All Shymkent Tours & Excursions in 2026

Shymkent is the third largest city of Kazakhstan. Its history is around eight centuries old, but during this time it has become a large cultural, trading and industrial centre in the south of the country. Shymkent City Tour opens up the most interesting that this beautiful city can boast with, and learn much of its history.

Sayram-Ugam National park is located 70 km from Shymkent. The park is a part of the Western Tian-Shan mountain system. Also, it is included in the list of the UNESCO of World heritage sites. Sayram-Ugam is full of wild gorges and canyons, mountain lakes and rivers, peaks and glaciers. If you are lucky, you can meet a snow leopard, a bear, mountain goats and gazelles, a lot of very rare and endangered birds and amphibians. Most noteworthy – breathtaking landscapes, the availability of different trekking and horseriding options and relatively easy access makes this area a popular destination not only among locals but also foreign guests. In this national park, there are many different routes, but the most colorful is the area around the foothills of peak Sayram-Su. Mountain forests regulate water flow, enrich the air with oxygen and phytoncides. They protect against rain and spring floods, slow the melting of snows.

With soaring peaks, rugged canyons, twin rivers, and a wealth of birds of prey, the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve offers some of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular landscapes. Explore the wilderness with confidence on this overnight private trek with a guide and vehicle including hotel pickup, three meals, and a guesthouse stay. On day 1, hike the Kshi-Kayindy Gorge; on day 2, explore the Aksu Canyon.

Learn about the ancient cities of Otrar, Turkestan, and Shymkent on this archaeological tour. The Silk Road passed through Kazakhstan, giving these cities immense wealth and diverse and unique cultures. Visit excavations, reconstructions, and more to truly immerse yourself in the country’s history.

Most tours stick to the crowded paths, but this trek takes you deep into the quieter parts of the Western Tian Shan. You'll be exploring the Sairam-Ugam Nature Park with a local guide who knows these mountains inside out. Expect to walk among rare, centuries-old juniper trees and drink from ice-cold mountain streams without another tourist in sight. It's a real, raw piece of Central Asian nature