Extensive personal advice and a fantastic well-organized tour through beautiful Kazakhstan. What really stood out was the attention to detail. This already started with the program and it proved time and again on the spot. From reception at the airport to a small shift in the program that allowed us to do and see just that little bit more. The tour was very varied and showed us a lot of different nature. With the bonus that our driver spoke good English and arranged nice extras on his own. We will probably go to Central Asia again and then come back for another booking.

Family Bakker from Haarlem, The Netherlands, on their ten day travelling period in and around Almaty in August 2022

In September 2021 we made a tour through Uzbekistan. The country was unknown territory for us. The beautiful country, the gentle people, the breathtaking buildings, the good food, the beautiful views, the fascinating history, … exceeded our wildest dreams. An unprecedented gem in Central Asia. Of course we visited all the high-lights such as Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and the Fergana valley, but we also visited the lesser-known areas.
We traveled to Nukus and toured the bottom of Lake Aral to the edge of the lake. An ambigious experience, so deserted, so fascinating, so unreal, so quiet, … and also very beautiful.
From Samarkand we traveled over fascinating ridges south to Termez, a border town with Afghanistan. On the way we first visited the monuments of Shakhrisabz. Unknown, but definitely worth a visit.
In the region around Termez we got to know a completely different Uzbekistan, different nature, landscapes and people.
Uzbekistan: unknown and unloved, for us a topper in every way. Of course we had this in part thanks to Ardjan from Central Asia Tours. Everything was arranged down to the last detail, beautiful accommodations, fascinating excursions. A very varied program that is highly recommended for anyone considering a visit to this fascinating country.

Thera and Dirk from Belgium on their 21 days tour in Uzbekistan in August & September 2021

We look back on a very successful trip!! Everything went smoothly, thanks to the good organization and hospitality of Rakhmatjon. The van which always arrived on time, the local city guides, who all spoke English well and were well informed. Rakhmatjon advised us on nice restaurants, made sure we were at the light show in Samarkand, you name it. We were always on time at the airport or train stations. We also found the homestay a very nice experience, although, if I may say something about it, this was more of a reasonably large bed and breakfast than a homestay. We stayed there with 22 people at the same time. But does not take away; it was very nice to be able to walk in the mountains. It was nice to get away from the cities and see something of the countryside. The people were very hospitable. They sang while eating, we were still allowed to view the local clinic … It was a beautiful and very successful trip. What a beautiful impressive cities! The weather was also very nice, which is of a big plus. The moment we left, the temperature dropped by around 10 degrees… We found the hotel in Tashkent very good.

Joke Joosten from The Netherlands on her 10-day trip with eight people in Uzbekistan in October 2019

Hi Ardjan, we have just returned from a fantastic 14-day holiday in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It was a unique destination and experience!!! Advertising for this will certainly be made to family and friends. One downside: Almaty was disappointing. For the rest of the holiday: 10/10!

Martine and Fraukje from Belgium on their 16-day adventure in Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan in September 2019

Hi Zhaniya, thanks for a very nice trip in Kazakhstan. We were very impressed with nature and the diversity in the landscape! Nurlan was a good guide & driver and could certainly speak English well enough to make jokes during car journeys and dinner. We had a really nice time with him. The car itself was also very comfortable. I had asked myself to extend the standard trip by one day, in retrospect I would have kept it on four days. Our (walking) pace was higher than expected.The best thing we found ourselves was the hike in the Aktau mountains, a very special experience, because we were all alone. We also found the homestay in Saty highly recommended, really friendly and hospitable people and good food. So we had a great holiday, thanks again for organizing it!

Thomas & Lindsy from Belgium on their five-day trip from Almaty in September 2019

We have just returned from our three-day trip! It was amazing! Give them a big compliment there in Kazakhstan and especially Constantin, our driver did a fantastic job. He spoke English very well (and even knew a few words of Dutch). It was a great person, great ride and we have seen fantastic beautiful things!

Veerle Thys from Belgium on her three-day trip with four people from Almaty in July-August 2019

Hello Ardjan, we really enjoyed our 4-day trip to the mountains. Tau was a great guide. He spoke English well, was energetic, knew a lot about the area and was very pleasant to deal with. It went perfectly with my son. I found Kazakhstan very beautiful. It has increased my knowledge about the country and has given me a better understanding of the Kazakhs. Thank you for your advice and the organization!

Anke van Dam from The Netherlands on her five day trip with her son in Almaty Province in July 2019

Hi Ardjan, we came home last night after 18 fantastic days in Kazakhstan. Thank you for arranging everything so well for us. The hotels, the guesthouse in Saty, the yurt in the Charyn Canyon, the transportation to the hotels, everything was arranged perfectly. Sacha and Dina gave us a wonderful time around Almaty. We were very happy with the comfortable car where we had enough space for our group of six (with air conditioning ) and with the agile driving style of Sacha. Dina was the perfect guide for us: always friendly and busy, very good with the children and well-informed about the history and customs in Kazakhstan. The children meanwhile call her Aunty Dina, I think this says enough. She has succeeded in making Zhano even more proud of his roots than he already was. It is also great that her English is so good, a lot was understandable for the children too. Furthermore, we experienced the Kazakh population as very hospitable and nature was breathtaking.

Nele Hermie on her 18-days tour with six people in different parts of Kazakhstan in July 2019

Hello Ardjan, Zhaniya, I would like to thank you for a very nice and very well organized trip in Kazakhstan. We have had a great time and have had unforgettable impressions. The vast and empty landscapes of the steppe, the breathtaking views in the Aktau mountains and in the surroundings of the Kolsai lakes are a crazy experience. We were somewhat unlucky with the weather, but in the end one day of rain also had its charm. We therefore skipped horse riding in Kolsai, and arranged horse riding ourselves in the Turgen valley on the last day, which was also excellent. Fantastic beautiful views. Furthermore, it was really great to be so far from civilization, not to meet anybody, and to sit by an open fire every evening in the open air. Our guide, Nurlan, just spoke good English, and when needed my knowledge of Russian also helped. In any case, we had a very nice time, also thanks to Nurlan’s expertise, because he took us to an insanely beautiful secret location in the Temerlik Canyon for the last night in the wilderness, which was the highlight of our trip. We are extremely satisfied customers, and thank you for your full portions for organizing this short br ak. A big compliment to your company, your service and accessibility. Good luck in the future, and who knows, someday. Regards! Borrit.

Borrit van Dis from The Netherlands on his five day trip with two friends in Almaty Province in June 2019

We have just returned from Kazakhstan and are very satisfied. We did the 9-day trip around Almaty with a group of 10 people. What a wonderfully interesting and exciting wide country is Kazakhstan and what a friendly hospitable people. We have seen a lot of beautiful nature and did varied things. We really enjoyed it to the full. Our energetic guide Dina was fantastic, the driver Igor drove very reliably and the Mercedes bus very effectively. We have received more than what we expected. Everything was arranged perfectly and was filled in flexibly. From the very first contact with Ardjan we felt heard in our wishes and plans. That went on for the entire trip. We were very well looked after and there was always good consultation with us. Very nice! That, in combination with the very nice weather made our trip unforgettable. Thank you! We enjoy and simmer for a long time, I expect. Regards Ria.

Ria van Schaaijk from The Netherlands on her seven day tour with 10 family members in May-June 2019

Dear Ardjan, we had a very nice trip in Almaty region with our great driver, Nurlan. The accommodation in Saty village was absolutely great – lovely people and amazing surroundings! All in all we do not have any reason to complain 🙂 We only had no lunch on our way back to Almaty as it was shown in the trip description, but it doesn’t matter at all! It was very important for us to see a landscape and some points of interest BEFORE the mass tourism arrives – so we guess, that it was the right decision for us at the right moment! Thanks for all, Ardjan! Best regards.

Sebastian from Frechen, Germany, on his four day trip for two persons in Almaty Province in July 2018

Hello Ardjan Langedijk, we have made a tour of Kazakhstan from 09-07-2018 until 13-07-2108. We have enjoyed a beautiful country. Our compliments to the guide Sergey. He did a great job, was quiet and had humor at his time. Because of the heat we were sometimes gone early in the morning, but he just kept going until the program ended. He skipped nothing and was open to a new excursion to Khorgos. In short, the guide and the tour is a must! Sincerely.

Ineke & Martin from The Netherlands on their five-day trip in Almaty Province in July 2018

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Kazakhstan! Ardjan has helped very well. He listened well, worked quickly, and always responded quickly and adequately to our questions, also on the road. We received two contacts for the trip (in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan respectively) who did a good job. We have had a wonderful holiday, and will definitely recommend you.

Tjemme van der Meer & Ineke Bil from The Netherlands on their short trips in Kazakhstan and in Kyrgystan with four persons in August 2018

Dear Ardjan, we had a very interesting and varied holiday. I am glad that we had the first week organized, because the ‘Green ring Almaty’ we could not manage on our own. We had a good driver (Konstantin), who explained everything we wanted to know in English. The trip was very varied: Almaty was very modern, multicultural, and well organized. The villages probably had their peak in the Soviet era. Nature is very beautiful, although you sometimes have to drive a lot for it. The stay in Saty pleased us the best, with nice walks around the Kayindi lake and the Kolsai lakes, and then delicious food at a Kazakh family. Many greetings.

Annemieke &Thomas from The Netherlands on their eight day tour 'Green Ring Almaty' in August 2018

Hi Ardjan, we are indeed back again. Had a great trip and enjoyed the open nature, friendly people and traveling itself. Thanks for organizing, it is amazing how everything went smoothly!

Koen van Dijk from The Netherlands on his 18-day trip 'Destination, the Shrinking Aral Sea' for two persons in July-August 2018

This summer we went on a tour in Kazakhstan, its was our introduction to the country. From travel reports on the internet we understood that some trips can not be done on your own. We found Kazakhstan Tours during our search on the internet. We wanted a tailor-made tour to the Aral Sea. Ardjan has made us a proposal in which we found ourselves perfectly fine. We have been to the Aral Sea with a good English speaking guide. On the way we stopped regularly and we also received a lot of information. A great guide. We stayed at a Kazakh family home and although we do not speak the language, this was a very nice and unique experience. We also watched the World Cup final football in the local pub, this was also very nice to experience. Our train departed at 6 o’clock in the morning, that was no problem at all. There was even a delicious breakfast prepared for us by the hostess, for which our compliments. We can therefore recommend Ardjan / Kazakhstan Tours to everyone.

Family Deurloo from The Netherlands on their four day trip for four persons to the Aral Sea in July 2018

It was a wonderful trip to and in Kazakhstan. Astana is a special city and fun to see and experience. In Shymkent we were nicely met by Ismail and drove past the cultural highlights. On the way we got camel milk. I should have politely refused that, it turned out later. The train journey from Turkestan to Tulkubas was very nice and comfortable. Akzu-Zhabagly is beautiful, our accommodation was fine and the Rustem guide was fun and informative. Then we took the Spanish train to Almaty. The Spanish train is considerably less stable than the Russian one, but still okay. Almaty is a beautiful city. Here we rented a car with which we went to Altyn Emel and Charyn Canyon. Beautiful landscapes. We ended in Almaty for another day and a half. We found it a very nice experience! Friendly people and a country worth travelling. Impressive landscapes. Thank you for your help and kind regards.

Ruud Limmen from The Netherlands on his 9-day trip for four persons in several parts of Kazakhstan in June 2018

Together with guide Timur we left Almaty to spend five days in the countryside. In a short time we have seen a very varied nature: from the dry and rugged White Mountains and Singing Dune to the beautiful Kolsai lake and an overnight stay in a yurt. The lack of many tourists and the friendliness of the people on the road make you secretly feel a bit of an adventurer in undiscovered territory. For lovers of nature, this tour is an absolute must!

Gwenda Alblus from The Netherlands on her nature trip from Almaty for two persons in August 2018

Good afternoon, we had a fantastic trip! Kazakhstan is a beautiful country, even more beautiful than expected. Everything was very well taken care of and arranged. Our guide Dina and the driver also deserve compliments. Always trying to please us. In short, it was great!!

Tini van Schaaijk from The Netherlands on their 9-day tour Green Ring Almaty for 10 persons in May-June 2018

June 2018, father and son on an adventurous trip. 8-day trip made self-drive 4×4. All perfectly arranged by Ardjan. Beautiful landscapes. Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty (Kolsai lakes) – Altyn Emel National Park (singing dunes and mountains). Compliment to the local guidance. Both on arrival and departure travel agent Assija was present with tips, all information (hotels, homestays, telephone numbers) and also when transferring the rental car.
A wonderful trip! Quite long days but definitely worth it!

Leo and Ko van Loon from The Netherlands on their 8-day self-drive tour Green Ring Almaty in June 2018

As I promised, I am getting back to you regarding our holiday. It was fantastic. The balance between trekking and having a look was achieved.  The final itinerary was a good balance.
Each section of Kazakhstan was unique, our local guides great, so knowledgeable and made sure our trip was fantastic.  All guides were punctual, where a guide was due to be that’s where they were.  The drivers were very courteous and safe and good travelling companions. The train travel great, the people so friendly. It was amazing the conversations we had with locals without any common language. The family photos and a couple of kangaroo pictures broke the ice.
A storm which meant we couldn’t camp overnight caused us to sleep in pilgrims hostel at one of the underground mosques. What an amazing experience, actually one of the highlights.
Tajikistan was also great, so incredibly beautiful and again the people lovely. Great guide and driver for the trip. Overall the accommodation was excellent, the standard differed in each location to match the location.
The only criticism was we had too much food, so well fed. The restaurants etc, great. For people wanting to experience these two countries this trip was perfect. Once again thanks.

Steve and Penny Beagley from Darwin, Australia, on their 27-day itinerary in Kazakhstan (including the Mangistau region) & Tajikistan in May-June 2018

Dear Ardjan, we have had a carefree and fantastic journey. The environment in both countries was even better than we had imagined and the people were much friendlier than expected (we had expected Russian ‘friendliness’). We were also happy with our choice to travel without a guide, that is fine to do and gives a bit more freedom.
The overnight stays were very varied and sometimes had above expectation luxury. Food in the homestays was very good. Thanks to the fact that the overnight locations in cities & villages were located in central places we could immediately explore the neighborhood. The Baytur resort was disappointing with unfriendly staff and all the plumbing was leaking (we had a cottage, maybe the yurts are better).
Car rental was excellent, clear contract and good agreements. Overnight locations could have been specified in advance, for example with coordinates. We will definitely recommend you to friends who also want to travel in Central Asia. Maybe I will go on motorbike again through Kyrgystan and Tajikistan. Thank you for arranging. Sincerely.

Diederik Zuiderwijk from The Netherlands on his 21-day tour for two persons in Kazakhstan & Kyrgystan in rented cars in August 2018