Worldwide Escorted Tours 2024-2026

What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to Kazakhstan, returning from Kyrgyzstan with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). See p132-133 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Astana, 4 H Wyndham Garden Astana Almaty, 4 H Kazzhol Park Hotel Karakol, 4 H Hotel 78 Chon Kemin, 3 H Ashu Guest house Bishkek, 3 H Garden Hotel ✔ 28 meals ✔ 10 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide  Tour pace: Intermediate Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Explorer Day 1: UK to Astana, Kazakhstan Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Astana B/L/D Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing morning before a walking tour of the city, taking its architectural wonders, before a visit to the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Later, observe the Nur Alem monument before a welcome dinner. Day 3: Astana B/L Set off on a tour offering a new perspective on the city, including a visit to the majestic Palace of Peace and Accord. From here, go on to Baiterek Tower and ascend this iconic landmark for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Next, make your way to the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre a a neo- futurist ‘tent’ with cobbled streets, a boating river, shopping centre, minigolf and indoor beach resort. Day 4: Astana to Almaty B/L Fly to Almaty and on arrival, enjoy a tour of the city. Day 5: Almaty B/L/D After breakfast, venture to the national park, Ile Alatau and set off on a scenic drive to the Medeo skating rink. Continue up the mountainside to the alpine resort of Shymbulak. Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe, where you can enjoy a cable car ride and admire magnificent panoramic view of the city. Day 6: Almaty B/L After a morning at leisure, visit the only falcon farm in Kazakhstan – ‘Sunkar’ – where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks, golden and bald eagles, owls, vultures and falcons. Day 7: Almaty to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan B/L/D Today, journey to Karakol with a stopover at the Charyn Canyon, dubbed the mini Grand Canyon. Venture into ‘Valley of Castles’ to see the canyon from the inside. Later, enjoy an evening at leisure. Day 8: Karakol B/L/D Begin your tour at the Dungan Mosque. Later, visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, before driving to Jety-Oguz Canyon where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent scenery. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening of leisure. Day 9: Karakol to Chon Kemin B/L/D After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Chon Kemin valley. En route, visit the Museum of Nikolai Przhevalsky, Cholpon-Ata – an impressive site of ancient rock carvings – then the temple of the Scythian civilizations. Day 10: Chon Kemin to Bishkek B/L/D On the way to Bishkek, make a stop near Tokmak city to visit the striking ruins of the medieval city Balasagun, and marvel at its famous Burana tower. After this, take a look at a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs before arriving at Bishkek. Day 11: Bishkek and Ala Archa National Park B/L/D After breakfast, enjoy the city on an exciting tour. After lunch, drive to Ala Archa National Park situated in the Tien Shan mountains. In the national park, hike along the main gorge of Ala Archa and back, to enjoy views of Tien Shan. Finish with dinner and enjoy a traditional folklore show. Day 12: Bishkek to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight home, or continue on to your chosen extension. What you’ll see  Journey through the Tien Shan mountains to Almaty Lake  Experience a spectacular Falcon show  Marvel at the Burana Tower  Discover Charyn Canyon  Visit the Ancient Petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata  Tour of Bishkek, the gateway to Ala Archa National park  Explore Kazakhstan’s capital Astana Journey from the natural beauty of Almaty and Bishkek, to the magnificent desert canyons of Issyk Kul Lake. A host of wonderful historical and cultural sites across these two countries will make this an unforgettable experience. THIS TOUR EXPLORE Almaty Prices from Sep 2024 £2,299 Apr 2026 £2,649 Apr 2025 £2,399 May 2026 £2,949 May 2025 £2,699 Jun 2026 £3,049 Jul 2025 £2,799 Aug 2026 £3,049 Aug 2025 £2,799 Sep 2026 £2,749 Sep 2025 £2,499 • Dates are available throughout each month • Lead-in price based on 3 Sep 24 • Tipping paid locally $44 pp per tour Extend your tour Istanbul city stay 3 nights, B&B 5 H from £359 Tashkent city sta 2 nights, 4 H B&B from £649 Shymkent, Otrar & Turkistan Mini Tour 5 nights, B&B from £869 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £359 Includes: Private vehicle & driver/guide or driver and local guides; return flights accommodation, meals and excursions as per Group Tour. DAILY DEPARTURES AVAILABLE Private Touring Option From only an extra £75 pp per day 34  Central Asia, India & Sri Lanka Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk