The 3 Museum Visits in Kazakhstan That Earn Their Price

1.Back to USSR Gulag Museum with Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 1 day · from $165Our pick

Travel from Astana to Dolinka with an English- or Russian-speaking guide, visit the Karlag Gulag Museum for 2.5 hours, then tour Karaganda and stop for lunch. Damir leads the tour with clear explanations of Soviet history, Kazakh life, and the city’s changing face.

“Simply great. This was my 3rd tour with the company, which completed everything that should be seen in and near Astana. A very smooth ride to the museum, where I got a chance to learn a lot about the system of Gulags. Then Damir gave a tour of Karaganda city, which a combination of a fairly modern and Soviet city. Our lunch at a Russian restaurant was the cherry on top. Many thanks to Damir and Discover Astana!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Issyk Lake – shining pearl of Almaty surroundings + Golden Man museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $117Best value

Travel from Almaty to Issyk Lake with a private guide, then visit the museum holding a Scythian warrior’s gold armor. Guides such as Nursultan and Ruslan add local history and cultural context. Enjoy a walk, picnic, or boat ride, with trout-farm lunch available at extra cost.

“Excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Provide great insight into the culture and history of the area. Great tour. Highly recommended”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Full Day City Tour with Lunch and Museum Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 7 hours · from $185

Spend seven hours with a private guide exploring Almaty’s Central State Museum, Independence Monument, Zenkov Cathedral, Musical Instruments Museum, and Green Bazaar. Your $185 includes hotel pickup, museum tickets, Kazakh lunch, transport, water, and juice. English, German, and Russian guides are available.

Check availability →Read our full review