Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours
Start
Sep 2, 2025
Astana
Astana
2025-09-02
End
Sep 7, 2025
Almaty
Almaty
2025-09-07
Duration
6 days
Price
US$1295.00
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, we’ll start off in the cosmpolitan city, and former capital, of Almaty, and will finish up in futuristic Astana (formerly known as Nur Sultan, formerly known as Astana, formerly known as Akmola, formerly known as Tselinograd).
This tour can be done alone or if you'd like to see more of Central Asia as well, join our 5 Stans Autumn Tour , which can be done as a Whirlwind , Original or Mega Tour .
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
See the surreal Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site
Visit the futuristic purpose built capital Nur-Sultan
Find Lenin: Although hidden there's still much left over from the Soviet Union
Itinerary
Extensions
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Old and new, big and small, up and down, this itinerary has something for everyone.
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
An in-depth expedition through all of Central Asia, from Almaty to Ashgabat, through five of the most fascinating countries in the world.
Other Tours
4 Stans Autumn Tour
Old and new, big and small, up and down, this itinerary has something for everyone.
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
An in-depth expedition through all of Central Asia, from Almaty to Ashgabat, through five of the most fascinating countries in the world.