Ancient Ghost Cities In The Desert Near Turkestan
About this tour
A two-day tour to the ancient ruins of Otyrar and Sauran in the desert near Turkestan.
The real ruins of the old cities of the Great Silk Road of the 2nd-17th centuries. You will be able to see real archaeological excavations and ruins of large trading and administrative centers of the nomads of the Great Steppe. You will be able to touch with your own hands the real centuries-old history and hear stories about the secrets of ancient cities.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Shymkent to turkistan
1 Day Early departure from the hotel in Shymkent. Transfer to the ruins of the ancient city of Otyrar in the desert near Turkestan (130 km). Arrival to the ruins of the ancient city of Otyrar (Farab). Open-air tour of the ancient city and its monuments. Walking tour of the archaeological settlement. Currently, Otyrar is an abandoned settlement where no one lives. Transfer to the medieval burial complex of Saint Arystan Baba. The mausoleum of Arystan Baba is the holiest place for the Turkic peoples in the world. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to the tomb of the saint to read their prayer. The ritual of prayer of pilgrims at the tomb of the saint. Transfer to Turkestan. Visit to the Great Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the complex of medieval historical monuments. H. A. Yassawi was a poet and leader of Sufi mystics and dervishes. A masterpiece of medieval architecture. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch at a local cafe. Tasting dishes of ancient nomadic cuisine. Tandoor (clay oven) is an ancient technology for baking nan (bread), samsa and meat. In the afternoon, visit the mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begim, the granddaughter of Timurlane, an ancient underground Sufi mosque, an ancient bathhouse for pilgrims and other objects of the complex. Evening walk along the canal of the entertainment complex Caravan Saray. Overnight in Turkestan.
Day 2: Turkistan, Kazakhstan to Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Day 2 Morning departure from the hotel in Turkestan. Transfer to the ruins of Sauran in the desert (60 km). Arrival to the ruins of the ancient settlement of Sauran. Open-air tour of the ancient city and its sights. Sauran was a major trading center on the Great Silk Road and the capital of the Kazakh steppe khanate (kingdom). Transfer to Turkestan. Short city tour and visit to the local Green Bazaar. Lunch at a local cafe. Tasting dishes of ancient nomadic cuisine. In the afternoon, visit to the mausoleum of Saint Gauhar Ana, the daughter of a famous Sufi. Watching the ritual of ablution of pilgrims in the spring near the mausoleum. Transfer to the city of Shymkent (or Turkestan). End of the tour.
What's included
The price includes a personal English-speaking guide with his own car and transportation services with entrance tickets to the sites.
Accommodation and meals for tourists are not included in the price.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Shymkent to turkistan