Historical Places Tour

Tour 2: Historical Places Tour
Duration: 5 days
In short: Almaty – Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent – Almaty – Issyk Lake – Almaty 

Day 1: Almaty - Shymkent
After your arrival you will have a city tour in Shymkent. The road from Almaty to Shymkent takes 4 hour. Due to the location of the Shymkent this city was on the crossroads of the Great Silk Road. It is located with the most ancient cities of the Middle Ages - Otar, Turkestan, Syganak, Sauran and others. Even being with such legendary cities, modern Shymkent continues to be a historical and cultural center in the south of Kazakhstan. It has industrial infrastructure and a lot of interesting places for tourism. You will visit such memorable places as the Alley of memory in the park named after Kaldayakov, the monument "Jer An", Ordabasy Square “20 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan Park”, Museum of Victims of Political Repressions, Obelisk of Glory, Walk of Fame, Eternal Flame for the Fallen in World War II, Arboretum.  Also you will visit the museum of local lore. Nigh is in the hotel. 

Day 2: Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent
Today you will have a day trip to Turkestan. It was built around 500 AD in the crossroad of caravans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva to northern Kazakhstan.  Also this city was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Due to the famous Sufi sheikh and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, this city gained impressive reputation; there is small mausoleum here for them (1166). This mausoleum was built by the order of Emir Temirlan, now it is an exceptional masterwork of medieval architecture and one of the main places of worship for Muslims. There are legends tell about many attempts to build a wall to mausoleum that failed. Tamerlan had a dream about saint and said to build a mausoleum over the grave of Arystan Bab, and only then - over the tomb of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, what Tamerlane did. That is why pilgrims primarily visit the mausoleum of Arystan Bab, and then Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Pilgrims say that three trips to Turkestan equal small Hajj to Mecca. In Turkestan you will visit "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, Hilvet underground mosque. Night is in the hotel

Day 3: Shymkent – Almaty
After your transfer to Almaty you will start to sightseeing to learn more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. At first you will see the place that even local people like – Green Bazaar. This place is the best to bargain and see a lot of the colorful goods. Then you will visit the one of the oldest part of the city - Panfilov Park. Here you can see Zenkov Cathedral that is considered to be one of the most magnificent wooden buildings. You will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, in memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After visiting the most outstanding places you will drive to the Medeo gorge. This gorge is famous to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflows. Then we will drive to the tallest TV tower in the world is situated - Kok Tobe hill. To reach it you will have a drive on the scenic winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can walk the winding road of the park, enjoy the picturesque view of the city from the observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs.
You will drive to City center by using famous Almaty cableway. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Almaty – Issyk Lake – Almaty
You road will go through the one of most outstanding gorges Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge. It runs along the Kuldja tract, where many years ago the trade caravans went.  On the way you will learn more about nature and history of this area, in addition you will see the burial mounds of Sakas period. There was found famous "Golden Man". That became a state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Furthermore you will have excursion in the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, where you will see the expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Sakas period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound. After exploration of the most iconic exhibit we continue our drive to Issyk Lake. It is alpine lake that is situated on the altitude of 1 756 meters above sea level. Due to landslide 10 000 years ago this lake was formed, furthermore the dam of 300 meters in height appeared. On the lake you can take a walk and enjoy the beauty of this lake, which can intrigue you with its wonderful water surface. And listen to the details of the natural disaster of 1963. Also at the lake you will have a picnic and time to enjoy its majestic beauty. Night is in the hotel.

Day 5: Flight
Transfer to the airport 

Price per person:
02 pax – 760 $
04 pax – 515 $
06 pax – 385 $
08 pax – 335 $
10 pax – 300 $
Single – 55 $

Early check-in – 20 $
Single early check-in – 30 $  

Half board – 80 $
Full board – 145 $ 

English speaking guide – 235 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Shymkent – “Shymkent” Hotel 3*
      Almaty – “Kazakhstan” 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

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