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Silk Road: Almaty to Turkistan: 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do

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The 7-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · best time to go.

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7
days
980 km
distance
20.3 h
in transit
18
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Almaty public heritage day

1 curated stops
Transit
none
Finish
~15:00
Temperature
1.6°C–12.2°C
Rainy days
~10
Daylight
14.5h
09:00
Almaty public heritage circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use a bounded public Almaty heritage circuit before the long-distance rail handoff.
300 min · Almaty public heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:00
MiMi search map ↗
Choose from simple, meat-centric local lunches.
60 min · Almaty public heritage day · 3000 tenge
open: Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00; Sat 08:00-17:00
Overnight here
e.g. Astra Hotel · Hotel Berkana
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Almaty public culture and market day

1 curated stops
Transit
0h01
Finish
~15:05
Temperature
1.6°C–12.2°C
Rainy days
~10
Daylight
14.5h
09:05
Almaty public culture and market circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use a second bounded public Almaty culture and market day without assuming a mountain excursion.
300 min · Almaty public culture and market day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:05
Alasha alasha.kz
Savor Uzbeki cuisine, complete with lively performances and horse meat.
60 min · Almaty public culture and market day
open: Daily 12:00-00:00
Overnight here
e.g. Apelsin Hostel · Grand Aiser
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day

4 curated stops
Transit
12h08
Finish
~17:45
Temperature
12.2°C–26.1°C
Rainy days
~5
Daylight
14.5h
10:00
Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use the exact booked overnight-train arrival and a bounded public Taraz orientation and heritage circuit.
180 min · Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
13:10
Prezidentskiy Park search map ↗
Stroll through well-kept gardens and open spaces.
50 min · Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day
14:50
Aisha Bibi Mausoleum read more map ↗
Admire the restored 11th-century homage to Aisha Bibi.
50 min · Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day · Free entry
15:55
Dautbek Shamansur Mausoleum search
Honor the Mongol governor in Genghis Khan's mausoleum.
50 min · Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day
16:45
Malikakhon search map ↗
Savour fresh, juicy shish kebabs and salads here.
60 min · Taraz confirmed overnight-rail arrival and public heritage day
Overnight: aboard KTZ Almaty–Taraz reserved overnight train

Day 4 Taraz public Silk Road heritage day

1 curated stops
Transit
0h01
Finish
~15:05
Temperature
12.2°C–26.1°C
Rainy days
~5
Daylight
14.5h
09:05
Taraz public Silk Road heritage circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use a second bounded public Taraz Silk Road heritage day.
300 min · Taraz public Silk Road heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
14:05
SushiLove search
Enjoy charming sushi, pizza, and garden views.
60 min · Taraz public Silk Road heritage day · 800- 1,500 tenge for a whole roll of sushi
open: Daily 11:00-02:00
Overnight here
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Shymkent reserved transfer and public city day

3 curated stops
Transit
4h03
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
13.3°C–27.4°C
Rainy days
~6
Daylight
14.4h
12:55
Shymkent reserved transfer and public city circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and a bounded public Shymkent city circuit; no remote excursion is assumed.
180 min · Shymkent reserved transfer and public city day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
16:05
Old mosque in Old town search map ↗
Visit this late 19th-century old mosque.
50 min · Shymkent reserved transfer and public city day
open: 24/7
17:05
Shymkent hillfort Shym-Qala search map ↗
Explore ancient settlements and archaeological exhibits.
50 min · Shymkent reserved transfer and public city day
open: 09:00 to 18:00
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Nurotau · Hotel Ordabasy
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 6 Turkistan reserved transfer and public heritage day

3 curated stops
Transit
4h03
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
12.7°C–27.1°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
14.5h
12:55
Turkistan reserved transfer and public heritage circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use the confirmed road transfer and a bounded public Turkistan heritage circuit.
180 min · Turkistan reserved transfer and public heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions
16:05
Hilvet Mosque search map ↗
Visit a unique semi-underground mosque.
50 min · Turkistan reserved transfer and public heritage day · 500 tenge
17:05
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi read more map ↗
Experience a major pilgrimage site embodying Kazakh identity.
50 min · Turkistan reserved transfer and public heritage day · 5000 tenge for foreigners; 2000 tenge for nationals of neighbouring countries (price listed 2000)
open: 09:00-18:00
Overnight here
e.g. Platinum Hotel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 7 Turkistan public Silk Road heritage day

1 curated stops
Transit
0h01
Finish
~14:05
Temperature
12.7°C–27.1°C
Rainy days
~4
Daylight
14.5h
09:05
Turkistan public Silk Road heritage circuit kazakhstan.travel map ↗
Use a second bounded public Turkistan heritage day without assuming Otrar, a cave or a guided provider.
300 min · Turkistan public Silk Road heritage day · Confirm current admission, reservation and access conditions

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Use this plan → Change month, pace or interests →