The 6 Best Silk Road and Turkestan Tours

1.Turkestan Gloriously Isolated – Day Tour from Tashkent

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 35 reviews · 10 hours Our pick

Travel privately from Tashkent through Shymkent to Turkestan with an English or Russian speaking guide. Maftuna leads the Kazakhstan portion, covering the Yasawi mausoleum, underground mosque, caravanserai, camel rides, traditional costumes, and the Golden Egg’s 8K cinema. Expect a border crossing, two drivers, about 300 kilometers of road, and possible late return.

“It is a long drive and we needed to get up very early, but it was all worth it. The transport was with good drivers who drove safe. Crossing the border went very smooth. In Turkestan Maftuna showed us this beautiful city. She adjusted the tour to our individual needs. She gave interesting information and was such a nice and pleasant person to be around with. I can really recommend this tour! The people in Kasachstan are also very kind. The local food was very good.”

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2.Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly – UNESCO World Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $131Best value

Travel from Almaty to Tamgaly, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with Bronze Age to medieval petroglyphs. Your private guide, often Nursultan, explains the carvings, rituals, and daily life shown on the rocks. Expect a 2.5-hour drive each way, about three hours on site, and little shade.

“One of the hughlights of our kazakhstan trip was the petroglyphs tour. Mr Noor Sultan was so well-versed with the structures and made it such a fun learning experience. It was an incredibly pleasant experience. He was very helpful with Read more”

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3.Tanbaly Gorge: Ancient Petroglyphs UNESCO Site Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $146

Travel from Almaty to Tanbaly Gorge in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and walk about 2 km among rock carvings dating from the 14th or 13th century BC through the 18th century AD. Guides such as Nursultan and Minara explain the site, its rituals, and Kazakh culture. Expect a full day, light hiking, and no meal included.

“Petroglyphs were great experience. Also I am very satisfied with our guide. He took us from the hotel and drive us very carefully, all the time we talked very friendly and he tell us a lot of information about Almaty and Kazakhstan. On site we have another guide, she was specialist in this area and because of her we really learn a lot about the history and culture of the place. Tanbaly Gorge is unique place.”

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4.Turkestan and Otrar Day Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 9 hours · from $160

Travel from Shymkent to Otrar and Turkestan with a private guide such as Islam or Daulet. Visit Silk Road ruins, sacred mausoleums, museums, baths, an underground mosque, a carpet museum, and Karavansaray. Transport, entry fees, and water are included, with optional 8D cinema and gondola rides.

“Attività interessante sia per la parte più archeologica (Otrar) che per quella più architettonica ((Turkestan). Bello anche il paesaggio: steppa, deserto, cammelli e altra fauna. La guida, Islam, è stata molto cortese e professionale e ci ha ben consigliato anche sl momento del lunch (opzionale) che abbiamo sprezzato”

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5.2-Day 1-Night Ranch Stay & Tour Historic Mausoleum

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 2 days · from $315

Spend two days at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch near Astana, learning to ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. Alima and her team provide instruction, meals, transfers, horse care, and a mounted visit to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. You will also ride along the Nura River, cook local dishes, and sleep at the ranch.

“Best experience and food I had in Kazakhstan! The horses are so lovely, the food is absolutely delicious and the team is amazing! One thing that I can say is that from the moment I arrived is that everyone has been such a delight, very instructive in teaching me how to learn to ride and really cared that I have a good time. Which I did! The ride to the mausoleum was so much fun in the snow. I have fallen in love with horse riding and this family horse ranch! Thank you Alima and team!”

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6.The Silk Road tour of Kazakhstan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $347

Spend two days tracing Kazakhstan’s Silk Road through Shymkent, Otrar, Turkestan, and Sauran. You’ll visit a southern bazaar, archaeological ruins, the UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, and a medieval fortress city. Pickup, accommodation, transfers, transport, and entry fees are included, with groups capped at 12 people.

“Our guide was very helpful and hás shows us all the interesting things and more. His English was perfect and he explained everything.”

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