The 5 Best Historical Tours in Kazakhstan

1.KarLag and Karaganda – Private USSR history tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $199Our pick

Travel from Astana to Karaganda with a private guide such as Amir, stopping at Soviet-era theaters, mining monuments, and the Gagarin memorial before visiting the KarLag Museum in Dolinka. Expect a 10 to 11 hour day, about five hours of driving, a Russian restaurant lunch, and a serious look at Stalin’s labor camp system.

“Very good trip, well planned and well worth it. It was a long day, but we saw everything we wanted. Karlag Museum visit was very thorough; Karaganda stops - quick for the photos; lunch very delicious in a Russian restaurant. Our guide Amir was very good and knowledgable. Children enjoyed the trip as well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly – UNESCO World Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $131Best value

Travel from Almaty to Tamgaly, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with Bronze Age to medieval petroglyphs. Your private guide, often Nursultan, explains the carvings, rituals, and daily life shown on the rocks. Expect a 2.5-hour drive each way, about three hours on site, and little shade.

“One of the hughlights of our kazakhstan trip was the petroglyphs tour. Mr Noor Sultan was so well-versed with the structures and made it such a fun learning experience. It was an incredibly pleasant experience. He was very helpful with Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Almaty City Tour: A Journey Through Culture, History, and Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $144

See Almaty’s Green Bazaar, Rakhat chocolate shop, Ascension Cathedral, Panfilov Park, Arbat, and Gorky Park with a private guide. Add Kok Tobe, Medeu, or Shymbulak for mountain views. Guides including Nursultan, Dimash, and Sutan bring local history and culture to life, with transport and bottled water included.

“Modern country eith beautiful streets and museums. Very nice people even though 90 percent do not speak English. I would go back for syre”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Almaty Hightlights Tour: Discover Culture, Nature, and History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Spend six days exploring Almaty and its mountain country in a private vehicle for up to six people. Visit Shymbulak, Kok Tobe, Issyk Lake, Turgen Waterfalls, Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, and Arbat Street, with cultural activities such as bread making, mare’s milk tasting, horse shows, and archery. Arabic-speaking guides may be available.

“It was exciting trip to Almaty with Kit Travelling team for 12 days and different locations. All family members enjoyed all activities specially snow and skating, Zip line and horse as well all green areas and hotels.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.2-Day 1-Night Ranch Stay & Tour Historic Mausoleum

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 2 days · from $315

Spend two days at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch near Astana, learning to ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. Alima and her team provide instruction, meals, transfers, horse care, and a mounted visit to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. You will also ride along the Nura River, cook local dishes, and sleep at the ranch.

“Best experience and food I had in Kazakhstan! The horses are so lovely, the food is absolutely delicious and the team is amazing! One thing that I can say is that from the moment I arrived is that everyone has been such a delight, very instructive in teaching me how to learn to ride and really cared that I have a good time. Which I did! The ride to the mausoleum was so much fun in the snow. I have fallen in love with horse riding and this family horse ranch! Thank you Alima and team!”

Check availability →Read our full review