Best of South Kazakhstan

8-Days Package

Shaitankol, The dead lake Karkaraly national park

OVerview Itinerary Price Tour Details

Overview:

Welcome to south Kazakhstan. Almaty Expeditions team offers you an 8-day package tour of south Kazakhstan where you will have the opportunity to see canyons, alpine meadows, snow-capped Tien Shan mountains, endless steppes, historical heritage, ancient mausoleums, meet local people and learn about their traditions and culture.

During the expedition you will be accompanied by a local team consisting of an English speaking guide who is knowledgeable and friendly and an experienced driver who will take you from one place to another in comfort.

Kazakhstan is a big country and rich in beautiful places and must see attractions. This tour is designed to see and explore the main highlights of southern part of Kazakhstan starting from Almaty and further east, covering Shymkent and Turkistan regions. Despite its previous classification within the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan shares physical and cultural traits with other Central Asian countries, making it a significant and unique nation in the region.

shymkent Turkistan region south kazakhstan

The tour starts and finishes in Almaty and on day 0 we will meet you upon your arrival in the city. This is a day of rest and preparation for the trip. There will be some long drives which will take about 3-4 hours.

The best activities included in the tour are hiking, horse riding, visiting museums and archaeological sites, meeting locals, experiencing cultures, enjoying hospitality and trying traditional regional food and drinks.

Come & Enjoy our best-planned South Kazakhstan Highlights tour!

Itinerary:

Welcome to Almaty. Our team will meet you upon arrival in Almaty airport or bus station. If you already in town great, we invite you to welcome dinner and get ready for our trip

Here we go! Our guide will pick you up from your location and take you north to Charyn Canyons National Park. The South Kazakhstan Region, where Charyn Canyon is located, is a vast and diverse area, covering over 117,000 square kilometers. This region is home to a population of over 2 million people, with a mix of ethnic groups, including Kazakhs, Russians, and Uzbeks. The administrative center of the region is the city of Turkistan, which is also the largest city in the region.

Charyn Canyon, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia,” offers magnificent scenery and excellent hiking opportunities. The canyon’s striking resemblance to the Grand Canyon in the United States makes it a must-see attraction. In the evening, we will head to the small village of Saty, where you will stay overnight at a local guest house, experiencing the warm hospitality of the region.

As you explore Charyn Canyon and the surrounding areas, you’ll be immersed in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the South Kazakhstan Region. Enjoy the hike and the stunning views, and get ready for more adventures in the days to come.

Today you can hike from Lower Kolsai Lake to Middle Kolsai Lake. Hiking time is 6 hours. Upon arrival at Kolsai Lake you will see a clear mountain lake surrounded by beautiful forest. Return to Saty village.

Lake Kaindy is famous for its mysterious appearance. The lake was formed as a result of 1911 earthquake with magnitude 8.3. Great hike. In the evening we go back to Almaty and you will be taken to 4-star hotel

Take domestic flight to Shymkent city. This is the third largest city and cultural center of Kazakhstan. Other cities in the Turkistan Region include Turkistan, Kentau, and Arys, which provide a broader understanding of the region’s demographics and geography. On arrival at the airport you will be met by our local guide and taken on city tour. Enjoy the best of Shymkent and try the best kebabs at Ken Baba Family Park and visit ancient citadel of Shymkent. Walk in Denropark. Overnight at local hotel.

Ak Meshit Cave is one of the natural wonders of the world, where you can see 200 square meters of cave and hear local legends. Next attraction is beautiful Aksu Gorge. It is located in Aksu – Zhabagly Nature Reserve. Walk and enjoy the nature. These sites are not only natural marvels but also hold cultural significance, reflecting the rich history and diverse human populations of the local communities. Back to Shymkent

Kazakhstan, as an independent republic since its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, is rich in historical heritage. Turkistan, also known as the “Land of the Turks”, is one of the significant sites in this largest republic in Central Asia. Our first attraction is the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, who was a teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Locals believe that one must first visit Arystan Bab and then visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Please dress appropriately as we are visiting a holy place and do not hurt the feelings of the locals.

Archaeological monuments of these places date back to Otrar town in medieval times. Research conducted in archaeological studies has uncovered significant historical findings in Otrar City. After many years of excavations these sites were included in Otrar Oasis Historical and Cultural Reserve. Fly back to Almaty in the evening

Today we will take you on Almaty Day Tour and show you the main attractions of Almaty. Enjoy the views from Shymbulak Ski Resort at foot of Ile-Alatau Mountains. In the evening we will take you to Kok Tobe Hill where you will see great views of Almaty city. Farewell dinner at the restaurant. Drop off at hotel. End of the tour. Thank you!

The historical and cultural influences of Russian institutions, such as the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, have significantly shaped the region, adding a rich layer to your experience of research in Almaty.

Best of South Kazakhstan

Duration: 8-Days
Availability: Four seasons
Best time: April-November
Begin and end: Almaty
Tour type: Sightseeing
Price from: 1950 USD p.p

Our highlights

Kolsai Lakes National Park
Charyn Canyon, Valley of Castle
Shymbulak, Medeu, Kok Tobe
Shymkent, Turkistan
Aisha Bibi, Arystan Bad, Koja Ahmed Yasawi
Otrar city

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Tour Price Includes

Fly ticket Almaty-Shymkent-Almaty
Land Transportation
English speaking guide
Local Driver
Accommodation
Eat & Drink
Fees & Permits
Activities

Tour price excludes

Personal needs
Alcoholic beverages
Gratitude

Tour details:

Please bring everything you think you might need. Here are some tips: day pack, sunglasses, anti-mosquito, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, hand sanitizer, toiletries, power bank, camera, headlamp, hat, hiking shoes, warm jacket, sandals, personal medicine. And please have some cash in case you want to go shopping or buy souvenirs.

This is a city tour, not a wilderness tour. There are plenty of places to go to the toilet. But please let your guide know in advance. Sometimes in traffic it can be difficult to find and stop for the toilet, so please make sure you go to the toilet before you get in the car. Thank you very much.

Here is our cancellation policy that we recommend our clients to follow.

Cancel the tour more than 2 months, 50% of half your deposit will be rebussed (300 USD)

Cancel within less than 1 month, please note the deposit will not be refunded (600 USD)

We will visit the places and see the attractions as per our itinerary. We will guide you with pleasure and give you great expediton.

We are not responsible for any major unexpected problem during the tour. We are not responsible for the city traffic and at the end we are not responsible for the bad weather conditions that you should be prepared for in advance.

Please do not hurt the feelings of the locals and respect their traditions. When visiting the mausoleum, mosque and other local holy places, please dress accordingly. Please be ready for the trip on time. And if there is any problem please inform your guide first.

Generally there are no problems on this trip but we are travelling and let’s enjoy the moment! Group atmosphere is important and as an experienced team we will try to make the tour as comfortable as possible and ask you to help us.

One third of the genetic composition of South Kazakhstan clans is influenced by various haplogroups, illustrating the genetic diversity within other ethnic groups and these clans.

This tour is available all year round. Best time is from end of March to November. During this period the weather is warm and in the middle of summer it gets very hot. However in some mountainous areas you may feel cold due to the altitude and we ask you to bring warm jacket in this case. Please check the weather forecast before you travel.

To confirm your trip we ask you to pay 600 USD DEPOSIT and the balance can be paid 2 months before the tour start date. We ask you to make your payment by bank transfer (SWIFT CODE)

All accommodation is based on local standards and during the expedition you will stay in variety of types of accommodation, from 4-star hotel in the capital city centre to local guest houses.

During the trip we will have meals at the best local restaurants. Also you will have opportunity to try the traditional meals and drinks

You will be supported by locals consisting English speaking guide and driver.