ALZHIR Memorial Complex day tour
🕊️ALZHIR MEMORIAL COMPLEX DAY TOUR
Take a powerful and emotional journey into Kazakhstan’s Soviet past with this full-day guided tour to the ALZHIR Memorial Complex near Astana. Located just 40 km from the capital, this site was once a Soviet concentration camp for women unjustly imprisoned during Stalin’s rule. Explore the museum, view preserved artifacts, and pay tribute to the resilience and stories of thousands of victims of political repression.
ALZHIR Memorial Complex , short for Akmola Zhenskii Izoliator for the Wives of Traitors of the Motherland, was a Soviet-era concentration camp that operated from 1938 to 1953 during Joseph Stalin’s regime. It held thousands of women—many unjustly imprisoned—whose only “crime” was being related to those labeled as enemies of the state.
This tour offers a powerful insight into Kazakhstan’s tragic past, the resilience of those who endured it, and the importance of remembering history. Join us for a meaningful day exploring the museum, memorials, and preserved artifacts that tell these women’s stories.
🧭 QUICK FACTS
| 🗓️ Duration | Full Day (5–6 Hours) |
|---|---|
| 📍 Destination | ALZHIR Memorial Complex, near Astana |
| 🧑🤝🧑 Group Size | 1 to 16+ people |
| 🚐 Distance | ~40 km from Astana City |
| 🕰️ Tour Time | Morning departure, afternoon return |
| 🏛️ Focus | History, Memorial, Education |
| 📅 Availability | Year-Round |
| 🗣️ Languages | English, Kazakh |
| 💲 Price Range | $100–$200 per person |
| 🔄 Private or Group | Both available |
✨ HIGHLIGHTS
Visit one of Kazakhstan’s most important historical memorials
Learn about Stalin-era political repression and the “Wives of Traitors”
Explore the ALZHIR museum’s exhibits and original camp artifacts
Hear real stories of strength, survival, and injustice
Reflect in the quiet atmosphere of the vast Kazakh steppe
Ideal for history lovers, scholars, and those seeking meaningful travel
⏱️ TOUR PACE: EASY
Suitable for all fitness levels
Mostly walking indoors and short outdoor walks
Comfortable drive from Astana with return on the same day
Light emotional content, with time for reflection
📋 FAQS
Q: Where is ALZHIR located?
About 40 kilometers southwest of Astana city, in Akmol village.
Q: What does ALZHIR stand for?
“Akmola Camp for Wives of Traitors of the Motherland” – a Soviet women’s labor camp.
Q: How long is the tour?
It is a full-day tour (approximately 5–6 hours including driving and time at the site).
Q: Is this tour suitable for children?
While there are no restrictions, due to the emotional content, it is best suited for older children (12+).
Q: Is lunch included?
No, but a stop for lunch can be arranged upon request.
Q: What languages are available for the tour?
English and Kazakh-speaking guides are available.
🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing (warm layers in winter)
A bottle of water
Notebook or journal if you’d like to reflect or take notes
Tissues (for emotional moments)
Optional: camera for exterior photography (no flash indoors)
ALZHIR MEMORIAL COMPLEX DAY TOUR PACKAGE PRICE
| Group size | 1 pax | 2-3 pax | 4-6 pax | 7-9 pax | 10-12 pax | 13-15 pax | More than 16 pax |
| Price/Per person | 200$ | 150$ | 140$ | 130$ | 120$ | 110$ | 100$ |
| No | Include service | Exclude service | Include service of Meals |
| 1 | Vehicle with a driver. | Items of personal nature | Lunch, Dinner |
| 2 | English speaking guide | Beverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundry | Per day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/ |
| 3 | Airport shuttle | Travel and insurance | One time Kazakh traditional food /Bes barmaq/ |
| 4 | Lunch, Dinner | International transportation | |
| 5 | Museum tickets. | Taxi | |
| 6 | Optional activities | ||
| 7 | Accommodation/Tourist camps and Hotel/ | ||
| 8 | Gratuity for the tour team |
ALZHIR MEMORIAL COMPLEX DAY TOUR ITINERARY
ALZHIR Memorial Complex
In the morning, your journey commences as you depart from Astana and head towards the ALZHIR Memorial Complex, situated approximately 40 kilometers away from the city. This poignant memorial holds great historical significance, as it marks the location of a concentration camp that was constructed in the heart of the vast Kazakh steppe back in 1938. The camp ceased its operations in 1953, the same year when Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, passed away. Over a span of 15 years, a staggering 20,000 women from various regions of the USSR were forcibly brought to this camp.
In 2007, a memorial complex was established on the grounds of the former ALZHIR camp. This memorial serves as a somber and important reminder of the individuals who endured the harsh realities of Stalinist repressions during this dark period in history. It pays tribute to their memory and the sacrifices they made.
As the day progresses into the afternoon, you will make your way back to Astana. Your journey concludes with a drop-off at your hotel in the city. This excursion to the ALZHIR Memorial Complex offers a profound and reflective experience, shedding light on a significant chapter in the history of the region and the resilience of those who suffered during that time.
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