2 Day Tour Besshatyr Kurgans And Arkharly Petroglyphs
About this tour
Available in french and english
During this trip you will see a necropolis and petroglyphs from the Bronze Age
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Besshatyr Lane, Astana, Kazakhstan
After meeting with the guide, we go to the north of Lake Kapshagay to visit the Besshatyr burial ground. The last 50 kilometers of the road are off-road. Picnic lunch. The Besshatyr Kurgan (Royal Mounds of Besshatyr) is a complex of burials of the Saka era, located in the valley of the Ili River on the territory of the Altyn-Emel State National Natural Park (Kerbulak district of the Republic of Kazakhstan). The mounds are located on the right bank of the Ili River. The toponym “Besshatyr” is translated from the Kazakh language as “five tents” (perhaps based on the number of the largest mounds in this area). The Besshatyr Kurgan consists of many burial grounds dating from the 6th to 4th centuries BC. The total area of the Besshatyr burial ground is about 2 km². The Great Besshatyr Mound is the largest of the mounds. Its diameter is 105 meters and its height is 17 meters. The mound has the shape of a truncated body, and due to the stone covering, which is densely laid in several layers at the base, the impression of a plinth is created. The mound is surrounded in a spiral by 94 ring fences made of stone pillars-menhirs and large boulders. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus called the Saks Asian Scythians, as well as Massagetae. The Greek author Ctesias wrote: “The women of the Sakas are strong, during wars they help their husbands, joining them in battle.” The ancient Greek geographer Strabo noted that the Sakas were excellent riders. After visiting Besshatyr, we go to dinner and spend the night in the tents on the way to the Arharly petroglyphs.
Day 2: Malaysary, Kazakhstan to Arharli, Kazakhstan
Arharly petroglyphs were discovered in the Almaty region in the Arharly mountains in the Kerbulak region in August 2017. In the northwestern part of the Arharly Mountains there are three large complexes, which contain 100-150 petroglyphs. The drawings depict aurochs bulls, archers, hunting scenes, deer, gazelles, argali and mountain goats. Next to the petroglyphs are the remains of three settlements with stone pavements, terraces with Saki burial mounds, in which there are 19 burials. It is assumed that there were significantly more petroglyphs and burial grounds, but due to the extraction of gravel and stone slabs, a small part of the archaeological antiquities was preserved. The monument is under state protection, work on the extraction of gravel and slabs has been suspended, and the issue of including the Arkharly Petroglyphs in the list of monuments of Kazakhstan is being considered. After visiting Arharly, return to Almaty. Along the way, travelers will find a pleasant surprise associated with an immersion in the history of the 20th century.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan to Besshatyr Lane, Astana, Kazakhstan