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A statue of a figure holding a helmet and a shield, standing on a pedestal with a curved structure behind it. 1
A concentration camp with watchtowers, barbed wire, and prisoners walking in the snow. 2
A large building with a red star on the roof, columns, and a staircase leading to the entrance. 3
A stone relief with figures of people and animals. 4
A mosaic with two figures, one holding a sailboat. 5

Astana: KarLag and Karaganda - Private USSR history tour

By Astana Horizons
10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is Rp6.671.104 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
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Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 11h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages

Activity location

  • Shalkyma Concert Hall
    • Kostenko 7
    • 100012, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Shalkyma Concert Hall
    • Kostenko 7
    • 100012, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Check availability

Astana: KarLag and Karaganda - Private USSR history tour

  • Activity duration is 11 hours11h
    11h
  • English

Pickup included

Price details
Rp6.671.104 x 1 AdultRp6.671.104
Total
Price is Rp6.671.104
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What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Private transport
  • What's includedWhat's included
    WiFi on board
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Bottled water
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Snacks
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Lunch
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Air-conditioned vehicle

Know before you book

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Travel time is included in the total duration.

What you can expect

Prepare to travel back in time on this captivating tour, where we will explore the historic city of Karaganda and the nearby KarLag Museum, a must visit for history lovers fascinated by the Soviet era. Located two and a half hours from Astana, Karaganda was once a coal-mining industrial heartland and offers a fascinating glimpse into its past with landmarks such as the famous Gagarin’s Monument and impressive Soviet-era theatres.

The highlight of our journey will be a visit to the KarLag Museum, located 35 km outside Karaganda. This vast museum provides a deeply moving and detailed look into the history of Stalin’s labour camps, offering invaluable insights into a dark chapter of Soviet history.

We'll also take time to enjoy a delicious lunch, giving us the energy to continue our exploration of this city steeped in history and resilience.

Activity itinerary

Shalkyma Concert Hall

  • 20m
Our expedition begins at the iconic Shalkyma Theatre. Alongside stands the famous monument to Yuri Gagarin, and a monument to the most prominent Kazakh poet, Abay Kunanbayev, located on an alley right across from the theatre. Here, we embark on a captivating journey through time, encountering numerous Soviet-era monuments that bear witness to the region's rich cultural heritage. Among these stands this Shalkyma theatre, which played a vital role in supplying troops during World War II.

K. Stanislavskiy Drama Theatre

  • 10m
The Stanislavsky Theatre stands as a testament to history, being one of the first Russian drama theatres in Kazakhstan, having opened its doors in 1930. This magnificent building continues to serve its purpose today, preserving the legacy of its inception. In addition to its significance in the realm of theatre, Karaganda, as a former coal mining heartland of Soviet Kazakhstan, held equal importance as one of the most prominent cultural centers in the predominantly Russian Kazakhstan of that era.

Monument Mining Glory

  • 30m
During your exploration, you'll encounter the iconic "Glory to the Miners" monument, a symbol deeply ingrained in the city's identity. Positioned opposite another notable landmark, the Miners' Palace of Culture, this monument pays homage to the tireless efforts of the miners who formed the backbone of Karaganda throughout its history. As a city that once thrived as a coal mining heartland of Kazakhstan and the USSR, this tribute stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of its people.

Monument to Expression Gde-Gde? V Karagande!

  • 1h
Every Russian speaker is familiar with the phrase "Gde-gde? V Karagande!" ("Where-where? In Karaganda!"). While its origin is linked to the infamous KarLag labour camp, its widespread use is more humorous. A monument dedicated to this enduring phrase can be found in the inner courtyard of a restaurant, where you'll have the opportunity to see it while indulging in a delicious lunch.

KarLag / Museum of Political Repression Victims’ Memory of the Dolinka Settlement

  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
The most poignant part of our journey unfolds at the KarLag museum, located just a 30-minute drive outside of the city of Karaganda in the so-called village of Dolinka. Here, it serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst the hardships endured in Stalin's labour camps. A visit to the museum promises to be an emotional and eye-opening experience, offering profound insight into a dark past. Our guides will walk you through lifelike exhibits, where you'll hear the heart-wrenching stories and witness the anguish of countless lives torn apart, offering a vivid glimpse into this dark era of Soviet history.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Shalkyma Concert Hall
    • Kostenko 7
    • 100012, Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Shalkyma Concert Hall
    • Kostenko 7
    • 100012, Karaganda, Kazakhstan