Kazakhstan Silk Road Day Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kazakhstan Silk Road Day Tour Highlights
The unforgettable centrepiece of this Kazakhstan Silk Road day tour from Shymkent is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, commissioned by Timur in the 14th century, is a stunning example of Timurid architecture and holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Kazakhs. Standing before its majestic turquoise dome and intricately patterned walls, you are transported back to a time when Turkestan was a major centre of Islamic learning and pilgrimage in Central Asia.
On the way you walk through the archaeological ruins of Otrar, once a flourishing Silk Road city of trade, science and Islamic learning, and visit the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab, the revered Sufi mystic who was the mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. This day tour offers a perfect blend of sacred heritage, archaeological wonders and the wide-open steppe landscapes of Kazakhstan's Silk Road cities.
Difficulty: Easy A long but relaxed day by car from Shymkent across the steppe to Otrar, the Arystan Bab Mausoleum and Turkestan and back, with sightseeing on foot at the archaeological ruins and the mausoleum complexes. No hiking.
Tour Itinerary
Your journey begins in Shymkent, heading northwest across the wide-open steppe toward the heart of Kazakhstan's Silk Road heritage. The first destination is the ancient settlement of Otrar, once a flourishing centre of trade, science and Islamic learning. Walking through its archaeological ruins, you gain a sense of the city's historical significance and its role as a key stop on the Silk Road. Nearby, the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab offers a serene and spiritual experience, honouring the revered Sufi mystic who was the mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The site is a sacred place of pilgrimage that draws pilgrims from across Central Asia and embodies the spiritual depth of the region. The journey continues to Turkestan, a city known as the spiritual heart of Kazakhstan. At its centre stands the magnificent Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture. With its majestic turquoise dome, richly decorated interiors and surrounding shrines, the complex is both a religious landmark and a cultural treasure. You can also explore the Hilvet Underground Mosque, where Yasawi once meditated in seclusion, adding a mystical layer to the experience. After visiting the mausoleum, a traditional Kazakh lunch gives you a taste of the region's hospitality and cuisine (lunch is not included in the price). As the day draws to a close, you return to Shymkent, having journeyed through centuries of Silk Road history in a single, unforgettable day.
Otrar, Arystan Bab Mausoleum, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum
- Shymkent → Otrar (158 km)
- Otrar → Arystan Bab Mausoleum (4 km)
- Arystan Bab Mausoleum → Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum (57 km)
- Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum → Shymkent (162 km)
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What's included
Included
- Transport from Shymkent and back as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Kazakhstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kazakhstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kazakhstan before booking.
The official currency is the tenge (KZT), and Kazakhstan has the most advanced banking system in the region.
ATMs and exchange
ATMs are widespread in the major cities, in banks, hotels and shopping centres, but most dispense only tenge. Every city has exchange offices for US dollars, euros, roubles, pounds, Chinese yuan and Kyrgyz som, and changing dollars or euros into tenge is easy at banks and exchange offices.
Paying by card
International cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and large supermarkets. Smaller shops usually take cash only and often have little change, so carry smaller notes.
The security situation is stable, but it can change. A few precautions go a long way.
Documents
Always carry original identification such as your passport, as police patrols may ask for it. When approached by a police officer, driver or official, ask to see their identification.
Crime and scams
- Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag theft and car break-ins is common. Keep valuables out of sight and be vigilant, especially at night.
- Never leave food or drinks unattended or with strangers.
- Be careful of online scams.
- Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings, and leave the area if there is unrest nearby.
Getting around
- Avoid walking alone and arrange transport in advance. Do not use unofficial taxis.
- On trains, keep your passport and travel documents safe and lock the compartment, especially on night trains.
- Roads are well maintained in and around the major cities, but rural roads may be in poor condition.
Laws and customs
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is banned near schools, playgrounds and medical facilities, in public places such as museums, public transport, airports, stations and underpasses, and in cars carrying children.
- Possessing or using illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence.
- Photography is restricted near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Avoid sharing images that could be seen as disrespectful to religion, culture or national symbols.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Kazakhstan's visa rules depend on your passport. Check whether you need a visa for your visit.
Passport
If you enter visa-free, your passport only needs to be valid for the length of your stay. With a visa, it must be valid for six months beyond the end of your stay.
Visas and registration
For a tourist visa from an embassy or an electronic visa, you first need a letter of invitation (LOI). You may need to register after arriving in the country.
The best times to visit Kazakhstan are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), avoiding the hot summers and snowy winters.
Summer and winter
Kazakhstan has a harsh continental climate, at its most extreme in the central steppe and around the capital, Astana. Temperatures can rise above 40°C in June to August and drop to −20°C in December to February.
Before you travel, make sure the places you are going can provide any medical help you might need, and that your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.
Medical care
Medical staff often speak little English.
Medicines
Non-prescription medicines are easy to buy. For prescription medicines you need a prescription from a local doctor, or a foreign prescription translated into Kazakh or Russian.
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