{"id":40721,"date":"2025-11-26T08:37:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T08:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=40721"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:00:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T12:00:57","slug":"kazakhstan-11-days-itinerary-4-cities-astana-turkestan-shymkent-almaty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2025\/11\/kazakhstan-11-days-itinerary-4-cities-astana-turkestan-shymkent-almaty\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan 11 days Itinerary 4 cities Astana-Turkestan-Shymkent-Almaty"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re planning a trip to Kazakhstan, don\u2019t just visit Almaty. Explore the other cities too!
Here are the four major cities I visited in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n

\"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

4 cities<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Astana<\/li>\n
  2. Turkestan<\/li>\n
  3. Shymkent<\/li>\n
  4. Almaty<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

    Airlines<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. \u00a0Singapore to Astana via Beijing – Air China SGD498 (meal included)<\/li>\n
    2. Astana to Turkestan – Quzaq Air SGD109 (no meal)<\/li>\n
    3. Turkestan to Shymkent – Yandex Go SGD25<\/li>\n
    4. Shymkent – Almaty – Scat Airline SGD52 (Water only)<\/li>\n
    5. Almaty- Singapore via KL – Air Asia SGD617 (no meal)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

      Avoid Scams at the Airport<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Airports in Kazakhstan are known for frequent taxi scams. To stay safe, don\u2019t use the taxis waiting outside<\/strong>. Instead, use Yandex Go<\/strong> \u2014 it\u2019s reliable, safe, and usually cheaper.<\/p>\n

      \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

      Download Yandex Go<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Getting around is very easy with Yandex Go. The city is safe, organised, and very tourist-friendly, so using the app is simple even for first-time visitors. I used Yandex in all four cities I visited in Kazakhstan, and I had no issues at all \u2014 cars are always available and the prices are very affordable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

        Getting Around in Almaty<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • If you\u2019re a solo traveller, you can also use the bus in Almaty. The bus system is very good, affordable, and easy to understand. Most routes are clearly shown on Google Maps, so you can just follow the directions and hop on. It\u2019s a great option if you want to save money or explore the city like a local.<\/li>\n
        • Almaty\u2019s subway is small, with only 9 stations, but it\u2019s very convenient. You can simply tap your credit card to pay, so there\u2019s no need to buy separate tickets. It\u2019s a quick and easy way to get around the city.\"Kazakhstan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Currency – Tenge<\/h3>\n

          Roughly SGD1=400 tenge<\/p>\n

          You can change your money to Tenge at the airport, but don\u2019t exchange too much. Most places in Kazakhstan accept cards, including credit cards and YouTrip. For an 11-day trip, you only need to change around 100 SGD\/USD. Kazakhstan is very modern \u2014 even in small towns, shops and kids use mobile payments just like in China. Cash is only needed for small things like toilet breaks (about 100 tenge) when you visit places like Kolsay Lake or Charyn Canyon. You may also need cash for the old Russian bus ride (1000 tenge, around SGD 2.50) or for horse riding to the lake (5000 tenge, around SGD 12.50). Other than that, card payment works almost everywhere.<\/p>\n

          Using a credit card<\/strong> usually gives a better rate than exchanging cash at a money changer. For example, my credit card gave 400 tenge for 1 SGD<\/strong>, while the money changer only gave 385 tenge for 1 SGD<\/strong>. So it\u2019s often easier and more cost-effective to pay by card whenever possible.<\/p>\n

          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

          Mobile Network – Beeline<\/h3>\n

          For mobile data, Beeline works the best in Kazakhstan. You can buy a SIM card at the airport or in the city, and the process is very quick. Coverage is strong in major cities like Almaty, Astana, Turkistan, and Shymkent, and even in many countryside areas.<\/p>\n

          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

          1. Astana (2-3 nights)<\/h1>\n

          Astana is the modern capital of Kazakhstan, and it feels completely different from cities like Almaty or Turkistan. The city is full of futuristic buildings, wide roads, and beautiful landmarks that make it perfect for travellers who enjoy clean, well-planned cities. One thing you must know before coming is the weather \u2014 Astana is famous for being one of the coldest capitals in the world. Winter can be extremely cold with strong winds, while summer is warm and comfortable. If you visit outside summer, make sure you pack proper jackets, gloves, and shoes because the wind makes it feel even colder. Astana is a great starting point for your Kazakhstan journey, especially if you love modern architecture and a calm, clean city environment.<\/p>\n

          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

          Astana is a very new and modern city, filled with unique and futuristic buildings that you won\u2019t find anywhere else in Kazakhstan. If it\u2019s your first time here, I really recommend joining the Red Bus tour, which costs 6000 tenge (around SGD 15). You can find it right next to Bayterek Tower. The tour is a great way to get an introduction to the whole city, especially if you want to understand the layout and see all the major landmarks in one go. It\u2019s an easy, relaxed way to start your Astana trip.<\/p>\n

          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Bayterek Tower<\/strong> \u2013 The symbol of the city with a great panoramic view. 2500 tenge (SGD6.50)<\/li>\n
          • Hazrat Sultan Mosque<\/strong> \u2013 One of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Central Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

              \n
            • National Museum of Kazakhstan<\/strong> \u2013 Perfect for learning about the country\u2019s history and culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Palace of Peace and Reconciliation<\/strong> \u2013 A unique pyramid-shaped building.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Nur-Astana Mosque<\/strong> \u2013 Another beautiful landmark with golden domes.<\/li>\n
                • Khan Shatyr<\/strong> \u2013 A giant tent-shaped mall with shops, food, and indoor activities.<\/li>\n
                • Ishim River Promenade<\/strong> \u2013 Nice place for a walk, photos, and relaxing by the water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Triumphal Arch<\/strong> \u2013 A beautiful monument dedicated to Kazakhstan\u2019s independence.<\/li>\n
                  • Astanalyk Bazaar –<\/strong> local market up to 6 th floor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Where I stay in Astana?\u00a0 Blue Western Plus Astana\"Kazakhstan<\/h3>\n

                    I highly recommend this hotel \u2014 the rooms are spacious and clean<\/strong>, the breakfast has a good variety<\/strong>, and the location is perfect<\/strong>. It\u2019s just an 8-minute walk to Bayterek Tower<\/strong> and a 5-minute walk to the Presidential Palace<\/strong>. From the airport, it\u2019s about a 30-minute taxi ride<\/strong> for 2390 tenge (less than SGD 10)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                    Food in Astana<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    For lunch, I usually eat at mall food courts<\/strong>, keeping it simple and quick. For dinner, I prefer to choose a nicer restaurant<\/strong> to enjoy a more relaxed meal and try local dishes.<\/p>\n

                    Restaurants<\/h3>\n

                    Saksaul -Authentic Kazakh cuisine<\/h3>\n

                    Northern Lights, Dostyq St 5, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan<\/span><\/h3>\n

                    What I ate in Saksaul =Grand total 28006 tenge (SGD68)<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Apricot Kompot drink 2990 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • Draft Beer 1690 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • Shashlyk Orama Kebab Horse meat with chili sauce 6950 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • Beef Shashlyk with Charcoal bake vegetable serve with Garlic Sauce 5650 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • Warm salad with eggplant 5650 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • Dessert Khvorost Napolean 2990 tenge<\/li>\n
                    • 10% service Charge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                      Korean House Restaurant – Korean cuisine<\/h3>\n

                      Turan Ave 23, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      What I ate in Korean House = Grand total 15510 tenge (SGD38.70)<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Pork BBQ 6300 tenge<\/li>\n
                      • Cold noodle 5600 tenge<\/li>\n
                      • Cranberry drink 2200 tenge<\/li>\n
                      • 10% service Charge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                        \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                        Lunch at Khan Shatyr mall food court, having wok beef and fried rice =5100 tenge (SGD12.70)<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Wok beef 2400 tenge (SGD6)<\/li>\n
                        • Fried rice 2100 tenge (SGD5.2)<\/li>\n
                        • Coke 600 tenge (SGD 1.5)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                          Lunch at another mall in Astana<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Lanzhou Astana noodles 4490 tenge (SGD11.20)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                            Yandex Taxi in Astana<\/h3>\n

                            Day 1<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Astana airport to Best Western Plus Astana 2390 tenge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Day 3<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Hotel to National Museum 870 tenge 2.18 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • National Museum – Khan Shatyr Tenth Mall 2230 tenge 5.58 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • Khan Shatyr – Hotel 1660 tenge 4.15 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • Hotel – Astanalyk Bazaar 2370 tenge 5.93 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • Astanalyk Bazaar to Korean House Restaurant 1800 tenge 4.50 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • Korean House – walk back to hotel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Day 4 Hotel to Airport – 1960 tenge 5 SGD<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                2. Turkestan (1 night)<\/h1>\n
                                  \n
                                • Illegal taxi to Hotel 4000 tenge 10 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                • At Turkestan airport, I had trouble getting a Yandex Go car \u2014 the app wasn\u2019t responding well. The app showed a fare of around 3000+ tenge<\/strong>, but the local driver asked for 4000 tenge<\/strong>, so I ended up taking the taxi anyway.\u00a0 Not a big difference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  Where to stay : Karavan Saray Hotel Turkistan<\/h3>\n

                                  This is the best hotel in town and also very affordable.<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n

                                  Spacious and comfortable rooms located right inside the Caravanserai complex<\/strong>, making it easy to explore the area. The breakfast has a good variety<\/strong>, perfect to start your day. There are also a few restaurants and a food court selling fast food \u2014 I grabbed some fried chicken and fries at the food court 5320 tenge (SGD13) when I arrived around noon.<\/p>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  To catch the fountain and boat show at 8:30\u202fPM<\/strong>, I had dinner at the hotel as well \u2014 super convenient. Don\u2019t miss the 8D Flying Theatre \u2018Altyn Samuryk\u2019<\/strong>, which is free for hotel guests (non-guests pay 6500 tenge, about SGD 16<\/strong>). There\u2019s a free shuttle buggy<\/strong> that takes you straight to the Flying Theatre.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  Nearby, the main highlight is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi<\/strong>, (2000 tenge) a UNESCO site. Compared to the mausoleums in Bukhara or Samarkand, it feels smaller, but if you\u2019ve never been to Uzbekistan, it\u2019s definitely worth including in your Kazakhstan itinerary. The Khilgan Ata Underground Mosque<\/strong> is also close by, making it easy to explore the historical sights.<\/p>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                  \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                                  What I ate in Turkestan<\/h3>\n

                                  Food court in Karavan Saray\u00a0 = total 5320 tenge (SGD13)<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Fried Chicken 6 pcs: 1350 \u00f7 400 \u2248 3.38 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  • Beef Wrap Kebab: 2160 \u00f7 400 \u2248 5.40 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  • Fanta Orange: 420 \u00f7 400 \u2248 1.05 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  • Coke: 550 \u00f7 400 \u2248 1.38 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  • Fries: 850 \u00f7 400 \u2248 2.13 SGD<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

                                    Dinner at Hotel = 16390 tenge (SGD41)<\/div>\n
                                      \n
                                    • Mushroom<\/li>\n
                                    • Spinach<\/li>\n
                                    • Lamb<\/li>\n
                                    • Kazakh Noodles soup<\/li>\n
                                    • Fanta orange<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                      Yandex Taxi in Turkestan<\/h3>\n
                                        \n
                                      • Hotel – Unesco site 750 tenge<\/li>\n
                                      • Unseco site – Hotel 670 tenge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                        3. Shymkent (1-2 nights)<\/h1>\n

                                        I stayed for 2 nights but I think 1 night is enough.\u00a0 From Turkestan just take a Yandex 9500 tenge (SGD25)<\/p>\n

                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                        Where I stayed in Shymkent : Double Tree by Hilton<\/h3>\n

                                        I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton, but personally it wasn\u2019t my favourite \u2014 the location wasn\u2019t ideal, the room felt small, and the breakfast was just average. And for the price I paid, other hotels I stayed at in Kazakhstan offered a much better overall experience. Out of the four hotels I stayed in, this one ranked the lowest for me. If you\u2019re coming to Shymkent, I\u2019d recommend picking a hotel closer to the city centre instead.\u00a0 May be you can try out :<\/p>\n

                                        City Hotel
                                        \nRespublika Avenue 4,
                                        \nShymkent 160012<\/p>\n

                                        Where to eat?<\/h3>\n

                                        Walk 2 mins from Double tree, try Jeti Tandir serving good kebab.\u00a0 It Uyghur restaurant and this is a popular chain restaurant in Shymkent.<\/p>\n

                                        Jeti Tandir Restaurant = Total 5396 tenge SGD 13.50<\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • Beef shashlyk<\/li>\n
                                        • Noodles<\/li>\n
                                        • Bread<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                          Dinner at KFC 2650 tenge SGD6.625<\/p>\n

                                          Yandex taxi in Shymkent<\/h3>\n

                                          Day 1<\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • Jeti Tandir-Independent Square 1000 tenge SGD2.5<\/li>\n
                                          • Independent Square – Arbat Street 1000 tenge SGD2.5<\/li>\n
                                          • Arbat Street – walk back to hotel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                            Day 2<\/p>\n

                                            Getting to Aksu-Zhabagly<\/h3>\n

                                            We initially planned to take a minibus to Tulkibus<\/strong> and then a Yandex<\/strong> from there to Aksu-Zhabagly<\/strong>. However, the bus wouldn\u2019t leave until it had enough passengers. After waiting for about an hour, we decided to give up and simply called a Yandex<\/strong> to go directly to Aksu-Zhabagly. It was much more convenient and saved us a lot of time.<\/p>\n

                                            \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                            To walk inside Aksu-Zhabagly National Park<\/strong>, you need to hire a guide. Since we didn\u2019t arrange one, we just explored the small town nearby<\/strong> instead, which still gave us a feel of the area and its local life.<\/p>\n

                                            \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                            When it was time to return, we couldn\u2019t get a Yandex car. So, we flagged someone on the roadside<\/strong> to drive us back to Tulkibus. This seems to be a common practice in the area.<\/p>\n

                                            \n

                                            Travel Lesson from Tulkibus to Shymkent<\/h3>\n

                                            We had planned to grab something to eat in Tulkibus, but it was too late after lunch. Most restaurants were closed, and there weren\u2019t many options in the small town.<\/p>\n

                                            We then tried to get a Yandex back to Shymkent<\/strong>, but no cars were available. Again, we flagged someone on the roadside<\/strong>, and he asked for 10,000 tenge<\/strong> for the roughly 2-hour ride \u2014 I agreed. Halfway through, he asked me to top up petrol<\/strong>, another 3,000 tenge<\/strong>, which I hadn\u2019t expected.<\/p>\n

                                            Lesson learned:<\/strong> If you can\u2019t get a Yandex and need to flag a car for a long distance, always ask upfront<\/strong> if there are any extra charges, like fuel or tolls, before agreeing.<\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            • Hotel – Aina Station 970 tenge SGD2.5<\/li>\n
                                            • Aina Station – Aksu Zhabagly visitor center 12000 tenge SGD30<\/li>\n
                                            • Aksu Zhabagly – Tulkibus 3000 tenge (illegal taxi)<\/li>\n
                                            • Tulkibus-Shymkent 10000 tenge +3000 petrol =13000 tenge SGD32.5<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                            • Hotel – Grand Praga restaurant 1000 tenge SGD2.5<\/li>\n
                                            • Grand Praga to Arbat Street 1200 tenge SGD 3<\/li>\n
                                            • Arbat Street walk back to Hotel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                              Dinner at Grand Praga<\/strong> European Cuisine – total 24960 tenge SGD62.4<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                              What I Ate<\/h3>\n
                                                \n
                                              • Ribeye \u2014 7,500 tenge (\u2248 SGD 18.75)<\/strong>
                                                Absolutely super delicious<\/strong> and nearly 1 kg<\/strong>, a huge portion! Cooked perfectly to my liking \u2014 well-done but still super tender<\/strong>. Definitely worth trying if you\u2019re in the area.<\/li>\n
                                              • Spaghetti Seafood \u2014 5,500 tenge (\u2248 SGD 13.75)<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                              • Napoleon Dessert \u2014 650 tenge<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                              • Drinks:<\/strong> Beer, Fanta<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                Overall, the food was awesome, very cheap, and portions are huge<\/strong>. It\u2019s European\/Western cuisine<\/strong> \u2014 super yummy. The only thing to note is the service charge<\/strong>, which is 20% here<\/strong>. Usually in Kazakhstan it\u2019s 10%<\/strong>, but some posh restaurants charge 20%. Still, in Shymkent<\/strong>, people say things are generally very cheap.<\/p>\n

                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                Day 3<\/p>\n

                                                I still had half a day in Shymkent<\/strong> in the morning, so I visited the Oyrgy Bazaar<\/strong>. There, I saw the local fresh market<\/strong>, tried Kumis<\/strong> (the traditional horse milk yogurt drink), and watched how people make pilaf on traditional wood-fire stoves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                Nearby, I explored Shamshi\u2019s World Square<\/strong>, right next to the bazaar, and the Shymkent Citadel<\/strong>. It was a great way to experience the local culture<\/strong>, see some historic sites<\/strong>, and enjoy a relaxing stroll<\/strong> before heading<\/p>\n

                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/h3>\n

                                                Yandex taxi<\/h3>\n
                                                  \n
                                                • Hotel \u2192 Shymkent Oyrgy Bazaar: 610 \u00f7 400 \u2248 1.53 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                • Oyrgy Bazaar \u2192 Citadel: 450 \u00f7 400 \u2248 1.13 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                • Citadel \u2192 Hotel: 640 \u00f7 400 \u2248 1.60 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                • Hotel \u2192 Shymkent Airport: 1290 \u00f7 400 \u2248 3.23 SGD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                  4. Almaty (3-5 nights)<\/h1>\n

                                                  Day 1 Yandex<\/h3>\n
                                                    \n
                                                  • Almaty airport – Almaty Hotel 4550 tenge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                    Where I stayed in Almaty?\u00a0 Almaty Hotel<\/h3>\n

                                                    I highly recommend Almaty Hotel<\/strong>! The room is spacious<\/strong>, and the balcony offers a stunning view of the mountains<\/strong> as soon as you open the window. The breakfast here is one of the best<\/strong> among all the hotels I stayed at in Kazakhstan, with an amazing variety and range.<\/p>\n

                                                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                    The hotel\u2019s location is also great \u2014 beautiful parks and universities<\/strong> are nearby, making it easy to meet and chat with students<\/strong> while exploring the city. Overall, it\u2019s a perfect stay for comfort, convenience, and local vibes<\/strong> in Almaty.<\/p>\n

                                                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                    How to Plan Your Almaty Trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                    I recommend spending 1\u20132 days exploring the outskirts<\/strong> of Almaty.<\/p>\n

                                                    I joined a day tour to 2 lakes and 2 canyons<\/strong> through Trip.com for SGD 78+<\/strong>, which was one of the cheapest options I could find online<\/strong>. It was a great way to see the natural beauty around Almaty in just one day!<\/p>\n

                                                    \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                      \n
                                                    • \n

                                                      Day Tour Around Almaty (SGD 78+) via Trip.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                        \n
                                                      • \n

                                                        Destinations:<\/strong> Charyn Canyon + Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake + Kolsay Lake<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                      • \n

                                                        Time:<\/strong> 5 AM \u2013 9 PM, with hotel lobby pickup<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                      • \n

                                                        Meals:<\/strong> Lunch at a local Kazakh home with pilaf<\/strong> (choose chicken, beef, or vegetarian)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                      • \n

                                                        Communication:<\/strong> Coordinated via WhatsApp<\/strong> one day before<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                      • \n

                                                        \"Kazakhstan\"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                        Tips & Extra Costs:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                          \n
                                                        • \n

                                                          Prepare your own breakfast<\/strong> \u2014 not much is sold at the rest stops.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                        • \n

                                                          Bring coins for toilet breaks<\/strong> (100 tenge each).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                        • \n

                                                          Extra cash: 1,000 tenge<\/strong> for a Russian-style old bus ride up the mountain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                                        • \n

                                                          5,000 tenge<\/strong> for a one-way horse ride at Kaindy Lake.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          It\u2019s a full day adventure<\/strong> seeing some of Kazakhstan\u2019s most stunning nature, so plan accordingly!<\/p>\n

                                                          \"Kazakhstan\"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          If your hotel includes breakfast<\/strong> but it\u2019s too early for the tour, check if they can prepare a bento box<\/strong> or takeaway for you. If not, make sure to grab something from a supermarket in Almaty<\/strong> before you leave.<\/p>\n

                                                          \"Kazakhstan\"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                          Day 2 in Almaty – 2 mountains in a day<\/h3>\n

                                                          In the morning<\/strong>, I visited Shymbulak Mountain<\/strong>, and in the evening<\/strong>, I went to Kok Tobe<\/strong>, which is famous for its night view of Almaty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                                                          \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                          Almaty has a Switzerland-like mountain vibe and beautiful European-style parks, but everything is so much more affordable. The food also suits Asian taste buds, making it an easy and enjoyable city to explore.<\/p>\n

                                                          Yandex Taxi Day 2<\/h3>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          • Hotel \u2192 Shymbulak Mountain Cable Car: 3,000 tenge \u2248 7.50 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                          • Shymbulak \u2192 Hotel: 2,800 tenge \u2248 7.00 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                          • Hotel – Kok Tobe 1470 tenge<\/li>\n
                                                          • Kok Tobe to Sandyq restaurant 1250 tenge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                            Shymbulak Mountain<\/h3>\n
                                                              \n
                                                            • Shymbulak Mountain Cable Car return: 5,000 tenge \u2248 12.50 SGD<\/li>\n
                                                            • Chair Lift return: 4,000 tenge \u2248 10.00 SGD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                              Kok Tobe<\/h3>\n

                                                              The cable car return<\/strong> at Kok Tobe costs 8,000 tenge<\/strong>, but I only bought a one-way ticket up for 4,500 tenge<\/strong> because I planned to come down by taxi. I didn\u2019t realize that taxis aren\u2019t allowed to drive all the way up the mountain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                                                              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                              I booked a Yandex, but the driver had to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 tenge<\/strong> to enter the park, so he couldn\u2019t come all the way up<\/strong> and waited halfway. It was too far for me to walk down<\/strong>, so I had no choice but to take another cable car down for 4,500 tenge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                                                              In the end, I lost 1,000 tenge<\/strong>. Lesson learned: always buy the round-trip cable car ticket for 8,000 tenge<\/strong> to avoid extra hassle and costs!<\/p>\n

                                                              Kok Tobe<\/strong> is an amusement park<\/strong> famous for its iconic fast coaster ride<\/strong>. At night, the park lights up beautifully, making it look super fun and lively. From my hotel window, I could even zoom in and see the lights<\/strong> shimmering across the park. The TV tower<\/strong> also glows with colorful neon lights, adding to the night-time magic.<\/p>\n

                                                              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                              At the top, you get a panoramic view of the Almaty skyline<\/strong>, perfect for photos. The park is popular with young couples<\/strong>, and photographers are everywhere capturing the fun moments. Don\u2019t miss the iconic apple fountain<\/strong> (Almaty means \u201capple\u201d), the Beatles statue<\/strong>, and the quirky upside-down car<\/strong> \u2014 all great spots for memorable pictures.<\/p>\n

                                                              \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                              Day 3 Exploring the Almaty cities<\/h3>\n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n
                                                              \n

                                                              My flight was in the evening, so I still had half a day to explore Almaty city.<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                              \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

                                                                \n
                                                              • Metro to \u00a0Zenkov Cathedral<\/li>\n
                                                              • Panfilov Park<\/li>\n
                                                              • Green Bazaar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                Yandex Taxi<\/h3>\n
                                                                  \n
                                                                • Zenkov Cathedral- Hotel 720 tenge<\/li>\n
                                                                • Hotel – Green Bazaar 960 tenge<\/li>\n
                                                                • Hotel – Airport 2510 tenge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                  Restaurants recommendation in Almaty<\/h3>\n

                                                                  Restaurant Sandyq -Kazakhstan cuisine = Total 27554 tenge 68.89 SGD<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                    \n
                                                                  • Abylai Khan Ave 55, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                    \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                    WOK WOK = Total 9647 Tenge 24 SGD<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                      \n
                                                                    • Abylai Khan Ave 113, Almaty 050000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                      \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                      Korean House 11200 tenge 36.24 SGD<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                        \n
                                                                      • Kabanbay Batyra St., 92\/87, Almaty, Kazakhstan<\/li>\n
                                                                      • just 2 mins walk from my hotel -> Almaty Hotel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                        Top Food to Eat in Kazakhstan<\/h2>\n

                                                                        1. Beshbarmak<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        The national dish of Kazakhstan. Flat noodles topped with boiled meat (usually beef or horse) and onions. Very hearty and very Kazakh.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        2. Lagman<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Hand-pulled noodles served either as a soup or stir-fried style. Rich, savoury, and full of vegetables. Very popular and safe choice if you like noodles.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        3. Plov (Pilaf)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        A Central Asian classic \u2014 rice cooked with carrots, onions, and meat. Every city has its own version. Really flavourful and filling.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        4. Shashlik<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Skewered grilled meat, similar to kebab. You\u2019ll see this everywhere \u2014 beef, lamb, or chicken. Usually served with raw onions and vinegar.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        5. Baursak<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Kazakh doughnuts \u2014 small fried bread pieces that are soft and slightly sweet. Locals eat them with tea.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        6. Samsa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Baked pastry stuffed with meat or potato. Similar to a curry puff but more flaky. Good for breakfast or snack.<\/p>\n

                                                                        7. Manty<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat and onions. Super juicy, usually quite big in size.<\/p>\n

                                                                        8. Horse Meat Sausages (Kazy \/ Shuzhuk)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        Traditional Kazakh sausages made from horse meat. Unique local speciality \u2014 try if you\u2019re adventurous.<\/p>\n

                                                                        \"Kazakhstan<\/p>\n

                                                                        9. Kumis (Fermented Horse Milk)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        A famous Kazakh drink. Sour, fizzy, and very traditional. Many tourists try it just for the experience.<\/p>\n

                                                                        10. Chak-chak<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                                        A sweet dessert made from fried dough coated in honey. Very popular as a snack or souvenir<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                                                        If you\u2019re planning a trip to Kazakhstan, don\u2019t just visit Almaty. Explore the other cities too!Here are the four major cities I visited in Kazakhstan. 4 cities Astana Turkestan Shymkent…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":40993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7623,6],"tags":[7612,7611,7620,7619,7614,7621,7622,7610,7618,7613,7617,7616,7615],"class_list":["post-40721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kazakhstan","category-travel","tag-almaty","tag-astana","tag-astanalyk-bazaar","tag-bayterek-tower","tag-charyn-canyon","tag-green-bazaar","tag-karavan-saray-turkestan","tag-kazakhstan-itinerary","tag-kok-tobe","tag-kolsay-lake","tag-shymbulak-mountain","tag-shymkent","tag-turkestan"],"yoast_head":"\nKazakhstan 11 days Itinerary 4 cities Astana-Turkestan-Shymkent-Almaty<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover my full 11-day Kazakhstan itinerary covering Astana, Turkistan, Shymkent, and Almaty \u2014 including hotels I stayed in, how to travel between cities, airline details, and real costs. I also share the best local food to try, recommended restaurants, scams to avoid, and honest hotel reviews so you know which places are worth booking \u2014 and which to skip.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2025\/11\/kazakhstan-11-days-itinerary-4-cities-astana-turkestan-shymkent-almaty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kazakhstan 11 days Itinerary 4 cities Astana-Turkestan-Shymkent-Almaty\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover my full 11-day Kazakhstan itinerary covering Astana, Turkistan, Shymkent, and Almaty \u2014 including hotels I stayed in, how to travel between cities, airline details, and real costs. I also share the best local food to try, recommended restaurants, scams to avoid, and honest hotel reviews so you know which places are worth booking \u2014 and which to skip.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2025\/11\/kazakhstan-11-days-itinerary-4-cities-astana-turkestan-shymkent-almaty\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Chic . Explore . 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