Kazakhstan Rocket Launch

Kazakhstan

Space and Astronomy

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

Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Upcoming launch dates:
Manned launches: 5th October 2021 & 8th December 2021
Unmanned launch (Cargo spacecraft): 28 October 2021

*Launches are subject to postponement or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.

Start your space adventure as you visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome and museum. See rockets being made, visit where Yuri Gagarian stayed the night before his launch, and learn about Soviet space-station history before witnessing a rocket launch! Afterwards, explore the ruins of the ancient Ak Orda and Otrar cities. Hike along the red sandstone Charyn Canyon and spot the dead trunks in the mirror surface of Kaindy Lake before touring through Almaty.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum - history of space travel
  • Witness a spectacular rocket launch
  • Ruins of the ancient Silk Road city, Otrar
  • Impressive rock formations at Charyn Canyon
  • Kolsay Lakes - the pearls of Tien Shan

Places Visited

Kyzylorda - Zhosaly Village - Baikonur - Turkestan - Otrar - Shymkent - Almaty - The Tien Shan Mountains - Charyn Canyon

What's Included

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

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Itinerary & Map
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Day 1 : Kyzylorda - Zhosaly Village

Arrive into Kyzylorda, then be taken to Zhosaly village and check in. Visit the oldest train station in Kazakhstan (built 1905). Overnight in Zhosaly village.

Overnight in Alma Ata, Zhosaly Village

Meal plan: Dinner

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. 

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Day 2 : Baikonur

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

Overnight in Centralnaya, Baikonur

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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.

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Day 3 : Baikonur

Visit the assembly and testing complex of the "Zenith" and "Soyuz-5" rockets, then take an excursion to the command post of "Zenit". In the afternoon, visit the radar tracking station for Saturn and see two launch complexes. Overnight in Zhosaly village.

Overnight in Alma Ata, Zhosaly Village

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 4 : Rocket Launch

Drive to the Cosmodrome in the morning and visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum and the house where Yuri Gagarin (first USSR cosmonaut) and Sergey Korolev (USSR rocket chief designer) stayed before Yuri went into space. Take an excursion to the "Buran" space shuttle. In the afternoon head to the launch complex of the "Soyzuz" rocket and witness it launch into space.

Overnight in Centralnaya, Baikonur

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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.

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Day 5 : Zhosaly Village - Kyzylorda - Turkistan

Transfer to the Kyzylorda train station where you will board a train to Turkestan. Overnight in Turkestan.

Overnight in Khanaka, Turkestan

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

With an archaeological record dating back to the 4th century, Turkestan is one of Kazakhstan's most historic cities. Throughout the medieval and early-modern periods it was known as Iasy or Shavgar, and changed to Turkistan after the 17th century. The city became an important centre of spirituality and Islamic learning for people of the Kazakh steppes because of the Sufi Sheikh of Turkistan, whom the name of the city refers to. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and the population has grown considerably, making it the second fastest-growing town in Kazakhstan, after the capital.

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Day 6 : Turkistan - Shymkent

In the morning visit the ruins of the ancient Ak Orda city, the famous mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the Azret Sultan architectural complex, and the subterranean mosque Khelvet. After lunch you will drive to the ruins of the ancient Silk Road city of Otrar, and visit the Arystan-Bab mausoleum. Overnight in Shymkent.

Overnight in Aidana Plaza, Shymkent

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yaswai was commissioned in 1389 to replace a smaller 12th century mausoleum of the famous Turkic poet and Sufi mystic, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who died in 1166. The creation of the mausoleum marked the start of the Timurid architectural style and it is one of the best preserved Timurid constructions. In 2003 it was recognised by UNESCO as the country's first site of patrimony and was declared a World Heritage Site.

The Azret Sultan architectural complex was founded in 1978 and is home to various collections of architectural ruins. Scientific and educational activities are conducted here in order to study and preserve Turkistan archaeological monuments of culture. Historical theatrical performances are sometimes put on to help immerse visitors in the past.

Otrar is an ancient city that thrived in its position along the Silk Road before being the first victim to fall to ruin during the conquest by Genghis Khan. Today, numerous walls remain to show the layout of some parts of the city. The vases and wall carpets found during the initial excavation can now be found in the Presidential Cultural Centre in Nur-Sultan. 

Shymkent is a city near the Uzbekistan boarder and is the third most populated city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Shymkent is a major railroad junction on the Turkestan-Siberia Railway and was founded in the twelfth century. It was a city of trade used by Turkic nomads and sedentary Turks, and was known for its kumis - a fermented dairy drink typically made from mare's milk.

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Day 7 : Almaty - Shymbulak Pass - Almaty

In the morning fly to Almaty then transfer to your hotel upon arrival. ​drive to the northern Tien Shan mountains via the famous Medeo high altitude skating rink. Take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort and the panoramic Talgar pass for spectacular views. Overnight in Almaty.

Overnight in Novotel Almaty City Center, Almaty

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Tien Shan is a mountain range that can be found on the border between China and Kyrgyzstan. "Tien Shan" translates to "Heavenly Mountains". The Tien Shan ranges in altitude from arid valleys at 700 metres above sea level to glacial peaks of 4,500 metres - providing an extraordinarily rich biodiversity. 

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Day 8 : Almaty - Charyn Canyon

Drive to the "Hun" Nomad village for an Ethno show and lunch then drive to Charyn Canyon National Park in the afternoon. Hike along the bottom of the canyon and watch the sunset in the Valley of Castles. Overnight in Charyn Canyon. in a Yurt Camp. Yurt Camps are shared (upto 4 people in a tent), with shared facilities. A private yurt can be organised at a supplement.

Overnight in Yurt Camp, Charyn Canyon

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Charyn Canyon lies in the open plains of Almaty. The red sandstone was cracked open and enlarged by the Sharyn River. After many years of weathering and erosion, the striking canyon and its impressive rock formations were formed. Visitors can walk, raft and take jeep tours through the distinct landscape. Part of the canyon is known as the Valley of Castles for its unusual rock formations.

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Day 9 : Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes

In the morning drive to Kolsay Koldery National Park in the Kungey Alatau Mountain Range, visiting Kaindy lake and Kolsai lakes, then drive to Almaty. Overnight in Almaty.

Overnight in Novotel Almaty City Center, Almaty

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The ​Kolsay Koldery (Kolasi Lakes) National Park is located on the north slope of the Tian Shan mountains. The park's main feature are the Kolsay Lakes (a natural reservoir formed by landslides fromed by mountains that block the Kolsay River) and the scenic Kaindy Lake, known for its mirror smooth reflection and strands of dead spruce trunks rising from the water.

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Day 10 : Almaty

Take a city tour in the morning, which includes the National Museum, Panfilov Park with the Russian Orthodox cathedral, and the Oriental Green Bazaar. In the afternoon visit the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments and the Mega Shopping Centre. Enjoy one last farewell dinner in an Ethno restaurant. Overnight in Almaty.

Overnight in Novotel Almaty City Center, Almaty

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Almaty, formerly known as 'Alma-Ata', is the largest city in Kazakhstan. It is located in the foothills of the Trans-lli Alatau mountain and has become the major commercial and cultural hub for the country. 

Located in Panfilov Park, the Ascension Cathedral, known as Zenkov Cathedral, is a Russian Orthodox cathedral which was completed in 1907. The Zenkov Cathedrall is one of the tallest wooden constructions in the world, standing at 56 metres, and is designed to be earthquake proof, which it succeeded to be when the city was struck in 1911.

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Day 11 : Depart

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

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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
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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.

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Khanaka

Turkestan (1 night)

Hotel Khanaka is located in central Turkestan, next to the Historical-Ethnographic Museum. Their restaurant serves a variety of dishes in both European and national cuisines, and there is a Turkish hammam and Finnish sauna to relax in at the end of a long day. The rooms are comfortable and spacious with amenities to suit your needs such as a hairdryer, air conditioning, and wireless internet access.

Visit hotel's site
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Aidana Plaza

Shymkent (1 night)

Aidana Plaza is located within the Shymkent city area, in the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains. The property has 84 contemporary-style rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Wifi is in the property, though subject to availability.  The April Restaurant is located on site along with a fitness centre.

Visit hotel's site
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Novotel Almaty City Center

Almaty (3 nights)

Located about 4km away from the centre of Almaty, the Novotel hotel is within walking distance of many of Almaty's attractions. Most rooms offer stunning mountain views, and all of the rooms are spacious and comfortable, fitted with essential amenities. A continental breakfast is available daily and there is a terrace restaurant as well as bar/lounge area in which to relax after a day of exploring.

Visit hotel's site
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Yurt Camp

Charyn Canyon (1 night)

Stay in a traditional Kazakhstan yurt in a camp set up in Charyn Canyon. The interior is basic but comfortable and colourful, and there are shared facilities in the camp. Each Yurt is shared by upto 4 people and a private Yurt can be booked at a supplement.

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
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