Nur-Sultan Extension

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Ways to Travel :

Activity :

Trip Extensions

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

XXK

Carbon Footprint :

329kg CO2e per person per day

Extend your stay in Kazakstan and explore it futuristic capital, Nur-Sultan (formerly named Astana)

Rising out of the Central Asian steppe, Kazakhstan’s glitzy capital city is unlike any other. Built from scratch by President Nazarbayev, and paid for by gas and oil money, the city is a surreal modernist dream. Skyscrapers vie for your attention and the bright coloured lights are reminiscent of a futuristic sci-fi movie.

Highlights

Magnificent panoramic views from the top of the “Astana-Baiterek” monument.
Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Kazakh Eli Square.
The Palace of Peace and Accord.

Key Information

2 / 3 days land only, depending when your flights are
2 nights in a 4-star hotel
2024 prices - from GBP799
Single supplement GBP90 - GBP95
Sole traveller supplement GBP145 - GBP165
Available until end 2024 only

Countries visited: Kazakhstan

What's Included

2 nights’ accommodation
Almaty to Nur-Sultan flight
All transfers
Half-day city tour

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas and vaccincations

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

TRIP

XXK - Nur-Sultan Extension

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Fly from Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital, to Nur-Sultan, its new capital. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel and check-in. This afternoon we head out on a guided city tour (the tour lasts approx. 3 hours) taking in some of the most interesting and fascinating buildings.

Our city tour starts with a visit to Constitution Square where President N.A.Nazarbayev announced the transferring of the capital of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Astana. From here visit the Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a museum which features various works including a large collection of artefacts including the 4^th century ‘Golden Man’ reputed throughout Central Asia.

Following the exploration of Kazakh history, we delve into modern Kazakh culture. We visit one of its many impressive buildings, the Khan Shatyr shopping centre. We continue to the Astana Baiterek and take the lift up to the top. From here we get panoramic views of the city.

Later, we cross the Ishym River to Kazakh Eli Square. Here we can admire the pyramidal Palace of Peace and Accord and the beautiful Khazret Sultan Mosque. Our last stop is the Palace of Independence where you can get a glimpse of what the future holds for the city with the far reaching plans for the development of Astana. In the hall, we find the “Layout of Astana Until 2030” completing our journey from the creation of the city to its future.

Today is a free day to explore the city further at your own pace until it’s time to head to the airport for the flight home. Depending on your flights these are likely to depart late tonight. The hotel room is included for tonight as well.

Please note that this free day usually falls on a Monday, when many sights and museums are closed. There is howveer, still plenty to see and do. It is possible to visit the Bayterek Monument and Observation Tower, which stands 97m tall and is immediately recognisable by the large glass ball at its top – the observation deck offers fine views across Nur-Sultan. The Atameken Ethno-Memorial Complex is also open on Mondays, and displays minatures depicting Kazakhstan. You may wish to visit the Hazret Sultan Mosque – the largest in Central Asia. The mosque dome is 51 meters in height and 28 meters in diameter. The main dome is surrounded by eight small ones, at the mosque corners there are four 77 meter-high minarets. Another bright attraction is the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, a transparent elliptical tent covering an area larger than ten football stadiums. Inside there are shops, entertainment venues, a boating river, minigolf and even an indoor beach resort!

Most flights leave in the very early hours of the morning. Otherwise you can store bags at the hotel until it’s time to be taken to the airport

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This is a great way to finish off your trip after exploring the stans. Finishing in Kazahkstan this extension provides you with the opportunity to explore it’s new capital city Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana).

The extension operators without a leader. However, you do have a guide for the city tour on day 1. He or she will also be contactable by phone if a problem were to arise. On arrival and departure, you will be met by a local driver.

Joining Instructions

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Transfer Details

All transfers are included in the extension.

Vaccinations and Health

Kazakhstan

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from (or transiting through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Visa

Kazakhstan

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia:  www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/kazakhstan
Canada:  www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/kazakhstan
United Kingdom:  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kazakhstan/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kazakhstan.html

Food & Drink

All breakfasts are included however lunch and dinner are not included leaving you to explore the eateries which Nur-Sultan has to offer. The cuisine here is very varied, being a new city which has grown rapidly there are restaurants with traditional, European or Asian influence for you to discover.

Weather

Nur-Sultan has a cold and temperate climate. The average annual temperature is 2.2^oC. January tends to be the coldest month with temperatures dropping as low as -21^oC (average -14^oC) and July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 20^oC. Rain can be expected any time of year, July is also the wettest month.

Weather Charts