astana day tour

1 day Astana city tour

During the tour you will get acquainted with the most significant architectural buildings and monuments of modern capital.

• Description
• In(ex)cludes
• Cancellation

During this tour you will visit the iconic sights of Astana, get acquainted with the history of the city, the stages of development and prospects for the future. Astana is a unique symbiosis of the best traditions of the West and the East, new and history, riskiness and rationality. 

Astana has been the capital of RK since 1997. It is the youngest capital in the world. The general plan of Astana was designed by Japanese architect Kisse Kurokawa in 1998. The imaginary line passes along the Left bank, the new administrative center of Astana. It is called “The Millennium Avenue“. The main attractions of the capital are located here. 

You will visit Baiterek. Kazakh legends say that there grows the Tree of Life, called Bayterek. On the World River bank and Samruk the holy bird of happiness flies to it to lay a golden egg in the nest, located on the top of the Tree. The egg symbolizes the Sun, granting life and hope. The Bayterek monumental structure was opened in the very center of Kazakhstan capital in 2002. It ushered in a new stage in the people’s life, becoming a symbol not only of Astana, but also of the whole country

Our next stop is Independence square: Palace of Peace and Concord, Palace of Independence. Hazret Sultan mosque – the largest mosque in Central Asia. The building was constructed in classical Islamic style with traditional Kazakh ornaments. Located on the right bank of the Yesil river the Mosque is adjacent to the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the monument "Kazakh Eli" and the Independence Square. It can accommodate five thousand worshipers, and on holidays - up to 10 thousand people.  According to the architectural plan, the temple should crown the 80-meter spire with a crescent directed strictly towards Mecca.

You will also visit EXPO - International exhibition under the auspices of the International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE), held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan from June 10 to September 10, 2017. The theme of the exhibition was “Energy of the Future”.

• Transport with professional driver per itinerary
• English Speaking guide services
• Entrance ticket to Baiterek
• Photo and video charges
• Tips and gratuities
• Any personal expenses
• Any services not included in the above itinerary

Cancellation policy

Payments & Cancellations

When you book a reservation for a Product through the Website, Steppe and Sky collects your payment information and processes your payment as described below under "Payment Processing". Steppe and Sky accepts the following credit cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express. Also Steppe and Sky travel can issue invoices to your name.  Full payment by credit or debit card is required to make a reservation.

No refunds are available once a tour or service has commenced, or in respect of any package, accommodation, meals or any other services utilized.

If you wish to cancel a reservation made via the Website, the supplier's cancellation policy contained in the applicable product listing will apply to, and govern the terms of, your cancellation and any refunds. When canceling a booking, you will be notified via email the total refund amount you will receive, if any.

The standard cancellation policy for Customers is:

• a 90 % refund for cancellations made at least 15 days  in advance of the start date of the experience. (Except for the tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome, see point 1)
• a 60% refund for cancellations made later than at least 15 days in advance of the start date of experience. Unless the Customer could not inform the Steppe and Sky travel due to the force-majeure reasons.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the start date of the experience will receive no refund.
• In case of no-show the Customer will receive no refund.
• For the tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome the following penalties apply:

1 a 90% refund for cancellations made after the payment is made before the permission from Roscosmos State Corporation is received.

2. a 80% refund in case of cancellation of the tour after receiving permission to visit the Cosmodrome  Baikonur by Roscosmos , regardless of the time.

3. a 0% refund for cancellations made 14 days prior to the tour start.

4. a 80% refund in case when Roscosmos refuses the Customer  in permission to visit the spaceport (Cosmodrome Baikonur),

5. a 80% refund is applicable when Roscosmos either transfers or cancels the launch of the spacecraft, unless  the Customer chooses to use  the tour package of ‘between launches’ period, in this case the cost of the tour is recalculated and the difference is transferred to the account of the Customer.

The value of the transaction may be subject to taxes, duties, foreign transaction, currency exchange or other fees. Your bank or credit or debit card company may convert the payment into the local currency and charge fees, resulting in differences between the amount displayed on Steppe and Sky Travel and the final amount charged to your bank account or credit or debit card statement. Please contact your bank or card company if you have any questions concerning any applicable conversion or fees.

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THE 10 BEST Astana Tours & Excursions

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What travellers are saying.

• Full Day (6 hours) City Tour in Astana
• Half-Day Tour ( 4 hours)
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• eSIM Data Plan for Japan via QR Code
• The Old City Tour
• To-Go-In Astana
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• Astana Horizons
• Linguastudium
• ACT Kazakhstan

• +7 701 537 65 09
• astanatours
• [email protected]

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

The classical full or half day long tour in the young capital of Kazakshtan. Your personal guide and driver will meet you at hotel or other place at your convenience in Astana. You will see unique symbiosis of east and west traditions in the main sights of Astana, feel the essential of kazakh culture in a National Museum of Kazakhstan, visit the largest mosque in Central Asia and try the authentic cuisine of steppe nomads. The tour is also included the visit of the emblematic of the city Bayterek, the national brand of Kazakhstan higher education Nazarbaev University. At the end of tour you will taste the best wine from south Kazakhstan and we will bring you back to the hotel or any other place at your convenience.

Places 

• Independence Square;
• Kazakh Eli monument; 
• City History Museum; 
• Palace of Peace and Reconciliation; 
• Khazret Sultan Mosque; 
• Round Square; 
• Astana-Bayterek monument; 
• Green Water Boulevard; 
• Arba wine 

Duration  

What's included.

• Entrance to City History Museum;
• Entrance to Palace and Reconciliation;
• Personal car with air conditioning; 
• Free WiFi; 
• Wine tasting;
• Pick up and Drop Off 

Amount of walking

• Independence Square; 
• Green Water Boulevard;
• Live English speaking guide
• Personal car with air conditioning 
• Free WiFi 
• Wine tasting 

Short distance

1-Day Astana Itinerary

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• Astana in 1 day
• 2-Day Astana Itinerary
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Table of contents

1-day itinerary, mega silk way.

Barys Arena

Astana Arena

Asia park mall, nur astana mosque, lovers park, where to eat, marrone rosso.

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Popular road trips from Astana

What's the weather like in astana.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Astana for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Astana in January
• Weather in Astana in February
• Weather in Astana in March
• Weather in Astana in April
• Weather in Astana in May
• Weather in Astana in June
• Weather in Astana in July
• Weather in Astana in August
• Weather in Astana in September
• Weather in Astana in October
• Weather in Astana in November
• Weather in Astana in December

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Astana throughout the year

• Astana in January
• Astana in February
• Astana in March
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• Astana in May
• Astana in June
• Astana in July
• Astana in August
• Astana in September
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Top Tours in Astana, Kazakhstan

Astana tours.

• Walking Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
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• Ports of Call Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full Day (6 hours) City Tour in Astana

2. Half-Day Tour ( 4 hours)

3. The Old City Tour

4. Private Transfer from Nursultan Nazarbayev (NQZ) Airport to Astana

5. Half Day (3 hours) City Tour

6. Tour to Burabay National Park

7. Private History Tour in the City of Kazakhstan

8. Trip to Kazakh family of Eagle hunters in Nur-Sultan (6 hours)

9. Private Burabay Bliss Nature's Tapestry Tour

10. Tour to "USSR"

11. Half-Day Private Tour to Alzhir Camp from Nur-Sultan

12. Astana Unveiled: A Cityscape Symphony Tour

13. Private Transfer from Nursultan Nazarbayev (TSE) Airport to Astana

14. Full Day Private City Tour in Astana

15. Fabulous Astana Walking Tour

16. Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Astana

17. Back to the USSR tour in Karaganda: Lenin, Karlag, Spassk (2 days)

18. Private Departure Transfer to Astana International Airport TSE

19. Private 2 days Tour in the Youngest Capital in the World - Astana

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21. Nur-sultan Gourmet Tour To A Kazakh Family Of Traditional Jewelers

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• Full Day (6 hours) City Tour in Astana
• Half-Day Tour ( 4 hours)
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• Linguastudium
• ACT Kazakhstan

How to visit Astana in 3 days

By Joan Torres 2 Comments Last updated on April 2, 2024

Astana, today Nur-Sultan, was described as the weirdest capital in the world by CNN and I agree. Enter the city into Google Maps and you will see how far away it is from anywhere.

Kazakhstan is the same size as Western Europe but it is mostly unpopulated and nearly completely covered in flat, arid steppe.

Traveling to Astana by plane is surreal. There is nothing as far as you can see until you literally find yourself over the capital. There is nothing – not a mountain, not a tree, no other city or suburbs – nothing.

It is difficult to believe today that when the capital was moved from Almaty in 1997 this was just a dusty little village.

Since then it has gone through a building boom turning it into a futuristic city full of modern, quirky architecture all funded by the country’s vast oil and energy resources.

18.3 million people live in Kazakhstan and although the general standard of living is reasonable I question whether the money could have been better spent.

This article contains everything you need to know to visit Nur-Sultan , former Astana.

In this Astana travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Is Astana or Nur Sultan?
• Best time to visit
• Transportation
• Getting to Astana
• Moving around the city
• Getting from the airport
• Where to stay
• Where to eat
• Things to do is 3 days
• More information

Remember to get travel insurance for Astana IATI Insurance offers: COVID-19 + long-term plans, so it’s perfect for big over landing trips around Kazakhstan. Get your 5% discount if purchasing via this link

Is it Astana or Nur-Sultan?

Shortly after the capital was moved from Almaty in 1997 it was named Astana, which means ‘capital’ in Kazakh.

The official reason for the relocation was the danger posed by earthquakes in the Almaty region.

The real motive is believed to be more to do with geopolitics and the relationship with Kazakhstan’s two largest trading partners – Russia and China.

For years there was speculation over whether Astana would be renamed after the leader who created it, Nursultan Nazarbayev . He was the president for nearly 30 years, starting his term when the country was still part of the Soviet Union.

Presidents are, according to the country’s constitution, limited to two 5-year terms. However, these rules were changed since the president was so popular – he regularly won 98% of the votes in the general elections.

Nursultan surprised many critics of his regime when he stood down in March 2019. He was expected to be ‘president for life’, as seen in several other countries in the region.

However, at 78-years old and retaining powers as chairman of the Security Council and head of the ruling party, I am not sure how far he actually stepped down in reality.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was named as his successor.

As a tribute to his predecessor, he renamed the capital Nur-Sultan .

Officially the name was changed in March 2019 but Astana is still widely used and is the name best known abroad, the named most commonly used in this travel blog.

Central Asia is a complicated region and, in order to fully understand the country, it is recommended to read 1 or 2 books. Check: The 28 best books on Central Asia

Best time to visit Nur-Sultan

Having a steppe climate the variances between cold winter nights and sizzling summer days can be 80 degrees Celsius.

When we visited I was surprised to learn that Nur-Sultan is the second coldest capital in the world after Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia).

Unless you are prepared for -20 degrees Celsius, winter is not the best time to visit.

The other extreme are the summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius.

These large variances make the shoulder season of May/June and September/ October the best times to visit.

Having said that, we visited in early May and I was surprised at how cold it was.

Coming from the warmer climates of Almaty and Uzbekistan this was a bit of a shock to the system. We ended up wearing most of the clothes we brought with us during the evenings when the temperature drops quite considerably.  

Need to know about transportation

How to travel to astana.

There are several ways, depending on where you travel from.

How to travel to Astana from Almaty

Getting to Astana from Almaty by plane

I highly recommend traveling to Nur-Sultan by plane from Almaty. If you know your travel dates and book in advance, I found that it was cheaper to take the 1.5-2 hours flight than the 14-hour speed train. And it was definitely more comfortable (if the reports about the speed train being so bumpy making it impossible to sleep are true).

Getting to Astana from Almaty by train

There are two types of trains – the speed train and the slow train .

The speed train takes 14 hours overnight in both directions and most days there are 2 slow trains leaving mid-morning and taking roughly 24 hours.

For everything you need to know about taking the train in Kazakhstan read this post .

Tickets can be booked in person or online. For the speed train tickets cost $50-65 and for the slow train $20-30.

The Kazakhstan railways website is not available in English so unless you can read Cyrillic I recommend using Real Russia .

This site has a good search function in English to find train times so is useful even if buying your own ticket at the station.

In the summer and during holidays train tickets should be bought in advance.

For the speed train early booking discounts are up to 40% so it pays to plan ahead.

How to travel to Astana from Russia (Moscow)

This is not a cheap route with tickets costing around $300 per person . Trains depart every 2nd day on even-numbered dates and take 3-4 days to cover the 3,105km between the two cities.

Astana travel tip – This train only crosses the border one time. Other routes can cross it several times and there is some uncertainty about whether this means you need a double-entry visa. Make sure to check the visa needed for the train route you are taking.  

How to travel from (China) Urumqi to Astana by train

Leaving every Saturday afternoon from Astana railway station the train arrives Monday morning in Urumqi. The return departs late on Monday getting into Nur-Sultan on Wednesday.

The train can only be booked through travel agents and costs upwards from $350 per person in a compartment with 4 beds.  The journey takes nearly 40 hours with 8 of these spent at the border changing the wheels on the train carriage since the tracks in the two countries have different gauges.

How to move around Nur-Sultan

The buildings are enormous and distances deceptively far. Luckily there is a good bus system with routes marked at each stop making it easy to find which bus you need.

If in doubt you can find an interactive English route map here .

Buses run from 6-7am to 10-11pm and tickets costs 90T for shorter routes within the city and 150T for express routes. The most useful routes for sightseeing are:

• 10 – runs every 15 minutes from the bus station to the airport taking one hour via Zhenis, Moldagulova, Beibitshilik, Seufullin, Respublika, Konaev and Kabanbay Batyr
• 21 – Astana-1 to Bayterek Tower, Ak Orda, the pyramid and National Museum, via Zhengis, Sarayka, Qabanbay Batyr, Qonayev and Mangilik
• 32 – Astana Nurly Zhol to the old city via the pyramid, Ak Orda, Nurzhol bulvar, Turan dangyly and Respublika dangyly
• 40 – Astana-1 to the pyramid and Khan Shatyr via Seyfullin and Kenesary in old Nur-Sultan, and Sarayshyk, Mangilik and Dostyk in modern Nur-Sultan
• 505 Express bus – Express bus from Astana Nurly Zhol to Khan Shatyr, via the pyramid

How to get to and from the airport

Uber operates here and is a good option if the Wi-Fi on your phone can be used without high network charges.

Taxis are meant to cost 2,000-3,000T but we found that they wanted more. They will not use the meter so make sure you agree on a price before getting in. As with most countries in this region, Russian is widely spoken but English less so. You will probably have more luck negotiating a better price if you speak Russian.

Taking the bus is very easy. The bus stop is a few hundred metres to the left after exiting the terminal. The ticket price is either 90T or 150T (the higher price is for the express bus). Three bus routes pass through the airport leaving roughly every 15 minutes:

• Bus #10 runs between the airport and the train station stopping at Khan Shatyr and down Qonayev Street. Travelling through the city centre this is likely to be the best option if you want to get the bus.
• Express bus #100 runs between the airport and the train station
• Express bus #500 runs between the airport and Astana Nurly Zhol in the very East of the city

Where to stay in Nur-Sultan

Budget – The Place Astana Hostel – Most of the budget options are outside the modern city centre. I always like to be walking distance from the sights and restaurants and the hostel with the best location and good reviews is The Place Astana Hostel.

Mid-Range – VIP House Hotel – Nur-Sultan is not a cheap city and midrange options are more expensive than in many other capitals. Close to the Singing Fountains and the Bayterek Tower is VIP House Hotel which comes with private bathrooms and good views.

Top-end – Rixos Garden Inn – Located close to Nurzhol Bulvar at the Khan Shatyr end. Rooms are of a standard that you would expect from any Western high-end chain.

Where to eat in Nur-Sultan

Looking at Google Maps plenty of restaurants are shown along Nurzhol Bulvar.

However, we found it difficult to find somewhere to stop for lunch. Some restaurants are only open in the evening and others only had a sign in Russian outside and dark windows making it difficult to know whether they were office buildings or restaurants.

Khan Shatyr has a food court with all the usual fast-food brands and some local restaurants but if you fancy something a bit different, I recommend going to Turan Avenue.

Like everywhere in this city, the distance is long between each restaurant but there are several cuisines available such as Korean, Uzbek, Japanese, Georgian and Italian. The designs are the most interesting part.

The Uzbek restaurant reminded me of the city walls in Khiva with blue-tiled domes. The Georgian eatery is built with stone defence towers and overhanging balconies like you see in Baku . My favourite, the Mill, is a Ukrainian restaurant that looks like a windmill with live chickens in the garden. Inside the interior is decorated like a country house with fake flowers.

Things to do in Astana: 3-day itinerary

I love cities with ‘unusual’ (that is probably a more polite description than ‘wacky’) architecture.

There are plenty of unique things to do in Astana that did not disappoint me but my husband was less convinced.

Although the city has a good bus service make sure you wear comfortable shoes since you will be doing a lot of walking whilst visiting the capital. Distances are long. The city was clearly designed with drivers rather than walking sightseers in mind.

This Kazakhstan itinerary suggests spending 3 days in the capital. If time is limited, all the buildings detailed below can be seen in two days.

Places to visit in Astana on day 1 – Left of the Ishim River

Most of the modern buildings to visit in Astana are located on this side of the river and you can easily spend a day walking up and down Nurzhol Bulvar. At night this area is lit up and in the Summer months, there is a musical water show every day at 9pm.

Khan Shatyr

Shopping is not normally part of my sightseeing plans but this is not your average shopping centre. In fact, this is one of the best places to visit in Nur-Sultan.

Standing at one end of Nurzhol Bulvar this translucent tent is the world’s largest marquee, and one of the most emblematic places to visit in Astana. But when you enter it feels smaller than the 10 football pitches that apparently can fit inside.

Inside it has a park, monorail, boating river, mini-golf and an indoor beach complete with palm trees and sand imported from the Maldives. To ensure that beachgoers have a comfortable temperature (even during freezing winter days) a chemical lining on the building ensures that it is a constant 35 degrees inside.

Bayterek Tower

The Bayterek Tower is probably the best-known building in Nur-Sultan and in my view the one you cannot leave without seeing. That will not be a problem since at 105m tall and with a prominent position in the middle of the Nurzhol Bulvar it is impossible to miss.

The observation deck is 97 metres high corresponding to the year Nur-Sultan became the capital. It was closed for an unknown reason when we visited and I was disappointed not to be able to put my hand in the gilded handprint of Nursultan and make a wish.

Although we did not make it to the top I would highly recommend going for the 360-degree views over the town. Entrance costs 700T.

Ak Orda – Presidential Palace

The first thought that struck me when I saw this building was how much it looked like the Whitehouse in Washington DC. Ak Orda means ‘the white headquarters’ so there is a similarity in the name as well as the design.

The architects aimed for something different and unrepeatable and although it is a striking I am not quite sure whether I would call it unique. It is not easy to stand out in a city full of futuristic buildings.

The large golden towers standing either side as you approach the Palace are the House of Ministries, dubbed ‘the beer cans’ by locals. In the square there is little else to see except for the Central Concert Hall.

Central Concert Hall

Located in the right corner of the Presidential Palace square it is easy to miss due to the tall buildings surrounding it, covering it from view unless you are nearly right in front of it.

Nur Astana Mosque

I think of Kazakhstan as more Russian than Central Asian but 70% of the population is Muslim. This explains why two of the three largest mosques in Central Asia are located here. With a capacity for 5,000 worshippers inside and 2,000 outside this is the third largest mosque in Central Asia.

Hazret Sultan mosque (see below) might have the most grandiose prayer room but I think, being built in white granite and with a large fountain outside, Nur Astana Mosque is the prettier of the two.

Bears and lion tamers are not an unusual site at the performances but there are no aliens despite the building looking like a flying saucer.

Circus has a long tradition in the Soviet Union but what made the architect construct a circus building shaped like a UFO, or the president give it the go ahead, is difficult to fathom.

If nothing else, it is certainly noticeable. As with everything in this city it is a bit of a walk from the other sights but for me, this weird building was worth the detour.

Things to do in Astana on day 2 – Right of the Ishim River

I found the left of the river has the most interesting architecture. The right side is expected to be built out significantly over the next 10 years and in 2030 plans are for the Pyramid to be the geographical center of Nur-Sultan.

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – The Pyramid

The first draft of the Pyramid is said to have been the same size as the Great Pyramid in Egypt but that was too grand even for Nursultan and it was hastily reduced to about half the size. Despite being 62 meters tall and situated on a hill it was not as impressive as I thought it would be. 

Entry is possible on a guided tour which runs roughly every 30 minutes between 10am and 6pm. Tickets cost 1,000T for adults and 650T for children.

English guides can be arranged at extra cost.

The Palace of Independence

This is an event space located in the square birds-nest-like building made of dark glass and steel. The only interesting thing to see here is the model of what Nur-Sultan will look like when it is finished, which is expected to be in 2030.

Kazakhstan has been suffering from a falling oil price over the last couple of years and the price having plummeted due to Coronavirus will make the state budget even tighter.

It will be interesting to see whether the city will ever be built out to the extent the previous president dreamt of.

Kazakh Eli Monument

A symbol of sovereignty with the height of the 91m tall pillar representing the year independence was gained from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The golden statue at the top is Samruk, the bird that laid the egg at the top of the Bayterek Tower.

Hazret Sultan Mosque

This is the largest mosque in Central Asia and can accommodate 10,000 worshippers. The prayer room is decorated in the colour of the Kazakh flag – blue, gold and white.

With its 51m high dome and a 3-ton chandelier this room alone makes the trip across the river worth it.

National Museum of Kazakhstan

An enormous white-marble building that covers the culture and history of Kazakhstan from ancient history up to the present day.

The museum is closed on Mondays and entry is 1,500T for adults with a further charge of 500T for photos and 2,000T for a guide.

Day 3 – Things to do near Astana

Being in the middle of nowhere, there are really only two actual places to visit around Astana:

ALZHIR Museum and Memorial Complex

Walking around Nur-Sultan with its new fancy buildings it is easy to forget that Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union. But a visit to this notorious concentration camp will bring it all back.

The 26th Gulag Point (as it was formally called) was for the women and children of dissenters. Little is left of the camp but the museum has recreated the huts prisoners lived in as well as the trains that brought them to the camp.

Minibuses to Akmol (also called Malinokva) depart roughly every hour and take 45 minutes. Tours can be booked in advance via the museum website . The museum is closed on Mondays.

Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve

With its 200 lakes Korgalzhyn is a popular stop for migrating birds. If you are an avid bird watcher the months of May and June are the best time to visit for the northward migration. Otherwise June to September are more interesting since salty lake Tengiz supports a large colony of flamingos at this time of year.

Local guest houses can arrange transport into the reserve. To see the flamingos you need a 4×4 which cost around 10,000T plus 3,000T for an official guide.

Shared taxis, which take two hours, are the best way to get there. The first ones depart at 10 a.m. but are very popular so make sure you arrive at least an hour before departure to secure a seat.

More information for visiting Astana

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Kazakhstan destination

• Travel Guide to Kazakhstan
• Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing
• Train Guide in Kazakhstan
• Kazakhstan Itinerary

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Thank you for the detailed guide to this unusual capital. I enjoyed almost every one of your highlights of Day 1 and Day 2 back in 2016 and might return some day for Day 3.

For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the 14-hour train ride from Almaty to Astana (Nur-Sultan). I showed my ticket to the uniformed woman on the platform. She said “Good evening” in English and that she was my conductor. She escorted me to my private cabin with an en suite bathroom and shower. It was a bumpy ride, but I was able to get a good night’s rest. (Perhaps it “rocked” me to sleep?) The conductor checked that I was awake well before our on-time arrival at 8:15 a.m. It was not expensive, did not require rides to and from airports, and saved me the expense of a night in a hotel. It might seem repetitive and boring to some, but I found the incredibly flat landscape had an eerie beauty along with the endless blue sky.

One recommendation: Try to get a ticket to the Astana Opera (The State Opera and Ballet Theatre). This massive Classical structure was completed in 2013 and has incredible acoustics. I got a same-day ticket online for around $5 and caught a shared taxi there for around $2. Arriving just before the opera started, the window to pick up my ticket appeared to be closed. I did my best to explain to the usher (in English), and she handed me a ticket for a box seat close to the stage. (I cannot guarantee this always happens–the website says to arrive a minimum of 10 minutes early–but people were very friendly in Kakakhstan.) The production of Madama Butterfly featured truly world-class performers. There were supertitles (over the stage) in Russian and Kazakh.

I am glad you enjoyed the guide. Sounds like I have to try the Opera next we go!

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• Tours in Astana

Astana Half Day (3 hours) City Tour

Overview of the tour in Astana

You will see unique symbiosis of east and west traditions in the main sights of Astana. We will prepare the tour program based on your place of stay, so you may feel the essential of Kazakh culture by visiting the largest mosque in Central Asia. Learn about the old part of the city and try the authentic cuisine of steppe nomads.

This activity includes:

• Old City Center
• Kazakh Eli Square
• Khazret Sultan
• Private guide
• Personal Transfer
• All fees and taxes

Meeting point

pick up from your place

Our guide and driver will pick you at any place of your stay in the city.

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Late cancellation or your non-arrival is not refundable.

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1. Full Day (6 hours) City Tour in Astana

2. Half-Day Tour ( 4 hours)

3. The Old City Tour

4. Private Transfer from Nursultan Nazarbayev (NQZ) Airport to Astana

5. Half Day (3 hours) City Tour

6. Tour to Burabay National Park

7. Private History Tour in the City of Kazakhstan

8. Trip to Kazakh family of Eagle hunters in Nur-Sultan (6 hours)

9. Astana Unveiled: A Cityscape Symphony Tour

10. Tour to "USSR"

11. Half-Day Private Tour to Alzhir Camp from Nur-Sultan

12. Private Transfer from Nursultan Nazarbayev (TSE) Airport to Astana

13. Full Day Private City Tour in Astana

14. Private Burabay Bliss Nature's Tapestry Tour

15. Fabulous Astana Walking Tour

16. Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Astana

17. Back to the USSR tour in Karaganda: Lenin, Karlag, Spassk (2 days)

18. Private Departure Transfer to Astana International Airport TSE

19. Private 2 days Tour in the Youngest Capital in the World - Astana

20. Astana City Tour

21. Nur-sultan Gourmet Tour To A Kazakh Family Of Traditional Jewelers

22. Full Day City Tour ( 8-10 hours)

23. Private Tour Discovering the Natural Beauty of Borovoe

24. 2 days experience with Kazakh family of "Berkutchi" in Nur-Sultan

25. Full Day Private Tour in Burabay National Park from Astana

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What travellers are saying.

• Full Day (6 hours) City Tour in Astana
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Triple winner Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs

British sprinter's next race is set to be Tour of Türkiye in late April

Astana Qazaqstan has confirmed that triple Scheldeprijs winner Mark Cavendish will not be taking part in the race this year after illness saw the Briton miss out on several Classics this spring.

Cavendish won the largely flat Classic, held midweek between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, in 2008, 2011 and 2014. He will instead race the Tour of Türkiye in the second half of April, followed by the Tour de Hongrie in early May as he builds towards the summer and the Tour de France.

Cavendish started the season well with a stage win in his first race of the year, the TourColombia , but since then he has been held back by illness and bad luck at various races. He finished outside the time limit on stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico and then abandoned at Milano-Torino. 

Mark Cavendish takes on local Isle of Man race during WorldTour break, finishes 29th Mark Cavendish to miss last shot at Milan-San Remo as Astana prioritise UCI points Mark Cavendish abandons UAE Tour due to illness

His non-participation in Scheldeprijs means he will not have taken part in any northern Classics this season, unlike in 2023, where he finished third behind Jasper Philipsen and Sam Welsford after a series of DNFs in other Belgian one-day races.

The British sprinter took part in the eight-day Tour of Türkiye last year – when the race had an early October slot on the calendar, prior to moving back to April this season – as part of his recovery plan from his crash and broken collarbone in the Tour de France . Although Cavendish did not get any wins in Türkiye in 2023, he has taken a total of 11 in previous editions, most recently four in 2021.

“After being sick for several weeks following Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-Turin, Mark Cavendish has resumed his training, continuing his preparation for his biggest goals of the season,”  said Vasilis Anastopoulos, Head of Performance of Astana Qazaqstan in a press release.

“The team has adapted the racing plan, and as a result, Mark will miss the Scheldeprijs and will instead spend some time at a training camp. After that, he plans to compete in the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye and then the Tour de Hongrie.” Astana Qazaqstan will be one of four WorldTour teams in the 2.HC, 1,253km event, which starts in Antalya on Sunday, April 21st and finishes a week later in Istanbul. Bora-Hansgrohe, Alpecin-Deceuninck and DSM-Firmenich are the other three WorldTour teams participating.

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At Scheldeprijs, where Cavendish took third last year before heading to the Giro d’Italia, the squad will now be led by sprinters Gleb Syritsa, Rüdiger Selig and Cees Bol. Top lead-out man Michael Mørkøv , signed by Astana over the winter to work with Cavendish, will also be present.

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Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews , he has also written for The Independent ,  The Guardian ,  ProCycling , The Express and Reuters .

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Jordan Spieth aces from 199 yards on No. 16 at Valero Texas Open

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Jordan Spieth started slow at the Valero Texas Open, but his day shifted with one shot – with a brand-new 7-iron.

Spieth made a hole-in-one at the 199-yard, par-3 16th hole at TPC San Antonio, his fourth career ace on TOUR. His tee shot landed on the left side on the hole’s donut-shaped green – playing to a back-left hole location – the ball landing some 30 feet short and bouncing a few times before rolling into the center of the cup. The Texan shared high-fives with playing partners Hideki Matsuyama and Lucas Glover and their caddies before acknowledging the raucous fans. He followed the ace with a birdie-par finish for a 1-over 73; he’ll enter Friday one off the projected cut line.

Had he not changed 7-irons on Wednesday, Spieth believes, he wouldn’t have made the ace.

Jordan Spieth makes a hole-in-one at Valero

“I had to take some off of a 7-iron and so I lined up to hit like a 185 shot and hit a little fade with the wind that kind of was able to ride the slope then. I hit it and I picked up the tee because I did what I wanted to do,” Spieth said afterward.

“It's actually a brand new 7-iron this week, only the 7-iron. I like hitting my 7-iron and so I've got it to where, when I'm testing my gaps, it like goes 5 yards too far in the gap. I didn't know why. On Wednesday after the pro-am I was hitting on the back of the range; I had them just bring a brand new 7-iron for new grooves and it was up in the right spin window, so knocked 4, 5 yards off of it. If I didn't change 7-irons yesterday, then I wouldn't have made it. It's funny.”

Spieth stood 4-over through 15 holes Thursday, a less-than-promising start in his home state. He carded four bogeys against two birdies on the front nine, turning in 2-over 38. He rebounded from a bogey at No. 11 with a birdie at No. 12, but he fell back with a double bogey at the par-5 14th when he went OB off the tee.

Then he made magic on TPC San Antonio’s famed 16th, his first TOUR ace since the third round of the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (No. 2 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge), en route to a T4 finish.

Spieth had previously recorded holes-in-one at the 2013 Puerto Rico Open (finishing tied for second) and 2015 BMW Championship (T13). It’s a strong correlation of aces and high finishes – that he’ll look to continue this week.

“Seems like kind of like a bad blackjack run; you can't get up from the table, and maybe the hole-in-one turns it around a bit,” said Spieth, who missed the cut in his previous two starts, THE PLAYERS Championship and Valspar Championship.

“Like my game feels fine and I'm just not getting much out of it. So it's extremely frustrating because I drove the living piss out of the ball today and I picked the wrong line on 14 and it's the one drive I missed honestly like 5, 6 yards right of where I was looking and then I don't find it. I was like, ‘See, now my driving stats don't look the way they actually feel and I'm 4-over.’ I'm like, ‘This is not a hard track this afternoon, what in the world is going on?’

“I got a couple nice breaks late that maybe make me feel like the game's not as hard as it's been feeling.”

• Kazakhstan Tours
• Astana Day Tours
• Astana City Tour (half-day)

Astana City Tour (half-day) 1 Day | Independence Square, Khazret Sultan Mosque, Round Square, Vodno-zeleniy (Green Water) Boulevard, Bayterek, Khan Shatyr

Classical half-day long tour in Astana features visits to main sights in the capital of Kazakhstan. Walking on Astana streets in this tour, you will see how eastern traditional shapes harmonize with Western architecture.

Tour itinerary:

Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Astana. Start your guided Astana city tour from visiting the Independence Square. Continue to Khazret Sultan Mosque and Round Square. Take a walk on Green Water Boulevard and reach Bayterek to enjoy breath-taking panoramic view on the city at the top of the monument. At the end of the tour, visit shopping and entertainment center Khan Shatyr . Transfer to the hotel. End of the tour service.

Duration: 3 hours

Price includes:

• Transportation;
• Sightseeing tour in Astana with local guide;
• Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary.

Prices per person

Tour request.

The tour is private with your personal guide. There will be no other people joining the tour. Our guides will follow your own pace. The starting time of the tour is up to you and may vary from 09.00 am to 16.00 pm. We are happy to offer this tour for air/train passengers too. Our guide will meet you at the arrival station.

Astana City Tour (half-day) Reviews

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