Otrar and Turkistan One-Day Tour

We invite you to explore Kazakhstan's oldest cities: Otrar, the birthplace of the medieval philosopher and scientist Al Farabi, and Turkistan, the resting place of the poet and preacher Khoja Ahmed Yassawi. The mausoleum dedicated to Yassawi is a medieval architectural masterpiece and has evolved into a prominent pilgrimage site for Muslims.

  • Starting Point: Hotel Pickup (Shymkent)
  • Tour Duration: 1 Day
  • Available: From March to October
  • Private Tour
Highly qualified staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.
Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact.
Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.
Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself.

Cost Estimate and Online Booking

prices and reservations
tour information

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Cost per 1 person
for a group of 2 people:
$ 222
  • Tour Date:
  • Departure Time:
  • Adults:
  • Children (aged 4-11):
Total:
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Key Details
Included Features
Booking Procedure
Clothing Recommendations
Tariffs and service levels
Purchase Instructions
Why Choose Us?
Cancellation Policy

1 Day

Distance

Otrar and Turkistan One-Day Tour
Starting Point: Hotel Pickup (Shymkent)
Tour Duration: 1 Day
From May to August, daytime air temperatures can soar to +40°C (+104°F)
Best Period: March-April, September-October
Private Tour
Children aged 3 and under go for free, as long as they do not occupy a separate seat.

What's Included in the Price?

  • Private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan
  • Services of a professional English-speaking guide
  • Lunch
  • A bottle of drinking water per person per day

Not Included:

  • Accommodation in Shymkent before and after the tour
  • Personal expenses of tour participants
  • Any additional transfers
  • Visa services and registration in Kazakhstan (if required)
  • Additional services not specified in the itinerary

Booking Procedure

  • Select the tour you want to book.
  • On the tour page, use the calendar to choose your desired date and the number of participants. Fill in your personal information and click the Buy Online button.
  • To secure your booking, you need to pay the full cost of the tour. For details on the online payment process, refer to the Purchase Instructions tab.
  • After payment, save your voucher and the electronic receipt containing your order details and payment information.

Alternative booking options:

You can also book a tour by contacting our managers and paying in cash or via bank transfer. To reach our managers, click the round button in the lower right corner of the screen or message us on WhatsApp at +7 (700) 348-00-00 (responses available in English).

Alternatively, you can call us at:

+7 (727) 326-96-16, +7 (702) 006-57-87, or +7 (7172) 76-00-56

Essential items for your tour:

  • Comfortable clothing (such as shorts, pants, leggings, a T-shirt, or a light long-sleeved sweater). A waterproof and windproof jacket. In colder weather, wear an insulated jacket or down jacket, along with a hat, scarf, and gloves.
  • A cap or hat for sun protection.
  • Comfortable boots or sneakers.
  • Water container or thermos.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • A personal first aid kit.

Tour Pricing Options

The prices for this tour are based on the Standard tariff, which includes reliable tourist transport in good condition, the services of an experienced guide and driver, hotel stays, and meals.

In addition to the Standard tariff, we offer the following options:

  • Economy: We provide lower-class vehicles for transfers, and accommodations consist of more budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses. This option is ideal for tourists looking to minimize costs.

Note: Be cautious of companies that misrepresent their Economy tariff as Standard. These companies may offer lower-priced tours with poor service quality, such as outdated vehicles and inexperienced guides. They might also operate illegally and neglect essential safety standards.

  • Comfort: This option features high-comfort vehicles in excellent condition, with the most experienced guides accompanying tourists. Tourists stay in high-class hotels.
  • VIP: Luxury transport is provided, and guests stay in upscale hotels. Premium services are offered throughout the entire trip.

If you wish to adjust your tariff, please inform your manager before booking the tour.

For more information about our rates and transport options, refer to this section.

Purchase Instructions

  • Choose your desired date and fill in all required information. The total order amount will be displayed based on your selections.
  • Click the Buy Online button to be redirected to a secure payment page. Here, enter your bank card details to complete your payment.

We accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, and other electronic payment systems. The total amount will be charged in the national currency of Kazakhstan – tenge. The conversion to Kazakhstani tenge will occur at the official exchange rate set by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the day of payment. You can view the current exchange rates for the Kazakhstani tenge against other currencies on this page.

  • Once your payment is successful, an electronic receipt with your order details and payment information will be sent to the email address you provided. Additionally, you can download and print a voucher for the paid service during your browser session. Please ensure you save this voucher.

For details about the payment service and the security measures for electronic transactions, refer to this page.

Why Choose Us?

Highly Qualified Staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.

Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact. 

Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.

Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself. 

Cancellation Policy:

  • If you cancel the tour less than 24 hours* before its start, 50% of the total cost will be retained.
  • If you cancel less than 12 hours* before the tour or do not show up, 100% of the total cost will be retained.

*Please note that if a cancellation notice is received outside of our working hours (evening, night, or weekends) and our managers have not confirmed receipt of your cancellation or change request in writing, the company reserves the right to consider the request when business hours resume. Therefore, we encourage you to notify us of any changes or cancellations as early as possible.

During non-working hours, you can try to reach us through our duty phone, corporate email, or corporate messengers. Duty managers monitor these channels and can respond promptly. If you have the contact information for your guide, driver, or other responsible parties (often listed in your voucher), we recommend reaching out to them directly as well.

Tour Schedule

Itinerary
  • Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Shymkent, and from there, you will depart towards the Shaulder village area. Upon arrival, you will visit the Local History Museum, the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, and the ancient settlement of Otrar.
  • After your sightseeing in Otrar, you will be transported to the city of Turkistan. In Turkistan, you will visit the Azret-Sultan historical and architectural complex, the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, the ruins of the ancient settlement, the necropolis, a segment of the fortress wall, the Citadel with gates, a hammam (an ancient bathhouse), and the Hilvet underground mosque. After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Shymkent.

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Itinerary
  • Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Shymkent, and from there, you will depart towards the Shaulder village area. Upon arrival, you will visit the Local History Museum, the Arystan-Bab Mausoleum, and the ancient settlement of Otrar.
  • After your sightseeing in Otrar, you will be transported to the city of Turkistan. In Turkistan, you will visit the Azret-Sultan historical and architectural complex, the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, the ruins of the ancient settlement, the necropolis, a segment of the fortress wall, the Citadel with gates, a hammam (an ancient bathhouse), and the Hilvet underground mosque. After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Shymkent.

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Otrar
Turkistan
Otrar

Otrar is the birthplace and residence of the medieval philosopher and scientist Al Farabi (Alpharabius). Founded in the 4th century BC, Otrar became a thriving center of trade and craftsmanship, serving as a crucial hub for caravan routes connecting Eastern Europe and China. In the late 13th century, the city faced complete destruction at the hands of Mongolian troops. Despite the devastating setback, Otrar managed to rise from the ruins, undergoing rapid economic development in a relatively short period. Archaeological efforts have uncovered the remains of the citadel, the main gate, and the rabad, spanning an area of approximately 10 square kilometers. 

Turkistan

Turkistan was founded around 500 AD at the intersection of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva to Northern Kazakhstan. The city was known as the spiritual and political hub for Turkic-speaking people. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, it functioned as the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. The city of Turkistan gained wide world fame due to the teachings of Khoja Ahmed Yassawi, the famous Sufi philosopher, who was buried here in a small mausoleum in 1166. The present mausoleum was erected 233 years after his death on orders of Emir Tamerlane. Today, it stands as a revered site for Muslims worldwide. 

Have questions?

Chat directly with our manager on WhatsApp!

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    After submitting the request, our manager will contact you to clarify the details of the order

    After selecting the date and entering the data, you will see the total amount of the order. When you click the "Buy Online" button, you will be redirected to a secure payment service page where you need to enter your bank card details to make a payment. Payment is possible using Visa, MasterCard and other electronic payment systems. According to the requirements of the legislation, the final payment amount will be made in the national currency of Kazakhstan - Tenge (TENGE - KZT). The conversion into Tenge is made at the official exchange rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the day of payment. You can get acquainted with the exchange rate of the national currency of Kazakhstan, in relation to other currencies, on the page

    After successful payment, an electronic receipt with information about the order and data on the payment made will be sent to the e-mail you specified. Also, during the session of your browser on the site, you will have access to download and print a voucher for the paid service. Save it. Information about the payment service and guarantees of the security of electronic payments can be found on this page

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