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Eagle hunter competition nearby Almaty from February 9-11
Berkutchi is the Kazakh name for a hunter with birds. Nowadays the old art isn't performed so often anymore, therefore the national competition with... some 50-60 hunters and their big birds on February 9-11 only 50kms from Almaty is a unique chance to witness this ancient art. The hunters will show their skills for the public and organize a hunt for fox and wolf on the 11th. Maybe you have sufficient time to organize a tour to Almaty for this event, we gladly help you with it.
Cultural Trekking nearby Almaty from August 3-12
The dates have been established and the program is known. From August 3-12, 2012 we organize a pure Kazakhstani trekking, including excursions to ...ancient and Soviet sites as well as excursions and leisure time in cosmopolitan Almaty. Rather a varied program! The main part is a 6-day stay in the mountains including a 4-day trek into remote and wild regions of the Zailiskiy Alatau mountain range. You can find all the details of the tour here.
Reports from a visit to the launch of Soyuz TMA -03M
Dutchman Remco Timmermans travelled all the way to Baikanur via Almaty with us to wittness the launch of Soyuz TMA-03M on 21.12.2011. He reports extensively on ...it at www.soyuztweetup.com, and also at http://youtu.be/IXBsuvEYNkc
In case you are interested to wittness a manned launch from Baikanur yourself, take note that the next one is planned for 30.03.2012. This implies that we should start the permit request not later than 30.01.2012.
Dates for first group tour are announced!
Group tour to the Unknown part of the Silk Road, Mangyshlak: April 28 - May 12, 2012. More information can be found here. Please note that ... an individual visit to Mangyshlak is complicated and expensive, and this may well be the only international group tour to the area in 2012.
Launch of TMA-03M scheduled for December 21
A new date for the launch of TMA-03M has been announced, and it's not a happy one: December 21st. Applying to witness the launch is not possible anymore. The first manned launch after this one is planned for March 30th 2012.
Launch of TMA-03M postponed - and so is our group tour
Today the news spread that the manned launch scheduled for November 30th has been postponed due to a recent crash of a Soyuz rocket. This implies that also our group tour to his launch has been postponed, presumably to the second half of December. We will keep you updated on the scheduled launch of TMA-03M on these pages.
9-day tour offer to Baikanur, Soyuz TMA-03M
Kazakhstan Tours is pleased to make you an offer for a 9-day group tour to witness the launch of Soyuz TMA-03M on 30 November 2011 with three cosmonauts from Russia, the USA and The Netherlands. For more information on this tour please send an email to
Shorter tour programs to this manned launch are also possible.
Cooperation with Kazakh Ministry of Tourism & Sport
After a visit to the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism & Sport in Astana early May we are pleased to announce that Kazakhstan Tours is now officially supported by the Kazakh authorities. This is most visible in the link at the important portal of the Ministry at www.visitkazakhstan.kz
Tigers roaming again in Kazakhstan!?
The WWF and Kazakhstani Ministery are working out a comprehensive plan to re-introduce the tiger in the Lake Balgash region. The original tiger species living in that area was the Caspian - or Turan - tiger, which became extinct in the early seventies. In the current plan they wish to introduce the genetically identical Amur tiger. Studies show that a habitat of 400,000 hectares is available for the tiger at Lake Balgash!
Hiking, trekking and mountainering nearby Almaty
Thanks to our cooperation with an excellent mountain-sports club in Almaty we are pleased to offer you a large number of possible hikes, trekkings and an expedition in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains close to Almaty. In addition you may join a one-week mountainering course in September.
Gagarin fifty years ago into space - from Baikanur
Today is exactly 50 years ago that Yuri Garagin set off into orbit, as the first human being ever, from Baikanur. For that reason many festivities take place at Baikanur and other space centers in Russia.
Arrchitectuur reis nu in programma
From today we have on offer a 5-day tour focusing on the architecture of Astana and Almaty.
Russian language lessons in Almaty
Interested in learning Russian or improving your Russian in Kazakhstan? We can now offer you a 14-days language tour to cosmopolitan Almaty. In addition to 10 (individual) lessons the tour also offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the cultural and natural highlights of Almaty and its surroundings. For more information please check the program or contact us.
First launching dates Baikanur 2011 are known
Baikanur has released the following dates and details regarding launches in 2011:
March 19 - Sputnik Kanopus
March 30 - Soyuz, TMA 31 Kassat
April 27 - Soyuz
May 13 - Soyuz 2-1a
Please keep in mind that the application for documents from the Russians needed to witness a launch takes at least six weeks!
Trekking in the Tien Shan 19-29 July
We establsihed the dates for a trekking in the Kazakh part of the Tien Shan mountains from July 19-29. More information on this trekking here.
(As per January 2011 it is still forbidden unfortunately to cross from Kazakhstan into Kyrgystan and v.v. over the mountains, after the unrest in Kyrgystan in 2010).
Dates for group tours in 2011 known
After adding dates for several group tours in Central Kazakhstan all dates for 2011 group tours are now known. These groups are all formed internationally and start upon arrival in Kazakhstan.
Winter Sports in Kazakhstan!
Is possible and we offer it! Discover the Shimbulak ski-resort and famous Medeo ice-skating rink nearby Almaty, as well as Almaty culture and nightlife.
Journey to the Aral Sea
With our partners in Almaty we have designed a 10-day tour to the Aral Sea, including visits to the Mausuleum of Turkestan and the Aksu-Jabagly nature reserve. A tough tour indeed!
Playing Golf in Almaty
Kazakhstan offers excellent opportunities for a good round of golf, especially in Almaty. We are pleased to be able to offer an all-inclusive, luxuruous 7-day golf tour to Almaty. You will play at the Zhailjau Golf Resort (top 100 of the world) and stay in the luxe Almaty Health & Spa Resort. A brandnew tour!
Upcoming travel programs for 2011
In 2011 you will be able to undertake several new kind of travels in Kazakhstan through us. We are currently preparing a golf tour, a language tour, a cooking tour etc. More information and concrete offers follow soon!
Three more trips to launches at Baikanur
There will be three more launches from Baikanur in 2010 that we can arrange tours to: unmanned launches at November 30th ("the Proton"),
and December 27th (the "Progress"), and one manned launch at December 10th (the "Sojuz"). We offer three day tours to all these launches. Please write us for more information (info@kazachstanreizen.nl).
Attractive flight rates to Almaty via Kiev
The national carrier of the Ukraine (i.e. Ukraine International) has a special offer to Almaty via Kiev. Until November 30th one pays only 510 euro (taxes included)
for a return fare from Western European main ports via Kiev to Almaty. Connections Kiev - Almaty are on Mo, Tu and Th, return on Tu, We and Fr. This special offer can be used between September 1st and December 15th, 2010.
Tour to manned space launch from Baikanur at October 8th, 2010
The first upcoming manned space launch from Baikanur will take place on October 8th, 2010, and we can offer a 3-day arrangement to witness this event.
The cost is 1,225 euro p.p. all inclusive, starting from Almaty. Registering is only possible until August 20th! Please contact us for more information.
Golden Archeological find in Central Kazakhstan
Archeologists in Kazakhstan have discovered the grave of a gold-clad ancient Scythian warrior who has already earned himself a nickname: “The Sun Lord.”
Researchers uncovered the find in a Scythian grave consisting of seven burial mounds in Karaganda Region east of the capital, Astana. The warrior was likely buried in the 4th or 5th century BC in a grave that was actually discovered half a century ago, though excavation work only started last year. Inevitably, the archeological discovery is being trumpeted as comparable to that of the Golden Man, found in the Issyk burial mound just outside Almaty, in 1969.
Zhungaria closed till September
A big disaster for the locals as well as tourists and travel companies that had planned tours to it in summer; because of heavy rain on June 20th, bridges and roads giving access to the Zhungar Mountains in East Kazakhstan have been destroyed making the region inaccessable, at least until September.
International Trekking in the Tien Shan from August 19
Together with our Almaty partners we organize a 9-day trekking in the Northern Tien Shan mountains, starting from Almaty. You can read more at Tien Shan Trekking .
Unique Saiga Safari Tour now available!
A novelty for tourism in Kazakhstan: a 10-day tour by jeep and with a ranger to the Saiga Antilope (check our tours). A century ago one million of these typical antilopess roamed the vast steppes of Kazakhstan,
until illegal hunting decimated the population to just a few thousand in the 1990s. Now, there are over 40,000 of them again and they are on the rise. The tour we can offer is new and truly unique for Kazakhstan. Maximum five participants.
Conference on Eco-tourism in Karaganda August 26-27, 2010
For those interested in the development of (eco)tourism in Kazakhstan there's the opportunity to participate in a Conference on this topic, taking place in the centrally located city of Karaganda on August 26-27.
(Karaganda is by car four hours away from the international airport of Astana).
Following the Conference there'll be a field-tour of two days in the surrounding steppes and oasis. More information soon at www.conference.ecotourism.kz, or with us.
Landborders with Kyrgystan now open!
update May 20th: President Nazarbaev has announced that from today three land borders will be opened: at Korday, Sapatay batyr and Aishi-Bibi.
Cycling Tour in Central Kazakhstan offering lots of history 9-28 June
From today we can offer you a brand new program (for the whole world), that is a 20 days cycling tour through the steppe and oasis of Central Kazakhstan,
visiting many monuments from the Bronze Age on the way. Check out here for much more information and also pictures.
Many upcoming travel programs!
Together with our Kazakhstani partners we can offer a number of new - many even brandnew - programs in different parts of the country. Amongst them biking tours
in Central Kazakhstan for 7 resp. 20 days; a 9-day trekking from Almaty; and last but not least a unique safari tour with rangers to the rare Saiga antilope in the steppes of Central Kazakhstan! To be continued in the next days - keep checking our pages!
International group tour in May 8-11
We're looking for participants for a four-day tour from May 9th, starting and finishing in Karaganda. The tour will visit the Kyzylarai oasis
at 300 km from Karaganda, offering plenty of history and virgin nature. Prices from 300 euro all included, maximum five participants. Mail us for more information.
Update 06-04-2010: one participant has registered.
Group Tour in August 2010
Between August 6-12 an international group tour will be held in Central Kazakhstan. Starting place is Karaganda,
end station is Semey. Already four people have joined. You will visit the oasis Kyzylarai and Karkaraly, as well as the former nucleair test sites nearby Semey. Costs from 333 euro p.p.. Please write to us for more information. Check out the programmes '3000 years back in time' and 'nightmares from the USSR' to get an idea of the tour.
From West Kazakhstan to West Turkmenistan
For adventurously minded travellers, touring in Central Asia, there is the possibility to cross overland from
West Kazakhstan to West Turkmenistan, or vice-versa. One can obtain a taxi in Zhanaozen to Turkmenbashii for little money. Don't expect too much with regard to the quality of the roads...
Upcoming Launch in Baikanur
On June 14th a manned space launch will take place in Baikanur. It's possible to be present during the launch. Please ask us for the possibilities to join.
Bike tour in Central Kazakhstan starts on June 9th
On June 9th an international mountainbike tour for 20 days will start from Karaganda in Central Kazakhstan. More information follows soon.
Snowholidays in the Altai
Until April we can organize an adventurous snow holidays in the Altai Mountains, starting from Ust-Kamenogorsk. There are possibilities for icefishing,
riding a snow scooter on a lake, searching for traces of snowleopards in the high mountains etc. Ask us about the possibilities.
Austrian Road inaccessible
In 1915-1916 Austrian POW's constructed a road in the Altai Mountains, enabling a passing through the mountains from Markakol Lake to the next valley, shortcutting the existind roads by hundreds of kms.
Several bridges on this adventurous 60 km long road have now collapsed, making the road and the shortcut impossible. We hope the authorities will be able to repair the road this year.
Group Tours in Spring 2010
The first group tour in 2010 is a botanic tour to the wild tulips of Kazakhstan, starting on April 11th in Almaty. Another tour starts on May 6th from Aktau in the far southwest of the Kazakhstan, a truly pioneering tour through unreal landscapes.
Upcoming Launch at Baikanur
Latest news: in order to join the upcoming manned space launch at Baikanur at April 1st, 2010, you should book before February 18th!