Kazakhstan History and Key Facts

Fountain and colonnade at the entrance to the Park of the First President of Kazakhstan in Almaty

Like most countries in “The Old World” Kazakhstan has a fascinating and sometimes complex history, with various countries invading it, and shifts in borders over the centuries.

Don’t worry, there isn’t an exam at the end of this section!  Indeed, you can skip reading it entirely if you wish, but we find in our own travels that often we get more out of a place if we understand it a bit more to start with.

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Almaty City Tour

Almaty is simultaneously ancient and modern, and always an interesting city.

Our tour of the city will show you 19th century architecture, monuments, and magnificent street art, large distinctive modern buildings, and smaller historic structures.

The tour is a great opportunity to understand the history of the city and to see the magnificent landscapes of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range immediately outside the city!

During this tour you will reach a height of 10,000 ft (3200 m) above sea level, where you can take unforgettable photos over the city and beyond.

The guided tour is available in a selection of languages and typically starts between 9-10am when you are collected from your hotel, and you’re returned back at the end of the tour, usually between 5-6pm.  The tour is a mix of walking and being driven.

Among highlights are traveling a short distance out of town to the Medeo ice skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort (both fascinating all year round), and within the city, visiting Republic Square, the Panfilovsky Park of 28 Heroes, and the Green Bazaar.

Tour Details

All day (8 hours)

Activity Level

Easy/moderate

Tour Price

$70-120 per person