Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
Welcome to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Arrive Almaty
Your Accommodation
Rahat Palace Hotel
Rahat Palace Hotel is conveniently located near the city center with stunning views of the Tien Shan mountains. The hotel features elegant rooms and suites, a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center and multiple dining options.
Enjoy a full day tour of Almaty, a city with some interesting Russian architectural buildings surrounded by the Tienshan Mountains. Visit Panfilov Park, Zhenkov's Holy Ascension Cathedral, the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, the State Museum of Kazakhstan, the Central Mosque of Almaty and either Zeelyoni Bazaar or the Green Bazaar. In the evening drive to Kok Tyube to take a gondola ride to a panoramic view point of the city.
Almaty
Meal
Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Rahat Palace Hotel
Rahat Palace Hotel is conveniently located near the city center with stunning views of the Tien Shan mountains. The hotel features elegant rooms and suites, a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center and multiple dining options.
Embark on a day excursion to Tamgaly, a UNESCO World Heritage site located on a vast hill, featuring numerous rock engravings dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 20th century. The most remarkable are the Bronze and Iron Age petroglyphs, including solar symbols like the sun disc, depictions of animals such as ibexes, horses, and unicorns, as well as human figures engaged in ritual dances and tribal symbols from the Scythian period. A guided tour of this unique and significant site will provide insights into its historical importance. (approx. drive is 2.5 hours in each direction) In the afternoon, we return to Almaty for our overnight train journey to Taraz. Overnight: Train
Almaty to Tamgaly to Taraz
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Breakfast
Arrive in Taraz in the morning and transfer to a hotel restaurant for breakfast and to refresh. Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan and it was a major trade centre along the Silk Road. Take a short city tour of Taraz visiting the Museum of Taraz and Aisha Bibi mausoleum. Then travel to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, where you will overnight (approx. 2 hour drive).
Taraz to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve
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Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Aksu-Zhabagly Guest House
In the village of Zhabagly the house is designed to receive 11 people. The house in the mountains is designed to receive 10 tourists. There is a Kazakh national yurt. On the territory there is a place for camping. Installation of a tent in the territory of 1500 tenge + 1500 tenge per night per person. The campsite has a kitchen for tourists, 2 showers and 2 bathrooms.
Morning walking tour of Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia. The reserve is home to over a 1000 species of plants and over 50 species of mammals, including the rare snow leopard, and the Tien-Shan bear. Afterwards, travel to Shymkent city, once a soviet industrial town (approx. 2 hour drive).
Aksu-Zhabagly to Shymkent
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Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Aidana Plaza Hotel
Aidana Plaza Hotel features stylish rooms and suites, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, conference facilities, and a spa, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Take a full day excursion. Visit the ancient settlement of Otrar where you can see remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses. The site was first excavated in 1969 with a history dating back to the first century AD. It is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought heroically (though unsuccessfully) when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. Then proceed to Turkestan to visit the Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi, Kazakhstan's most iconic building. Built by Tamerlane, it is said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. Return to your hotel in Shymkent. Approx. driving time Shymkent to Otrar (2 hrs), Otrar to Turkestan (1.5 hrs), and Turkestan to Shymkent (2.5 hrs).
Shymkent (Otrar and Turkestan)
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Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Aidana Plaza Hotel
Aidana Plaza Hotel features stylish rooms and suites, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, conference facilities, and a spa, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Cross the border into Uzbekistan and then transfer to the capital city of Tashkent (approx. 2 hr drive). Tashkent is one of the largest cities in Central Asia. Take a sightseeing tour around the city to visit the old town, Khast Imom Complex, Kukeldash Madrassah, Friendship Square, Independent Square and Museum of Applied Arts. After the tour take the train to Samarkand together with your guide (train time is approx. 3 hrs). Arrive at in Samarkand in the late evening and transfer to your hotel.
Shymkent to Tashkent to Samarkand
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Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Hotel Grand Samarkand
Set in the heart of Samarkand, our hotels offers Uzbek and European cuisine, a garden and free Wi-Fi in public areas. The Old Town district and Registan Square are within a 10-minute drive. Grand Samarkand Restaurants is decorated with traditional Uzbek rugs and serves Uzbek and European cuisine. A wide range of wines and fine drinks is offered at the bar. Both Samarkand Airport and Samarkand Train Station are an 8-minute drive from Hotels Grand Samarkand Superior. A shuttle service is available for an extra fee, and free on-site parking is also offered.
Take a full day city tour of Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road cities. Samarkand was greatly admired for its gardens and vegetation and was a flourishing city during the Silk Road period. The city has a very interesting history having been invaded by Macedonians under Alexander the Great, and by the Mongols and was also visited by Marco Polo. Visit the Shakh-i-Zinda mausoleum including monuments from the 14th and 15th centuries and architecture from the Timurid dynasty. Also visit Registan Square, the great central square of Samarkand, the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Afrosiab Museum, Ulugbek's Observatory and the Silk Road bazaar. Drive to Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane to watch the sunset over the blue dome (weather permitting). In the evening return to Registan Square to see the illuminated madrassahs.
Samarkand
Meal
Breakfast
Your Accommodation
Hotel Grand Samarkand
Set in the heart of Samarkand, our hotels offers Uzbek and European cuisine, a garden and free Wi-Fi in public areas. The Old Town district and Registan Square are within a 10-minute drive. Grand Samarkand Restaurants is decorated with traditional Uzbek rugs and serves Uzbek and European cuisine. A wide range of wines and fine drinks is offered at the bar. Both Samarkand Airport and Samarkand Train Station are an 8-minute drive from Hotels Grand Samarkand Superior. A shuttle service is available for an extra fee, and free on-site parking is also offered.
Day at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Samarkand Departure
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Breakfast
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