Watch a rocket launch and explore Baikonur Cosmodrome over three days. Stay inside the cosmodrome, visit historic launch facilities and let our team arrange your access permits and transfers. Visits to the Buran 1.02 hangar and the Energia rocket are available as optional extras.

Baikonur

Touch the cosmos

Tour program

Tour Organization

3 days
2 nights

age: over 5 years

группа до 45 человек

easy difficulty level

round-trip transfers

official tour operator

Comfort & Amenities

cosmodrome expert guide

meals by a chef

unlimited drinking water

Descend into the underground command post

Visit Gagarin Launch Pad #1

Assembly and Testing Complex

Climb the cosmonaut elevator tower

Stargaze through a professional telescope

Discover the authentic "Buran" spaceplane

Step inside the hangar housing the 59-meter "Energia" rocket

Witness a live rocket launch into space

This is where a rocket’s journey to the launch pad begins. We will see the technical complex of the Zenit-M space rocket system, the assembly and testing hall, the transporter-erector, and elements of the launch infrastructure. It is a rare chance to look inside the working side of Baikonur — the place where space technology was prepared before moving to the launch pad.

Assembly and Testing Complex

Здание монтажно-испытательного комплекса Байтерек, где готовят ракеты к запуску

Технический комплекс «Зенит-М» на Байконуре – центр сборки ракет

Фрагмент космического аппарата, представленный в монтажно-испытательном комплексе Байконура

Gagarin's Launch Pad - The legendary launch pad No. 1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, from where Yuri Gagarin launched his first space flight.

Visit Gagarin Launch Pad #1

Here, at Launch Pad No. 1 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Yuri Gagarin uttered his famous "Poyekhali!" and embarked on the first human spaceflight. Today, you can experience the atmosphere of this legendary site: see the launch structure where rockets were prepared, look into the shaft from which they soared into the sky, and feel the immense ambition behind the dream of breaking beyond Earth's boundaries.

The command post is a massive fortified bunker, the size of a football field, which looks like a large mound from the outside. Inside, it consists of several floors with thick walls, heavy doors, corridors, and halls. Such robust protection is provided in case of an explosion or rocket failure, even though the launch pad is more than 3 kilometers away

The rocket launch control panel in the underground command center of Baikonur.

The rocket launch control console at Baikonur, accessible to tourists.

The Road of Life is an underground evacuation tunnel for personnel at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

A view of a rocket inside the launch silo at Baikonur, before its launch into space.

By visiting one of the command posts, you will be able to feel like a rocket engineer pushing the "Start" button to launch a super-heavy rocket into space

Descend into the underground command post

The hangar is no longer in use, yet the full-scale flight version of the “Energia” rocket still rises within it — a spacecraft that never made it to space. Over 60 meters long, it stands within arm’s reach, offering a rare and haunting encounter with a lost era of engineering. Just a few dozen meters away is the MZK hangar, where the “Buran” orbiter is stored. Two icons of an unrealized future — side by side, in silence and dust.

Full-scale mock-up of the “Energia-M” rocket in the Dynamic Test Stand — one of the last remaining artifacts of the “Energia-Buran” program

Giant sliding gate of the DTS, once used to roll the “Energia” rocket out for tests — people in the frame highlight the scale

Multi-level inner wall of the DTS hangar at Baikonur, with technical floors, metal structures, and light filtering through windows

The full-size “Energia” rocket inside the DTS — a unique surviving test facility housing the real launch vehicle structure

A massive facility on the outskirts of Baikonur where the “Energia” rocket was once tested for structural strength before flight. Today, the building stands abandoned — but inside, the real rocket remains. Towering and nearly forgotten, it still holds its place. Visiting this location is charged separately.

Dynamic Test Stand (DTS) with the “Energia” Rocket

The highlight of the tour is watching a real rocket launch from a Kazakhstan launchpad — from inside a specially equipped giant yurt that holds up to 400 people.

Watch a rocket launch at Baikonur!

For more than thirty years, it hasn't moved an inch. This is BTS-002 — a flight-ready vehicle from the Buran program, nearly complete and once prepared for its first mission. It was assembled right here at Baikonur — and here it remains. We'll stand right next to it: just an arm’s length away from a real orbital spacecraft. The structure is still intact — the hull, the cockpit, the thermal protection tiles. You’ll be able to take photos, walk along the fuselage, and examine the details up close. Your guide will explain how the shuttle was built, why the USSR needed it, and how it ended up abandoned in a hangar where the silence now feels oddly out of place.

We’ve covered the full story of the Buran program — and this specific model, 1.02, which still stands inside the MZK hangar — in our article: Buran 1.02 in the Baikonur Hangar: Where It Is and Why the Project Was Shut Down. If you haven’t read it yet, we highly recommend starting there.

The “Buran” orbital spacecraft (BTS-002) in the Baikonur MZK hangar — a flight-ready vehicle that never launched

Nose of the “Buran” in the Baikonur hangar — close-up of the hull and technical elements of the Soviet orbiter

Two “Buran” shuttles inside the MZK hangar, shot from the upper level — a symmetrical frame with technical platforms

Inside the Assembly and Fueling Complex (MZK) at Baikonur, a spaceplane from the legendary “Buran” program still stands — the 1.02 model, known as “Burya.” It waited for its launch command... but it never came. Visiting this location is charged separately.

We’re heading to the hangar with the real “Buran” orbital spacecraft

Let’s gaze at the Baikonur night sky through a telescope

Millions of stars light up the night sky—far from city lights, the Milky Way is visible in all its glory. Baikonur is one of the best places for stargazing.

Deep night, complete immersion in space. Through the telescope, lunar craters, Saturn’s rings, and distant galaxies become visible—wonders hidden from the naked eye.

We won't be able to rocket into space, but an exciting journey to the stars awaits us at Baikonur: through a powerful telescope, we'll observe the Moon, planets of the Solar System, binary stars, and star clusters. During the day, we'll take a closer look at the Sun's surface, examine sunspots, and even capture them with a special filter.

Let’s gaze at the Baikonur night sky through a telescope

The tower is a special structure that astronauts use to ascend by elevator, as they say, "to the 9th floor," from where they transfer to the rocket

Sunset from the tower elevator – a moment when time seems to stand still. Below lies the City of Cosmonauts, and ahead stretches the boundless sky where new rockets will one day soar.

Climbing the abandoned tower is a test of courage. As the steps disappear below, and the panorama of the cosmodrome unfolds, it feels as if you are ascending to the stars.

Height, vastness, and a feeling of complete unity with the sky. From this vantage point, Baikonur looks different—majestic, endless, and slightly mysterious.

The tower is a special structure that astronauts use to ascend by elevator, as they say, "to the 9th floor," from where they transfer to the rocket. For those who want to challenge themselves with roof-spotting, we will climb the tower at dawn. You will get to feel the unique atmosphere and enjoy the breathtaking view of Baikonur. It promises to be an unforgettable experience, combining adventure with the beauty of the early morning sky.

We will meet the sunrise at the abandoned lift tower!

For all three days, we will be on the territory of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, staying and dining at the "Yuzhnaya" hotel, where the scientist and space engineering designer M.K. Yangel lived and worked

Tour Organization

3 days
2 nights

no age restrictions

max 45 people per group

easy difficulty level

round-trip transfers

official tour operator

Day One

We meet at Kyzylorda the Toretam railway station, from where we head to the legendary Baikonur Cosmodrome in a comfortable transfer.

We check in at the cozy Yuzhnaya Hotel and begin our fascinating introduction to the history of space exploration.

In the evening, a delicious dinner awaits, followed by free time to relax and enjoy the tranquility, starry sky, and unique atmosphere of the space town.

Day Two

For those who wish, we will start the day with sunrise at an abandoned tower. Then we will continue to the Zenit-M space rocket complex: we will see Baikonur’s memorial sites, the memorial to the test engineers, the RD-0120 engine, and the assembly and testing complex where the rocket was prepared before moving to the launch pad.

After lunch, we will visit the launch facility of the Zenit-M space rocket complex: the launch table, cable mast, fueling and cooling systems, and the flame trench. We will walk through the evacuation channel known as the “Road of Life” and see the site known as the “destroyed launch pad.”
Then we will go to watch the rocket launch from the Kazakh launch viewing site. A large yurt will be prepared for guests, allowing everyone to watch this event in comfort.

In the second half of the day, we will visit a closed hangar with a real orbital vehicle from the Buran program — the BTS-002 flight test vehicle. After that, we will head to the Dynamic Test Stand, where the Energia launch vehicle, towers, and lifting mechanisms have been preserved.
After dinner, we will end the day by observing Baikonur’s night sky through a powerful telescope.

Important: The cosmodrome is an active restricted facility. Therefore, changes to the visitor program for certain facilities may occur due to maintenance and other operations at the cosmodrome.

Day Three

An early rise awaits, with the second group greeting the sunrise from the tower. Following this, breakfast will be served at the hotel, and then it’s time to pack up and head back home.

Comfort & Amenities

cosmodrome expert guide

meals by a chef

nlimited drinking water

We will see with our own eyes the launch of a gigantic rocket into space, feel like pilots of space vessels, immerse ourselves in the history of cosmonautics, and explore the fantastic launch facilities.

Choose a tour

Program by days

The facade of the Yuzhnaya Hotel in Baikonur – a hotel with a rich history, located within the spaceport territory.

Yuzhnaya Hotel, Baikonur – a historic building where designer Mikhail Yangel lived and worked.

Tour Conditions

Included in the price

Transfer to Baikonur Cosmodrome and back to the airport in Kyzylorda or the Toretam train station.
Accommodation at the "Yuzhnaya" hotel with the chosen type of lodging.
Three meals a day at the hotel, clean drinking water.
Obtaining passes for the cosmodrome.
Tours of the Baikonur facilities.
We will watch the rocket launch from the official observation deck, located 2.5 km from the launch complex.

Not included in the price

Flight to Kyzylorda or train to Toretam station
Optional lunch on the third day at a roadside café (if time allows)
Insurance (at your discretion, to be arranged independently)
Personal expenses during the trip or at the sites

Important information

Facilities at the cosmodrome are strictly limited, with no shops, pharmacies, or internet access available, though Beeline cellular service works. We provide unlimited drinking water as room water is non-potable. Please inform us of any food intolerances in advance, and note that children under 5 are not permitted.
For complete details, review the official visitation rules and our guide, Baikonur through the eyes of a tourist: What you need to know before your trip.

The "Yuzhnaya" hotel once housed and served as a workplace for the outstanding Soviet rocket and space technology designer Mikhail Yangel. His personal room has been preserved in its original state to this day, featuring authentic furniture, work tools, and details that recreate the atmosphere of that era. The room also contains his personal library, showcasing books that inspired Yangel in the development of powerful rockets, including the legendary R-16 and Zenit.

During our three-day stay at Baikonur Cosmodrome, choose between the historic Hotel 'Yuzhnaya' (former home of spacecraft designer M.K. Yangel) or Hotels #1 and #10 at Launch Site #2. All options include meals.

Accommodation in Hotels at Baikonur Cosmodrome

Accommodation & Tour Details

Uncrewed launch

Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle carrying Progress MS-36

November 23-25, 2026

Fully booked

The number of applications is limited

Uncrewed launch

Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle carrying Progress MS-37

2-4 March 2027

Book now