A two-week grand loop

Mountains, steppe, desert and the capital.

1. Days 1–4Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Medeu and Shymbulak, Assy plateau.
2. Days 5–6Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy.
3. Day 7Return to Almaty; night train or flight to Turkestan.
4. Days 8–9Turkestan, Otrar and Sauran.
5. Day 10Flight to Aktau.
6. Days 11–12Mangystau canyons with a 4×4 driver.
7. Day 13Flight to Astana: Baiterek, the Left Bank, Khan Shatyr.
8. Day 14Day trip to Burabay, fly home.

Each stop has its own detailed page in the routes section. Build in a spare day for weather or long drives.