★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Tour from Almaty
In 3 days you will visit the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi (UNESCO site), the ruins of ancient Otrar and the fortress of Sauran. The program includes transfers, accommodation and guided tours.
Program
In the morning, departure from Almaty by bus, transfer to Turkestan (about 9–10 hours, with stops for lunch and rest). Upon arrival — check-in at the hotel; in the evening — a walk around the city, dinner and rest.
In the morning, a tour of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (a UNESCO site). Then transfer to the ruins of ancient Otrar, explore the settlement. In the afternoon, visit Sauran Fortress, return to Turkestan. In the evening, free time.
In the morning, free time to stroll around Turkestan, visit souvenir shops. After lunch, departure to Almaty, arrival late in the evening. End of the tour.
What's included
Already included in the tour price
Optional, on site
To make the day comfortable
Team
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
I chose this tour because I've long dreamed of seeing the Yasawi mausoleum. In September we went with my father, the weather was pleasant. The bus rode for a long time from Almaty, but there were frequent stops. On the second day we explored Otrar and Sauran, their history is very rich. The guide said a lot, but sometimes his voice couldn't be heard. The hotel is simple, breakfast is also good. In the evening we strolled around the city, my father was pleased. Overall I liked the tour, I'll tell my friends too.
We went with my wife for our anniversary. Aleksandr gave an excellent tour of the mausoleum. In March it's cool, but not cold. We liked it.
With colleagues we decided to go to Turkestan for the weekend. The program is packed, November, but sunny. We liked everything.
We wanted to see ancient Otrar with the family, but the bus was a bit late. Overall we liked the trip, the weather was cool but tolerable.
My friend and I went to celebrate her birthday, we wanted to see Yasawi. The mausoleum impressed, but a 9-hour bus ride is hard.
I chose this tour because of UNESCO, I wanted to see the mausoleum with my own eyes. In September the weather is great, warm during the day. The bus is comfortable, but the road is long. Otrar and Sauran impressed, especially the ruins. The hotel is normal, the food is good.
In June, my husband and I decided to go to Turkestan to see Yasawi. The program is packed, but 10 hours on a bus is tough. We also visited Otrar and Sauran, liked it. The hotel is included, which is convenient.
We gathered with friends for the May holidays, but went in April. In Turkestan it's already warm, everything is green. The guide is good.
I've long wanted to show my son the Yasawi mausoleum, I myself haven't been there since school. We took a three-day tour, in April the weather is just right for the bus. The road from Almaty took almost the whole first day, but with stops it's tolerable. Andrey led the excursions, told about Otrar and Sauran, so my son listened without getting distracted. In Otrar the ruins are big, we walked for about an hour and a half, it was windy but not cold. The hotel is simple, enough to spend the night. We came back late, tired but satisfied. For this money, it's a normal option to see everything at once.
We went in November, it was cool, but interesting. We saw Yasawi and Sauran, the bus is comfortable, even though it's long.
In October we went to Turkestan, we liked the Yasawi mausoleum and the Sauran fortress. The bus ride was long, but it's an educational tour.
In June we went with friends, we had long wanted to see Yasawi. The heat was intense, but the mausoleum still impressed us. In Otrar we walked among the ruins, there was almost no wind, only the sun was scorching. We also saw Sauran, the fortress is interesting. The guide told us about the history, though sometimes we had to ask again because of the heat. The bus ride was long, but with stops, so it was tolerable. Overall we liked the trip, even though we got tired.
My vybrali etot tur radi Otry, no i Sauran ne podvel. Avtobus dolgiy, no ekskursii stoili etogo.
In April, my colleagues and I went on this tour to see the ancient cities. The bus from Almaty took almost 10 hours, but with stops. The guide Sergey told us everything in detail at the Yasawi mausoleum and Otrar. Sauran also impressed us. The hotel is included, which is convenient. The weather was cool, but sunny.
My sister and I had long wanted to see the Yasawi mausoleum, and finally we made it. In April the weather was cool but sunny, so we took jackets. The bus from Almaty took almost 10 hours, with stops, but it was tolerable. Coordinator Madina wrote in advance where we meet and kept in touch on the road. Guide Ilyas in Turkestan gave an excellent tour, told everything about the history. Otrar and Sauran also impressed, especially the fortress. The hotel is normal, included in the price, so we didn't overpay. Overall we liked the trip, even though we were tired from the travels.
My wife and I decided to go in November to see Yasawi. The weather was cool, but the excursions are interesting. The bus is long, but the guide told us everything.
S drugom reshili na vyhodnye, no zhili daleko ot mesta sbora, poehali za gorod. Madina vse operativno reshal.
In September, I went with friends to Turkestan, the Yasawi mausoleum and Otrar impressed me. The bus ride is long, but the excursions are worth it.
Poehali s bratom posmotret mavzolej, no avtobus hotel dolgo. Aleksandr kak gid vse rasskazal.
We went with our family to see the Yasawi mausoleum, we also liked the Sauran fortress. The bus ride was long.
We gathered with colleagues for the May holidays to unwind. Yasawi and Otrar made an impression, even though we were tired on the road.
My wife and I decided to take this tour on the May holidays to unwind. The guide Andrey told us interesting things about the Yasawi mausoleum and Otrar. We also walked around Sauran, the fortress impressed us. The bus ride is long, but it's worth it. The weather was warm, everything was green. The hotel is normal, enough for an overnight stay. We got back late, tired but satisfied.
My sister and I decided to go on the May holidays. The manager helped with the booking, everything was clear. But the bus was a bit old, and the ride is long.
FAQ
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionOn the first day, departure from Almaty is in the morning, and the bus ride takes about 9–10 hours. On the third day, we leave after lunch and arrive in Almaty late in the evening. We will confirm the exact meeting and return times for your date on WhatsApp.
Take comfortable shoes for long walks and clothes for the weather on the days of the trip, plus a hat and sun protection from the open sun at the ancient settlement. A supply of water, a light snack, and a charged phone or camera will come in handy. Before departure, the guide will tell you what is relevant for the season.
The program is based on bus transfers and guided excursions, without long walking stretches. There are walks around Turkestan and visits to the ancient settlements of Otrar and Sauran, where you need to walk on the ground and ruins. If you are unsure about the load for your companions, we will clarify the details for your date on WhatsApp.
$268 per person covers bus travel along the entire route Yasawi — Otrar — Sauran, the guide's work, the organization of stops and two nights in a hotel in Turkestan. Meals, personal expenses, and tickets to individual sites are not included; you cover those yourself. The guide will tell you the rest before departure.
The tour format is group-based, departing on schedule by bus from Almaty, so by default you travel with other tourists. If you want your own group on your own date, we will check this possibility on WhatsApp. But the program itself is designed for a group.
Write to us on WhatsApp with the departure date from the schedule — and we will reserve seats on the bus for you; nothing needs to be transferred in advance. You pay $268 per person on the day of the trip — via Kaspi, by card, or in cash. If your plans change, cancellation is free.
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