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🇰🇿 1 COUNTRY · 6 LANDSCAPES

KAZAKHSTAN GROUP TRIP.

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📅
Sep 19–26, 2026
Trip Dates
🌙
7 Nights
Duration
👥
10–12 Pax
Group Size
🏨
3★ Hotels + Homestays
Accommodation
🥐
7 Breakfasts
Meals Included
✈️
Almaty ALA
Fly Into
🏞️
Kolsai · Charyn
Headline Landscapes
🏜️
Singing Dunes
Altyn Amyl NP
What You'll Do

Handpicked OJ Experiences

1 country, 6 landscapes. From Almaty cafés to a Kolsai homestay, singing dunes to a back-country roadtrip through Zharkent, every day is a different Kazakhstan.

01
Arrive in Almaty, check in, and unpack with the group over facts about Kazakhstan's people, language, and religion 🛬 Day 1
02
Walk around Big Almaty Lake, the closest alpine lake to the city, and coffee on the way back 🏞️ Day 2
03
Roam Green Bazaar and Panfilov Park, then the overnight drive to Sati village 🌆 Day 2
04
Kolsai Lake 1, lakeside café lunch, a slow walk around the water, and (if time allows) Kaindy Lake on the same day 💧 Day 3
05
Split into village homestays in Sati, campfire and games with the local Kazakh hosts 🏠 Day 3
06
Walk down into Charyn Canyon's riverbed and chill by the cold river before the drive to Zharkent 🏜️ Day 4
07
Altyn Emel National Park, the Singing Dunes, then the Ak‑Tau mountain range and steppe roads 🎶 Day 5
08
Kapchagay beach day, the "Lost Vegas" shore of the Ili river, beach photoshoots, drive back to Almaty 🏖️ Day 6
09
Shymbulak gondola ride up the Zailiysky Alatau, Central Asia's largest ski resort at 2,200 m 🚡 Day 7
10
Dress up for our last night, a proper Almaty bar night to close the trip 🍸 Day 7
Day by Day

The Itinerary

8 days across Kazakhstan, Almaty → Big Almaty Lake → Sati → Kolsai → Kaindy → Charyn → Zharkent → Altyn Emel → Kapchagay → Shymbulak → Almaty.

Day 1

ARRIVE AT ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN

✈️ Afternoon arrival🏨 Hotel check-in🤝 Group intro
▾
Almaty arrival Almaty city evening Almaty streets

Take an afternoon flight to reach Almaty. We will Check into hotel. Today, we'll share some interesting facts about Kazakhstan people, Kazakhstan religion, Kazakhstan tourism, Kazakhstan language, etc.

Day 2

ALMATY CITY EXPLORE

🏞️ Big Almaty Lake🛍️ Green Bazaar🌳 Panfilov Park🚌 Night drive to Sati
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Big Almaty Lake Green Bazaar Almaty Almaty city

On the second day of Kazakhstan trip, we will visit the closest lake to the city : one of the most beautiful one at that : Big Almaty lake. We walk around the lake and have some nice coffee as we head back.

By afternoon we will be back at Green bazaar and see Palfinov park. We will Head to the hotel by 5pm and repack for the night drive to sati. Tonight by 9ish, after dinner, we will start our trip to Sati. Sati will be our stay from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.

🤓 Did You Know? Kazakhstan is only 1 out of 4 countries to denuclearize. Imagine, taking the opposite path.
Day 3

KOLSAI LAKE AND VILLAGE HOMESTAY

💧 Kolsai Lake 1🏠 Village homestay🔥 Campfire night
▾
Kolsai Lake Kolsai Lake walk

Today after a quick Nap in Sati, we will head to kolsai lake 1. We will have lunch there in a cafe overlooking the lake . We will also take a walk around the lake. If possible we will also try to cover Kandai lake today itself leaving us plenty of time for tomorrow.

Today evening, our team will be split into different homestays. You will be staying with the locals and Kazakhstan participants. I believe this will give us a chance to talk with the locals and get to know them better.

We will also have a campfire and some games with our Kazakhstan group.

🤓 Did You Know? Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world by land size.
Day 4

KANDAI LAKE & CHARYN CANYON

💧 Kaindy Lake🏜️ Charyn Canyon🚗 Drive to Zharkent
▾
Kaindy Lake Charyn Canyon Charyn Canyon riverbed Zharkent road

Today morning, we will head to kandai lake. After our lake visit and lunch in sati, we will head to the Charyn Canyon. We will walk down to Charyn Canyon's river bed and relax at the chilled river for a while.

By 3pm, we will start heading to Zharkent, which is 2 h 30 min away (183 km) .This Is not a place in the tourist map but since we are doing a roadtrip, I want you to see the real backcountry lifestyle in a small kazak town.

🤓 Did You Know? Kazakhstan has 5 Unesco World Heritage Sites: 3 cultural and 2 Natural Sites.
Day 5

ALTYN AMYL NATIONAL PARK

🏜️ Singing Dunes⛰️ Ak-Tau mountains🏘️ Night in Zharkent
▾
Singing Dunes Altyn Emel Altyn Emel National Park Ak-Tau mountains Kazakhstan

Step out from our hotel post breakfast and head to singing Dunes. Today we will have to carry something to eat because there are no options to eat out.

In the legends the singing sands of the desert are explained by the activities of spirits, imaginary animals, sound of the bells of the buried cities, powerful and raging underground rivers and a lot of other unusual causes.

After lunch we will head towards the Ak - Tau mountain range. We will stop at Zharkent for the night. We will drive through amazing steppes of this largest landlocked country and continue our journey to Almaty tomorrow.

🤓 Did You Know? During the Kazakh Famine (also known as the Goloshchekin Genocide), the Soviet Union pushed collectivization and starved the nomadic Kazakh population of food, shipping it to Russia instead. It will take decades before the Kazakhs can now outnumber the russians.
Day 6

DRIVE TO ALMATY WITH A DIP IN THE BEACH

🏖️ Kapchagay beach📸 Photoshoot🌃 Back in Almaty
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Kapchagay beach Kapchagay lake shore

We will stop at Kapchagay Enroute Almaty, best-known as the beach of Almaty. Its located on the shore of an artificial lake of the same name formed by a dam across the Ili river. Besides sandy beaches, Kapchagay also has a lot of casinos and ruined factories, earning it the moniker 'Lost Vegas'. Lets do some beach photoshoots here. We will reach Almaty by evening and relax for the night .

🤓 Did You Know? Have you heard about the fierce Amazons? The ancient Scythian warriors, originally from Kazakhstan and southern Russia, are popularly touted as the inspiration for the ancient Greek myth about the tribe of female warriors known as the Amazons.
Day 7

SHAMBHULAK CABLE CAR & HEAD FOR CLUBBING IN THE EVENING.

🚡 Shymbulak gondola🏔️ Zailiysky Alatau🍸 Last-night bar
▾
Shymbulak ski resort Almaty Shymbulak Mountain Resort

Shymbulak is a ski resort near Almaty. It is the largest ski resort in Central Asia. It is located in the upper part of the Medeu Valley in the Zaiilisky Alatau mountain range, at an elevation of 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level. There won't be snow now but it's a beautiful view to take the Gandola to the top.

Today is our last day in Kazakhstan. We can go out to a good Bar after we freshen up at the hostel. Bring your nicest clothes. Let's dress up today.

Day 8

FLY OUT OF KAZAKHSTAN

🛄 11am checkout✈️ Depart Almaty
▾
Departure Almaty airport

We check out at 11am, you can book any flight today.

The Route

Almaty → Kolsai → Charyn → Altyn Emel → Almaty

A loop through 6 landscapes, city, alpine lakes, canyon, singing dunes, steppe back-country, and a Kapchagay beach day before returning to Almaty.

Almaty Day 1–2 · Arrive ALA Sati · Kolsai Day 3 · Homestay Charyn Day 4 · Canyon Zharkent Day 4–5 · Back-country Altyn Emel Day 5 · Singing Dunes Kapchagay Day 6 · Beach stop Almaty Day 7–8 · Shymbulak + Depart Route Arrive (ALA) Road loop Desert + Beach Depart (ALA)
Almaty ALA, Arrive Day 1
Sati · Kolsai · Kaindy, Day 3
Charyn Canyon + Zharkent, Day 4
Altyn Emel + Kapchagay, Day 5–6
Almaty ALA, Day 7–8, Depart
Investment

Lock In Your Price

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Early Bird Price
USD750
per person · before Mar 15
💳 EMI available

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Regular Price
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What's Covered

Inclusions & Exclusions

✅ What's Included
✓Homestay / Lodging
✓Accommodation on Twin Sharing Basis
✓All Transport within the trip
✓Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
✓Government taxes and services charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
✓Breakfast Bed tea/ coffee with “Wake uuuuup guys” call from me
✓Permits
✓A Trained Outdoor leader to keep you safe. I Promise 🙂
❌ What's Not Included
✕Mineral Water or any other room service
✕Cost of any Extra Day
✕Flight tickets to Almaty and back to home city
✕Lunch and dinner
✕Any expenses due to deviation from itinerary
✕Banya Bath cost
✕Government tax (GST) and Payment gateway charges ( Credit card/ EMI option )
Social Proof

What Trippers Say

★★★★★ 4.8 Google Rating · 100+ Reviews
★★★★★

"This was my third trip with One in the Orange Jacket and Vyshakh, after Egypt & Jordan and Bhutan,and each one has been unforgettable in its own way. From Dushanbe to Osh, through the Pamir mountains, every day brought breathtaking views, warm local stays, and seamless planning. We felt completely taken care of. But the best part? The people. We started as strangers and ended as a close-knit group,something that happens naturally on a Vyshakh-led trip. Grateful for yet another amazing journey."

Krithika Singhania
Krithika Singhania
Google Review · 3 trips with OJ
★★★★★

"I'm an adventure guide from Cape Town, South Africa, travelling solo for the first time. I know adventure, having taken in excess of 5000 guests personally on mountain hikes and adventure tours. This one was the best! To put it simply, it's the connection and immersion I experienced. The hospitality, connection, empathy and love I felt from this group of strangers made this trip one which I will cherish for the rest of my life. They've managed to curate an off the beaten track adventure experience that anyone can participate in."

Tauriq Gamildien
Tauriq Gamildien
Google Review · Adventure Guide, Cape Town
★★★★★

"It felt like living a scene from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, as I checked off core memories from my travel bucket list. I chose skydiving in Queenstown, Team OJ struck the perfect balance between adrenaline and nature. A surprise highlight was the Coldplay concert. Vyshak was not only knowledgeable about every destination but also ensured that every member of our group felt comfortable and included. By the end of our journey, those who were once strangers on Day 1 had transformed into friends. Team OJ stands out for their commitment to delivering not just adventures, but lifelong memories."

Aishwarya Warty
Aishwarya Warty
Google Review · New Zealand with OJ
⭐ Click here to read what our trippers have to say →
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the inclusions?

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  1. Homestay / Lodging Accommodation on Twin Sharing Basis
  2. All Transport within the trip
  3. Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
  4. Government taxes and services charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
  5. Breakfast
  6. Bed tea / coffee with “Wake uuuuup guys” call from me
  7. Permits
  8. A Trained Outdoor leader to keep you safe. I Promise 🙂

What are the exclusions?

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  • Mineral Water or any other room service
  • Cost of any Extra Day
  • Flight tickets to Almaty and back to home city
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Any expenses due to deviation from itinerary
  • Banya Bath cost
  • Government tax (GST) and Payment gateway charges (Credit card / EMI option)

Do you have a cancellation policy?

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If Plans Change, We've Got You We totally get it, life happens, and sometimes your plans have to take a rain check. That's why we've kept our cancellation policy simple, transparent, and as kind as possible.

• 45+ days before the trip: 10% cancellation charge
• 30–44 days before the trip: 25% cancellation charge
• 15–29 days before the trip: 50% cancellation charge
• Within 14 days of the trip: 100% cancellation charge

These are calculated on the total trip amount, not just the token amount.

Now, if you can find someone to take your spot, we'll happily refund your full amount. No questions asked. Because at the end of the day, we'd rather have someone travel than hold back your money.

To keep your spot confirmed, please clear the remaining balance by the due date, it helps us lock in stays, permits, and experiences for the group. If payments are delayed beyond that, we'll have to treat it as a cancellation (same policy applies).

How much cash should we carry?

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You can carry 8k to 10K for your personal expenses.

What should you bring?

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Packing list: Warm hoodies - 1, Synthetic/cotton pants - 3, Full sleeves tees/shirt - 5, Sunhat - 1, Swimwear (for Sauna) - 1, Hiking boots - 1 (if you already have) / sports shoe, Sandals / flip-flops - 1, Towel - 1

I am coming solo. Is that a problem?

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Most people come alone for my trips. About 25% of the people bring a friend or partner. Honestly It really doesn't matter. I have seen on all the batches I have lead. Most people really gel with everyone, even the ones who thought wouldn't gel up, surprise themselves always with the way they got comfortable with everyone.

Your itinerary looks difficult for me. Can I do it?

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Each trek/ trip is rated according to the number of days we spend outdoors . If you aren't sure where to start, go with an easy trip or trek. For trips, I dreamed of trips where we could go out hike, get exhausted, come back to hotel and have a great evening. This is exactly why some of my trips have Day hikes in it. It is a perfect chance for people who have never hiked in their entire life. Don't worry, We are there :). For treks, you can start with Sandhakphu or Chandrashila . You can also benchmark yourself for the treks. If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3-3.5 km, then you can go ahead with an easy trek If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3.5-4 km, then you can go ahead with an moderate trek If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 4-5 km, then you can go ahead with an difficult trek If you have never done a high altitude trek, then start with a easy or Easy- moderate trek. That way you will understand how your body reacts to high altitude and you can check you cardio strength too.

What are trips like?

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Usually, most batch sizes are between 12-20 people who are aged between 16-38. Most people come alone or with a friend. The trip would feel like you are travelling more with college friends than strangers. We tend to do more outdoorsy things than regular trips. For example: If we find a very pretty waterfall/ a beautiful sunset / Rainbow on the way. We would stop the vehicle right away to catch the beauty of it. We usually sleep very late on these trips as we play a lot of group games and most people feel they will miss the precious time with the group members and decides to stay awake.

I haven't heard about this company before, where can I read more?

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Here are few places you can read more about the brand and trips: Testimonials, About me, Instagram page.
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