Tour from Almaty

Golden Ring of Turkestan: Yasavi, Otrar, Sauran

4.9 · 23 reviews

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.

WhenOn schedule, 3 days
Duration3 days / 2 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $268/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Golden Ring of Turkestan: Yasavi, Otrar, Sauran

Day 1

Almaty — Turkestan

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.

Day 2

Turkestan — Otrar — Sauran

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.

Day 3

Turkestan — Almaty

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

What is included: Golden Ring of Turkestan: Yasavi, Otrar, Sauran

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning
  • Hotel accommodation (2 nights)

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the Turkestan tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
BY
Botagoz Ya.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #47709
OT
Oleg Ts.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #41520
KM
Kairat M.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

With colleagues we decided to go to Turkestan for the weekend. The program is packed, November, but sunny. We liked everything.

Verified review · Order #39862
AK
Alisher K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #39784
KG
Ksenia G.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #37658
VK
Viktor K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #37467
SZ
Svetlana Zh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #34457
PB
Polina B.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #31863
DO
Daniyar O.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #31675
SD
Sanzhar D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went in November, it was cool, but interesting. We saw Yasawi and Sauran, the bus is comfortable, even though it's long.

Verified review · Order #29700
AS
Artur S.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #28975
BV
Botagoz V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #24281
YK
Yana K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My vybrali etot tur radi Otry, no i Sauran ne podvel. Avtobus dolgiy, no ekskursii stoili etogo.

Verified review · Order #23498
AK
Andrey K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #21767
AZ
Alina Zh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #21582
VP
Viktor P.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #19797
BY
Bolat Ya.
Google ·
★★★★★

S drugom reshili na vyhodnye, no zhili daleko ot mesta sbora, poehali za gorod. Madina vse operativno reshal.

Verified review · Order #18727
NS
Nursultan S.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #18063
ML
Medet L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Poehali s bratom posmotret mavzolej, no avtobus hotel dolgo. Aleksandr kak gid vse rasskazal.

Verified review · Order #17514
NR
Natalya R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with our family to see the Yasawi mausoleum, we also liked the Sauran fortress. The bus ride was long.

Verified review · Order #15016
AK
Albina K.
Google ·
★★★★★

We gathered with colleagues for the May holidays to unwind. Yasawi and Otrar made an impression, even though we were tired on the road.

Verified review · Order #13725
EP
Evgeniy P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #12886
ZS
Zhanna Sh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #12617

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the «Golden Ring of Turkestan» tour

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 question

On 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.