Reviews
★★★★★
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolutely Outstanding Guide and an Unforgettable Journey
We had the absolute pleasure of having Damysbek as our guide for 8 days, travelling through some of the most spectacular parts of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better guide or a better person to share the journey with.
From the very beginning, Damysbek was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and incredibly helpful. His knowledge of the region, its history, culture, people and landscapes was exceptional. He always had an interesting story or piece of information to share, and his passion for the countries he showed us made the experience so much more meaningful.
And then there was the vehicle — absolutely amazing! It was incredibly high quality, comfortable and by far the best vehicle we have ever travelled in on one of our adventures. It handled the off-road tracks and challenging terrain with ease, allowing us to get to places that simply wouldn’t have been possible in an ordinary vehicle.
Damysbek was also an incredible photographer. He took superb photos throughout our journey, capturing so many special moments and landscapes that we will treasure. He even had his own drone, which he used to capture fantastic aerial videos of our adventures. Having those incredible photos and drone videos to remember the trip by was such a wonderful bonus.
We saw some truly incredible sights during our time together, from ancient historical sites and fascinating cultural experiences to spectacular mountains, lakes and breathtaking natural landscapes. Damysbek knew exactly where to take us and always seemed to find those special places that made the journey unforgettable.
My wife is vegetarian, and Damysbek made this incredibly easy for us. He was always mindful of her dietary requirements and helped ensure that she had suitable food wherever we went. It was one less thing for us to worry about and really showed how thoughtful and caring he was.
Even the land border crossing, which could have been stressful, was an absolute breeze thanks to Damysbek. His experience and guidance made the whole process simple and straightforward.
But perhaps the best thing we can say about Damysbek is that he started as our guide and, in just eight short days, became a good friend. We shared so many laughs, experiences and unforgettable moments together. He genuinely cared about making sure we had the best possible trip, and we always felt safe, comfortable and well looked after.
We have travelled to many parts of the world and had some wonderful guides along the way, but Damysbek genuinely stands out among the very best.
If you are considering travelling through Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, we could not recommend Damysbek highly enough. His knowledge, professionalism, fantastic vehicle, photography, drone footage, kindness and genuine warmth made our journey something we will remember for the rest of our lives.
And this certainly isn’t goodbye — we can’t wait for our next adventure through Mongolia with you, Damysbek! 🇲🇳 We already know it is going to be another incredible journey and we feel very lucky that we’ll get to experience it with our friend.
Thank you, Damysbek, for 8 incredible days, countless unforgettable memories, amazing photographs and videos, and most importantly, for becoming our friend. We can’t wait to see you again! ❤️
★
We booked Damysbek two months in advance as our private driver and guide for our 10 day trip covering both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. He had assured us he would personally drive both legs, and we paid the deposit based on the total price which included transportation, guide fees, fuel, and entrance fees.
Two days before our trip, he told us he had forgotten to include his accommodation and food. He initally agreed not to charge us as it was his mistake. However, the same day he informed us he would not honour our booking and would no longer drive the Kyrgyzstan portion due to border concerns. We were forced to quickly arrange alternative local transport.
Then two days before we were meant to meet him at the Kazakh border, we found out that he was taking other clients instead and that he would be unable to find us an alternate driver based on what we booked.
While Damysbek was responsive to begin with, his communication became slow and unreliable once issues arose. We were left with significant stress, little time to reorgsnise, and added unexpected costs to our trip. We would not recommend booking him.
★★★★★
Damysbek was an excellent guide on our tour of Burabay. He explained a lot along the way and made the sights very interesting by proving context to each of them. We would do another tour with him in the future.
★★★★★
Damysbek was perfect for us
Very polite, courteous, punctual and more than helpful
He was very enthusiastic about the trip and was a great guide as well
★★★★★
We had a great day in Burabay with Damysbek. He is a terrific guy who wants to please his guests. Would 100% recommend.
★★★★★
Trip was absolutely worth to take, Damysbek was great person to talk about culture and all aspect of Kazakhstan.
★★★★★
A pleasure to be with. Flexible and keen to make sure we had a great tour. I would recommend Damysbek for English speakers who want a tour in the city or wider region!
★★★★★
He was a really good driver with perfect english. We had no problem trough the trip time. He was always punctual and ready. He was not only a good driver but also good guide. The car was so comfortable as well. We are so glad that we chose him. I would recommend him for everyone.
★★★★★
The tour is really good and solid. Each stop was super interesting. I like them all , it gives you good idea of area present and past. Damysbek is a very knowledgeable guide ,and very good driver . I had a really good day , and was happy to see this region. Highly recommend tour and guide
★★★★★
It was a very nice trip. He tried to fulfill every request and everything was organized quite well . He spoke very good English and was interesting to talk to. Had a great time in Astana, Karaganda and Burabay. :)
★★★★★
Dam was, without a doubt, the best tour guide we've ever had. He quickly became like family, always ensuring our well-being and comfort. His dedication to providing an exceptional experience was evident in every aspect of our tour. He went above and beyond to showcase the highlights of Astana and Burabay, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for the region. From the initial booking process to our final arrival in Dubai, Dam's service was impeccable. He was attentive, organized, and genuinely cared about making our trip memorable. He anticipated our needs and proactively addressed any concerns. His friendly and approachable demeanor made us feel comfortable and welcome. We can't recommend him highly enough. He's not just a tour guide; he's a true ambassador for his country. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for his outstanding service. He's simply the best, and his dedication is beyond measure. If there were a rating higher than excellent, he would deserve it.
BryanAngelo
February 2025
★★★★★
An amazing trip from our host Damysbek! He was very friendly and professional and made sure that every moment of our day was full of joy and wonderful moments! I really appreciate his openness and his passion in explaining about his country and the surrounding region. From the stunning views from the top of Burabay to the opportunity of dressing in Kazakh clothes and ending it off in meeting his family, this was the best trip ever!
★★★★★
The best guide you could get. We had a wonderful day at burabay park. Professional, friendly, polite, we honestly felt we were just spending the day with a friend. Best wishes and many thanks for the amazing time 🙏❤️
I really enjoyed my time with Teresa and her team. They are really good people that you want have them on your tours again. Thanks a lot dear Teresa and team!
★★★★★
Damysbek is a very good guide, enthusiast of Kazak culture and willing to provide the best experience for his clients. He was open to change the tour plans according to my interests, and quickly found a restaurant that matched my expectations. He is also a fun company for people travelling by themselves.
★★★★★
Damy Have a quick Response and he did a good job. well done Damy.
★★★★★
What a wonderful guide!! My tour with Damysbeck was a dream, everything was beyond perfect! First, he perfectly organised the tour and communicated all the information very clearly and on time. Second, he proposed a programme which perfectly suited with my wishes. Third, he has a very deep knowledge of his country (history, culture, geography... everything!!), so he could explain a lot of stories about the sites we saw.
And last but not least, his personality is amazing! A lot of humour, very polite, excellent driver: as a woman travelling alone, I immediately felt totally confident with him. Damysbek clearly and obviously meets the highest criteria we could look for. The best in Astana! Thanks a lot Damysbek, I really hope I will come back to Astana and have other tours with you.
Hosting Anouk as your guest on the tours is an amazing experience. We spent wonderful days on the tours, talking about our different cultures and experiences. Thank you Anouk for being a great traveler!
★★★★★
It was a great experience. We could see the best panorama of Burabay, and we could also meet local people so we were able to get to know the country much better. Both were amazing. Damysbek was cool and felxible, adjusting the tour to our interests. The tour gave us everything we can expect in a one day trip. It was perfect, thank you!
★★★★★
I did the city tour and had a great time with Damysbek! We visited the most important landmarks in Astana. Overall 10/10
Danijel is one of the best guests that you would like to have in your tour!
★★★★★
Damysbek is like a brother from another past life :) His attitude, insane sense of humor, positive demeanor, and friendliness are otherwordly or beyond description. He went overboard in what he offered for the tour, and invited me to nice family dinners (yes, 2 dinners) and a visit to 2 additional places in the outskirts of Astana. I also learned a lot of history of Central Asia and Mongolia, in addition to Kazakhstan.
I was almost tearful when the tour ended and went our separate ways, and I already missed my 9-day vacation trip in Kazakhstan - Damysbek's tour/s was the highlight of my trip. Recommended? Yes, most definitely.
★★★★★
Damysbek was an amazing guide and super helpful.
★★★★★
We really enjoyed getting to know Damysbek on the tour to Burabay National Park. He shared a lot of great information about Kazakh culture and helped us gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Damka was very professional and friendly throughout the tour!
Being on tour with Terence was interesting. We talked about various topics and had fun.
★★★★★
m
Had wonderful time talking with Kari while visiting KarLag and Spassk.
★★★★★
We took a day trip to Burabay with our amazing guide, Mr. Damysbek. Since it was mid-March, there was a chill in the air. Damysbek was very good driver as well, so we were comfortable in spite of distance. Visiting Kazakh family was really interesting, and we enjoyed horse meat etc.., sang some songs together. In Burabay, highlight was climbing cliff. It was slippery here and there, but we made it ! Thanks to Damysbek's help, we could see beautiful scenery. Then we had some tea and something like pizza in Caucasian cafe, they were so tasty. We and Damysbek talked about culture of each other's country all the time. We learned a lot from him. We had a memorable day ♡
★★★★★
Damysbek (Damka) is a cool guy and a good guide - knowledgable, friendly, with a good sense of humor, and simply good company. We really enjoyed our trip from Astana to Burabay National Park and the various stops on the way. Great stuff
★★★★★
Damysbyek was an amazing guide.
Iam so glad I took the trip with him, he was professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, fun, and knew his job very well.
He treated me very well and with high respect.
I had a great time overall.
He listens to what we want and does it all as per our request.
Worth the money, much cheaper compared to other tour guides.
By the end I felt like I was with one of my friend and not a tour guide.
I highly recommend him for any tour here in Astana.
★★★★★
I will say damysbyek is very guide. I had city tour and tour to Burabay. He was very nice friendly and knew everything about Astana and Burabay. I had very long day trip to Burabay. I really loved the trip. If you come to Astana then pls use damysbyek. He also knows everything about Mongolia as he been living there many years. I will recommend him to everyone coming to Astana or Burabay
★★★★★
I booked a tour with Damysbyek to visit Burabay Park for my wife and I and it was the perfect day. We got to see the beautiful environment, had lunch with a nice family in a village, spend time admiring the national park and took photos with a hunting eagle. In addition to the wonderful trip, Damysbyek is a really funny and friendly guy who made the trip special. I would recommend anyone to book with him.
★★★★★
I couldn't have asked for a better trip to Burabay.
Damysbyek was welcoming and extremely accommodating and helpful in ensuring that I had a great time on the trip. He provided insightful information to help me better appreciate Kazakh culture and traditions such as eagle hunting, legends behind the rock formations and historical figures. As it was my first day in Kazakhstan, it really helped me have a taster of this beautiful country.
Additionally, he exudes immense professionalism and even went out of his way to help me prepare for my onward train travel by assisting in stocking up on my supplies and ensuring I was in good hands and knew where my train was.
I'm sure you'll have as great a time with him as I had. Enjoy!
Nathan was very kind and friendly at the same time he was really flexible.
★★★★★
If you’re visiting Nur-Sultan and want to have a closer look at the country and it’s culture, you must consider this one day trip to Burabay National Park with Damysbyek. He is really a knowledgable local tour guide. He had planned the trip so well that in a day trip we experienced many different things.
The highlights for us from the trip were:
1. Visiting a local Kazakh family and have a meal with them to experience the hospitality.
2. Hiking to have a mesmerising view of Burabay National Park.
3. Meeting an eagle hunter and know about his life experiences.
My guests were very friendly and open-minded.
★★★★★
Damysbyek himself was Blocked at the border, so he could not be here on time. He warned us and sent his best friend who did a very good job in guiding us. We got to know the real Kazach life!
L
★★★★★
I had a very pleasant one-day Astana tour with Damka. My flight arrived early, and he also arrived early to have early head start. I requested to see the National Museum so we had to change the schedule and he was very flexible. Very easygoing and pleasant, and he made sure I was comfortable first before starting the tour (e.g., breakfast with coffee after early morning flight from Almaty). And he speaks very good English! He even managed to squeeze in a traditional Kazakh lunch. He planned it well enough schedule-wise so we had enough time in most sites.
It was hectic, but all in all, a good experience - enough for me to want to visit Astana again and stay for a few days. Also I will definitely consider other tours with Damka in the future.
R
★★★★★
We really enjoyed our discovery of Nur Sultan with the good, kind and efficient guidance of Damysbyek. Thank you! We also enjoyed his humor.
P
★★★★★
The absolute highlight of our weeklong visit to Kazakhstan was with Damysbyek yesterday He took us to The home of a real eagle hunter about two hours outside of Astana. If you are into touristic glitz, this will not be for you. We had an opportunity to talk at length with the eagle hunter, a young man who is caring on this important tradition, and to meet his eagle. Nothing fancy at all but what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If what you are looking for is authenticity the Damysbyek is your guide! After visiting the eagle hunter we stopped at a yurt that Damysbyek spotted. Serendipitously the family of the yurt were there, invited us in, invited us to stay for tea (such hospitality and generosity!) and then invited us to a party they were throwing today. Amazing! Chatted but couldn’t stay as we headed to the home of one of Damysbyek’s relatives who cooked a Kazakh feast for us! We were blown away by the love, intimacy and generosity of this family. They welcomed us into their modest home (5 of the cutest kids plus parents) and shared courses of home cooked (over a wood fired stove) Kazakh dishes. We will never forget our day - which was only made poss
L
★★★★★
Had a wonderful day with Damysbyek! We went on a highlights tour of Astana and what a day it was! Beyond the fascinating attractions of Astana, Damysbyek shared his observations and experiences as a nomadic Kazakh in Mongolia, and contemporary life in Kazakhstan. He also took me to lunch at a restaurant packed with local families eating amazing and delicious food. But this was a restaurant that I would never have entered without Damysbyek who helped navigate the menu, people and terrain. I loved every minute of our time together. So much so that I booked him to introduce me to an authentic eagle hunter & family later this week. Can’t wait! And - can’t recommend Damysbyek high enough. If you visit Astana, book Damysbyek for an unforgettable experience! Five stars!
L
★★★★★
Damysbyek was an awesome guide and gave us just the right about of quiet time and information. He arranged a one day tour for us and suggested having dinner with a family outside of Astana - which was one of the highlights of our visit. The drive was smooth, the AC perfect for the hot day, and Damysbyek was gave us insights on the history of the Kazkahs, current culture and family life. He made the day special and would be an amazing guide for Astana, the nearby sites and if we ever make our way to Mongolia (his previous home) would seek him or his recommendations out for being a guide there as well.
Excellent English (needed for us), arrived promptly, provided hotel pick up and drop off and pricing was exactly as described /agreed upon. Would highly recommend Damysbyek!
A
★★★★★
Damysbyek is an excellent tourist guide. He worked according to what my family wanted for our Borovoe trip. Our day was never dull. We were tired but happy at the end of the day. The best part of it all was when we visited a local family and experience Kazakh hospitality and authentic Kazakh food!
M
★★★★★
We booked Damka for one day to travel from Astana/Nur-sultan to Burabai Lake, but ended up spending two great busy days with Damka in and around Astana/Nur-Sultan. He is fluent in English and very helpful and accommodating. He added places for us to visit on our way back from Lake Burabai. He took us to see real hunting eagles owned by a local in a small village. Then he invited us for dinner at his cousin`s home. First time they had had travellers visit them. This was the highlight of our time together. The delicious home food and hospitality of Kazakhs is heartwarming. A beautiful experience!
He is so nice we asked him to take us places the next day too.
The next day we were meant to visit the Mosque in Astana. Instead I had an impromptu meeting with Dimash Kudaibergen`s father - Kanat. Damka came earlier to help us. He was fabulous as a translator.
I can`t praise Damka enough. If you visit Nur-Sultan, and want a great driver, very comfortable car and a tour guide/ translator rolled into one, then Damka is your man.
Thank you, Damka for an unforgettable lot of experiences in just two days. See you next year for sure.
L
★★★★★
All was v good - thanks
R
★★★★★
A truly excellent guide. Highly professional, great price, perfect English and really interesting guy. Good vehicle too and he even ran back to the airport the next day. Would definitely recommend him highly and use him again.
D
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