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The Great Khanates of the Steppes

Itinerary:

Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan
Duration:

12 days / 11 nights
Price:

on request

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country by land area in the world and the largest landlocked country. Its history dates back to bronze age with Scythians tribes roaming in the steppes and the mountains of the country. Scythians were supplanted by the Turkic speakers from the east who spread into various tribal groupings. The invasion of Mongols had great impact on the region who held their Karaultai the grand assembly in the steppes- this must have been the great Jirga or gathering. This was happening at a time when the Mongol empire was at its zenith. The sons of Chengiz Khan inherited their land under the unity of their father who started distribution of Mongol empire resulting in the emergence Great Khanates in the whole region. Mongols had reached the Don and had threatened the European kingdoms. The timely retreat of the Mongols was infact the success story of the tribes. Then with a passage of time these khanates were involved in internal warfare resulting in the weakened federation. It was then the Kazakh groups united under the strong leadership of Abul Khair Khan who fought many successive battles against the enemies including Dzungars. It was then the beginning of the imperial Russian forces which spread their arm across the country. When the first of the Russians arrived at the shores of Caspian Sea, they saw wild Kazakh tribes hunting seals and subsisting on fishing. It was of great interest to them and they started extending their arm of friendship and assistance to these tribes thereby educating them to the new world. The downfall of Russian Empire resulted in the emergence of Bolshevik rule with the formation of Soviet Union. After the dismemberment of Soviet Union Kazakhstan declared its independence as the last of the Central Asian Republics in 1991.

Tour program

Itinerary of «The Great Khanates of the Steppes»

Day 01: Arrive Almaty – Flt (Kazakhstan)
Meeting on arrival assistance and transfer to hotel.
Overnight

Day 02: Almaty
Full day sightseeing tour Almaty – we shall visit in the morning Panfilov Park, the Holy Ascension Cathedral made of wood with excellent icons in the main hall. Later visit the Kazakh museum of Musical Instruments, The State Museum of History – see the famous Golden Room with its replica of Golden Warrior Prince but his armament and golden buttons are on display.
Late visit the local green bazaar
afternoon we shall make excursion to the Medeo and later visit Chimbulak – for a grand view of Almaty and the surrounding countryside
Meals and overnight

Day 03: Almaty/Aktau – Flt
Morning flight to Caspian Sea coast – we shall arrive at Aktau.
Transfer to motel by the Seaside.
Later excursion to Karakol reserve – see the birdlife, later visit the city landmarks and the Regional Museum
Meals and overnight

Day 04: Aktau/Astana – Flt
Today we shall spend full day sightseeing of the Manguystau Peninsula – we shall depart for Fort Shevchenko – the first of ports established on the Caspian Sea by the Imperial Russia in 1857 and named it as Fort Novopetrovsky. We shall visit the Museum dedicated to Taurus Shevchenko as he spent his exile days here. Afterwards we shall proceed to see the beautiful chalk canyons giving wonderful views of the countryside. Later continue to Shakpak Ata – the underground mosques and shrines and the local necropolis with diverse designs of gravestones
return in the late afternoon and after dinner
transfer to airport for flight to Astana

Day 05: Astana
Arrive early morning and transfer to hotel.
Morning free at leisure
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Astana visit – Baiterek Tower, the Nursultan Mosque, the Palace of Peace and Concord, Khanshutyr Hall , the National Museum of Kazakhstan
Meals and overnight

Day 06: Astana/Shymkent – Flt
Morning we shall make excursion to Alzhir camp – we shall visit the one of the camps of Stalin era used for the families of the ‘condemned’ who were brought in wagons and some spent their entire life. Some dies due rigors and harsh treatment meted out by the camp officers. Today we can see the wagon which was used bring in the people, the Arch of Sorrow, the statues and the Museum dedicated to those who suffered and died here
Later proceed to Baiterek Tower to a local restaurant for Lunch
Transfer to airport for flight to Shymkent.
On arrival transfer to hotel.
Dinner and overnight

Day 07: Shymkent
Full day excursion to Ahmed Yassawi complex and Otrar ruins
We shall leave in the morning for Turkestan – enroute our first stop will be at Otrar – the town which was destroyed by Chengiz Khan in revenge for killing of his emissary. We shall visit the site of ancient Otrar city – the city was massacred by the Mongol armies killing all living souls that even today we can see human bones in the dusty lanes
after the visit of the local museum we shall proceed to Ahmed Yassawi complex – the grand complex built during the time of Tamerlane – it looks very similar to Tamerlane’s own tomb.
Return to Shymkent in the late afternoon
Meals and overnight

Day 08: Shymkent/Tashkent – 124 kms (Uzbekistan)
Morning depart for Uzbek border point of Chernayevka – on arrival we shall go through the border check point. After the border formalities proceed to Tashkent
on arrival transfer to hotel.
afternoon sightseeing tour of Tashkent visit – Old city, the Hast Imam complex, Chorsu bazaar, madrassah Kukeldesh, Mustaqlik maidoni, Museum of Applied Arts and Navoi Theatre
meals and overnight

Day 09: Tashkent/Bukhara – Flt
Morning flight to Bukhara – on arrival transfer to hotel.
Sightseeing tour of Bukhara – we shall visit Lyabikhauz, madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Khanaga, smaller cupola, Mogaki Attari Mosque, the Tilpak Frushan, madrassah Aziz Khan and Ulugbek
meals and overnight

Day 10: Bukhara
Morning sightseeing tour of Bukhara visit Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, Ark Fortress,
Balokhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, Chasma Ayub(Job’s spring) and Chor Minor
Afternoon free to explore the bazars of Bukhara
Meals and overnight

Day 11: Bukhara/Samarkand – 268 kms
Morning depart for Samarkand – enroute we shall make stop at Gijduvan to see the local pottery works of Alisher – the third generations of potters. We shall see all process of pottery making
later continue to Samarkand and on arrival transfer to hotel.
Afternoon we shall visit Registan Square to see the three beautiful madrassahs. Later visit Bibi Khanum mosque and the bazaar
Meals and overnight

Day 12: Samarkand/Tashkent – Train – 1700/1910 hrs
Tashkent/Depart – Flt
Full morning we shall visit – Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, Shahi Zinda Necropolis, Afrosiab Museum and Ulugbek’s Observatory
Lunch at local restaurant
Later transfer to railway station for train to Tashkent – on arrival transfer to a local restaurant for dinner – afterwards transfer to airport for your destination flight
Assistance on departure
Details

Details of itinerary & map

The Great Khanates of the Steppes
Prices

Tour cost in USD

Price available on request.
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