Tour to the History

Tour to the History
Duration: 7 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent - Almaty - Issyk - Almaty 

The tour will allow you to see many interesting and significant places and monuments of Kazakhstan. You can enjoy the history of the country as well as spectacular views that you will not be able to forget. In addition, you will be surprised by the contrast of modern life against the background of untouched gifts of nature.

Day 1: Almaty
Guide will meet and accompany you to Almaty for sightseeing. Upon arrival you will have an excursion in the Almaty Museum. Then you will visit one of the oldest parks of Alamty, Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. On the territory of the park you will be able to see one of the most wonderful wooden buildings, Zenkov Cathedral. Green Bazaar is the place where you will not stop yourself from bargain. Later on you will be transferred to Medeo Gorge (1,690 m). In course of the tour you enjoy the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam here. You will spent some time while admire mountain-view and Shymbulak ski resort area. Kok-Tobe hill will show you the famous tallest TV tower in the world and winding mountain road on the eco-cars park. In Kok-Tobe Park you will be mesmerized by the breathtaking view of the magnificent panorama of the city. You will return to the city on the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight is in night train Almaty - Taraz.  Train #379T 20:16 - 08:11(This is subject to change.)

Day 2: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent
After your arrival you will drive to Taraz. In course of the tour you will have excursion in History Museum, Karakhan and Dautbek Mausoleum, Tekturmas Historical Complex, Akyrtas ancient palace complex. During the travel you will know that this city is the one of the oldest in Kazakhstan the ruins of which can be found under the buildings of the modern city. Then you will head on to Sairam district of Shymkent the road to which takes 160 km. Here you will visit Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, and medieval minaret. Sairam is located at the edge of Shymkent, at the place of former Ispidzhab - one of the largest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. Another sight due to which this place is famous being the birthplace of the great enlightener of XII century that is known as Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Here you will also see the mausoleums of his parents Ibrahim-Ata and Karashash-Ana. Transfer to Shymkent. Overnight is in Shymkent.

Day 3: Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today you will travel to Otrar Settlement the road to it takes 220 km. Here you will be able to visit Arystan-Bab Mausoleum (teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi), archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. After it yin course of the your you will be transferred to Turkestan (70 km). Upon arrival you will investigate most prominent sights of it like "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque).  Tours to this place will show you that this place appeared around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. This city used to be 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. Overnight is in Shymkent.

Day 4: Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent
Today you will have tour in the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve (125 km). On the way to it you will have a stop to explore Aksu canyon. Upon arrival you will learn that this natural reserve is oldest in Kazakhstan. You will find it on the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains at an altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. While exploring this area you will find out semi-deserts substitute dry motley grass of steppes, carpets of alpine flowers and juniper as well as crystal clear glaciers. This place is known as the chest full of rare, endangered and endemic species of animals and plants. Moreover this area is a home for argali and ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines, griffons and golden eagles. Return to Shymkent. The hotel for overnight

Day 5: Shymkent
Today you will have a city tour of Shunkent. In course of the tour you will explore the third megalopolis of Kazakhstan by its population and the first one in terms of occupied space. This city is also known as one of the branches of the Great Silk Road like the other famous cities of medieval Kazakhstan and Central Asia as Otrar, Turkestan, Syganak, Sauran, and others. Here you will enjoy the view of 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". After full day of interceding sights you will spend night in the hotel.

Day 6: Shymkent - Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
Today you will have morning flight to Almaty. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the amazing Issyk Gorge that is located in Trans-Ili Alatau of the Kuldja tract. Here many centuries ago endless caravans passed. On the way to it you will visit the Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK". This place is interesting for having exhibits of the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items. After it you will find yourself on the altitude of 1756 meters above sea level where the Issyk lake lays. This lake was formed 10,000 years ago due to colossal landslide that also made natural dam of 300 meters in height. You will have some time to explore the area by yourself. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 7: Flight
Transfer to airport.

Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter in Almaty / Toyota Hiace in Shymkent

Price per person:
02 pax - 1 200 $
04 pax - 885 $
06 pax - 675 $
08 pax - 670 $
10 pax - 585 $
Single - 80 $

Half board - 150 $ per person
Full board - 270 $ per person 

English speaking guide - 830 $ per group 

Train Almaty - Taraz (4 berths per compartment) - from 40 $ per person 

Flight Shymkent - Almaty - from 75 $ per person 

Accommodation in Almaty in Day1 (if required):

Standard Double/Twin room - 30 $ per person
Standard Single room - 50 $

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
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 in Day1
- Domestic flight Shymkent - Almaty
- Domestic train ticket: Almaty - Taraz