The Name of tour: The land of steppe nomads
Duration: 7 days
Visiting landmarks: Almaty, Shymkent, Turkestan, Sairam, Kazygurt, Aksu Zhabagly, Isyk
Day 1: Almaty
This day you will discover the beat sites of the southern capital of Kazakhstan – Almaty city. You are going to discover the first destination Almaty Museum, where guests will have a chance to discover the history of the city. After that you will observe the interesting site- the Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre. You are going tobe amazed by the fabulous architecture and history. Then tour will get to the oldest place in Almaty - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, or Panfilov Park. Here you will be amazed by the beauty of wooden Zenkov Cathedral. Along the way you will discover the famous Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the Museum of Musical Instruments. Further you will discover the Green Bazaar. You will explore the colorful rows, buy fresh fruits and vegetables or purchase the souvenirs. Don’t miss a chance to bargain to lower the price. In the second part of the day you will head to the Medeo Gorge. Here you will have a chance to experience your skills and see the world’s highest mountain skating rink (1690 meters above sea level) and the dam that protects the city from colossal mudflow. Then you will get to the Shymbulak ski resort area by the cable car. You will ride about 20-25 minutes. You will rise at an altitude of 2260 meters above sea level. Then you will direct to the next destination the Kok-Tobe hill. There is located the highest (above sea level) TV tower in the world. The road will take you along there fascinating mountain path. Then you will transfer to the city center by Almaty cableway. Unfortunately, it is closed on Tuesdays, but we can use park eco-cars instead. This night you will rest in the hotel.
Day 2: Almaty – Shymkent
In the morning you will have a breakfast and leave the hotel. Then you will departure to the Almaty International airport for a flight to Shymkent city. You will have a flight about 1 hour 40 minutes. Upon arrival you will have a city tour and discover the interesting city Shymkent. In course of the tour you will explore Walk of fame (park named after Sh.Kaldayakov), “Zher Ana” monument, Ordabasy squar, Park “20 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, Museum of Victims of Political Repression, Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Flame that was built in memory of heroes of The great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum and Regional Museum. You will finish the tour with transferring to the hotel.
Day 3: Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent
This day you will explore the main sites of Otrar region, Shaulder Settlement. During the tour you will discover the Local History Museum "Otyrar", Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. In the tour you will be able to explore that the city of Otrar originated in the 4th century BC. In the past, the philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi lived here. During the tour, you will also be able to explore the remains of the citadel and the main gate and Rabad. The total preserved area is about 10 square kilometers. During the tour, you will be able to explore what an interesting place to explore will be the city of Turkestan. This city is very ancient and appeared around 500 BC on the Great Silk Road, where caravans from Bukhara, Samrkand and Khiva once passed. Then you will discover "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan ancient settlement, Necropolis, a remains of the fortress wall, Citadel with gates, Hammam and Hilvet underground mosque. You will end the tour with travelling to the hotel in Shymkent.
Day 4: Shymkent – Sairam – Kazygurt – Shymkent
In the morning you will have a breakfast and leave the hotel and head to Sairam Settlement. There you will Here you will visit the Local History Museum "Sairam", Mar-Tobe, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, medieval minaret. During the tour you will discover that Sairam Settlement is situated just 20 km from the Shymkent city, at the place of Ispidzhab. In the tour you will be able to explore that in the Middle Ages this place was one of the main centers of the Great Silk Road. You can also find out that there are remains of buildings from the 13th-19th centuries. Alatau. After that, the tour will continue to Kamekalgan natural sacred stones in Kazygurt Mountains. That place is located at an altitude of 1776 meters above sea level in the northern spurs of Talas Alatau. After arrival you will discover rocks "Adam and Eve", stone drawings of animals, "Noah's Ark" and the magic stone "Dastarkhan".
Day 5: Shymkent – Aksu Jabagly – Shymkent – Almaty
After breakfast you will direct to Aksu-Jabagly natural reserve. You are going to explore that it is the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan, situated at the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains at an altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. Aksu-Zhabagly is the oldest and most famous nature reserve in Central Asia. It was created in 1926, its area has been increasing all the time, and now it is 132.6 thousand hectares.It is located on the Talas Alatau, Ugam and Maidantal ridges, in the western part of the Tien Shan. The name of the reserve is formed from the name of its two largest rivers – Aksu and Zhabagly, in the interfluve of which it was originally created. The reserve carefully preserves all the diversity of objects of living and inanimate nature. There are different landscapes: semi-deserts, steppes, green meadows, mountains, creeping juniper. During the tour you will have a chance to explore the fascinating views of the alpine meadows and the peaks of the mountains covered with dazzling snow. The reserve is a home for many rare, endangered species of animals. Here it is possible to see argali, ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines. In addition, some rare birds live here: bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles. You will end the tour with travelling to Almaty by train.
Day 6: Almaty– Issyk – Almaty
Upon arrival you are going to meet the group at the railway station. This day you will transfer to the fabulous lake Issyk. This day you will transfer along Issyk Gorge - one of the most amazing gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau. This site is located It lies along the Kuldja tract where in ancient times caravans of the Silk Road passed. In order to learn more about the history of that region, you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. You will also have a chance to discover here the most valuable its exhibits belong to history and culture of the Saka Period. There are ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, a copy of Golden Man, golden items and the model of Saka burial mound. This day you will also discover amazing Issyk Lake. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy the amazing nature. You are going to find this place at an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. This day you will explore everything about the lake and the natural disaster of 1963. Then you will finish the tour and travel to the hotel in Almaty.
Day 7: Flight
After breakfast you will check out of the hotel. Then the transfer will take you to the airport.
Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04 pax – Minivan
06-10 pax – Mercedes Sprinter in Almaty / Toyota Hiace in Shymkent
Price per person:
02 pax – 1 360 $
04 pax – 990 $
06 pax – 765 $
08 pax – 760 $
10 pax – 670 $
Single – 100 $
Early check-in – 40 $
Single early check-in – 60 $
Half board – 155 $
Full board – 275 $
English speaking guide – 840 $ per group
Flight Almaty – Shymkent – from 85 $ per person
Train Shymkent – Almaty – from 50 $ per person
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
- Train Shymkent – Almaty
- Flight Almaty – Shymkent