Ulytau — the Cradle of the Nation

Ulytau (from Kazakh  “the great mountains») is an incredibly interesting part of Central Kazakhstan, justly considered “the cradle of the Kazakh nation”.

The Ulytau mountains always attracted the attention of nomads. Here was situated the headquarters of the oldest son of Genghis Khan – Zhoshy (Jochi), who became the ancestor of most of the Kazakh rulers. Moreover, here graphic evidence of historical events, connected with the name of Tamerlane the Great, can also be found. It’s remarkable, that exactly in the Ulytau mountains the grave of Alasha-Khan – the legendary ancestor of the Kazakh nation – is situated. The Stone Age, the Bronze era, the Middle Ages and the new time – all the periods of history are presented in the Ulytau in their own particular and manifold way.

The landscapes of the Ulytau are original and diverse: steppes alternate with amazing mountains and forests, a little more to the south real sand-dunes begin. You will get an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the flora and fauna of 3 ecosystems at once, each being unique and interesting in its own way. As for the steppe, you can give a look at it after ascending Yedyge and Auliye – two most sacred peaks of this mountain oasis.

The traditional Kazakh hospitality also awaits you. In houses of these friendly people, you’ll be able to find shelter and repast, as well as get to know the traditional way of life better. In addition, the Ulytau is considered to be the place where the geographical center of Kazakhstan is situated, the corresponding monument is erected here.

Program of the tour

Day 1

Traveling from Karaganda to Terekty place (445 km, 7 hours), lunch on the way in Atasu. Walking excursion around the Terekty archaeological complex – the most famous collection of the petroglyphs of the Bronze Age in Central Kazakhstan, visiting the nearby necropolis. Traveling from Terekty to Zhezkazgan city (85 km, 1 hour). Arrival to Zhezkazgan, accommodation in a hotel. Dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast. Excursion to the Historical-Archaeological Museum. Traveling from Zhezkazgan to the Mausoleum of the eldest son of Genghis Khan – Jochi Khan (50 km, 1 hour 10 min.), exploring the mausoleum and ruins of khan’s headquarters. Way to Dombauyl mausoleum of the Hun period (5 km, 15 min), visiting it. Traveling to Alasha-Khan mausoleum (21 km, 30 min.). Lunch nearby, then excursion to the mausoleum of legendary ancestor of the Kazakh people and walk around the surrounding necropolis. Traveling to (and visiting) Duzen and Yerden mausoleums of the 19th century (49 km, 1,5 hours). Traveling to Ulytau village with visiting the monument of unity of the people of Kazakhstan, erected in the geographical center of the country, on the way (44 km, 1 hour). Arrival and accommodation in a guest-house/hotel. Dinner.

Day 3

Breakfast. Traveling from Ulytau to the foot of Auliye Mountain (3 km, 20 min.). Ascending sacred Auliye mountain (there and back – 3 hours, about 400 meters ascent) – the highest point of the Ulytau mountains (1133 meters), attracting pilgrims from all over the country. Watching ancient graves of the 7 Saints on the top, exploring the cave. Descending, coming back to Ulytau village (3 km, 20 min.), lunch in a cafe. Traveling from Ulytau to Altynshoky (58 km, 2 hours). Ascending the hill, where the copy of the stone with the inscription made by order of Tamerlane during his campaign to the Golden Horde, as well as rests of the thermal engineering construction for keeping the fire are situated. Traveling to Akzhar Mountains (61 km, 2 hours). Walking around beautiful yellow-red rocks of the Cretaceous period.Dinner and overnight stop in the field.

Day 4

Breakfast, morning stroll around Akzhar Mountains. Traveling from Akzhar to the Tamdy river valley (96 km, 3 hours 15 min.). Excursion around the Tamdy river valley and petroglyphes situated there. Lunch afield, swimming in the river (optional). Traveling from Tamdy valley to the foot of Yedyge Mountain (56 km, 2 hours). Ascending Yedyge mountain (there and back – 3 hours, 300 metres ascent) – an excellent outlook of the mountain oasis and surrounding steppe (1065 metres height above sea level). Watching alleged graves of Tokhtamysh-khan and Yedyge-emir, situated on the top of the mountain. Descending, coming back to Ulytau (40 km, 1,5 hours). Dinner and overnight stop in a guest-house/hotel.

Day 5

Breakfast. Traveling to Zyngyrtas place, famous for its petroglyphs and “clanking” stones (22 km, 40 min), watching rock carvings. Coming back to Ulytau and traveling from there to the medieval settlement Baskamyr (75 km, 1,5 hours), excursion around the settlement of the 8-12 centuries.Traveling to Ayakkamyr mausoleum (15 km, 25 min.), watching one more mausoleum of the Golden Horde period. Lunch afield. Traveling to the Zhezdy village (8 km, 15 min). Visiting the History Museum of Mining and Smelting. Traveling from Zhezdy to Zhezkazgan (65 km, 1 hour). Accommodation in a hotel. Dinner.

Day 6

Breakfast. Traveling to the Zhetykonyr sands (135 km, 3 hours). Walking in the sand dunes, acquaintance with local flora and fauna. Lunch afield. Traveling to the Bolgan-Ana and Kulan-Ana mausoleums of the Golden Horde period (97 km, 2 hours), visiting mausoleums. Traveling back to Zhezkazgan (65 km, 1 hour). Dinner.

Day 7

Breakfast. Free time in Zhezkazgan. Traveling from Zhezkazgan to Karaganda with lunch on the way in Atasu.

Cost per person

The above-mentioned prices include: all the journeys by all-wheel drive minibus according to the programme of the tour, services of a driver and an English-speaking guide-interpreter, accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, full board, visiting museums mentioned in the program.

The above-mentioned prices do not include: visa expenses and consular fees, insurance, the price of getting to the starting point of the route (Karaganda city) and back. 

If required the tour can be adapted according to the schedule of arrival and departure flights of the participants. In this case, the cost of the tour may slightly change.

DISCLAIMER
The program of the tour might be changed due to the force majeure circumstances, including (but not limited to):
– official prohibitions on visiting specially protected areas (national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, etc.) due to epizootics or epidemics, fire-setting and other reasons;
– official prohibitions on visiting sites, located in the territory of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and Kurchatov town, Saryshagan test site, Baikonur city and Cosmodrome site, and other areas with limited access;
– cancellation/postponement of plane, train and other transfers;
– extreme weather conditions (steppe fire, snowstorms, lasting rainstorms, etc.) and its consequences (washed out roads, snow drifts, damaged bridges, etc.);
– traffic restrictions (closures);
– other natural and administrative circumstances beyond the control of the company “Nomadic Travel Kazakhstan”.