Kazakh Tour 6
Kazakh Tour 6
Duration of tour: 7 days
Destination: Kazakhstan
Highlights: Almaty - Shimkent - Turkestan - Shymkent- Sairam - Kazygurt - Shymkent- Aksu Jabagly - Shymkent - Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
Day 1: Almaty
Upon arrival to Almaty you will start your Kazakh Tour 6. Driver will pick you up and accompany to the center of the city for guided city tour. The first sight for visiting will be Almaty Museum, where you can get to know the history of the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Then the route of the tour goes to the Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre where you will admire the architecture of it. After it you will visit the one of the oldest Almaty parks that I know as Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and on the territory of which you will witness Zenkov Cathedral. Next to visit will be the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame as well as the Museum of Musical Instruments. Then is the place that is popular even among the locals the Green Bazaar. Here you will see the interesting staffs and also can try to bargain. Later on you will be transferred on the altitude of the 1690 meters above sea level where you will see famed Medeo Gorge. Tours to this place will show you the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam that protects the city from dangerous mudflow. After it you will be transferred to the Shymbulak ski resort area. Upon arrival to the 1st level you will see fancy restaurants, ski & snowboarding school and mountain hotel. Next is the Kok-Tobe hill where you can enjoy the tallest TV tower in the world with the breathtaking view of winding mountain road on the park eco-cars. Road back will be on the famous Almaty cableway*. On Tuesdays, in the tour departing at 10:00, cableway is not available. Night is in the hotel.
Day 2: Almaty - Shimkent
In course of the tour you will have a morning light to Almaty International airport and departure to Shymkent by local flight (ab.1h 40 min one way). Driver will meet and transfer you to the city to visit such sights as Walk of fame (park named after Sh.Kaldayakov), "Zher Ana" monument, Ordabasy square, Park "20 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", Museum of Victims of Political Repression, Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Flame to the fallen in The great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum, Regional Museum. The night will be on the hotel.
Day 3: Shymkent - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today in course of the travel you will be transferred to Otrar region, Shaulder Settlement. Upon arrival you will visit the most prominent sights of the city like Local History Museum "Otyrar", Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. During the tour you will know that the medieval philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi was born and lived here. This settlement appeared in IV century BC. You will see the ruins of the citadel and large buildings, main gate and rabad that scratched in area of about 10 square kilometers, have survived to the present days. Later on you will continue your Kazakh Tour 6 by driving to Turkestan of 6th century AD. Due to Great Silk Road this city appeared on the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to northern Kazakhstan. Upon arrival to Turkestan you will enjoy to explore the "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan ancient settlement, Necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, Citadel with gates, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque. Overnight is in the hotel.
Day 4: Shymkent - Sairam - Kazygurt - Shymkent
In the morning you will drive to Sairam Settlement. The road to it will take 20 km. There you will be able to see the Local History Museum "Sairam", Mar-Tobe, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, medieval minaret. Sairam Settlement is located near Shymkent, at the place of Ispidzhab - one of the largest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. Here you will be able to investigate the ruins of XIII-IXX centuries. Later on you will drive to the foot of Kazygurt mountains the altitude of which is 1776 meters above sea level. You will find it in the northern spurs of Talas Alatau where you will see Kamekalgan. It is the natural sacred stones. In such tours you will enjoy sanctifying rocks "Adam and Eve", stone statues of animals, "Noah's Ark", the magic stone "Dastarkhan. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 5: Shymkent - Aksu Jabagly - Shymkent - Almaty
Today you will visit the Aksu-Jabagly natural reserve. On the way to it you will have a stop at the Aksu canyon. Upon arrival to Aksu-Zhabagly you will learn that it is the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan. You will find it at the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains on the elevation of 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. Here you can see semi-deserts substitute dry motley grass of steppes, luxurious plots of meadows give way to thickets of creeping juniper. The carpet of alpine flowers will captivate you as well as the crystal glaciers. Moreover it is famous place of living rare, endangered and endemic species of animals and plants. This place is place of living of argali and ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines, bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles. Return to the hotel and further to the railway station and departure to Almaty by evening train.
Day 6: Almaty- Issyk - Almaty
Upon arrival to Almaty you will be transferred to Issyk Lake. This gorge is located in Trans-Ili Alatau that lays along the Kuldja tract. Here many centuries ago endless caravans passed. On the way to it you will have an excursion in the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK". Here you will be able to see the exhibits dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, such as a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. After it you will continue your drive to the alpine lake Issyk that is located on the altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. Here you will be able to admire the breathtaking view of the surface and the magnificent area of Issyk Gorge. Guide will tell you the details of the natural disaster of 1963. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 7: Flight
Transfer to the airport and departure.
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
