Old Kazakhstan and New Kazakhstan

In nine days you'll enjoy the cultural highlights of Kazakhstan and spend (hike) two days in a natural reserve.
You start in the new capital Astana, situated in the middle of vast steppes and fields of grain. Here there's plenty of new and spectacular architecture to admire, while also the not-so-pleasant memories of the Soviet past won't be forgotten.
After Astana you fly to the old city of Taraz in the south, an old center of the Silk Road, of which you'll be reminded during several excursions.
For a change the next two days will be spend in nature, namely the Aksu Jabagly natural reserve, with excellent opportunities for hiking or horseriding. You'll be accommodated in a comfortable guesthouse in the village of Jabagly.
The next destination lies further west, namely the Mausuleum of Turkestan. After visiting this holiest of places in Kazakhstan you'll board a nighttrain back to the former capital of Almaty. Here you'll visit the city and its sights, not omitting the splendid mountains just south of Almaty.