Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
About this tour
If you love to be active, then Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan Tour will prove irresistible! Mixing the great outdoors with a liberal helping of adrenaline, the breathtaking scenery of Kazakhstan and its neighbor Kyrgyzstan will form the photogenic backdrop to a fortnight of action-packed adventure.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan
AM. Early morning arrival to Almaty. Meeting with guide and driver in the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Rest at the hotel till noon. PM. City tour around the centre of Almaty. Visit to Republic Square and Monument of Independence. Walk via old city center (today: Square Astana) to the 28 Panfilovtsev Park . Along the Avenue of memory obelisks with names of 28 fighters of the 1075th regiment of the 316th shooting division, accepted unequal battle with German tanks in the winter of 1941 are established during fight for Moscow), Zenkov Cathedral (monument of cult architecture of Christians in Kazakhstan). Also we will visit the Museum of Musical Instruments, Abai Theater, Green Market. Overnight in the hotel. Meals included: B/L/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day/end of the day – 800 m in Almaty)
Day 2: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Altyn Emel National Park, Алматы, Kazakhstan
Breakfast in the hotel. Leave Almaty and head towards Basshi in Altyn-Emel National Park. On the way we will drive by Kapchigay. On the way picnic on the shore of the Kapchagai reservoir, where you can go swimming. After picnic drive to Altyn Emel National park. Altyn Emel national park, 250 km north of Almaty, has been dealt a good hand of weird geology spread around its large steppe territory. The most unusual are the 4 sand dunes, which don’t move despite very strong winds. They also produce a deep humming noise, like an airplane flying overhead, when you slide down from the top. Upon arrival to Altyn –Emel excursion to singigng dunrs and walking there during 2 hours. Dinner and overnight stay in the guesthouse. Meals included: B/L-Picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 800m in Almaty, 475 in Kapchygai, in the end of day – 400 m in Basshi)
Day 3: Altyn Emel National Park, Алматы, Kazakhstan to Saty, Kazakhstan
After breakfast we will continue our excursion to Charyn Canyon. The Charyn Canyon is located in the Charyn National Park. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep.One area of particular interest, is an area of 2km called the Valley of Castles, due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing, almost man made structures. Hiking on the site about 2 hours. Lunch as a picnic on the shore of the Charyn lake. Transport stays in the parking lot. We take our picnic and go for a walk to lake Charyn. Picknic on the shore. After the picnic we come back to our car (about 2 km). Optionally you can drive by local car from the river Charyn to our transport. PM. Transfer to Shaty village. Dinner and overnight stay in the family-run accommodation. Meals included: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 400m in Basshi, in the end of day – 1600 m in Shatty)
Day 4: Saty, Kazakhstan to Kolsai Lake, Kazakhstan
After breakfast from our host family we get our lunch box and drive to the first Köl-Sai lake. Kolsai is a succession of 3 alpine lakes between altitudes of 1818 – 2650m. The 3 lakes are exceptionally clear and lie in an idyllic location, surrounded by massive cliffs and mountains with snowy caps and wooded slopes. From the first lake to the second we walk about 3-4 hours with the breaks. Picnic on the shore of the second lake. After the picnic we walk back 3-4 hours to our transport. Drive to the village Saty. Dinner and overnight stay in the family-run accommodation. Meals included: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 1600m in Shatty, strart point of the trekking – 1818 m, in the middle of day – 2252 m in second Kol-Sai Lake)
Day 5: Saty, Kazakhstan to Jergalan, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast. Transfer to Kyrgyzstan. Border formalities on Kyrgyz-Kazakh border Kegen. Border formalities takes about 1 hour. Visiting San-Tash barrow. San-Tash means counted stones. The story about San-Tash came from the time of Great Timur, when he asked all solders of his army to put stones in one places. He wanted to see how is bid barrow with stones and see in the same time how is big his army. Picnis for lunch on the way. Upon arrival to Jergalan village dinner and overnight in the guesthouse. Meals included: B/L-Picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 1600m in Shatty, in the end of day – 2300 m in Jergalan)
Day 6: Jergalan, Kyrgyzstan
After breaksfast we get our lunch box from our host family. Start of trek from the guesthouse. One day trekking about 13 km to the remote mountain lake Turnaly-Kol. Duration of the trek is about 5-6 hours. Picnic on the panorama view for Jergalan valley. Return back to the guesthouse in the afternoon. Accommodation and dinner in the guesthouse in Jergalan. Meal: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point – 2300m, highest point - 2860m on the lake, end of day – 2300m in the guesthouse)
Day 7: Jergalan, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Transfer to Nature Park Ak-Suu (1,5 hour), start point of trek. Soft one day trekking in the Nature Park during 5-6 hours. You will cross Kara-Beltek pass 2606 m and come down to Katakol town. Transfer to the hotel about 30 minutes. Dinner in Tatar family. Overnight stay in the hotel. Meal: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: the guesthouse in Jergalan – 2300m, start point of trek – 1900 m, highest point on the top of Kara-Beltek pass – 2606 m, end of day in Karakol – 1800 m)
Day 8: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Jety - Oguz, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast. Transfer to the start point of trek in Svetlaya Polyana Gorge (1 hour). Soft one day trekking from Svetlaya Polyana via Kok-Jaiyk Pass to Jety-Oguz. Duration of trek 4-5 hours. Picnic for lunch. Transfer back to Karakol about 1 hour. Dinner in Uigur family. Overnight in the hotel. Meal: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: hotel in Karakol – 1800m, start point of trek – 2200 m, highest point of trek – 2800 m, end of day - 1800m in Karakol)
Day 9: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast. City-tour in Karakol. Visit Sunday animal market early in the morning. A city tour with visiting Museum of Russian Explorer, Mikhail Prjevalsky. We will visit Russiam Orthodox Church and Muslim Mosuqe in Dungan Style. Transfer to the shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Picnic on the way Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp. Meals included: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 1800m in Karakol, in the end of day – 1600 m in Issyk Kul lake)
Day 10: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
Breakfast in the yurt camp. Full day in Issyk – Kul. Time for relax and swim on the beach. For lunch we can do together with our host family a Kyrgyz dish "Manty". If you feel like cooking, you can join. Lunch at Yurta Camp. In the afternoon we will drive to Canyon "Skazka" The canyon was named due to its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into fabulous sculptures and formations. Some formations in "Skazka" have been named for their similarity to well-known objects. For example, one set of ridges in the canyon is named "The Chinese Wall" due to its similarity to the Great Wall of China. You can also find what appear to be statues of a hippopotamus, snake, dragon, sleeping giant and even whole castles. Because the different rocks have amazing colors, the rocky statues not only have unusual shapes, but also magical colors. On the way we will have a stop to visit the Eagle Show. The eagle breeder introduces his eagles and shows us how to hunt with the eagles. After the show we will visit the Canyon, where we will have walking (ca. 1 hour) Dinner and overnight in the Yurt Camp. Meals included: B/L/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day– 1617 m in Issyk Kul lake)
Day 11: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
After early breakfast transfer to Bishkek. On the way we will have a stop to visit a local family in the village Kyzyl-Tuu, which deals with Yurta production. The men make wooden parts of Yurta, and the women felt. With this family we build our own yurt, where we drink tea from Samovar. We and the family will build together. After Yurta installation show drive to Bishkek. Picnic on the way in Boom gorge on the shore of Chu lake. Transfer to Bishkek. On the way visiting of Burana Tower, a place on the Great Silk Road dated to 11th century. Besides the tower you will see the ruins of ancient city called Balasagyn, an excursion to the museum dedicated to this place. Upon arrival to Bishkek accommodation in the Hotel. Dinner in the local Café. Meals included: B/L-picnic/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: beginning of day – 1600 m in Issyk Kul, in the end of day – 800 m in Bishkek)
Day 12: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast we visit the Osh Market, which is very popular by the people of Bishkek. At the market you can find aromatic spices, fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruits, everything that is typical of Central Asia. Lunch at a local restaurant. Free time in the hotel. If you want, we can take a walk in the parking of Bishkek. Dinner in a local restaurant. Folklore program during the dinner. Overnight in the hotel. Meals included: B/L/D (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point- 800 m in Bishkek)
Day 13: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast transfer to airport.
What's included
Level of difficulty: This tour is recommended for people with hiking and climbing experience (hiking time approximately 5-6 hours per day). Conditions: It is necessary to bring a sleeping bag, warm clothes and trekking boots. Services included: 1. Transport for transfers and excursions • Minivan with 7 seats for 3-4 pax • Minibus Mercedes Sprinter for group 5-9 pax • Minibus Mercedes Sprinter+small luggage car for the group 10-12 pax 2. Double room accommodation in hotels and guesthouses 3. Four-people accommodation in the yurta camp 4. Three time meal and mineral water during the tour 5. German speaking tour guide 6. Separate local trekking guides in Day 3, Days 7-9 for one day treks 7. Entry fees to museums 8. Folklore program during the lasy dinner in Bishkek 9. Eagle hunting Show in Canyon Skazka; 10. Yurt production in Kyzyl tuu show
Service is not included: 1. Single room accommodation in hotels 2. Alcohol and soft drinks 3. International flight tickets 4. Cost for the Kyrgyz visa if needed (citizens of EU and Switzerland do not need to have visa) 5. Porter service in the airport and hotels 6. Sleeping bags and air mats; 7. Any deviation from the program;
What to know
Supplements: Single supplement for hotels and guesthouses in Almaty, Bashi, Karakol and Bishkek is 175 USD per person.
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan