Tour in Kazakhstan: Tour 4
Destination: Kazakhstan
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent - Chernyaevka
Day 1: Almaty
Guide will meet and accompany you to Almaty in course of the tour. You will explore the sights that are the have a significant meaning like Almaty Museum. Then is the one of the oldest park of the city that is known as Panfilov Park, where you can witness Zenkov Cathedral. You will visit the famous Green Bazaar that is known due to many interesting things. You will be able to test your ability to bargain here. Next destination of the tour is the Medeo Gorge. The altitude of this prominent site is 1,690 m. You will be impressed to see the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Here you will enjoy fresh air as well as the picturesque scenery, then you will take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort area. Kok-Tobe hill is known due to the tallest TV tower in the world. To reach this sight you will have a walk via the picturesque winding mountain road on the park eco-cars. Do not miss the chance to see one off the most interesting sights in tours to Kazakhstan. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck. To return to the center of the city you will have a short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight is in night train Almaty - Taraz.
Day 2: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent
After your arrival you will head on to Taraz. In course of the tour you will travel to the History Museum, Karakhan and Dautbek Mausoleum, Tekturmas Historical Complex, Akyrtas ancient palace complex. This city is known as one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan, the remains of which are hidden under the buildings of the modern city. After it you will drive to Sairam district of Shymkent (160 km). During the tour you will visit such prominent sights as Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, and medieval minaret. Sairam is located on the area of the Ispidzhab that used to be one of the main and largest cities of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. This sight is also famed for being the birthplace of the great enlightener of XII century - Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. It is important to note that mausoleums of his father and mother, Ibrahim-Ata and Karashash-Ana, are also located here. Transfer to Shymkent for overnight is in Shymkent.
Day 3: Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today you will head on to Otrar region to visit the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum who was teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Then you will travel to Turkestan city where you will see Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque). During the tour you will learn that Turkestan appeared around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. This site used to be the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people in the XVI-XVIII centuries as well as being the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Transfer to Shymkent (170 km). Night is in Shymkent.
Day 4: Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent
Destination of the travel for today is the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve. During the tour you will visit Aksu canyon. This site is one of the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan that can be found at the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains at an altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. The high zone of this reserve is a semi-deserts substitute with dry motley grass of steppes, luxurious plots of meadows give way to thickets of creeping juniper. Most of all you will be mesmerized by the alpine flowers that are growing on peaks with dazzling snow and bluish tongues of glaciers. The reserve is a rich treasury of rare, endangered and endemic species of animals and plants. This area is home for argali and ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines as well as bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 5: Shymkent
Shymkent this city was on the crossroads of the Great Silk Road. It is located with the most ancient cities of the Middle Ages - Otar, Turkestan, Syganak, Sauran and others. Even being with such legendary cities, modern Shymkent continues to be a historical and cultural center in the south of Kazakhstan. You will explore such prominent sights as Walk of Fame (Park named after Sh. Kaldayakov), Monument "Jer Ana", Ordabasy Square, Park "20th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Fire to the Fallen in WWII, Dendropark - optionally, regional historical museum, ruins of the citadel of ancient Shymkent, pedestrian street "Arbat". Night will be in the hotel.
Day 6: Chernyaevka
Transfer from Shymkent to Zhibek Zholy (Chernyaevka) border.
Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter in Almaty / Toyota Hiace in Shymkent
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 070 $
04 pax - 770 $
06 pax - 590 $
08 pax - 600 $
10 pax - 525 $
Single - 60 $
Half board - 125 $ per person
Full board - 225 $ per person
English speaking guide - 665 $ per group
Train Almaty - Taraz (4 berths per compartment) - from 40 $ per person
Accommodation in Almaty (if required):
Standard Double/Twin room - 30 $ per person
Standard Single room - 50 $
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Shymkent - "Shymkent" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
Service does not include:
- Full board
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide
- Accommodation in Almaty
- Domestic train ticket: Almaty - Taraz