main Square, and the Triumphal Arch. Guides include Nargiz, Nazerke, Zhanel, and Dariya.
“My guide was Nargiz. It was such a pleasure to meet such a beautiful person, so knowledgeable and proud of her culture. The 5 hours spent with her gave me the confidence and understanding to go forth and explore the city further in the afternoon. A perfect day in Nur-sultan.”
Start with hotel pickup in Astana and explore the capital with a private guide and driver. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque, Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, Nazarbayev University, and a striking theater. The tour also includes Kazakhstan’s National Museum, traditional steppe cuisine, and southern Kazakh wine, with guides such as Amandyk, Timur, and Amir.
“Would definetly recommend the walking tour. The guide picked me up at my hostel and showed me the central places of astana. He knew a lot to tell about arcitecture, history, culture and policy. Had a really great time!”
Travel about 40 kilometers from Nur-Sultan to Alzhir, the former Soviet camp for wives of those labeled traitors. Your private tour includes transport, admission, and about two hours at the memorial museum, with an English-speaking guide such as Kamilla or Timon. Expect a prison train carriage, barracks, a film, and the Wall of Memory.
“Interesting visit. My friendly guide Kamilla made it even better, she was very knowledgeable about the history of the camp and Kazakhstan in general.”
Explore Astana in a private car with a guide such as Timur, Max, or Murat. Visit the National Museum, Astana Grand Mosque, Independence Square, Palace of Peace, Khan Shatyr, and Arba Wine. The three-hour route suits short stays, with travel time included and the pace adjusted to your interests.
“Excellent half day tour. Timur gave great suggestions of what to see with little time for sightseeing. I highly recommend!”
Leave Almaty for Butakovka Waterfall on a six-hour guided outing with an English-speaking guide such as Roza. Expect about 3.5 hours on foot, forest paths, rocky sections, and a steeper final stretch. The hike is refreshing and close to the city, but beginners should bring water, sturdy shoes, and trekking poles if available.
“A moderately difficult climb to the Butakovskiy Waterfall. Our guide Roza lent us trekking poles. Below is a link to a video of our trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlRgFVDWbtA”
Pick a canyon, a lake or a city block.
