Two Famous Saints In Ca & Turkestan Shymkent Region
About this tour
A two-day tour from Shymkent (or Turkestan) to the most sacred and historical places of Kazakhstan and the entire Central Asian region. These are: the burial complex of Arystan-Bab, the Great Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, as well as the ruins of ancient Otrar (Farab) and the ruins of medieval Sauran in the desert and others. These places are located around the city of Turkestan (60 km).
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Shymkent to Turkistan
Day 1 Early departure from the hotel in Shymkent. Transfer to Turkestan (180 km). Two hours of interesting stories about the ancient history of the region. Arrival at the ruins of the ancient city of Otrar (Farab). An open-air tour of the ancient city and its many sites. Then arrival at the medieval mausoleum complex of Arystan Bab. The mausoleum of Arystan Bab is the holiest place for the Turkic peoples in the world. Saint Arystan Bab was the spiritual mentor of H.A. Yassawi. Transfer to Turkestan. Visit to the Great Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi and a complex of medieval historical sites. H.A. Yassawi was the poet and leader of mystics and Sufi dervishes. Timurlane the great ruller was the initiator of the construction of the Mausoleum. A masterpiece of medieval architecture. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch in a local cafe. Tasting of ancient nomadic cuisine. Tandoor (clay oven) - an ancient technology for baking nan (bread), samsa and meat. Afternoon visit of 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 to Sauran
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