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Ancient Cities Of Kazakhstan Tour

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Must Visit City
Taraz
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Route: Taraz - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan (South Kazakhstan) Season: March - October DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Day 1. Taraz - Shymkent Arrival in Taraz by morning train from Almaty. Meeting at the railway station and transfer . .
Country: Kazakhstan
City: Taraz
Duration: 2 Day(s) - 1 Night(s)
Tour Category: Culture Tours
Departure Date: Thu 01 Jan '99
Package Itinerary

Route: Taraz - Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan (South Kazakhstan)

Season: March - October

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1. Taraz - Shymkent

Arrival in Taraz by morning train from Almaty. Meeting at the railway station and transfer to Taraz. Sightseeing at History Museum, Karakhan and Dautbek Mausoleum, Tekturmas Historical Complex.

Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan, the remains of which are hidden under the buildings of the modern city. Taraz, the ancient and the largest commercial and administrative center on the Silk Way in VII - VIII centuries, is dating back more than 2,000 years.

There are more than 70 monuments of archaeology, history, architecture, and monumental art in Taraz and the surrounding area. Thus, a unique monument of medieval architecture of the XI-XII centuries - Aisha Bibi Mausoleum - the only monument not only in Kazakhstan but in Central Asia, which is entirely decorated by terracotta and included in the UNESCO list of the most valuable historical and architectural monuments of mankind.

Transfer to Shymkent. On the way sightseeing at architectural monuments of the XI-XII centuries: Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum and Babaja-Hatum Mausoleum. Arrival at Shymkent. Accommodation in the hotel. Overnight in Shymkent.

Day 2. Shymkent - Otrar Settlement - Turkestan - Shymkent

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Departure to Otrar Settlement. Sightseeing at Arystan-Bab Mausoleum (teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi), an archaeological site of the ancient settlement of Otrar.

Otrar is the city where medieval philosopher and scientist Al-Farabi was born and lived. Otrar settlement was founded in the IV century BC. This center of trade and craftsmanship was the main point of the caravan routes between Eastern Europe and China.

In the late XIII century, Mongolian troops razed the city to the ground. But, despite the catastrophic devastation, Otrar rose from the ashes and in a relatively short time economically developed. The remains of the citadel and other large buildings, as well as the main gate and rabid, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers, have survived to the present days

Transfer to Turkestan. Sightseeing at "Azret-Sultan" historical and architectural complex, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, citadel with gates, Hammam, Hilvet underground mosque).

Turkestan was founded around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. The city was known as the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people in the XVI-XVIII centuries and was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate.

Turkestan has gained a wide international reputation due to the preaching activity of the famous Sufi sheik and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who was buried in a small mausoleum here in 1166. The existing mausoleum was erected after 233 years after his death by the order of an outstanding military leader Emir Tamerlane, and today it is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and one of the main places of worship for Muslims.

According to legend, all the attempts to build a wall of the mausoleum failed: in one version it was demolished by a big storm, in another version – it was a green bull who came and destroyed everything.

A saint, appeared in Tamerlane’s dream, and said that at first, you ought to build a mausoleum over the grave of Arystan Bab (teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi), 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 the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Pilgrims say that three trips to Turkestan equal a small Hajj to Mecca.

Transfer to Shymkent railway station. Departure to Almaty by the evening train.

TOUR PRICE: On request

TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:

1. Double accommodation in the Shymkent hotel
2. Transfer to/from railway stations and transportation according to the program in a comfortable A/C minivan
3. Sightseeing according to the program with English speaking guide
4. Admission fees during the tour
5. Meals: Standard Hotel Breakfast

TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

1. Accommodation in Almaty, if required
2. Railway tickets Almaty-Taraz/Shymkent-Almaty
3. Single accommodation supplement in Shymkent hotel
4. Meals (except hotel breakfast)
5. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required
6. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program

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