Send a parcel from Shymkent to Turkestan

Shymkent is the country’s third-largest city and the trading hub of the south. Turkestan is the spiritual centre of the country, with the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the centre of Turkestan Region. The cities are roughly 150 km apart in a straight line, one of the short routes where people travel often, both by land and by air.

From Shymkent people send homemade treats, clothes and textiles from the local markets, documents and things for relatives who left to study or work. In Turkestan parcels go to families, staff of regional institutions and people working in tourism.

On JetJoin travelers publish their trips: where they fly from and to, the date and how much luggage space they can spare. Choose the Shymkent → Turkestan route, open a suitable listing and propose a handover. The traveler decides whether to take the parcel, so describe it honestly and in detail.

JetJoin brings together people who fly, and on a short route some people travel by land, so there may be few suitable trips. Turn on “Notify me about a new flight” to get a message when someone publishes the Shymkent — Turkestan route.

Documents, clothes, books, gifts and small electronics are what people usually send within the country. Food is fine if it is well packed and won’t leak, but remember that liquids in cabin baggage are limited and perishables may not last until the recipient gets them.

Before the meetup, show the traveler the contents and let them see it packed: they are responsible for what they take through screening. Photos and videos on JetJoin help avoid disputes, and sturdy but easy-to-open packaging saves time at the airport.

Choose the handover spot on the traveler’s way rather than for your own convenience; that way there is less risk of being late. Summers in Shymkent are hot, so a morning or evening handover in the shade or indoors is more comfortable.

Visitors to Turkestan find their way by the historic centre around the mausoleum, so its surroundings make a clear meeting point. The recipient meets the traveler and gives them the confirmation code; once the code is entered, the delivery is complete.

JetJoin has no per-kilometre price list; the sender proposes the price for Shymkent — Turkestan. Consider the size of the parcel, the urgency and whether the traveler will have to go into town. On top comes a 15% sender fee.

Before choosing a traveler, read their reviews. Every participant’s identity is verified, and the photos and videos of the parcel in the app record exactly what was handed over.