Kazakh melody Tour 4

 

Kazakh melody Tour 4
Destination: Kazakhstan
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent - Chernyaevka

Day 1: Almaty
Welcome to Kazakh melody Tour 4! Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to Almaty for sightseeing tour. You will have an excursion in the Almaty Museum as well as the oldest Almaty park that is one of the oldest of Almaty parks - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen here you will also see the Zenkov Cathedral. After it you will drive to the famous in tours place that is known as the Green Bazaar. Here you will see a lot of interesting things that will help you to learn the art of bargain. After it you will be transferred to the Medeo Gorge is known for the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. You will have an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air as well as witness the Shymbulak ski resort area. Kok-Tobe hill will impress you by its the tallest TV tower in the world and with the picturesque winding mountain road. In course of the Kazakh melody Tour 4 you will enjoy the magnificent panorama view of the Kok-Tobe Park. You will return you the city center by using the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight is in night train Almaty - Taraz.  Train #379T 20:16 - 08:11(This is subject to change.)

Day 2: Almaty - Taraz - Sairam - Shymkent
In Taraz you will continue to explore the most prominent parts of it. You will visit the History Museum, Karakhan and Dautbek Mausoleum, Tekturmas Historical Complex, Akyrtas antient palace complex. During the tour you will learn that this city one of the oldest in Kazakhstan. Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. You will be impressed to know that remains of the city now are under the modern city of Kazakhstan. After it you will head on to Sairam district of Shymkent the road to each it will take 160 km. Upon arrival you will explore the Ibrahim-Ata Mausoleum, Karashash-Ana Mausoleum, and medieval minaret. Sairam is located at the edge of Shymkent, at the place of former Ispidzhab - one of the largest centers of the Great Silk Road in the Middle Ages. You will learn that is not only reason for popularity of this sight because it is also the birthplace of the great enlightener of XII century - Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Here you will also explore the mausoleums of his parentsTransfer to Shymkent. Overnight is in Shymkent.

Day 3: Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent
Today you will drive to Otrar Settlement the road to which takes 220 km. Upon arrival you will visit the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum that was made in honor of the teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar. After it you will head on to Turkestan (70 km). Here you will see the "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque). In course of the tour you will learn that Turkestan appeared around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. In that time this prominent city used to be the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people in the XVI-XVIII centuries as well as being the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Transfer to Shymkent (170 km). Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 4: Shymkent - Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve - Shymkent
In the morning you will head on to Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve (125 km). On the way to it you will have a stop to visit Aksu canyon. During the travel you will know that the Aksu-Zhabagly is the oldest natural reserve in Kazakhstan that can be found at the spurs of the Western Tien-Shan Mountains at an altitude from 1000 to 4280 meters above sea level. Here you will mostly see the semi-deserts substitute dry motley grass of steppes, luxurious plots of meadows give way to thickets of creeping juniper as well as the carpets of alpine flowers. This area is the home for the rare, endangered and endemic species of animals and plants like argali and ibex, deer and roe deer, lynx and snow leopards, wolves, foxes, bears, porcupines and ermines, bearded vultures, griffons and golden eagles are flying high in the sky.  Transfer to Shymkent for overnight.

Day 5: Shymkent
Today you will explore the third megalopolis of Kazakhstan. But this city is also known as the first of occupied space. You will be impressed to know that is was one of the branches of Great Silk Road like others prominent medieval Kazakhstan and Central Asia cities like Otrar, Turkestan, Syganak, Sauran, and others. Here you will explore the Walk of Fame (Park named after Sh. Kaldayakov), Monument "Jer Ana", Ordabasy Square, Park "20th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Fire to the Fallen in WWII, Dendropark - optionally, the regional historical - museum, the ruins of the citadel of ancient Shymkent, pedestrian street "Arbat". At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the hotel for the night.

Day 6: Chernyaevka
Transfer from Shymkent to Zhibek Zholy (Chernyaevka) border.

Transport:
02 pax - Sedan
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Sprinter in Almaty / Toyota Hiace in Shymkent

Price per person:
02 pax - 1 070 $
04 pax - 770 $
06 pax - 590 $
08 pax - 600 $
10 pax - 525 $
Single - 60 $

Half board - 125 $ per person
Full board - 225 $ per person

English speaking guide - 665 $ per group

Train Almaty - Taraz (4 berths per compartment) - from 40 $ per person 

Accommodation in Almaty ( if required):

Standard Double/Twin room - 30 $ per person

Standard Single room - 50 $

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:   
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
- Accommodation in Almaty
- Domestic train ticket: Almaty - Taraz