Kazakhstan · SOVIET HISTORY TOURS

The 5 Best Soviet History Tours in Kazakhstan

5 tours  ·  from $50 a head

Seventy years left the country a capital on the steppe, a nuclear test site and a camp system with memorials at both ends of it. These 5 are led by guides who handle the period as history, with prices and durations.

Guided, Museums, Soviet History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Astana, Tours in Kazakhstan

Astana: Back to USSR – Gulag Museum with Certified Guide

1.Back to USSR – Gulag Museum with Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 32 reviews · 1 day · from $169Our pick

Travel from Astana to Karaganda and Dolinka with an English-speaking guide such as Abzal, Kadyrbek, or Sultan. Visit the KarLag Museum for a two-hour account of Stalin-era forced labor camps, eat a traditional Russian lunch, and see Soviet monuments linked to coal mining, space travel, and political history.

“As a whole I think this tour is well planned and very convenient for travellers staying in Astana and wishing to see Karlag. My friendly guide and driver Abzal was very informative and great company for the drive to Karagandy. Once at the Museum my tour guide Maria took great care in delivering highly detailed and well researched information about the camp and the people who were held there. She answered every question I had, even the very tricky ones. After the museum Abzal joined for lunch at a traditional Russian restaurant and we toured the city stopping to view sold Soviet era statues. I would highly recommend this tour…”

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Astana: KarLag and Karaganda - Private USSR history tour - The two-and-a-half-hour road from Astana
Historical Tours, Private, Soviet History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Astana, Tours in Kazakhstan

Astana: KarLag and Karaganda – Private USSR history tour

2.KarLag and Karaganda – Private USSR history tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $199Top rated

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.”

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Astana: Back to USSR Gulag Museum with Certified Guide - The road from Astana to Dolinka
Guided, Museums, Soviet History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Astana, Tours in Kazakhstan

Astana: Back to USSR Gulag Museum with Certified Guide

3.Back to USSR Gulag Museum with Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 1 day · from $165

Travel from Astana to Dolinka with guide Damir or another English or Russian-speaking guide for a thoughtful look at Karlag, the USSR’s second-largest Gulag camp. After the 2.5-hour museum visit, tour Karaganda’s Soviet landmarks, see Lenin’s statue, and stop for lunch before returning.

“Simply great. This was my 3rd tour with the company, which completed everything that should be seen in and near Astana. A very smooth ride to the museum, where I got a chance to learn a lot about the system of Gulags. Then Damir gave a tour of Karaganda city, which a combination of a fairly modern and Soviet city. Our lunch at a Russian restaurant was the cherry on top. Many thanks to Damir and Discover Astana!”

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Half-Day Private Tour to Alzhir Camp from Nur-Sultan - The drive from Nur-Sultan to Malinovka
Half-Day, Private, Soviet History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Astana, Tours in Kazakhstan

Half-Day Private Tour to Alzhir Camp from Nur-Sultan

4.Half-Day Private Tour to Alzhir Camp from Nur-Sultan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $140

Spend about four hours traveling from Nur-Sultan to Alzhir Camp, a former Soviet prison for women labeled family members of traitors. Your private guide, such as Kamilla or Timon, explains the museum, barracks, prison train carriage, memory wall, and nearby village of Malinovka. Transport, admission, water, and WiFi are included.

“Interesting visit. My friendly guide Kamilla made it even better, she was very knowledgeable about the history of the camp and Kazakhstan in general.”

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Astana: Old City Tour, Imperialistic and Soviet Architecture - Starting in old Astana by private car
Soviet History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Astana, Tours in Kazakhstan

Astana: Old City Tour, Imperialistic and Soviet Architecture

5.Old City Tour, Imperialistic and Soviet Architecture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $50Best value

Join Damir or another English- or Russian-speaking guide for a four-hour private tour of old Astana. Travel by comfortable, air-conditioned car between historic neighborhoods, Soviet mosaics, murals, sculptures, and lesser-known sites. Hotel pickup, drinks, Wi-Fi, entrance fees, and drop-off are included.

“This was one of the best tours I have ever done in the world in terms of depth of knowledge and personal anecdotes that really bring the city and the Kazak culture to life. The attention to detail was unsurpassed, and he continues to research new places other guides don’t know about with little surprises en route. You can tell this is a passion and I would strongly recommend you join any of his tours.. Superb!”

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