Almaty & Aktobe

1. 10:00
   Almaty Contemporary Art Museum

   Contemporary art space — rotating exhibitions of Kazakhstani and international artists.

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2. 12:00
   Lunch at Belyi Slon — Thai RSVP to book

   A lighter, neutral kitchen to start the week — we'll be eating a lot of Kazakh meat-heavy food in the coming days and at the wedding. Please confirm if you're joining so Irina can book a table.

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3. 13:30
   National Museum of Kazakhstan

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4. 15:30
   New park by the National Museum chill time

   A new park built across from the National Museum on the site of the former First President's residence, which was destroyed during the January 2022 unrest. Easy walk straight from the museum.

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5. 19:00
   Dinner at Navat — Dostyk Summer Terrace

   Group of 16 adults, 2 kids, 2 high chairs.

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Two groups today Alexandre & Maciej start very early on the trail; the rest of us spend the morning around Medeu and meet them up top at 3200 m.

1. 07:00
   Alexandre & Maciej — early hike start hiking group

   Trail ends at the top Shymbulak cable-car stop (3200 m). We'll confirm the exact meeting time with them.

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2. 11:00
   Everyone else — meet at Medeu

   Walk around the famous high-altitude skating rink and dam.

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3. 12:00
   Cable car up to Shymbulak ski resort

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4. 13:00
   Meet hikers at 3200 m time TBC

   Reunite at the top cable-car station, then descend together to lunch at the ski resort — or a small picnic with sandwiches.

5. 15:00
   Back to the city chill time

   Easy afternoon and evening.

Heads up Pack snacks — it's a long drive through the steppe and there are no McDonald's along the way. Kazakh cuisine is meat-forward; come prepared (or pack alternatives if you don't eat meat).

1. 06:00
   Leave Almaty

   Coffee & snacks for the road.

2. 09:00
   On the way
3. 10:00
   Charyn Canyon — Valley of Castles

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4. 13:00
   Lunch at Kolsay Resort resort link TBC

   Pin below is Kolsay Lake — Irina will share the exact resort location as soon as it's confirmed.

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5. 13:30
   Stroll around the lake · horseback riding optional
6. 19:00
   Dinner at the resort
7. 20:00
   Chill in the yurts

   Two large yurts booked, sleeping 5–6 people each. Toilet is in a separate building outside — bring a torch.

1. 09:00
   Kaindy Lake

   The sunken-forest lake — spruce trunks rising out of turquoise water.

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2. 13:00
   Lunch place TBD
3. 13:30
   Drive back to Almaty

1. 11:00
   Arbat · Panfilov Park · Ascension Cathedral

   Stroll down Zhibek Zholy (the Arbat) into Panfilov Park to visit the wooden Orthodox cathedral.

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2. 12:00
   Walk to Kök-Bazaar · coffee at Bowler Coffee

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3. 13:30
   Shashlyk — Шашлычок на Пастера-Смайл Book ahead

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4. 18:00
   Terrenkur walk up to Kök-Töbe

   Forested path up to the city's view hill — perfect for sunset.

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1. 11:30
   Brunch at Café Akku — old USSR style

   Around 11:30–12:00. Nostalgic Soviet-era dining room — interiors as much of the visit as the food.

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2. Travel to Aktobe flight time TBD

   Fly west across Kazakhstan to Aktobe for the wedding.

1. 15:00
   Visit the Mosque & Orthodox Cathedral

   Two of Aktobe's landmarks side by side — dress modestly (shoulders & knees covered; women bring a light scarf).

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2. 19:00
   Welcome karaoke party

   Sing badly, sing loudly — warm up the voices before the wedding.

One Kazakh courtesy Weddings here generally run on Kazakh time — the ceremony may start up to an hour later than the printed start. No need to rush.

Morning on your own Feel free to explore Aktobe at your own pace — a few suggestions below. Check-in for the wedding venue houses is at 14:00; head there in time to settle and change.

1. Morning
   Abulkhair Khan Square suggestion

   The city's central square, named after the 18th-century Kazakh khan whose statue stands at its heart. Fountains, photo spot, easy starting point.

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2. Morning
   Aktobe Regional History Museum suggestion

   Small, quick visit — local history, Kazakh nomadic culture, archaeological finds from the region.

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3. Lunch
   Light lunch on your own suggestion

   Something easy — save room for the wedding feast.

4. 14:00
   Check-in at wedding venue houses

   Settle in, change, relax before the ceremony.

5. 18:00
   Wedding ceremony

   Solnechny banquet complex — CK Ukrainka 7, Almaty district, Aktobe.

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1. 13:00
   Pool & chill party address TBC

   A slow afternoon by the water — recovery, laughter, leftovers.