Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Culture tours Culture tours

Discover Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Description

This tour will take you to magnificent mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan where you will enjoy the view of breathtaking valleys, crystal clear rivers, and
spectacular gorges.
Amazing discoveries and positive impressions expect you during this trip.

What's included
  • Group transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle (day 1-day 11): -one minibus type Mercedes Sprinter
  • Experienced driver
  • English speaking guide
  • Accommodation described in the program in double/twin room/yurt
  • Full board
  • Visits described in the program
  • Transfer on Russian SUV car UAZ Karakol –Altyn Arashan –Karakol
  • Hot springs
  • Visit workshop in Barskoon (day 5)
  • Eagle hunting in Bokonbaevo (day 6)
  • Felt show in Kochkor (day 7)
  • Horse games & Boorsok show in Chon Kemin (day 8)
  • Mineral water
What's excluded
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Visa & consular fees (if required)
  • Single room supplement – 390 USD
  • Personal insurance
  • Early check-in & late check-out*
  • Optional activities
  • Porters for baggage in hotels and airport
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Alcohol
  • Other services not mentioned as included
Itinerary
Day 1. Airport – Almaty (ca. 40 km, 1h) (Kazakhstan)
Day 1. Airport – Almaty (ca. 40 km, 1h) (Kazakhstan)

We expect you to arrive at Almaty International Airport on Asiana Airlines, Air Astana Airlines with evening flights OZ 577 at 20:40; KC 898 at 20:10.

You will have to take your luggage and go through passport control, which will take quite some time, for this reason dinner is not included. Our team will meet you and drive to the hotel. (Standard check-in time after 14:00)

You can have a rest in cozy rooms after your flight and on the next day we can start our enjoyable tour.

Meals included: no meals included

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Holiday Inn Express Hotel)

Day 2. Almaty – Charyn – Kolsay lakes Natural Park ca. (370 km, 4-5h)
Day 2. Almaty – Charyn – Kolsay lakes Natural Park ca. (370 km, 4-5h)

After breakfast at 9:00 am we head to discover the Charyn Canyon. This natural property is the most unique and beautiful in Kazakhstan.
From 100 kilometers from Almaty at 12:30 we arrive at Jibek Joly restaurant, it will be stop point for lunch and restroom.

We arrive at Charyn Canyon at 14:30.
Charyn Canyon is located in the National Park. It is considered as the little brother of the Grand
Canyon in the United States. The erosion made by the Charyn River has created dramatic and
impressive landscapes. You will admire the great panorama and can go down to the bottom of
the canyon as well as walk about 2 km in the labyrinth of the Valley of the Castles.

We do walk here about 2 hours and then we head to our hotel location.
At 18:30 we arrive in Kolsay lakes Natural Park. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 3*(Kolsay Grand Hotel)

Day 3. Kolsay lakes – Kegen – Karakol (250 km, 4h) (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 3. Kolsay lakes – Kegen – Karakol (250 km, 4h) (Kyrgyzstan)

After breakfast at 9:00 am we drive to Kolsay lake.

Kolsay lakes are one of the most beautiful places of Kazakh nature. There is 3 Kolsay lakes, they are located at 1800, 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by a unique watershed mountain landscape, consisting of three natural zones and a variety of rare plants and animals. We will visit Kolsai lake-1 and walk along the lake about two hours by enjoying the scenery. You can use the restroom by the parking lot and clean up yourselves.

At 12:45 we arrive to homestay in Saty village to have a lunch where you can get to know the life of the locals. Then we departure to Karakol city in located in Kyrgyzstan. We will cross the border post Kegen between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Our arrival time to Karakol city will be at 17:30. We will visit famous sights of Karakol city, such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.
Dinner at 19:00 at the local restaurant.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Accommodation: Hotel 4*(Karagat Hotel)

Day 4. Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Karakol (ca.85 km, 2h)
Day 4. Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Karakol (ca.85 km, 2h)

Breakfast in the hotel. At 9:00 am departure to the Altyn-Arashan gorge.

To get there, we need to get transfer a special transport (Russian SUV car UAZ) that will take us about two hours along really broken mountain roads. A narrow road with steep serpentines of the gorge awaits you. You should be prepared for the shaking on the road, as it will be bumpy ride. After overcoming a difficult pass, you descend into a wide, picturesque valley and it’s worth it.

Upon arrival at 11:15 am in Altyn Arashan we’ll take a walk through the gorge.

At 12:45 we have a lunch at the homestay. Here you can use the restroom. You will have the opportunity to plunge into a hot spring surrounded by rocks.
At 16:45 returning to Karakol by the same way and transport (Russian SUV car UAZ).
Dinner at the restaurant at 19:00.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Karagat Hotel)

Day 5. Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Barskoon – Tamga ( са. 130 km, 3h)
Day 5. Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Barskoon – Tamga ( са. 130 km, 3h)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit several places located close to each other.

At 09:00 we go towards Jety Oguz gorge.
The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. We’ll take a walk through the gorge. On the right side of the mountain of the seven bulls, we will see the mountain of the “broken heart”, which stands out for its outlines resembling a broken heart.

At 12:30 we will have lunch at the homestay of local family and use restroom facilities there. After lunch, you will have free time to walk along the gorge. If you wish here you can experience the adventure by trying the horse riding through the gorge and feel the culture of nomads or take a pictures with the horse (option).

Our next location is Barskoon village.

At 16:00 we visit a workshop in Barskoon where felt and wood products are made. We take an excursion through the workshop and learn the secrets and intricacies of making a yurt, the traditional dwelling of nomads. Here restrooms are provided.

After at 16:20 you will take part in the construction of a yurt, which is the dwelling of nomads. During the demonstration, you will get acquainted with all the elements of the yurt. The assembly time of the yurt will be about 40 minutes. After having a great day we will head to Tamga village.
Dinner at the hotel at 18:00.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Resort Hotel (South Beach Hotel)
Optionally: : A horse rental + horse guide. Possible to book and pay on the spot.

Day 6. Tamga – Skazka – Bokonbaevo (са. 70 km, 2h)
Day 6. Tamga – Skazka – Bokonbaevo (са. 70 km, 2h)

Breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 am we arrive to the beautiful creation of nature, the Skazka canyon.

Skazka – which means Fairy Tale in Russian. You can take a walk here about three hours and enjoy the beautiful landscape. We arrive at 13:10 to rest point Royal Gate Skazka to have a lunch and use the restroom. After lunch we’ll take a walk along the shore of Issyk Kul lake about one hour.

At 16:00 we will meet an eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo.
You will get acquainted with an eagle hunter with his bird of prey and appreciate the alertness and speed of the bird during the hunting. It is one of the oldest traditions of the Kyrgyz nomads. Then we arrive at the guesthouse.
At 18:00 we have a dinner.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Emily Guesthouse)

Day 7. Bokonbaevo – Kochkor – Son Kol (са. 265 km, 4h)
Day 7. Bokonbaevo – Kochkor – Son Kol (са. 265 km, 4h)

Breakfast at the guesthouse. At 09:00 am we drive to Kochkor village located in the Naryn region.

At 11:15 am arrival in Kochkor here you will have the opportunity to try to make traditional felt products. You will see and make the whole process of felt birth which are created from wool.

At 12:30 lunch with friendly Kyrgyz family at their homestay. You can use here the restroom for your comfort.

After lunch we head to Son Kol to one of the most beautiful lakes of the country. We cross the mountain pass Kalmak Ashuu at an altitude of 3400 meters. A winding mountain serpentine leads you to the lake where you will be left breathless by the beauty of scenery.

At 15:45 we arrive at the yurt camp in Son Kol, you will witness the hospitality of nomad people. You will have time to walk along the coast, admiring the lush mountains, climb to the panoramic point and get acquainted with the lifestyle and customs of the nomads. As you wish here you can try the horse riding (option).
At 18:00 dinner and overnight at the yurt camp.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Yurt camp
Optionally: : A horse rental + horse guide. Possible to book and pay on the spot.

*Note: yurt capacity 4-5 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2pax per yurt according to the availability. Toilets and shower are outside.

Day 8. Son Kol – Orto Tokoy – Chon Kemin (са. 270 km, 4h)
Day 8. Son Kol – Orto Tokoy – Chon Kemin (са. 270 km, 4h)

Breakfast at the yurt camp. At 09:00 am departure to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley.
In Kochkor we will stop at rest point.

We drive through Orto-Tokoy water reservoir and Boom gorge. Here we will stop to take photos of this scenic place.

Arrival at 13:30 in Chon Kemin let’s clean ourselves up by using the restroom. After we have a lunch and then you can walk enjoying this beautiful place.
At 15:00 you will witness the incredible horse games – Kok Boru and Er Enish. Er-enish is a Kyrgyz traditional horseback wrestling which is the part of local life. These games are considered as an important part of cultural heritage since they have been played by Kyrgyz people for centuries. Watching this spectacular game will take about an hour.

At 17:00 you will take part in preparation of the traditional flour product “boorsok”, which is prepared for all important events.
At 18:00 dinner at the guesthouse.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse)

Day 9. Chon Kemin – Burana – Bishkek (ca. 180 km, 3h)
Day 9. Chon Kemin – Burana – Bishkek (ca. 180 km, 3h)

After breakfast we will have free time and you can ride a horse exploring the lifestyle of local people (option).

At 10:00 am we departure to Burana Tower.
At 11:30 we arrive to Burana Tower. It is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

Arrival at 12:45 in Don Aryk village at the “Aizada family restaurant” and we will have lunch with the local family. Here you will see their lifestyle. You can use restroom in this location.

After we will head to Bishkek. At 16:00 arrival to Bishkek. We go the local market Osh bazaar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people, a great variety of goods and colors. We visit the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square, flagpole with a flag, the Government Building and the Historical Museum. There is also a monument has been erected to the hero of the folk epic “Aikol Manas”, Manas the Magnanimous, his bronze figure reaches 10 m.

In the evening at 18:30 dinner at the restaurant.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel)
Optionally: A horse rental + horse guide. Possible to book and pay on the spot.

Day 10. Bishkek – Kok Tobe – Almaty (ca. 280 km, 5h) (Kazakhstan)
Day 10. Bishkek – Kok Tobe – Almaty (ca. 280 km, 5h) (Kazakhstan)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning at 8:30 we head to Almaty and cross the border Korday between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Stop for lunch at the “Avraziya” restaurant and for restroom.

At 14:30 we visit Kok Tobe, the highest point in the city. It is famous for its panoramic view of the city from all directions. To reach the Kok Tobe hill, we take a cable car ride which starts near Hotel Kazakhstan and goes over some of the oldest parts of Almaty and the magnificent fruitgrowing
gardens. At 18:00 dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Holiday Inn Express Hotel)

Additional Information

*Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00

Note: Hotels infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan is not comparable to European standards and in some guesthouses have shared bathrooms and toilets.

Group tour
Tour dates
01 Jun 2025 - 10 Jun 2025
10 spots left
14 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025
10 spots left
Duration 11 days/10 nights
Group 4-10 pax
1920 USD DBL/TWIN Room
per Person
2310 USD Single room*
per Person
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