Great Steppes of Central Asia

Day 01: Arrive Astana – Flt
meeting on arrival assistance and transfer to hotel.
Welcome Dinner at local restaurant
overnight (D)

Day 02: Astana
We shall spend the day visiting the new metropolis – Astana which is growing with every
passing day we shall visit the new capital of Kazakhstan. Our sightseeing starts with visit to Baiterek Tower – symbol of a growing tree of life with a golden globe symbolizing the egg of the bird of fortune – Semurg. Afterwards drive to Presidential with background of beautiful Esil river passing through the city adds to the grandeur of the capital.We shall then drive to see the Peace & Concord monument Later visit Nur Astana Mosque – a commitment to Kazakh faith in Islam. We shall then visit Khan Shatyr tent! then Duman huge shopping center, café and meeting places. Next visit Kazmunaigaz building in traditional Russian architecture. We shall then drive to Presidential Cultural Center – see the Kazakh Ethnic Museum.
In the evening see the Opera & Ballet Theatre for evening performance
Overnight (B,L,D)

Astana:
The rising capital of Kazakhstan is fast developing into an economic hub of Central
Asia. Until 1998 was the suburb of Akmolinsky region, Astana was chosen to be the
new capital of Kazakhstan shifting from Almaty. The planning of Astana has been done
on modern cities like Brasilia by famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. Astana
has developed as an architectural symbol of the region with modern buildings
depicting Kazakh cultural heritage, modern Islamic architecture, Russian and even
Chinese architecture – keeping inview various ethnic groups living in modern
Kazakhstan. The vicinities of Astana were small settlements till 1830 when it was
developed as the a defensive settlement for the Cossacks in 1832 under the name as
Akmolinsky settlement.
Climatically Astana is fast changing from harsh weather conditions to a more friendly
habitat – thanks to huge horticulture projects with growth of trees since the start is
now paying back.

Day 03: Astana/Borovoe – 258 kms
Depart for the picturesque Lake Borovoe situated in the foot hills of Kokshe mountain range.
Northern Kazakhstan has many lakes spread throughout the region. Lake Borovoe is one of beautiful spots with dense pine and spruce forest around the lake. The archaeological explorations suggest the presence burrow culture which is related to Scythian settlements
around the lake
On arrival transfer to hotel by the lake
Later after Lunch we shall take round trip of the lake – see Zhumbektas (Sphinx rock) amid picturesque view
Dinner and overnight (B,L,D)

Day 04: Borovoe/Astana - Road
morning visit Burabay village – we shall interact with local family
lunch at the family house
later depart for Astana and on arrival transfer to hotel
Overnight (B,L,D)

Day 05: Astana/Atyrau – Train 019T – 1840 hrs
early morning we shall make excursion to Korgalzhin lakes – these lakes serve as the transit station for the huge colonies of migratory birds nesting here bi-annual migration. For the bird lovers these stations become a paradise watching bird life from March-end May and then from mid Aug-mid Oct are best periods. April/May we can see some rare wild tulips in their original homeland. These lakes are home to many local flora and fauna there is a well established monitoring center providing excellent information on the bird and animal life around the whole region.
Later return to Astana and shortly before the city we shall visit Malinkova to see Alzhir camp site used during the Stalin for interning families of ‘the enemies of the people’. We shall visit Arch of Sorrow, the small Museum depicting how the life was in those difficult days. There also one original carriage wagon and some statues
we shall then continue to Astana and later transfer to Railway Station for our overnight train to western Kazakhstan. (bedding & food provided)
Overnight onboard the train (B,L,D)

Day 06: Arrive Atyrau – 1725 hrs
Good morning!! a good sun rise on our comfortable modern train – we shall have a hearty
Breakfast looking at the passing steppes occasionally see the villages while having short
stops. We take the route which goes close to Russian territories while more southern steppes was the main route of the Silk Road towns where caravans stopped are now mere archaeological remains
Lunch served onboard the coach
We shall arrive in the late afternoon and transferred to hotel with nice views of Caspian Sea
Dinner and overnight (B,L,D)

Day 07: Atyrau/Aktau – SA750 – 0820/0910 hrs
Aktau/Fort Shevchenko/Bautino – 140 kms
morning flight to Aktau on arrival we shall visit Mangystau Regional Museum of History &
local Lore. Later depart for Fort Shevchenko (140 kms) – we shall make first stop at Akshykur village to visit the interesting necropolis of Koshkarata. The tombs and graves are of immense importance as this seems to be grave yard of the Silk Road caravaneers as the graves are diversely different from each other.
Later continue our drive along the western coastline of Caspian to the Gulf of Mangyhslak.
On arrival at Bautino transfer to hotel 
After Lunch we shall visit Shevchenko’s Museum – Taras Shevchenko was an Ukrainian poet and painter who was exiled in 1850 for anti-Tzarist poetry and was sent to this isolated location where stood fort. We shall see his writings and water colors and some ethnic elements in the museum. Later drive for 25 kms east along the coast of the gulf to Tamshaly Canyon – it is an interesting rock formation in the sun setting views are great
Afterwards return to Bautino in the late afternoon
overnight (B,L,D)

Aktau:
This is the prospect point on the Caspian settlements, Aktau was a natural stopping
point on the Silk Road as the caravans coming from present day Dehistan ruined
settlement of 8th or 9th AD. Before heading for the land or sea course caravans rested
here for some weeks before heading for the Black Sea
From stone age to early historic period, the archaeological finds date some
Settlements to bronze age which most probably were the Scythian migrations around
08th BC the beginning of the state of Scythia and this is testified from the remains
found in various Black Sea settlements of the same period – the Pontic Caspian
settlements. The continuous migrations and invasions must been part of this region
however, the settlement period begins with Seljuks extending their prowess to the
upper reaches of Caspian Sea. The Mongol invasion and subsequent replacement of
indigenous tribes ended up in the sub-division of the land Chengiz Khan had acquired
among his kin which was later seen in further divisions assimilating among the local
population and their adaptation their culture and religion. These were then the various
Turco-Mongol tribes which we see today in the Kazakhs who themselves were divided
in three groups or Juz. Since then they are the masters of the land which has wide
expanse of soil in rich in mineral wealth

Day 08: Bautino/Shakpak Ata/Aktau – 195 kms
We shall depart in the morning for one of the unique secular establishment among the
limestone caves in Mangystau region. We shall first reach the shrine where are pilgrims
throng form nearby and far off countryside to pay homage to Shakpak Ata dating 9th or 10th AD was one of the Sufi hermit lived here. Later we shall see the interesting part of the complex is the underground mosque – pay attention to etched writing and figures.
Mangyshlak was a Silk Road settlement as it was linked to Dehistan settlement southwards in Turkmenistan – these present settlement ruins date from 9th 10th AD being the earlier period of Arab influence in these parts
We shall then return to Aktau and on arrival transfer to hotel overlooking
Caspian Sea
Overnight (B,L,D)

Day 09: Aktau/Shymkent – SA710 – 0815/1115 hrs
Shymkent/Turkestan – 160 kms
morning flight to Shymkent – on arrival we shall proceed to a local restaurant for Lunch later depart for Turkestan. Arrival and transfer to hotel 
later we shall visit Ahmed Yassawi’s complex – sun setting photography
overnight (B,L,D)

Khoja Ahmed Yassawi:
A very revered mendicant a great sage, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi was born in 1093 AD in
the village of Sayram not far from Symkent. Khoja Ahmed Yassawi studied Islamic
jurisprudence(fiqah) with many scholars of his time like one Yousaf Hamdani and
Abudul Khaliq Gijduvani in Bukhara district whereas Bukhara had become hub of
scholarly studies. He was from a scholarly family and his brought up in such a family
was an asset to him though at the age of seven his scholarly father had died. Khoja
Ahmed Yassawi in madrassahs of Bukhara had grown into a scholar of high order. His
further studies in Turkestan under his spiritual mentor Arsalan Baba and then
isolation (Chillah – 40 days) in deep meditation to rise to a highest spiritual status
becoming the leading Sufi mystic giving birth to his order which was later known as
Yassawiya Sufi order. These were the days when Slejuk power was at its height and
their love for scholars in attendance at their courts, Ahmed Yassawi must have been
greatly revered in the region. Also being from a highly respected family soon Khoja
Ahmed Yassawi was considered by the local population as great sage of his times. He
became an important vehicle of spreading Islam among the Turkic speaking region.
He died in 1166 AD in Turkestan by the time he had wide spiritual influence throughout
Central Asia. His mausoleum was re-built on the orders of Emperor Timur(Tamerlane)
according to his wishes as he himself was greatly struck by his spirituality and
considered him as his spiritual mentor. His main tomb is similar to Tamerlane’s in
Samarkand whereas his own tomb similar shows the respect, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi
enjoyed with Tamerlane.

Day 10: Turkestan/Otrar/Shymkent – 200 kms
morning revisit Ahmed Yassawi Complex – visit the shrine and later walk to various secular parts associated to the great Turkestan Ascetic. Also visit the site museum of the complex
afterwards depart for Shymkent via Otrar – visit the Otrar archaeological site and the
museum. Otrar was an important eastern town of the Shah of Khorezm but was raised and burnt by the Mongols under Chengiz Khan in 1225 AD. It was infact punitive expedition initially but later on it continued, devastating town after town. The impact of Mongol invasion lasted for many decades as the local populace was mercilessly killed.
later continue to Shymkent and on arrival transfer to hotel
evening we shall drive around the town built during the Soviet times as an industrial site
known for producing armament and bullets used for military purpose. Now the bustling town is undergoing a great change giving concrete structure to modern day buildings
overnight (B,L,D)

Day 11: Shymkent/Akyrtas/Taraz – 255 kms
morning depart for Taraz – shall continue to Akyrtas to see the ruins of a Silk Road city.
Later drive back and proceed to Taraz and on arrival transfer to hotel
After lunch we shall visit the other archaeological sites and tombs of Aisha Bibi
Overnight (B,L,D)

Taraz & Akyrtas: The southern steppes of Kazakhstan was a perfect place for many
cities as we called them Silk Road sites today were referred as rich cities of
Transoxania. Akyrtas was no doubt one the similar cities and when the Arabs arrived
here it was already a living town in 8th AD. The local population was of Turkic origin
called Qarluks who may have been the earliest Tribes of Goturk Khanate roaming in
the steppes before settling in present day Akyrtas site which could be dated back to
2nd Ad or even 1st BC. During the Turkic confederacy of the local rulers called
Karluks and at that time population was professing Buddhism where as earlier to this
period they must have been Shamanist or Animist along with other nomads of the
Zhyetsu (seven rivers) Nestorian monks had established a church as we can see
crosses and signs on rocks found here. Even there is record of people professing
Manichean religion. The Chinese invasions of these parts records defeating the local
Turkic people. We shall see well defined streets with well placed huge stones assures
us of nicely laid out city plan. Though with the passage of time and abandonment has
left only the town plan which is still very interesting to see.

Taraz or Talas: Taraz was an important and well inhabited town with river Talas flowing
past. This could be the eastern most extension of Sogdiana with admixture of Turkic
tribal groups. Again yet another town on the Great Silk Road, Taraz is situated in the
foothills of Talas range. Finds of stone age period from the caves situated in the
nearby mountain range, then as of many sites Scythian tribes in the land of seven
rivers have been found here in Taraz. Around 2nd AD Turkic population alongwith
Sogdians flourished in this region. The Chinese invasion of Taraz and the famous
battle along present day Talas river was fought around 750 AD between joint armies of
Chinese and Karakhitays but were defeated by the Arabs. However Arabs made a
tactical retreat leaving Karakhitays as master for a short period. Later to be converted
as Kara Khanid were of Uighur stock but after the conversion they established
themselves as one of the strongest ruling dynasty in the later years to come.
We can see the earlier sites of the Arab period and then later Kara Khanid which
suggest us of a well developed city on the Silk Road. In the outskirts of town we can
see Aisha Bibi’s tomb in the best of red sandstone with another tomb of her nurse
nearby.

Day 12: Taraz/Shymkent – 175 kms
Shymkent/Almaty – KC972 – 1000/1115 hrs
Early morning depart for Shymkent and onto airport for flight to Almaty
On arrival transfer to Holiday Inn
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Almaty town – visit Panfilov Park, Zhenkov’s Holy
Ascension Cathedral, later visit State Museum of History. Afterwards see local bazaar and
drive through the town seeing City Mosque
evening visit Kok Tyube – for grand view of the surrounding countryside
Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight (B,L,D)

Day 13: Almaty/Depart – Flt
morning transfer to airport for your departure flight
assistance on departure