Discover Kazakhstan Tour 8

Discover Kazakhstan: Tour 8
Destination: Kazakhstan 
Duration: 7 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Shymkent - Turkestan - Sairam - Kazygurt - - Aksu Jabagly - Issyk - Almaty

Day 1: Almaty
We are glad to see you in Kazakhstan! When you arrive at the airport, the guide will meet you and transfer to the city. You will have a guided tour and visit Almaty Museum, where you can get to know the history of the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Then we will go to Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre. The next destination is visiting oldest of Almaty parks as Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and Zenkov Cathedral. Afterwards we will walk to the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the Museum of Musical Instruments. The tour will be continued visiting the Green Bazaar. In the afternoon, we will travel to Medeo Gorge. It is about 1690 meters above sea level which has the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. We will take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort area and drive for about 20-25 minutes above splendid fur-trees up to the altitude of 2260 meters above sea level. You will find ski resort with exclusive restaurants, ski, snowboarding school and mountain hotel. Later on we will go to Kok Tobe hill, where the tallest TV tower in the world is located. The tour will end by a ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway*.

*On Tuesdays, in the tour departing at 10:00, cableway is not available, use eco - cars.

Day 2: Almaty - Shymkent
Today is transfer to the Almaty International airport and departure to Shymkent by local flight (ab.1h 40 min one way). On arrival, you will have a city tour and visit 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 to the fallen in The Great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum, Regional Museum. Transfer to a hotel.

Day 3: Shymkent - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today is departure from Shymkent to Otrar region, Shaulder Settlement. Here you will have a sightseeing at Local History Museum "Otyrar", Arystan Bab Mausoleum, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. Otrar is the city where out-of-date philosopher and scientist Al Farabi was born and lived. Otrar settlement was originated in IV century BC. The remnants of the citadel and other buildings, as well as the main gate and rabad, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers, have survived up to date. Afterwards you will drive to the city of Turkestan, which was founded around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to northern Kazakhstan. In Turkestan you will visit "Azret Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan ancient settlement, Necropolis, a part of the fortress wall, Citadel with gates, Hammam, Hilvet subversive mosque. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Shymkent - Sairam - Kazygurt - Shymkent
In the morning is departure to Sairam Settlement (20 km). On arrival you will travel to visit a Local History Museum "Sairam", Mar Tobe, Ibrahim Ata Mausoleum, Karashash Ana Mausoleum, medieval minaret. Sairam Settlement is situated near Shymkent, at the place of Ispidzhab as one of the biggest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. The settlement has traces of buildings of XIII-IXX centuries. Later on we will travel to the foot of Kazygurt mountains to Kamekalgan natural sacred stones. You will admire sanctifying rocks "Adam and Eve", stone statues of animals, "Noah's Ark", the magic stone "Dastarkhan". Kazygurt is mountain chain having altitude of 1776 meters above sea level, placed in the northern spurs of Talas Alatau. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 5: Shymkent - Aksu Jabagly - Shymkent - Almaty
In the morning we will travel to Aksu Jabagly natural reserve. Here we will visit Aksu canyon.  Aksu Zhabagly is the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan, found at the spurs of the Western Tien Shan Mountains at an altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. The basic high-altitude zones are signified here: semi-deserts supernumerary dry motley grass of steppes, well-appointed plots of meadows and creeping juniper. Jerry-rigged of colorful alpine flowers decorates the base of severe peaks with stunning snow. The reserve is rich funds of rare, vanishing and widespread species of animals and plants. On a tour you will have a chance to see 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. Then we will return to a hotel for overnight. Transfer to the railway station and departure to Almaty by evening train. 

Day 6: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
On arrival is transfer to Issyk Lake. You will pass over one of the most attractive gorges of Trans Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge which is situated on the Kuldja tract. On the way we will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK", where you can get information about the history and culture of the Saka period, copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. The tour will be continued to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, where we can admire beauty of Issyk Lake. We have no doubt you will be impressed by its transparent cold water and capture it. Afterwards is transfer to a hotel.

Day 7: Flight
Thank you for the tour!

 
Transport:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus
 

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