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The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan under a wide sky

Shymkent Tours & Day Trips

Turkistan, Otrar, the Aksu canyon and the city itself — every real option, compared honestly.

Southern Kazakhstan is not yet a mass-tourism destination, and it shows in the booking platforms: GetYourGuide lists only around a dozen experiences that start in Shymkent or Turkistan. That is not a bad thing — the guides are local, groups are small and most tours are private — but it means you should read the details rather than rely on thousands of reviews.

We have listed every product we consider worth your money, grouped by where you are starting from, and we say clearly which are established and which are brand new. Prices are indicative "from" amounts in US dollars; several are charged per group of up to three, which makes them good value for couples and friends. Tap any card for live prices and dates. Entrance fees and lunch are sometimes included and sometimes not — each listing spells it out.

Short on time? Book the Turkistan and Otrar day tour. It is the one experience nobody should leave the south without.

Pick by where you are starting

Starting in Shymkent

A city tour for your first day, then the classic day trips to Turkistan and Otrar or out to the mountains.

The tiled rear facade and turquoise dome of the Yasawi mausoleum in Turkistan Guided day trip from US$220
🕒 9 hours 📍 From Shymkent ⭐ 4.9 (17)

From Shymkent: Turkistan and Otrar Day Tour with Guide

The best-reviewed Shymkent departure on GetYourGuide: a full day by car with a guide to the three great historic sites of the south — the mausoleum of Arystan Bab, the ruined Silk Road city of Otrar and the Timurid mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan.

  • Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO)
  • Arystan Bab mausoleum
  • The excavated ruins of Otrar
Check price & availability
A large SHYMKENT sign on a pedestrian walkway in the city centre Private city tour from US$112 per group
🕒 5 hours 📍 From Shymkent

Shymkent: Private City Tour by Car with Local Guide

A half-day introduction to the city with a local guide and car: historic landmarks, parks and everyday streets, at your own pace. A new listing without reviews yet, but the only dedicated city tour — and good value when the price is shared between three.

  • Citadel, squares and parks by private car
  • Flexible route with a local guide
  • Price is per group of up to three
Check price & availability

Sleeping in Turkistan

Add the ruined cities of Otrar and Sauran — inexpensive from here, and far less driving than from Shymkent.

Coming from Tashkent

Private day trips across the border to Shymkent or Turkistan, plus two ways to spend your time in the Uzbek capital itself.

Ordabasy Square in Shymkent with the Zher-Ana column Private day trip from US$290 per group
🕒 8 hours 📍 From Tashkent ⭐ 4.8 (119)

Shymkent Day Tour from Tashkent

By far the most-reviewed Shymkent product: a private day trip from the Uzbek capital that handles the border crossing and shows you the highlights of the city before bringing you back to Tashkent. A neat way to add a second country to an Uzbekistan trip.

  • Cross the Uzbek–Kazakh border with help
  • Shymkent’s parks, squares and museums
  • Price is per group of up to three
Check price & availability

Coming from Almaty

Multi-day packages south to Turkistan, and Almaty’s own best-selling day trip.

Live availability

Book now — real-time prices

Straight from GetYourGuide, updated continuously: Shymkent first, then Turkistan.

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The full list

Every tour we list

Eighteen experiences: twelve in Shymkent and Turkistan, plus the best options from the gateway cities of Tashkent and Almaty.

The tiled rear facade and turquoise dome of the Yasawi mausoleum in Turkistan Guided day trip from US$220
🕒 9 hours 📍 From Shymkent ⭐ 4.9 (17)

From Shymkent: Turkistan and Otrar Day Tour with Guide

The best-reviewed Shymkent departure on GetYourGuide: a full day by car with a guide to the three great historic sites of the south — the mausoleum of Arystan Bab, the ruined Silk Road city of Otrar and the Timurid mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkistan.

  • Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO)
  • Arystan Bab mausoleum
  • The excavated ruins of Otrar
Check price & availability
Ordabasy Square in Shymkent with the Zher-Ana column Private day trip from US$290 per group
🕒 8 hours 📍 From Tashkent ⭐ 4.8 (119)

Shymkent Day Tour from Tashkent

By far the most-reviewed Shymkent product: a private day trip from the Uzbek capital that handles the border crossing and shows you the highlights of the city before bringing you back to Tashkent. A neat way to add a second country to an Uzbekistan trip.

  • Cross the Uzbek–Kazakh border with help
  • Shymkent’s parks, squares and museums
  • Price is per group of up to three
Check price & availability
A large SHYMKENT sign on a pedestrian walkway in the city centre Private city tour from US$112 per group
🕒 5 hours 📍 From Shymkent

Shymkent: Private City Tour by Car with Local Guide

A half-day introduction to the city with a local guide and car: historic landmarks, parks and everyday streets, at your own pace. A new listing without reviews yet, but the only dedicated city tour — and good value when the price is shared between three.

  • Citadel, squares and parks by private car
  • Flexible route with a local guide
  • Price is per group of up to three
Check price & availability
Plan your days in southern Kazakhstan

Make Shymkent your base for Turkistan and the Tian Shan

A Timurid mausoleum on the UNESCO list, the ruins of Otrar and wild tulip valleys — all within a day of Shymkent. Compare guided tours and day trips and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Shymkent tours Compare all tours
Good to know

Booking tours in Shymkent: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Why do some tours have no rating?

They are new on GetYourGuide. Organised tourism in southern Kazakhstan is growing fast and many local operators only listed their tours recently. We include them because choice is limited, but we label them, and GetYourGuide’s free-cancellation policy on most of them limits your risk.

Is it cheaper to arrange a driver locally?

Often, yes — a hotel can find a car and driver to Turkistan for less than a guided tour. What you give up is an English-speaking guide, a fixed price agreed in advance and a cancellation policy. At sites like Otrar, where there is little signage, a guide adds a lot.

What does "per group" mean?

The price shown covers the whole private party, usually up to three people, rather than each person. Check the listing for the surcharge for larger groups.

Are entrance fees included?

It varies by tour. Fees at the Yasawi mausoleum, Otrar and Arystan Bab are low, but check the "includes" section before booking.

Can I visit Turkistan from Tashkent in a day?

Yes, there is a private tour that does it, but it involves a border crossing and about 600 km of driving. Staying a night in Shymkent or Turkistan is far more comfortable.

What language are the tours in?

Most are offered in English and Russian; some guides also speak Turkish, Kazakh or other languages. The listing shows the options for each date.