Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours
Start
Sep 4, 2024
Astana
Astana
2024-09-04
End
Sep 7, 2024
Astana
Astana
2024-09-07
Duration
4 days
Price
US$995.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
Heard of Chernobyl? You know, possibly the most famous accident in recent history, so disastrous that it’s almost unbelievable. Well this is Kazakhstan’s answer to Chernobyl – but it was done on purpose. The test site at Semeypalatinsk, or the Polygon, is where the Soviet Union did the majority of their nuclear testing, performing 456 nuclear tests between 1949 and 1989, with a total of 2,500 times the power of the bombs dropped at Hiroshima. The area used to be closed off, but is now open to those with permits.
Although our tour is centred around exploring the test site and surrounding areas, including the atomic lake – Lake Chagan, we’ll also visit Kazakhstan’s Soviet industrial north. We’ll see Temirtau which is host to the largest chimney in the world and the largest open coal mine in the world, before ending the tour in futuristic Nur Sultan, formerly known as Astana, formerly known as Akmola, formerly known as Tselinograd, and soon to be something else.
This tour can be done as it is, but it is also the start of a 5 Stans Tour , for anyone wishing to see some more of Central Asia while you're here, which starts with the Nomad Games in Astana.
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
INCLUSIONS:
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Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included |
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Permits for Polygon Test Site Area |
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Transport as per itinerary, including internal flight between Almaty and Semey |
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✓ |
Entrance fees to most sites (as per itinerary) |
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✓ |
SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $250
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa fees if necessary |
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Visa support if necessary |
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Meals other than breakfast |
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Transport to and from the start and end of tour |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
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PCR Tests and any other COVID related expenses |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the other worldly area of the Polygon
See for yourself the famous Atomic Lake
Urb-ex in the almost abandoned town of Kurchatov
Itinerary
Extensions
Nomad Games Astana 2024
The epitome of Central Asia, this completely unique world event showcases dozens of sports that you'll never have heard of, plus some that you might be familiar with, but with a Central Asian nomadic twist.
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Lakes, canyons and gorges, cosmpolitan and ancient cities, Soviet relics, odd architecture, yurts and way more. This tour of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan covers a huge variety of what Central Asia has to offer.
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Astana to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special, including the World Nomad Games and Turkmenistan Independence Day.
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Bishkek to Bukhara, Astana to Ashgabat, and everything in between. This epic tour will take you right across Central Asia through canyons and gorges, cosmopolitan cities, across land borders, and even to a fiery crater.
Other Tours
Equatorial Guinea Exploration Tour
Join us in exploring this elusive African nation, with an island capital, a new empty capital, and tons of other weird and cool stuff!
Turkmenistan Extension
For those who want to see more of Turkmenistan while you're already there for the 5 Stans Summer Tour, exploring the west of the country, as well as Ashgabat and the Gates of Hell.
Turkmenistan Summer Tour
Where better to spend your summer holidays than in Turkmenistan?
5 Stans Summer Tour
This is the tour for anyone who wants to get a great snapshot of what Central Asia has to offer. Can be done all in one whack, or in smaller sections, whatever you like!