Lights of two capitals

Day 1. Astana. After arrival and accommodation at the hotel, you will be conducted an introductory tour with the city. Astana is a unique city that united both Eastern and Western culture, the pride of the republic. Astana, formerly called Tselinograd and the center of the “Campaign of the Virgin Lands”, became the capital of Kazakhstan since 1997. The new name Astana in the Kazakh language means “capital, hereditary”. The new status of the city and the movement of the political elite from Almaty to Astana has since led to an increase in population from about 50,000 to more than 550,000 over 15 years! Today, the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana is becoming more attractive for residents of the country and for foreign visitors. On the right bank of the Irtysh River, which divides the city into two banks, you can still find old Soviet buildings. However, on the left appears a city with incredible architecture. Astana was built by the best architects in the world. 71 cities, 432 construction companies and 135 factories supplying building power with building materials were involved in the construction of Astana. Today you are visiting:

- the palace of the President and the residence of President Nazarbayev (he is the first ruler of the state since 1989), called "Ak Orda";

- the building "Astana Triumph" - was built in 2006, it is a residential complex, the total area of ​​113,000 square meters. The complex is located in the city center and includes a variable number of floors of the building (39 floors).

- "Palace of Peace and Unity" - built by Norman Foster

- Mosque "Nur-Astana", which can accommodate five thousand parishioners and two thousand parishioners in front of the mosque

Day 2. After breakfast, you will continue your exploration of Astana. The first visit is the open-air museum "Atameken", where on 1.7 hectares there are many vivid examples of the architectural heritage of Kazakhstan made in miniature. We will visit the "Baiterek" tower along the water green boulevard, which translates as "the tree of life". We will also offer you to visit "Khan Shatyr", or "new city under the roof", which is a favorite vacation spot of citizens. After these excursions we will go to Almaty - the first capital of Independent Kazakhstan.

Day 3. After tomorrow at the hotel, you will continue your architectural tour with a city tour of Almaty. Until 1997, it was the capital of Kazakhstan, and to this day it is by far the largest city with about two million inhabitants, as well as an economic and cultural center.

In Almaty you will find typical Soviet stylized buildings and structures. The city is spacious, green and offers a wonderful view of the snow-capped mountains of the neighboring Northern Tien Shan Mountain Range. You visit Panfilov Park, where one of the most interesting religious buildings is the Cathedral, designed by architect Zenkov from St. Petersburg. Built without nails, however, it withstood a strong earthquake in 1911! In the park you will also find a huge monument to the Victory over the Nazis in 1945.

Day 4. After exploring the Soviet architectural heritage of Almaty, we move to Medeo, which is located about 20 km from the city at an altitude of 1,700 meters. It is the world famous highest mountain skating rink in the world, surrounded by high mountains. Medeo is also a huge dam, designed to protect Almaty from mudflows and landslides.

With a completely new gondola (cable car), which was commissioned in January 2011, we can visit the modern ski station Chimbulak at 2,200 meters. If you wish, you can always go higher using the cable car.

Evening return to Almaty. Free time.

Day 5. Early in the morning, transfer to the airport.

Feel the spirit of two cities, so different in nature and rhythm of life ...