Title of tour: Southern honor of Kazakhstan

Days / Nights: 7 days, 6 nights 

Overnights: Almaty, Shymkent 

Day 1: Almaty
Your driver and guide will wait you at the airport in Almaty and transfer you to the city. We always start our tour of the southern capital from the city center, since it is a historical stronghold not only of the city, but also of the entire Republic. In the Central part of Almaty, there are key historical monuments and complexes that preserve the memory of many significant events. Traveling through the center of the southern capital, you can learn about them and what impact they have had on the development of the city. At the beginning of the tour, tourists will be able to see the sights that the country is proud of Park 28 panfilovtsam, equipped in the city not so long ago, but loved by local residents, Memorial of glory, Holy ascension Cathedral, which is located on the territory of the park. The temple was built by architects without nails and equipment, but despite this, it suffered many natural disasters without any consequences. Further along the route, the group will proceed to the Republic Square and the independence monument. These are two symbols of the city that represent modern Kazakhstan. Their projects were developed by the best experts in the field of architecture and urban planning. Tourists will also be able to see the rest of the city's squares: Abay and Astana, as well as visit other parks in Almaty. Culture plays a special role for the city. The excursion route includes visits to places where the Opera and ballet theater is located. Abaya, as well as the Palace of the Republic. The Palace of the Republic is of great importance today, as it hosts celebrations on a national scale. After exploring the city center, the group will proceed to another part of the southern capital. The second half of the tour will take place at the Medeo high-altitude skating rink and Kok-Tobe mountain. On Medeo there is a large sports complex, where a skating rink functions for everyone. Here is the preparation of athletes for international competitions. On mount Kok-Tobe, which is located at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level, tourists can enjoy the city from a bird's eye view and see many attractions. These include the Kok-Tobe TV tower and the Beatles monument. The route ends with a descent to the city via the Almaty cable car. Overnight is in night train Almaty - Taraz.  Train #379T 20:16 – 08:11(This is subject to change.)

Day 2: Almaty – Taraz – Sairam – Shymkent
On the way tourists will acquaint with pearls of architecture, mausoleums of Karakhan and Dautbek (10 – 13th CC.), the mausoleum of Tekturmas (15th century) baths Kali Yunus, mausoleums Aisha – Bibi and Babaji Khatun (10 – 12V.). Visit the regional museum of local history, which is more than 2000 m. Exposition area. Here tourists can get acquainted with the history of the city, see bright and rich archaeological finds (a unique collection of stone statues of balpolans), indicating that the city was the center of an important and highly developed cultural and economic area. In the exhibition hall, guests of the city will see the works of contemporary artists, sculptors and masters of applied art. Their works are imbued with national color and love for our ancient land. Then we will go to the Shymkent. The exact place is called Sairan which is closely related with Silk Road. They will see the unique beauty of Sairam. The night is in Shymkent.

Day 3: Shymkent – Otrar Settlement – Turkestan – Shymkent
In the morning we will drive to Otrar Settlement. The Otrar oasis is located at the confluence of the Arys river with the Syr Darya, an area of ancient agriculture and one of the main urban centers of southern Kazakhstan, which existed from the turn of our era to the 18th century. The oasis has a state historical and cultural reserve Ancient Otrar, where many protected archaeological sites representing the remains of cities, located in the Central portion of the Great silk Road, among which is Otrar Tobe. The Arystanbab mausoleum is also located here.

The oasis has a state historical and cultural reserve Ancient Otrar, where many protected archaeological sites representing the remains of cities, located in the Central portion of the Great silk Road, among which is Otrar Tobe. Arystanbab mausoleum is an interesting architectural monument of the XII-XX centuries, the mausoleum on the grave of the teacher and spiritual mentor Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a religious mystic and preacher Arystanbab. It is located 2 kilometers from the settlement of Otrar and the village of Shaulder, 150 kilometers from Shymkent. The monument is one of the main places of worship for Muslims in the southern region. In the village of Shaulder there is a beautiful Museum of Ancient Otrar. Turkestan is a famous city and cult center of southern Kazakhstan. For a long time it was the capital of the Kazakh khanate. The night is in Shymkent.

Day 4: Shymkent – Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve – Shymkent
You will have a breakfast and we will transfer you to Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve. Established in 1926, the Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve is the oldest in central Asia. It protects part of the Talasky Alatau range of the western Tian Shan Mountains. The territory of the reserve ranges in height from 1,100m to Peak Sayram at more than 4,200m, the latter resting at the boundary between the Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve and Sayram-Ugam National Park. Peak Sayram is a popular place for mountain climbers; Russian singer-songwriter Vladimir Vysotsky is among those who have made it to the summit. The reserve offers a range of environments from steppe to upland meadows, juniper forest and snow-capped mountaintops fringed by large glaciers. At the end the transportation to Shymkent where you will spend the night.

Day 5: Shymkent
The modern city of Shymkent has a population of more than half-million people and is one of the top three cities in Kazakhstan, simultaneously being the industrial, trading and cultural center of the South Kazakhstan Region (SKR). Shymkent with its rich history and culture emerged on the crossing of caravan roads as one of the stops along the Great Silk Road and is along the row of the most ancient cities of Central Asia. Shymkent is the industrial, trading and cultural center of South Kazakhstan Region (SKR). Shymkent has drastically changed in recent years, in many respects due to the rapid development of entrepreneurial business not only in Shymkent, but also in the South-Kazakhstan Region. Shymkent with its rich history and cultural background emerged on the crossing of caravan roads at one of the stops along the Great Silk Road and is considered among the group of most historical cities of Central Asia. Shymkent is a city of specific interest for the tourists, historians and archeologists because the tourist routes to numerous resorts, exotic and historic places start here. Guests of Shymkent city can enjoy modern hotels, airport, railway and bus stations, and international communication with any place in the world, historical sights, variety and magnificence of natural landscapes, kindliness and hospitality of Shymkent residents. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 6: Shymkent – Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
In the morning is a flight from Shymkent to Almaty. After arrival we will go to Issyk Lake. Today your destination is unique gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau that lies along the Kuldja tract - Issyk Gorge. This place is interesting due to the fact that many years ago endless chain of caravans passed here. During the drive you will hear lot of information about his region and see the burial mounds of Sakas period, where the famous "Golden Man" was found. "Golden Man» is the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On the way we will have a stop to have excursion at the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK", here you will be able to witness 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 it we will continue our drive to continue our drive to mountainous Lake Issyk that located on the altitude of 1756 meters above sea level.  This lake appeared because the huge landslide happened about 10,000 years ago dam of 300 m high was formed. You will be amazed of the mysterious beauty of this lake. Moreover you will have an opportunity to learn about the details of the natural disaster of 1963. Night is in a hotel.

Day 7: Flight
There will be a breakfast in the morning and check out from the hotel. Then we will transfer you to the hotel.

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

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 200 $
04 pax – 885 $
06 pax – 675 $
08 pax – 670 $
10 pax – 585 $
Single – 80 $

Half board – 150 $ per person
Full board – 270 $ per person 

English speaking guide – 830 $ per group 

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

Flight Shymkent - Almaty – from 75 $ per person 

Accommodation in Almaty in Day1 (if required):
Standard Double/Twin room – 30 $ per person
Standard Single room – 50 $

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
- Accommodation in Almaty in Day1
- Domestic flight Shymkent – Almaty
- Domestic train ticket: Almaty – Taraz