Three Cultural Capitals of Kazakhstan

Almaty – Turkestan – Otyrar – Shymkent – Sayram – Astana
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Tour type: Cultural-historical, combined (land + air)
Activity level: Moderate
Season: Year-round
Ideal for: Lovers of history, architecture, and urban culture

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Almaty

  • Arrival at Almaty Airport, transfer to hotel

  • Check-in (from 12:00)

  • Free time for rest or independent walk
    Overnight in Almaty

Day 2 – Almaty: City at the Foot of the Mountains

6-hour guided city tour

  • Panfilov Park and WWII Memorial

  • Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral)

  • Museum of National Kazakh Instruments

  • Green Bazaar

  • Republic Square

  • Medeu High-Mountain Ice Rink

  • Kok-Tobe Hill (cable car up & down, Beatles monument, panoramic sunset view)
    ✈️ Evening flight: Almaty → Turkestan
    Overnight in Turkestan

Day 3 – Turkestan – Otyrar – Shymkent

Spiritual capital of Kazakhstan:

  • Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO site)

  • Underground Hilvet mosque, 16th-century hammam, citadel
     Drive to Otyrar (75 km / 1h 15min):

  • Mausoleum of Arystan Bab
    transfer to Shymkent (145 km / 2h), hotel check-in
    Overnight in Shymkent (3–4★ hotel depending on package)

Day 4 – Southern Legacy: Sayram + Flight to Astana

  • Free time in the morning, check-out by 12:00
    City tour in Shymkent:

  • South Kazakhstan Regional Museum

  • Museum of Military Glory in Abay Park

  • Ethnographic Museum "Kyluet"

  • "Altyn Orda" Art Gallery (Beisbekov family)
     Drive to Sayram (15 km):

  • Mausoleums of Ibrahim Ata and Karashash Ana (parents of Yasawi)

  • Minaret of Khizir Prophet
     Evening flight to Astana
    Overnight in Shymkent or Astana (3–4★)

Day 5 – Astana: Capital of Independent Kazakhstan

Arrival in Astana at 09:00
City tour (4–5 hours) including hotel check-in time:

  • Independence Square & “Kazakh Eli” Monument

  • Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (by Norman Foster)

  • Baiterek Tower (city panorama)

  • Khan Shatyr Shopping Center (world’s largest tent)
    Overnight in Astana (4★ hotel)

Day 6 – Farewell & Departure

  • Free morning

  • Check-out by 12:00

  • Airport transfer
    End of the tour