5 days tour from Tashkent to Almaty in Southern Kazakhstan

5 days tour from Tashkent to Almaty in Southern Kazakhstan

Shymkent is situated on a junction connecting Tashkent with Kazakhstan. Southern Kazakhstan’s Sufi heritage consists of the mausoleum of Yasawi towering out above Turkistan. Numerous other Sufi mausoleums dot the desert. Visit is not completed without seeing the ruins of Otrar and Sauran. Taraz and Zhambyl (Jambyl) oblast, medieval mausoleums, and parks sheltering tulips, birds, mountains and nomads hunting with Eagles in nearby town of Merki (Merke). Kazakhstan is a country the size of Europe - mountain and steppe, barely touched by modern civilization and whose inhabitants are mostly farmers. Its falconers continue the Central Asian tradition of flying golden eagles at hare for food and at fox for furs. During the Soviet period, many Kazakhs fled to Mongolia, bringing with them their tradition of hunting with eagles. Although, the Kazakh government has made efforts to lure the practitioners of these Kazakh traditions back to Kazakhstan, most Kazakhs have remained in Mongolia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tashkent – Shymkent – Turkistan

Stop At: The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Turkestan Kazakhstan
After having breakfast at your Tashkent hotel, you will be picked up by our driver. You will be drove to Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing point “Zhibek Zholy / Gysht Kuprik (Chernyaevka)” (30 km, 40 m.). Go through border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet Mr. Ilyas Otan, your driver and guide on the Kazakh side. Drive to Shaulder village (240 km, 3 hours). Explore Kogam village, an ancient settlement of Otrar (10 - 12th сenturies) (14 km). Visit Point 9 and Arystanbab mausoleum. Transfer to Turkistan for overnight (100 km, 1.5h).

You will have a tour of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi mausoleum complex. In Ahmed Yasawi mausoleum complex you will visit gallery of stone statues, archeological museum, historical-cultural reserve-museum Aziret-Sultan, Darvaza (gates) of 18 – 19th centuries, Esim Кhan mausoleum (16th century), Rabiga Sultan Begim mausoleum (end of the 15th century), Akhmed Yassawi khanaka-mausoleum (12 – 14th centuries), “Zhuma” mosque (1878).

You’ll have lunch in Shymkent, after Shymkent you will travel approximately 40kms to the ancient city of Sauran. Sauran is located midway to Turkistan. After exploring the ancient city of Sauran, you will return for dinner and overnight at Turkistan. Turkistan – means city of Turks.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3 to 4 Stars hotel.

Day 2: Turkistan – Taraz

Stop At: Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, Aisha Bibi Village, Taraz 080000 Kazakhstan
After breakfast, you’ll head out on the 3-hour drive, exploring around Shymken, you will visit medrese, Ak mechet cave, Underground mosque Khilovat (12 – 15th centuries), oriental baths (16 – 18th centuries), Big khilvet (12th century), Chillyakhana (14th century), archeological site of ancient settlement Kultobe (14th century), Khilvet Aulie-Kumchik-ata (12th century). You will have lunch in Shymkent at a local café.

After lunch you will be transferred to Taraz, in the southern Jambyl Province of Kazakhstan. On your way to Taraz you will stop and explore Aisha Bibi complex. The Aisha-Bibi is an 11th or 12th-century mausoleum for a noble woman located in the village of Aisha Bibi, 18 km (11 mi) west of Taraz, Kazakhstan on the Silk Road. It is locally famous as a monument to love and faithfulness.After dinner you will be transferred to your hotel in Taraz.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3 to 4 Stars hotel.

Day 3: Taraz - Merki (Merke)

Stop At: Ancient Taraz Archaeological Park and Museum, Tole Bi St., Taraz 080015 Kazakhstan
After breakfast, you will enjoy Taraz city tour, which includes a visit to the Historical Museum. Later, you will be transfer to Merki (Merke) located in the southern Jambyl (Zhambyl) Province. It is located in mountains that serve as a border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Around Merki (Merke), landscape is rich with hot springs, waterfalls, meadows, lakes and coniferous forests. You will be staying at the Farm where main attractions are nomad lifestyle, horseback riding, apple orchids and traditional hunting with eagles. After enjoying a traditional dinner and night with your host family, overnight, you will stay in Yurt. Hunting with Golden Eagle is one of the most unique features of Kazakh life. The hunter is named kusbegi or berkutchi. The experience of wild bird training was gained by Kazakh kusbegi over centuries, the secrets were imparted from father to son and kept very secret. At present, we rarely meet people with such knowledge. These masters have an innate gift for wild bird training. For hunting they tame falcons, golden eagles and eagles. After training, the bird will get used to the hunter and his horse and dog, and begins to train to hunt for a stuffed fox and only then the real hunting begins. The specially trained golden eagle hunts for small animals: rabbits, foxes, partridge, and black hazel grouses. Hunting with Golden Eagles has been practiced for ten centuries.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: In a Yurt at nomad family farm.

Day 4: Merki (Merke)

Stop At: Aisha Bibi - Chongkapka Border, Talas Kyrgyzstan
You are at Merki Eagle Farm with your hosts, nomad family and after breakfast, you will spend your day at the farm enjoying eagle hunting and birdwatching activities. Merki is very close Kazakh-Kyrgz border (Aisha Bibi – Chongkapka: border crossing between Taraz and Talas). Time permitting, and if you may desire we may cross a border. There is a small restaurant on the Kyrgyz side incase you want to enjoy Kyrgyz food. In both Kazakh and Kyrgyz, there are separate terms for those who hunt with birds of prey in general, and those who hunt with eagles. In Kazakh, both qusbegi and sayatshy refer to falconers in general.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: At eagle farmhouse with nomad family.

Day 5: Merki (Merke) - Almaty

Stop At: Almaty International Airport, Mailin St 2, Almaty 050039, Kazakhstan
Merki (Merke) – Almaty, after breakfast, you will spend some time bird watching and than hit the road again and head to Almaty (3 ~ 4 hour drive), where you will be dropped off at your hotel for an over night stay. Next morning, say goodbye to Kazakhstan as your exciting adventure comes to an end. Your hotel will transfer you to Almaty airport.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Your hotel in Almaty or to Almaty International airport to take a flight towards your next destination.