Turkistan: 3 Days of Discovery

Duration:3 days / 2 nights

Season: March – October

Route: Turkistan Railway Station / Airport → Turkistan City → Otrar Settlement → Arystan Bab Mausoleum → Turkistan ("Hazret Sultan" Museum-Reserve) → Turkistan → Railway Station / Airport

Route Type:Historical · Ethnic · Educational · Natural

Day 1 — Welcome to Turkistan: A City of Light and Legend

Arrival & Orientation

  • Meeting with the guide at Turkistan Airport or Railway Station

  • On the way to the hotel: an introductory overview of the old and modern parts of the city

14:00 – Check-in at the hotel (based on selected accommodation option)

16:30–18:00 — Evening Stroll: The New Face of Turkistan

  • Guided walk along the embankment

  • Discover the tourist zone of the city:

    • Decorative fountains

    • Contemporary museums

    • Elegant guest and hotel complexes

18:30–19:30 — Dinner at Arbat Restaurant (based on selected option)

Sample menu includes:
Balguyn salad, Achichuk, Pilaf, Flatbread, 0.5 portion of manty, Arbat tea

After dinner: free time

21:00 — Water Show “Kyz Zhybek & Tolegen”

A breathtaking floating theatrical performance based on a Kazakh epic love story, presented in two acts:

  • Act I: A parade of boats, each featuring a character from the legend, sails along the Karavansaray canal

  • Act II: The story unfolds in the central harbor, blending water choreography, theatrical movement, and dancing fountains

The original musical score was composed exclusively for the show by Syrym Nabikulov, a renowned Kazakh composer.

Day 2 — Echoes of the Silk Road: Sacred Sites & Ancient Civilizations

07:00–07:45 — Early Breakfast at the Hotel

08:00 — Departure to Arystan Bab Mausoleum & Otrar Settlement

09:30 — Visit to Arystan Bab Mausoleum

A sacred site of pilgrimage and Sufi heritage:

  • Revered Muslim saint and mentor to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

  • Said to have passed the sacred “amanat” (symbol of faith) to Yasawi

  • Originally built in the 12th century, restored by Amir Timur in the 14th

  • Located near Otrar, this mausoleum remains a spiritual cornerstone of the region

10:30 — Transfer to Otrar Settlement

Step back into the world of ancient scholars and merchants:

  • Once the heart of a vast 2,500 km² oasis

  • A key city on the Silk Road, with its own mint, baths, and grand library

  • Birthplace of famed philosopher Al-Farabi

  • Destroyed in the 13th century by the Mongols, its ruins still rise above the steppe

  • Archaeological excavations reveal streets, homes, and over 100 nearby fortified sites

11:30–12:30 — Return Transfer to Turkistan

12:45–13:45 — Lunch (menu may include)

Greek salad, eggplant salad, mastava soup, baursaks, beef samsa, zhent, berry tea

14:00–17:00 — Tour of Kone Turkistan (Ancient Turkistan)

Explore sacred and historic landmarks:

  • Ancient citadel (2nd century BCE)

  • Fire temple of the Kangyuy and Sarmatians in Kultobe park

  • 400-year-old oriental bathhouse

  • “Gar” — the underground cell of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

  • Streets of ancient artisans and merchants

  • Underground mosque Hilvet

  • The iconic Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

  • Insights into epigraphic inscriptions on the mausoleum’s facade

17:30–18:15 — Visit to the Altyn Samruk Museum (Flying Theater)

An immersive cultural experience:

  • A multimedia journey through Kazakhstan’s past and landscapes

  • Led by the legendary bird Altyn Samruk, soar virtually over:

    • The Caspian Sea

    • Charyn Canyon

    • Kolsai Lakes

    • The vast Kazakh steppe

  • Includes interactive zones, cinematic visuals, and 3D immersion

18:45–19:45 — Dinner (sample menu)

Vegetable platter, Gidjuvan kebab, beef & chicken kebabs, Uzbek flatbread, Tashkent tea, mineral water

20:00 — Return to the Hotel & Overnight Stay

Day 3 — Knowledge & Identity: The Spirit of the Great Steppe

08:00–09:00 — Breakfast at the Hotel

09:00 — Walk to the Farab Library (exterior tour and guide narration)

Explore the vision of knowledge in modern Kazakhstan:

  • A high-tech book depository with panoramic glass reading rooms

  • Second floor: creative workshops, studios, and coworking spaces

  • Basement: scientific research center, archive for rare books and manuscripts, and labs for digitization and conservation

A symbol of intellectual progress rooted in timeless tradition

Visit to the Uly Dala Eli Museum (tickets included)

A striking cultural center dedicated to the legacy of the Great Steppe:

  • Exhibits on:

    • Ancient metallurgy

    • Equestrian heritage

    • The Kazakh Khanate

    • The Turkic world

    • Kazakhstan’s natural resources and vision for the future

  • Highlights include:

    • The Turkic Hall with a 14-meter 3D sphere

    • A glass bridge over a massive map of Kazakhstan

    • Elegant architectural details: bas-reliefs, multimedia zones, and inlaid floors

Transfer to the Airport / Railway Station

Farewell and departure from Turkistan.

Tour Inclusions & Pricing Details

Included in the Tour Price:

  • Services of a certified Russian-speaking guide (1 guide for the full 3-day tour)

  • Meals as outlined in the tour program

  • Transportation with an experienced driver for the entire journey

  • Entrance fees to all listed attractions

  • Museum visits as per the itinerary

  • Accommodation in a selected hotel category

  • Daily breakfast included with the hotel stay

  • Transfers to/from the airport or railway station

  • 0.5L of bottled water per person per day

Not Included:

  • Professional photo and video shooting fees

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, etc.)

  • Services not specified in the itinerary

  • Domestic and international airfare/train tickets

  • Early check-in at the hotel (before official time)

Additional Information

  • Groups larger than 10 people are priced upon request

  • Holiday departures are calculated separately

  • Pricing is based on a Russian-speaking guide

    • Guide services in other languages available upon request

  • Children under 12: pricing available upon request

    • 12 years and older: charged at adult rate

Pre-Travel Recommendations

Clothing & Footwear by Season:

Spring / Autumn:

  • Comfortable walking shoes and clothing

  • Light jacket or raincoat, windbreaker

  • Headwear and waterproof footwear

Summer:

  • Hat (panama or sunhat), sunglasses, sunscreen

  • Lightweight, breathable clothing

  • Comfortable walking shoes

Winter:

  • Warm clothing, insulated footwear

  • Gloves, hat, and scarf

Visiting Religious Sites:

  • Head covering required (especially for women)

  • Clothes should cover shoulders and knees

  • Avoid bright, revealing, or tight clothing

Recommended to Bring:

  • Personal first aid kit and medications

  • Individual water bottle

  • Charged phone and power bank

  • Cash in Kazakhstani tenge

Tour Costs (per person, double occupancy, B&B basis):

Hotel Category 2 people in group 6 people in group 10 people in group
Hotel 3★ 90,000 KZT 75,000 KZT 58,000 KZT
Hotel 4★ 93,000 KZT 78,000 KZT 60,000 KZT
Hotel 5★ 100,000 KZT 88,000 KZT 72,000 KZT

Supplements:

Hotel Category Single Occupancy Half Board (2 meals/day) Full Board (3 meals/day)
Hotel 3★ 27,500 KZT 17,000 KZT 33,000 KZT
Hotel 4★ 36,300 KZT 17,000 KZT 33,000 KZT
Hotel 5★ 47,300 KZT 17,000 KZT 33,000 KZT

Important Notes:

  • If you feel unwell during the tour, notify your guide immediately

  • The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather or group conditions

  • The organizers reserve the right to make last-minute changes for safety or operational reasons

  • If the chosen hotel is unavailable, a similar-standard alternative will be provided

  • Inform organizers of allergies or dietary needs in advance

  • Unused meals are non-refundable