Adventure Sports Turkistan

Adventure Sports in Turkistan

Turkistan is a historic city in the Turkistan Region of southern Kazakhstan, on flat steppe about 160 km north-west of Shymkent. It is a pilgrimage and heritage destination, so adventure sports are not its strength. There is no rafting, climbing, paragliding or off-road desert driving to book here, and the active options are gentle.

Walking the Heritage Sites

  • Azret Sultan precinct: The Yasawi Mausoleum, the Hilvet mosque, the Eastern Bathhouse museum, the Rabiga Sultan Begim mausoleum and the Friday Mosque are within walking distance of each other.
  • Tips:
    • A full circuit takes most of a morning once you add the queue at the entrance.
    • The mausoleum is open 09:00 to 18:00, so start in the morning.

Camel and Pony Rides

  • Mausoleum precinct: Short rides are offered around the precinct. They are commercial in tone, so treat them as a short ride rather than an expedition.
  • Tips:
    • Choose animals that look well fed and rested, and skip rides in the midday heat.

Karavansaray Family Entertainment Centre

  • Paid rides and games: A pony adventure, a rope course, a trampoline, bumper cars, the Drop’n Twist tower and a spinning coaster.
  • Tips:
    • Entry to the Karavansaray complex itself is free, and the rides are paid separately.

Day Trips by Car

  • Sauran and Otrar: Ruined Silk Road sites reached by road, with Sauran north-west of town and Otrar to the south.
  • Tips:
    • Both are on open steppe with no shade, so bring water, a hat and sun protection.
    • Agree a taxi price and waiting time before leaving.

Safety Considerations

  • Summer highs reach 35 to 40 C, so keep outdoor time to the morning and evening.
  • Carry your original passport, since the mausoleum entrance involves an ID check and bag screening.
  • Be respectful of local customs, especially at the mausoleum, where pilgrims pray.

Getting There

Hazrat Sultan International Airport (HSA), about 21 km from the centre, has direct flights from Almaty and Astana plus a few seasonal international routes, so check current schedules. From Shymkent, Turkistan is about 160 km away, roughly 2 hours by minibus or shared car, or 3 to 4 hours by train.

Accommodation

Options include the Karavansaray Turkistan Hotel and Family Hotel, Hampton by Hilton Turkistan, about 10 minutes’ walk from the mausoleum, and Platinum Hotel. Book ahead in spring and autumn.

Remember to prioritise safety, respect local culture and take care of the environment while exploring Turkistan.