The Spirit of Great History: Taraz-Shymkent-Turkestan

1 Day

Taraz

Arrival in Taraz. Check into a hotel.

Driving from Taraz to Akyrtas (47 km)

Akyrtas is a mysterious medieval palace compleх. According to archeologists the construction is dated back to the second half of XIII century. The complex is composed of large processed stone blocks. In 2004, archaeological excavations and restoration works started here, the ancient appearance of this building is going to be restored.

Visit the other unique architectural complex - Tekturmas mausoleum, built in the 14th century on the right bank of the Talas River. This area is considered the burial place of the Sultan of Mahmudkhan, the great commander of the Karakhanid empire. The mausoleum is one of the ancient places of worship. In 2002, a new mausoleum was built in the old place.

Visit Karakhan Mausoleum built on XI century, on the grave of the governor of big territory and founder of huge Karakhanid empire. The mausoleum is located in the central part of Taraz city. There are many legends about personality of Karakhan, most of them associated with young and beautiful Aisha, her mausoleum is located about 20 km away from Taraz.

Sightseeing tour to historical and cultural center “Kone Taraz”, where tourists will see the Monument to Taraz melody, House of Friendship, Observation Tower, Mynbulak Alley, history  and archeological excavations, Kone TarazMuseum, Monument to Zhambyl Zhabayev.

2 Day

Shymkent

After breakfast departure to Shymkent (180 km).

On the way to Shymkent visit Aisha-bibi Mausoleum –  the only architectural monument in Kazakhstan and Central Asia that is fully lined with carved terracotta tiles. Mahmoud Karakhan Shah built a mausoleum as a sign of love for his beloved Aisha.

Arrival to Shymkent. Check in to a hotel. Lunch.

Sightseeing tour in Shymkent, including visiting of local bazar, Independence Park, Baidibek Bi Monument, Dendropark (arboretum park), Historical Museum which embodied not only the history, life and culture of the ancient cities of the Great Silk Road, such as Otrar, Sairam, Turkestan, and others, but also traditions, customs, arts, crafts, civilizations and special features of the spiritual identity of the Kazakhs.

Overnight at the hotel.

3 Day

Turkestan

Drive to Turkestan. (170 km, 3.5-4 hours). On the way visit Arystan bab mausoleum. According to legends Arystan Baba, a religious mystic, was the recipient of Mohammad's amanat beads or persimmon stone. When he was in Sayram he then passed these on to the eleven-year-old Khodja Akhmed Yassaui who became his pupil. 

Visit the ruins of Otrar city. The ancient settlement at Otrar was first excavated in 1969. There were a number of brick structures, including a palace, mosques, a bath-house and ovens. One of the residents of Otrar or Farab at that time was the philosopher Abu Nasr al Farabi. A man of encyclopaedic breadth of interest - he was a philosopher, poet, composer, linguist, mathematician, doctor, agronomist and botanist. Otrar is also known for its heroic but ultimately unsuccessful defence against Genghis Khan’s forces.                                                                                        

Arrival to Turkestan. Lunch. Visit the mausoleum of Khodja Ahmed Yassaui. The structure was commissioned in 1389 by Timur, who ruled the area as part of the expansive Timurid Empire, to replace a smaller 12th-century mausoleum of the famous Turkic poet and Sufi mystic, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (1093–1166). However, construction was halted with the death of Timur in 1405. The mausoleum of Khoja Ahmet Yasawi is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Drive back to Shymkent (2 hours). Overnight at the hotel.

4 Day

Shymkent

Free time.

Flight back home.