Tour to Past

Tour to Past
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent - Chernyaevka 

During the tour you can see an interesting culture and traditions of the people. In addition, you will also touch on the stories of a country that will amaze you with interesting cultural monuments. We are pleased to offer you a tour that will open all the most exciting places of a beautiful country.

Day 1: Almaty
Guide will meet and accompany you to the Almaty for city tour. You will explore the beat sights of the city like Almaty Museum. Then will be one of the oldest parks of Almaty - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. Here you will be able to witness the beautiful building that is known as the Zenkov Cathedral. Then you will head on to the Green Bazaar where you can see busy life of local people. You will have an opportunity to see a lot of interesting and tasty goods. Next destination of the tour is the Medeo gorge where you can see the highest skating ring in the world and the dam. Short hike along the winding road will show you mountain-view. After it you will head on to Shymbulak ski resort area. Then is Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located as well as park eco-cars. In Kok-Tobe Park you will have an opportunity to enjoy the panorama of the city and stroll along the souvenirs shop. Then you will return to the center of the city on Almaty cableway. Overnight is in night train Almaty - Taraz. 

Day 2: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent
Upon arrival in course of the tour you will explore Taraz. You will start your travel here with having excursion at History Museum, Karakhan and Dautbek Mausoleum, Tekturmas Historical Complex, Akyrtas ancient palace complex. You will explore the city that is considered to be one of the oldest in Kazakhstan the ruins of which are hidden under the buildings of the modern city. After it you will drive to Sairam district of Shymkent the road to which twill take 160 km. Here you will be able to enjoy the Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, and medieval minaret. Sairam is located at the edge of Shymkent, at the place of former Ispidzhab that is known to be one of the largest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. The most interesting fact of this city is the birthplace of the great enlightener of XII century famous Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. You can witness not only his mausoleum but also his parents Ibrahim-Ata and Karashash-Ana. Transfer to Shymkent. Overnight is in Shymkent.

Day 3: Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today you will drive to the next stop of the tour for exploration Otrar Settlement. You will drive 220 km. Upon arrival you will investigate archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar, the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum. He was a teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. After it you will continue your tour in Turkestan (70 km) where you will visit the "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque). Turkestan is the city that appeared around 500 AD on the road of caravans that passed through at the Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. You will be unimpressed to know that this city was 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. After exploring the most interesting part of the city you will return to Shymkent (170 km). Overnight is in Shymkent.

Day 4: Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent
Today you will have tour to Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve the road to this sight takes 125 km. On the way you will have a stop to explore Aksu canyon. Upon arrival you will witness the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan. You will find it at the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains on elevation that vary from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. Here you will be able to enjoy semi-deserts substitute dry motley grass of steppes, luxurious plots of meadows give way to thickets of creeping juniper. You will see an incredible canvas of alpine flowers that will captivate you with its beauty. Moreover you will see rare or endangered and endemic species of animals and plants. It is famous shelter 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 are flying high in the sky. Drive back to Shymkent. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 5: Shymkent
In course of the tour you will travel among the third megalopolis of Kazakhstan. This city is one of the oldest that prevails by population and occupied space. Moreover it is lays ion the Great Silk Road as well as Otrar, Turkestan, Syganak, Sauran, and others. Here you will be able to explore such prominent attractions as the 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, the regional historical museum, the ruins of the citadel of ancient Shymkent, walking on pedestrian street "Arbat". Tours to these interesting sights will show you the interesting history of the country. After explore the city you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight is 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