Aral Sea

The Aral Sea is located on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It was the fourth largest salt lake in the world. Since 1960 XX century sea level (and the amount of water in it) began to decline rapidly due to diversion of water from the main supply of the Amudarya and Syrdarya for irrigation purposes, in 1989 the sea split into two isolated reservoirs - Northern (Small) and South (large) Aral Sea.

Duration: 10 days

Day 1
Arrival in Almaty in the early morning. You will be picked up by a driver and transfered to 3* hotel Astra in Almaty.
After a breakfast and some rest - as you wish - you will be offered a city excursion visiting Panfilov Park with the Zenkov Cathedrale, Independence Square and drive up to the Medeo skating rink in the mountains (1700 m).

Day 2
After breakfast you have leisure time until the end of the morning, when you have will be transfered to Almaty Airport to catch the flight to Kyzlorda at 14:45 (be aware that flight schedules may change).
After arrival in Kyzlorda (1,500 km) at 16:30 you will be guided to the railway station and have some time to catch the 21:03 train to Aralsk, where you'll arrive the next morning and some 500 kms further at 04:00.

Day 3
After arriving in Aralsk - previously an Aral Sea harbour - you will be guided to the guesthouse. After a breakfast and a short rest there follows an excursion by 4WD to the Zhalanash ship graveyard at 75 km across the now dried-up sea bed. There's also a small museum on the local history.
At the end of the day you return to the guesthouse in Aralsk, which is actually a homestay, for dinner and an overnight.

Day 4
Today another excursion, to the Kokaral Dike (at 220 km from Aralsk), the connection between the west- and eastbank that prevents water from running from the lesser Aral to the main body of water, in order to sustain lesser Aral.
At the end of the day you return to the Aralsk guesthouse.

Day 5
Today you have chance to take some well-deserved rest during a long traintrip across the steppe, all the way to Turkestan (approx. 1,000 km). You leave Aralsk at 07:29 and arrive at 18:25 in historical Turkestan. Upon arrival you will be guided to hotel Turkestan.

Day 6
After breakfast en English speaking guide will show you the famous Mausuleum of Khodja Ahmed Yassawi, the most important monument of Kazakhstan. Afterwards you will have time explore the town by yourself.
At 18:19 you have to catch the train from Turkstan to Tulkubas at some 250 km, where you'll arrive at 21:50. A driver will pick you up and transfer you to the nearby village of Jabagly (20 km) where you will be accommodated in a gueshouse with good facilities.

Day 7
Today, nature. You will have the chance to hike, or a ride a horse, all day in wonderful the Aksu-Jabagly nature reserve, with guidance.
You'll take your lunch with you and dinner back in the guesthouse in included.
The reserve is well-known for its rich flora (a.o. wild tulips) and fauna (brown bears, eagles, even snow leopards!).

Day 8
Another day in the splendid reserve to hike or ride a horse and enjoy nature. Highlight has to be a visit to the spectacular Aksu Canyon.
After returning to the guesthouse and dinner you will be transfered to the Tulkubas train station (20 km) to board the evening train to Almaty.

Day 9
You will arrive in Almaty in the early morning after having spend a night in the train.
A driver will pick you up and escort you to hotel. Today, the last day of the tour, you will have time for yourself.

Day 10
In the early morning or night - depening on your departure time - you will be transfered to Almaty Airport to catch the flight back home.
Or, alternatively, you may choose to stay longer in the region and book another tour (with us).