Baikonur Cosmodrome & Soviet Space History

Kazakhstan

Space and Astronomy

Extend your trip to the Baikonur Cosmodrome

5 days Ask us for pricing This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
Ask us a question
Book now
Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Come and see whether the sky really is the limit on our extension to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Explore the world’s first and largest space launch complex, deep within the deserts of southern Kazakhstan. Witness the launch pads used by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in his Vostok I mission, which made him the first human being ever to enter space. Visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum where you can immerse yourself in the world of cosmonautics. Here you can see the Soviet’s first spaceplane, the Buran Space Shuttle, and sit in the very same seat used by the pilots on their astronomical adventures.

Note:

This extension can run at any time and if you would like to see a manned or unmanned launch, please contact us. If you are to see a launch, you will watch the rocket as it is rolled out to the launch pad as close as an arm's length away, which is the closest you can get to it, and then erected. You will watch the launch at one of the observation points located 1,200-2,000 metres from the launch complex. Please note that launches are subject to postponement or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Meet students from the International Space School
  • Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum - history of space travel
  • Gagarin launch site
  • Soviet Space History Museum

Places Visited

Kyzylorda - Zhosaly Village - Baikonur - International Space School - Museum of the History of the Cosmodrome

What's Included

Arrival & departure transfers
Ground transport with driver
Domestic flights (if relevant - refer to itinerary)
Accommodation
Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks

Contact us today

Please confirm your humanity

Itinerary
Download Itinerary
Overview Itinerary Detailed Itinerary
Image 3

Day 1 : Kyzylorda - Zhosaly

Arrive in Kyzylorda and transfer to Zhosaly Village where you will check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon visit the museum of the village and the oldest train station in Kazakhstan. Overnight in Zhosaly Village.

Overnight in Alma Ata, Zhosaly Village

Meal plan: n/a

Kyzylorda (meaning "Red city") is a city in southern Kazakhstan. It was founded in 1820 on the site of a Kokand fortress known as "Ak-Mechet"  (meaning "White Mosque"). It was briefly the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, between 1925 and 1929, before the capital moved to Almaty. It was also near here that Seljuk, the founder of the Seljuk dynasty, was born. 

Read more
Image 3

Day 2 : Baikonur

Drive to Baikonur in the morning and visit the Museum of the History of the Cosmodrome, the Memorial of Soviet Cosmonauts, and monuments of the Soviet Rocket "Soyuz" and Yuri Gagarin. In the afternoon visit the memorial of the Cosmodrome personnel who died in the Nedelin catastrophe. You will also visit the International Space School, named after the Soviet era rocket designer, Vladimir Chelomei. Overnight in Baikonur.

Overnight in Centralnaya, Baikonur

Meal plan: Breakfast

Formerly known as Leninsk, Baikonur is a city on the northern bank of the Syr Darya river. The city is most known for its cosmodrome, which is the world's first and largest space launch facility, and is known for sending the first human into space. It is currently on lease to Russia.

The Nedelin catastrophe was an accident that occurred on 24th October 1960 when the prototype of a missile exploded as it was being prepared for a test flight. An unknown number of military and technical personnel were killed as they were working on the preparations on the launch pad. The news of the disaster was suppressed by the Soviet government until 1989, despite the magnitude of it. Since then there have been no launches on the 24th October.

The International Space School was founded in 1990 for students ages 10-18 to learn about biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and aerospace. Almost all of the students who graduated from the school became excellent specialists in the space institutions of Russia and Kazakhstan. The school also has its own aerospace museum where you can view the unique exponents of rocket and space technology that has been collected.

The Museum of the History of the Cosmodrome was created with the purpose of obtaining a deep knowledge in the field of rocket engineering, history of space technologies development, and the process of space exploration. The museum includes more than 15,000 storage units.
Read more
Image 3

Day 3 : Cosmodrome

In the morning, transfer to the Baikonur Cosmodrome and see the assembly and testing complex of the "Zenith" and "Soyuz-5" rockets, then head to the "Zenit" launch complex facilities. In the afternoon, visit the radar tracking station for Saturn and see two more launch complexes. Overnight in Baikonur.

Overnight in Centralnaya, Baikonur

Meal plan: Breakfast

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest space launch facility, and sent the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space. It began as a missile testing site in the 1950s for the Soviet space program and since the dissolution of the Soviet Union it has been on lease from Kazakhstan to Russia. In 2005 an agreement was made to lease it until 2050 at a cost of $115 million a year. Located on the desert Kazakh steppe, the cosmodrome covers 6,717 square kilometres and comprises of numerous launch pads, including Site 1, also known as Gagarin's Start, where the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, and Gagarin's capsule, Vostok 1, were launched into space.
Read more
Image 3

Day 4 : Baikonur

Today you can visit the Cosmodrome Museum in Baikonur, Cosmonauts Alley, and the house where Yuri Gagarin (the first USSR cosmonaut) and Sergey Korolev (the chief Soviet rocket designer) spent the night before Yuri became the first man to go into space. You will also get a chance to see the "Buran" space shuttle and sit inside it. As you wander around Baikonur town you can spot the weightlessness monument which was built as a tribute to the conquerors of space. It is sometimes referred to as the "fisherman" due to its unusual shape. Overnight in Baikonur.

Overnight in Alma Ata, Zhosaly Village

Meal plan: Breakfast

The Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum will give you a deep insight into the history of space travel and how rockets are constructed. There are items that have been to space, which you can touch, and exhibitions for various expeditions. There is a full-size model of the Soviet reusable spaceship "Buran" and a number of rare exhibits from the history of Russian astronautics.

Cosmonauts Alley is located by the Cosmonaut Training Centre, where the crews arrive for pre-launch training. The alley was started by Yuri Gagarin who planted the first tree before he went into space, and since then, every astronaut flying on a Soyuz spacecraft has added to the alley.
Read more
Image 3

Day 5 : Departure

Depart Zhosaly Village and drive to Kyzylorda for your onwards travel. There may be an opportunity for sightseeing around Kyzylorda depending on the departure time.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.

Image 3

Alma Ata

Zhosaly Village (2 nights)

Located centrally in Zhosaly, the Alma Ata hotel provides comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast. There is a bar and a restaurant serving local cuisine for you to enjoy, and a steam room to relax in. A 24 hour reception is also on hand for any requests or needs you may have.

Visit hotel's site
Image 3

Centralnaya

Baikonur (2 nights)

The Centralnaya hotel is a Soviet old-style hotel, built in the 60's. It is centrally located and is fitted with basic amenities for you to have a comfortable stay.

Extensions

Baikonur Cosmodrome & Soviet Space History (5 days)

Extend your trip to the Baikonur Cosmodrome

Five Stan Odyssey (along the Silk Road) (30 days)

Get under the skin of all five 'Stans'

Kazakhstan Explorer (11 days)

Impressive clay canyons, singing sand dunes, and hiking.

Kazakhstan Rocket Launch (11 days)

Get blown away with a mix of rockets, culture, and national parks.

Highlights of Kazakhstan (7 days)

Vast steppe landscapes, traditional culture and eagle hunters!

Reviews

A fascinating trip to the old Soviet Central Asia, an extraordinary mixture of cultures, peoples and religions. On the old Silk Road, I followed in the footsteps of Alexander The Great, Tamberlane and Genghiz Khan - all of whom - I am reliably informed - booked through Travel The Unknown.

Anthony Twohig , Journey Through the 4 Stans & Central Asia extension

I would recommend the 4 Stan trip to anyone who has already enjoyed Uzbekistan and wants to have a varied trip around some of the best that the other countries of Central Asia have to offer... mountain scenery to match the Alps and the Himalayas; vast steppe and desert landscapes; cities both ancient (Silk Road ruins) and modern (vibrant, cosmopolitan with interesting modern architecture and remnants of Soviet & Tsarist past). Lots of travel companies are offering Silk Road trips these days but this is special and so far, one of a kind !

Julie Crank , Journey Through the 4 Stans

We spent a memorable month in Central Asia, travelling through four 'Stans. The long history of ethnic diversity and exchange of cultural ideas make it a fascinating place. The architecture and landscapes were breathtaking and the hospitality and warmth of the people unforgettable.

Dave Every , Tailormade 'Stans'

Travel The Unknown proved to be knowledgeable, efficient and flexible. An extensive and packed itinerary ran like clockwork. The quality of accommodation, food, guides and the friendliness of all the people of Central Asia were all surprisingly good and better than anticipated. An excellent trip!

Peter & Janice Lacey , Tailormade Five Stans

Just back from my trip through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It was a fantastic trip with many highlights - I was looking forward to the trip but it exceeded my expectations. The scenery in Tajikistan is stunning with some great sites. One of the highlights was the land border crossing into Kyrgyzstan at 4,200m above sea level. The Bradt guide describes it as "undeniably one of the last truly adventurous road trips that can be made in the 21st century" hard to disagree with them. The drive along the border with Afghanistan, along the Pamir highway and visiting the Wakhan corridor were also very memorable. The highlight of the entire trip were the two weeks spent in Kyrgyzstan - it is a really beautiful country with so much to see and do. I had a fantastic guide (Tatiana) and driver (Daniar) I got the opportunity to do many walks as Tatiana also liked walking. Daniar also had a reasonable amount of English so it was like having 2 guides. The vehicle (Toyota Landcruiser) was modern and very comfortable which is important as we did 3,100km. Before departing I was somewhat concerned about the standard of some of the accommodation- while the homestays in Tajikistan were pretty basic but this was the only way of getting to some fantastic remote locations. The standard in Kyrgyzstan was good and one of the highlights was the stay at Reina Kench Farm situated in a great location and the food was some of the best we had on the entire trip - would highly recommend it (Wi-Fi also excellent). The food in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was great and very varied. Kyrgyzstan also had some interesting historical sites (Osh, Tash Rabat and Bishkek ) whereas many view it as more of a destination for scenic mountains and valleys. Kazakhstan was very interesting and I would really like to explore the rest of the country as many interesting sites and scenery - the two guides we had were very good. Having spent over 7 weeks in the Stans over the past 12 months I think it is a great area and one I plan to return to. Thanks for your help in organising the trip for me.

Brendan Fitzgerald , Journey Through the Stans
More reviews