1-Day Tour from Turkistan: Otrar and the Spiritual Origins of the Great Steppe

Duration: 1 day

Period: Season: March – October

Route: City of Turkistan – Otrar Settlement – Arystan Bab Mausoleum – Turkistan (Hazret Sultan Museum-Reserve) – Turkistan

Tour Type: Historical, Ethnic, Educational, Natural

1-Day Tour from Turkistan: Otrar and the Spiritual Origins of the Great Steppe

Itinerary:

07:00 – 07:45 – Early breakfast at the hotel
08:00 – Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and depart toward Arystan Bab Mausoleum and the Otrar settlement

09:30 – Visit to Arystan Bab Mausoleum

Arystan Bab was a revered Muslim saint and spiritual mentor, believed to have lived in the 11th–12th centuries.
A prominent Sufi sheikh and Islamic preacher, he is considered the teacher of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — a great poet, philosopher, and the founder of Turkic Sufism.

According to legend, he passed on sacred spiritual knowledge, the "amanat", to Yasawi.
Located near the ruins of Otrar, the mausoleum is a pilgrimage site for Muslims and was restored in the 14th century under the orders of Amir Timur.

10:30 – Transfer to Otrar settlement

The legendary city of Otrar was, according to legend, burned to the ground by Genghis Khan for its defiance.
In medieval times, it was the religious and trading capital of a vast oasis at the confluence of the Arys and Syr Darya rivers.

Otrar was an intellectual and economic hub along the Silk Road — known for its coin minting, public baths with heating systems, and an enormous library rivaling those of the ancient world.
It is also the birthplace of the renowned philosopher Al-Farabi.

Though destroyed in the 13th century during the Mongol invasion, the ruins remain an impressive archaeological site. Visitors can explore ancient streets, house foundations, and remnants of over 100 former settlements.

11:30 – 12:30 – Return transfer to Turkistan
12:45 – 13:45 – Lunch (menu may vary: Greek salad, eggplant salad, mastava, baursaks, beef samsa, zhent, berry tea)

14:00 – 17:00 – Guided Tour: Köne Turkistan (Ancient Turkistan)

  • Ancient citadel from the 2nd century BC

  • Cultobe Archaeological Park: Fire temple of the Kangyuy and Sarmatian peoples

  • 400-year-old Eastern bathhouse

  • Underground cell (Gār) of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

  • Streets of old craftsmen and merchants' quarters

  • Underground mosque Hilvet

  • Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Khanaqah) — with interpretation of epigraphic inscriptions on its facade

17:30 – 18:15 – Visit to the Altyn Samruk Museum

The ALTYN SAMURYQ Flying Theater is a unique multimedia museum project with no analogues in Central Asia.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, the mystical bird Altyn Samruk takes you on a magical journey across Kazakhstan’s natural and historical landmarks — from the Caspian Sea to the Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes — letting you feel both the grandeur of the mountains and the spirit of the Kazakh steppe.

The center also features immersive exhibits about the history of the Kazakh people and the life of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

18:45 – 19:45 – Dinner (optional menu: vegetable platter, ghijuvan, beef shashlik, chicken shashlik, Uzbek flatbread, Tashkent tea, mineral water)
20:00 – Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Turkistan

included in the tour price:

  • Services of a certified English-speaking guide (1 guide per group)

  • Meals as per the program (depending on selected option)

  • Transportation with an experienced driver throughout the tour

  • Entrance tickets to all listed attractions

  • Museum visits included in the route

  • 0.5L bottle of drinking water per person

Not included in the tour price:

  • Fees for professional photo/video shoots

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional meals, etc.)

  • Any services not mentioned in the tour program

  • Transfers to/from airport or railway station

Additional Notes:

  • Prices for groups over 10 people — on request

  • Prices for public holidays — calculated separately

  • Prices listed for tours conducted in Russian. English or other language guides — on request

  • Children under 12 years old — price upon request

  • Children aged 12 and above — charged as adults

Traveler’s Checklist

Clothing Recommendations (seasonal):

Spring / Autumn:

  • Comfortable walking clothes and shoes

  • Light jacket or raincoat

  • Windbreaker and head covering

  • Waterproof footwear for field visits

Summer:

  • Hat or cap

  • Sunglasses and sunscreen

  • Breathable, lightweight clothing

  • Comfortable walking shoes

Winter:

  • Warm clothing

  • Insulated shoes, gloves, hat, scarf

Visiting Religious Sites:

  • Head covering required (especially for women)

  • Shoulders and knees must be covered

  • Avoid bright, tight-fitting, or revealing clothing

What to Bring:

  • Personal first-aid kit and medications

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Charged phone + power bank

  • Cash in local currency (Kazakhstani tenge)

Tour Pricing (per person):

Group Size Price per Person (KZT)
2 people 34,500 ₸
6 people 26,000 ₸
10 people 20,300 ₸

Optional Meal Add-ons:

Option Price per Person (KZT)
Lunch only 6,500 ₸
Full board (lunch + dinner) 12,800 ₸

Important:
If you feel unwell during the tour, notify your guide immediately.
The program may be adjusted due to weather conditions or group readiness.
In case of hotel unavailability, equivalent accommodation will be provided.
Meals not used are non-refundable. Please inform the organizers in advance about any allergies or dietary restrictions.