Otrar region tour
Itinerary name: Otrar region tour
Day-by-day program:
Day 1: Almaty
Meet with your guide at the airport and take a short drive to Almaty city. You will start you city tour from the excursion in the central museum, where there are significant exhibitions to tell about the history of the Almaty. Then continue to Abai Opera and Ballet Theater, have a good idea of city architecture and history. The city’s famous park- Panfilov Park will show you the world’s most beautiful wooden Cathedral-Zenkov, the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the building of Museum of Musical Instruments. Your guide will tell the story of the park more in details. Take a short walk, immersing the beauty of the city. it will take you to blooming Green Bazaar. From the entrance, you will be welcomes by kind seller offering you to taste fresh juicy fruits. After exploring the city, have delicious lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon time to the nature. Take a tour to the Medeo Gorge, where the highest mountain outdoor skating rink is located. Then take a cable car to a ski resort Shymbulak, popular for city residents during the wintertime. During the ride, you will come across the magnificent beauty of fir trees growing up to 2260 meters above sea level. The last point of the day will be Kok-Tobe hill, where you will have the panoramic view to the whole city. TV tower on the top of the hill considered to be the highest in the world (if to count from the sea level). You can find nice national souvenirs in the small boutiques or have a walk. On the way to the city, take a cableway (except Tuesdays). Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty – Shimkent
After having breakfast, checkout and take a short flight to Shymkent (1h 40 min one way). Upon arrival, start your guided city tour. Sightseeing in Shymkent will include 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 (30 minutes), Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Flame to the fallen in The great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum, Regional Museum. After city tour, check in to hotel and have a rest.
Day 3: Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent
In the morning, you will drive to Shaulder settlement in Otrar region. After arrival, visit Local History Museum "Otyrar" and Arystan-Bab Mausoleum. It is archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. Otrar’s history goes back to 4th century BC. Until now, it is possible to see some remains of that time city. It was a city where the outstanding philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi was born and lived. Go on to Turkestan city. Its history started in 500 AD at the confluence of trade routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to northern Kazakhstan. Turkestan was one of the important points on the Great Silk Road connecting Eastern Europe to China. During XVI-XVIII centuries, it was religious and political center of Turkic world. Later it became the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. In Turkestan, you will visit many attractive places like 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 and Hilvet underground mosque. After interesting excursion, drive back to hotel in Shymkent.
Day 4: Shymkent – Sairam – Kazygurt – Shymkent
After having breakfast, take a tour to Sairam Settlement. It is about 20 km from Shymkent. During the Middle Ages Sairam was Ispidzhab, which was the biggest centers on the Great Silk Road. Sightseeing tour will include the visits to Local History Museum "Sairam", Mar-Tobe, Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum and medieval minaret. Most of the remains of buildings dating back to of XIII-IXX centuries. After exploring the site, drive to Kazygurt mountains, where the Kamekalgan holy stones. There are fantastic works on the stone like “Adam and Eve”, “Noah’s Ark”, “Dastarkhan” and others. Kazygurt is mountain ridge with the average altitude of 1776 meters above sea level, on the north of Talas Alatau. After excursion drive back to hotel and have a rest.
Day 5: Shymkent – Aksu Jabagly – Shymkent – Almaty
After enjoying the breakfast at the hotel, take a day tour to natural reserve Aksu-Jabagly. It is considered to be one of the oldest protected area in overall Kazakhstan. Here you will visit beautiful canyons of Aksu. The reserve located on the slopes of Western Tien-Shan Mountains. The average altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. The territory of the Aksu-Jabagly includes variety of landscape, starting semi-desert to alpine meadow. You will be very surprised by the exceptional beauty of different flowers and the combination of green grass and snowy mountains. In addition to the incredible beauty, it home to endangered and endemic animals and plants. The fauna includes argali and ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines. You will be lucky to see bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles are flying. After nice trip to the nature, drive back to Shymkent and take evening train to Almaty.
Day 6: Almaty– Issyk – Almaty
Arrive to Almaty and take another day trip to Issyk Lake. It is located on the Kuldja tract. Ancient time, caravans travelled through this area along the trade road. The way will take the most charming gorges of the Trans-Ili Alatau. On the way, it is possible to visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, there many interesting exhibits about history of ancient Saka-Scythian tribe. Further you will go along the gorge to the Issyk lake, which is located at the altitude of 1756 m. according to researches, it was formed about 10 000 years ago. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of the lake and listen to the story of natural disaster happened in 1963. After having enjoyed the nature, drive back to the city. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 7: Flight
After having breakfast, drive to the airport for new adventures.