Ethnographic tour I
This tour gives you a rare chance to get acquainted with rich events in the history of Kazakhstan, traditions, folklore and household activities of its hospitable people and to see traditional national games. You can live in traditional felt camp (yurta), ride by horse or camel and to be a participant of the original life of Kazakh people.
Duration: 21 days (20 nights).
Season: April - October
Accommodation: hotels in Almaty, Taraz, Shimkent, Turkestan, Astana; yurts in Uzun-Agach; tents in Charyn Canyon; cottages on Kolsay lakes.
Meal: full board (traditional Kazakh and Russian cuisine).
Transport: plane, train, bus, vehicles.
You will visit:
Almaty - High altitude skating rink "Medeo", Kazakh State National Museum, Republic Square, Archeological Museum, Park 28 Gvardeytsev-Panfilovtsev, Cathedral, Museum of National Musical instruments, etc.
Tamgaly - 4000 images on rocks. It was a holy place of ancient Sacas tribes for cult ceremonies. Here there are 2000 petroglyphs and funeral urns of the Bronze Age.
Taraz - City-tour, Dzhambul Museum, Ruins of ancient Buddha's temple.
Shimkent - City-tour.
In Turkestan - City-tour, Hodge Ahmet Yassavi Mausoleum (14 century), Ruins of the ancient city of Yasy, Sufii Center with underground mosques, oriental baths, Mosque Arystan-Baba (14 century). Folklore program.
In Astana - City-tour on a new developing capital of The Republic of Kazakhstan.
In Kokshetau - City-tour.
In Charyn Canyon - "Valley of Locks", Aleshkino gorge, "Witches Gorge".
On Kolsay lakes - the most beautiful lakes of Zailiyskiy Alatau, here you can catch an "Iridescent trout".
Tour description.
Day 1. Arrival in Almaty and accommodation in the hotel "Premier Medeo".
Day 2. City-tour. Visit of museums, exhibition halls and historical places.
Day 3. Trip to Tamgaly. It is possible to see ancient petroglyphs and salt source. Dinner on the open air. Driving to Uzun-Agach. Accommodation in a felt tent (yurta). Supper (Kazakh cuisine). You can take part in food preparation.
Day 4. The day is devoted to the folklore program. Falconry and Golden Eagle show (imitation of hunting). Horseback-riding on neighborhoods. Dinner. The cultural program: national songs, dances and games. Driving to Almaty.
Day 5. Driving from Almaty to Taraz. Accommodation in the hotel. Dinner. City-tour. Rest.
Day 6. Driving Taraz - Shimkent. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner. City-tour. Rest.
Day 7. Kazakh national horse games. Dinner. Driving to Turkestan. Accommodation in a hotel. Supper. Rest.
Days 8-9. Visit to mausoleums. Excursions on neighborhoods. Returning to Shimkent.
Day 10. Flight Shimkent - Astana. Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner. City-tour. Rest.
Day 11. Astana - Kokshetau by train. Accommodation in guesthouses on Borovoe lake.
Days 12-15. Rest.
Day 16. Returning to Almaty. Dinner. Free time. Driving to Charyn Canyon. Accommodation in tents. Supper. Rest.
Day 17. Excursion on neighborhoods. Dinner. Driving to Kolsay lakes. Accommodation in cottages. Supper. Rest.
Days 18-19. Free time. Fishing and horseback-riding.
Day 20. Driving back to Almaty. Visit to the Trout farm. Dinner. Visit to archeological excavations on the way to Almaty. Accommodation in a guesthouse.
Day 21. Breakfast. Visit to the souvenirs' shop. Dinner. Free time. Sauna. Farewell Supper. Transfer to the airport.
Cost of the tour includes: VISA support, hotels accommodation, vehicles with drivers services during the tour, railway tickets, accommodation and feed in yurts, tents and cottages, the folklore program in Uzun-Agach and Shimkent, guides and interpreter services, price of entrance tickets for museums during the tour, rental fee for horses, stable-man services, rental payment for sport equipment (sleeping bags, rags, etc.), full board (three times).
Note: Air tickets fee is not included.