Name of trip: The Earth of nomads
Tour’s destinations: Almaty, Shymkent
Arrival to: Almaty
Departure from: Almaty
Day 1: Almaty
The first day of the tour you will discover the southern capital of Kazakhstan – Almaty city. This day you will discover the first attraction Almaty Museum, where you will discover the amazing sites and the history of the city. After that you will experience the Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre. During the tour you will discover that is has interesting history and amazing architecture. After that, you will walk around the oldest park in Almaty - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, or Panfilov Park. Today you will also be impressed by the beauty of wooden Zenkov Cathedral. This day you will be enchant by the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the Museum of Musical Instruments are also located there. Then you will explore the amazing Green Bazaar. You are going to explore that it is the fascinating site for shopping. Here it is possible to bargain to lower the price. Then you will continue the tour with transferring to the Medeo Gorge. You will see that it is the popular for the world’s highest mountain skating rink (1690 meters above sea level) and the dam that protects the city. Then you will get to the Shymbulak ski resort area by the cable car. The way will take about 20-25 minutes. After that you will head to the spectacular Kok-Tobe hill. There are you will have a chance to observe the highest (above sea level) TV tower in the world. Today you will have a chance to discover the winding mountain road on the park eco-cars. In the end of the tour you will return 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 spend in the hotel.
Day 2: Almaty – Shymkent
In the morning you will have a breakfast and leave the hotel. This day you will be transferred to the Almaty International airport for a flight to Shymkent city. The flight lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes. Upon arrival you will have a guided tour in Shymkent. In course o the tpur you will discover 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. In the end of the tour you will transfer to the hotel.
Day 3: Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent
This day you will explore the fascinating sites of Otrar region, Shaulder Settlement. During the tour you will explore the Local History Museum "Otyrar", Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. In course of the tour you will discover that the city of Otrar appeared in 4th century BC. Here the medieval philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi lived. During the sightseeing tour, you will experience the remains of citadel, main gate and rabad. After that you will get to the next significant site the city of Turkestan. In the tour, you can learn that the city is very ancient and was founded around 500 AD, it stood on the route of the Great Silk Road where the Karvans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva passed. After arrival you will explore "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. This day you will end the tour with transferring back to the hotel in Shymkent.
Day 4: Shymkent – Sairam – Kazygurt – Shymkent
In the morning you will leave the hotel and direct to Sairam Settlement. During the tour you will explore the fascinating Local History Museum "Sairam", Mar-Tobe, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, medieval minaret. Sairam – "The city on the White River". In Russian historical documents, the mention of Sairam appears at the end of the XVII century. The development and formation of Sairam was due not only to its favorable economic and geographical, but also to its political position. Sairam Settlement is located just 20 km from the Shymkent city, at the place of Ispidzhab. During the tour you will explore that it was the magnificent center in the ancient times. Today there are located remains of buildings of 13-19th centuries. Then you will continue the tour with visiting 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 explore 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 Aksu-Jabagly natural reserve. This is a truly incredibly picturesque place that attracts tourists from all over the world. Here you can see all the splendor of the "Heavenly Mountains": snow-capped peaks and majestic cliffs, narrow river valleys with stormy mountain streams, breathtaking waterfalls and deep gorges with their wild inhabitants. During the tour you will explore that 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. Here are situated different landscapes: semi-deserts, steppes, green meadows, mountains, creeping juniper. Along the way you will also have a chance to explore picturesque views of the alpine meadows and the peaks of the mountains covered with dazzling snow. The reserve has rich flora and fauna with endangered species of animals. During the tour you will also have a chance to see argali, ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines. This day you will also have a chance to observe In addition, some rare birds live here: bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles. You will complete the tour with transferring back to Almaty by train.
Day 6: Almaty– Issyk – Almaty
In the morning you will meet the group at the railway station. This day you will travel to the wonderful lake Issyk. This day you are going to drive along Issyk Gorge - one of the most amazing gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau. You will see that it lies along the Kuldja tract where a long time ago caravans of the Silk Road passed. During the tour you will also have a chance to explore the history of that region, you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. There are located the most valuable its exhibits belong to history and culture of the Saka Period. It stores ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, a copy of Golden Man, golden items and the model of Saka burial mound. You will continue the tour with visiting Issyk Lake you will be free to relax and admire the picturesque nature. This lake is situated at an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. You will also get the information about the lake and the natural disaster of 1963. Then you will transfer 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