Nurzhigit.
Written by Indy Guide from Nurzhigit's trips and guest reviews
About this host
Nurzhigit is a driver and guide based in Taraz, in southern Kazakhstan. He works alone, driving his own car and guiding travelers personally across southern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
His trips cover the historical sites around Taraz, Turkestan, Otyrar and Shymkent, including the Khoja Ahmed Yasavi mausoleum and Aisha-Bibi, as well as longer routes into Kyrgyzstan toward Bishkek, Issyk-Kul and Karakol. He also offers a gastronomic tour built around a homestay in Taraz, and day trips to gorges and mountain lakes such as Koksay and Jeti-Oguz. Winter and summer versions of the Issyk-Kul region routes are both on offer.
Trips are private and built around the traveler's own pace and interests rather than fixed group itineraries. Nurzhigit speaks Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Russian and English, discusses the route with each traveler before confirming a plan, and his quoted day rate for car and driver covers his own meals and accommodation, with fuel and entrance fees handled separately depending on the trip. He also mentions being able to continue into Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in a traveler's own vehicle.
Tours & Activities
10 Listings
Tours & Activities
2 Days
Gastronomic Tour Of Southern Kazakhstan: Taste Of The
Starts in Shymkent, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Hey, friends! A gastronomic tour of Southern Kazakhstan is a real adventure for all lovers of delicious food!
Here are some of the cuisines you can try in this region: 1day homestay with local family in Taraz city
1. Kazakh cuisine is, of course, an undisputed hit! Here you can enjoy dishes such as beshbarmak (meat with noodles), kazy (horse meat sausage) and, of course, lamb soup.
Baursaks are airy fried dough balls that go perfectly with tea or kumiss.
2. Uzbek cuisine
Pilaf is a legendary dish with lamb, carrots and rice, cooked in a cauldron.
Manti are large dumplings with meat and pumpkin, stewed in a steamer.
Samsa is a layered pastry filled with meat or pumpkin, baked in a tandoor.
3. Uyghur cuisine – here you will find a variety of dishes, such as lagman (noodles with meat and vegetables) and samsa (stuffed pastries). Uyghurs are known for their aromatic spices and special approach to dough.
3. Tatar cuisine – here you can try chak-chak (a sweet treat made of honey and dough)
Tatar cuisine will please you with its satiety and variety.
4. Russian cuisine – in this region you can also find many Russian dishes, including borscht, pies and vareniki. Russian cuisine traditions fit well with local gastronomic traditions.
5. Korean cuisine – here you can try kimchi and various noodle dishes, such as chapchae. Korean dishes are often spicy and very aromatic.
Tips for a Gastrotourist
Seasonality: In late summer, try fresh melons and watermelons, various fruits, in autumn - grapes from the foothills.
Why is it worth trying?
Southern Kazakhstan is a cuisine that will tell you about the nomadic spirit, hospitality and centuries-old history of the Silk Road. Here, food becomes part of the journey, and every meal is an adventure. Discover tastes that have survived centuries, and let the aromas of the steppes take you deep into Asia.
Come hungry - you will leave in love! 🥘✨
Tours & Activities
1 Day
Winter Wonderland Tour Bishkek - Karakol
Starts in Bishkek, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
These are the recommended days for traveling in issyk kul region, we can also shorten the days of travel depending on your schedule of arrival in kyrgyzstan. On the first day we will also visit the Ala-Archa National Park - located in the Tien Shan Mountains, 35 km from the capital Bishkek. You will see breathtaking landscapes, alpine meadows and forests, a glacial river and snow-capped peaks, making it a must-see for nature lovers. It is beautiful to visit at any time of the year. In summer you can see lush greenery, in winter it turns into a winter wonderland with snow-covered forest and crystal clear river.
Day 1. Bishkek – Ala Archa National park
Day 2 Issyk Kul Lake
Day 3 Karakol city - 1869 Russian Orthodox Church
Dungan Mosque between 1907 and 1910 - Karakol Ski base
Day 4 Jeti oguz gorge (Seven bulls)
Day 5 Bishkek city
Tours & Activities
1 Day
Border Between Kz And Kg Koksay Gorge-mountain Lakes
Starts in taraz,Kazakhstan
The border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan runs along the Koksay Gorge, so be sure to take your documents and passport with you on your trip. We will leave the car at the entrance to the gorge and you need to walk to the lake.
The Koksay Gorge is located in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, in the very south of Kazakhstan. "Koksay" is translated from Kazakh as "green ravine". In summer, the mountain slopes are dotted with trees and covered with a carpet of grass. The gorge is overgrown with tugai forests - thickets of low-growing trees of various species: juniper, sea buckthorn, small-leaved willow, Turkestan rowan, etc. Tulips, St. John's wort, ziziphora, Samarkand caraway, fireweed, clary sage, horsetail ephedra, etc. grow on the mountain slopes.
Why choose our tour
Unique nature reserve. The oldest nature reserve in Central Asia – Aksyu-Zhabagly was founded in 1926 and preserves the richest biodiversity
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A vast territory of more than 1,300 km² runs along the ridges of the Western Tien Shan at altitudes from 1,100 to 4,236 m above sea level.
A geographical highlight – the canyons of the Koksai and Aksai rivers form deep V-shaped gorges fed by meltwater from the Talas basin
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Exciting route
Start at the foot of the Koksai canyon, located on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – do not forget to take your passport and documents with you
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Hiking to Lake Koksai (~15 km there and back), where a secluded corner among the mountain slopes awaits you
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Coniferous forests and alpine meadows – in hot July the slope is strewn with a variety of herbs: tulips, St. John's wort, clover and sage
Tours & Activities
5 Days
5day Tour Bishkek Issyk Kul Region-karakol Top Natures
Starts in Bishkek, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
These are the recommended days for traveling in issyk kul region, we can also shorten the days of travel depending on your schedule of arrival in kyrgyzstan.
Day 1. Bishkek – Burana Tower - Boom gorge
Day 2 Grigorievskoe and Semenovskoe gorges
Day 3 Karakol city - Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum - 1869 Russian Orthodox Church- Dungan Mosque between 1907 and 1910
Day 4 Jeti oguz gorge (Seven bulls) - barskoon gorge
Day 5 Fairytale Canyon "Skazka" - Bishkek city
Tours & Activities
2 Days
Talas City Manas Ordo Historical-national Park Besh
Starts in Taraz, Taraz, Kazakhstan
Day 1: we will visit the massive Soviet structure of the Kirov reservoir built in 1975. Then we will go to the city of Talas and visit the national natural park Beshtash. In the valley, along the banks of the river of the same name, the national park, formed in 1996, stretches for 30 km.
Day 2: A short city tour and then we'll go to Manas Ordo - a memorial complex in honor of the national hero Manas, who defended and united the Kyrgyz in the epic of the same name. It was built in the Karakhanid era, around 1334.
Tours & Activities
1 Day
Driver And Guide Karakol City Kyrgyzstan In Issyk Kul
Starts in Karakol, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
This tour is suitable for those who want to see almost the complete beauty of nature, the way of life of people and the culture of Kyrgyzstan.
On this tour you will not only enjoy the most beautiful mountain lakes, but also explore the city of Karakol and the Jety Oguz gorge hiding incredible picturesque landscapes. You will see impressive waterfalls, wild landscapes untouched by too many tourists, which will remain in your memory forever. Enjoy beautiful views of mountain peaks. We guarantee that this trip will be one of the most memorable adventures of your life!
Tours & Activities
1 Day
1 Day Driver Ancient Taraz City - South Kazakhstan
Starts in Taraz, Taraz, Kazakhstan
Dear guests!
We invite you to a fascinating tour of the historical city of Taraz, during which you will visit:
* **Karakhan Mausoleum**
One of the oldest and most majestic buildings of the 10th-11th centuries, the dome of which sparkles in the sun's rays and preserves the memory of the great rulers of the Karakhanid.
* **Tekturmas Mausoleum**
A small but extremely atmospheric monument, immersed in the greenery of the garden; an ideal place for quiet contemplation and romantic photographs.
* **Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum**
The legendary "pearl" of the tulip pattern, a symbol of eternal love and devotion, whose carved panels and bas-reliefs conquer the hearts of tourists from all over the world.
* **Babaja-Khatun Mausoleum**
An elegant white building located at the foot of a hill, overlooking the vast steppe expanses - a place of strength and peace.
When booking through ours you get a *free trip to the Tekturmasa observation deck* in Taraz.
Book your unforgettable tour today and set off on an adventure in the heart of ancient Taraz!
Tours & Activities
2 Days
Driver And Guide Turkistan From Taraz And Shymkent
Starts in Shymkent, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
2 day trip to the spiritual capital of South Kazakhstan and all the Turkic people! The city draws thousands of pilgrims. As per local tradition, visiting Turkistan three times is akin to a single hajj to Mecca, a sentiment echoed in other revered sites across the Muslim world. Such high regard for the Saint led to Turkistan being dubbed the Second Mecca of the East, profoundly influencing the spiritual essence of Kazakhstan's Muslim community.
In 2021, Keruen-Saray, Central Asia’s largest tourism complex, was opened in Turkistan. This unique attraction features merchants, artisans, a flying theater, an amphitheater for equestrian shows, a bazaar, hotels, restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a cinema, and a family entertainment center.
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