$1 / person
13days
Easy
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Itinerary: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kolsay & Kaindy Lake – Saty Village – Karakol – Jety-Oguz Gorge – Barskaun Gorge – Skazka Canyon – Bokonbaevo Village – Kochkor – Son-Kul Lake – Naryn – Kel-Suu Lake – Kochkor – Bishkek
Description: We offer you a combination of two countries – Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. This tour is focusing on two cozy cities and the amazing nature of the two countries – mountains, lakes, canyons, passes and amazing views and panoramas. You will be acquainted with the local culture, traditions and way of life of the local population, experience their hospitality and taste national dishes.
Please note that this tour is run by one of our trusted partners, ensuring the same high quality service. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Duration: 13 days /12 nights
Tour: Cultural tour
Season: May – October
Accommodation: Hotels, Guesthouses, Yurt camps.
Travel Dates:
22.06.2024 – 04.07.2024
20.07.2024 – 01.08.2024
17.08.2024 – 29.08.2024
program:
DAY 1: Almaty (20km 40 min)
After arriving at the airport, you will meet your driver, who will transfer you to the hotel. Following that, you can rest or explore the city on your own before enjoying dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: none
Accommodation: Kazzhol hotel 4* or similar
DAY 2: Almaty sightseeing
Almaty sightseeing: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Memorial complex devoted to the 2nd World War and Eternal Flame. Continue at the green bazaar (a place where you can buy souvenirs), the Central Mosque, Republic Square with three main symbols of Kazakhstan and Obelisk devoted to the independence.
After lunch break at local restaurant we’ll visit the top of Kok-Tobe hill (by cable car) where you can enjoy unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Kazzhol hotel 4* or similar
DAY 3: Almaty-Medeo-Almaty (50 km)
Drive to Medeo Gorge and stop at the top of huge Medeo dam (1733m), enjoy the view of the largest high mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo, surrounded by marvelous mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau. We continue to visit Shymbulak ski resort and will take a gondola to enjoy amazing view.
Back to Almaty for lunch and continue sightseeing in the city. Visit President Park of 1st President, then drive to Mega Park Mall.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Kazzhol hotel 4* or similar
DAY 4: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kaindy Lake - Saty Village (300km 5-6hrs)
Drive to Charyn Canyon, a unique natural monument, stretching for 154 km along the banks of Charyn river to the east from Almaty. The height of canyon walls can be up to 300 meters. Walk in the canyon.
Lunch-picnic (by your own) after nice walk near the river. Continue drive to the Saty Village. Transfer to Kaindy Lake by old russian jeep. The imposing shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest there, now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide. Walking in the surroundings.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Family Home Stay
DAY 5: Saty Village – Kolsay Lake - Karakol (220 km 4-5hrs)
Today we will visit the very amazing Kolsay Lakes, a system of 3 picturesque lakes on the altitude of 1800 m, 2250 m and 2700 m respectively. Kolsay Lakes are often called the Pearls of Northern Tian-Shan. Here you will take a short hike near lake one (optional: boating).
Drive to Kegen (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan border), cross the border and continue driving through Karkara Gorge with stunning views.
Arrival to Karakol town. Karakol sightseeing: wooden Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Mosque (XIX century), local bazaar. Check-in to the hotel, rest and get dinner in at a Dungan family (Chinese Muslims).
Meals: full board
Accommodation: Caravan Hotel 3* or similar
DAY 6: Karakol – Jety-Oguz Gorge - Skazka Canyon – Bokonbaevo (170 km, 4-5hrs)
Take a scenic drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge, known as the “Switzerland” of the area, perfect for hiking. You can either trek to the beautiful “Women’s Hair” waterfall or enjoy the stunning Kok-Jayek pasture, also called the “Valley of Flowers.” Then, head to Barskoon Gorge, famous for its waterfalls, where you’ll help set up a yurt and learn how they’re made. Have lunch at a family guesthouse. Afterward, explore the whimsical “Fairy Tale” canyon with its unique limestone and sandstone formations resembling ancient castles. Finish the day with a delicious dinner and spend the night in a cozy yurt camp in Bokonbaevo village, overlooking Issyk-Kul Lake’s serene southern shore..
Meals: full board
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
DAY 7: Bokonbaevo – Kochkor – Son-Kol Lake (250 km 3-4 hrs)
In the morning we’ll meet the Eagle hunter. He will show and explain you How, Where and Why he is hunting with his Golden Eagle.
Lunch in Kochkor.
Drive to high mountain Son-Kul lake(3060m), where you can see nomadic life, ancient culture, tradition and customs of Kyrgyz nomad is which is still alive today.
Meals: full board
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
DAY 8: Son-Kol Lake – Naryn (150 km 3-4 hrs)
After breakfast free time to explore Son-Kol Lake and its sourroundings. The valley is covering by edelweiss flower, nomad’s yurt camps with their livestock. Lunch in Yurt camp.
After lunch transfer to Naryn town. Naryn is known for being a scenic city, with the Naryn river – the longest in the country – running through it, surrounded by majestic mountains. A Naryn river forms the biggest river Syr Dariya river in Central Asia by watering the village on the way. Dinner at local restaurant.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Aska Hotel 3* or similar
DAY 9: Naryn – Kel Suu Lake (170 km 4 hrs)
Today is early morning drive to the one of the beautiful and unusual lake of greenish colure, which is the most attractive place to visits located on boundary zone with China. It was discovered for visitors last 10 years and became popular destination for photo shoots.
Horse riding to lake (8km 1,5-2hrs). Lunch-picnic near the lake. Explore Kel-Suu Lake. Ride back to Yurt Camp.
Meals: full board
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
DAY 10: Kel Suu Lake - Kochkor (260 km 5-6 hrs)
After breakfast you can rest and enjoy local nature and see the lifestyle of local nomads and shepherds in summer pasture of Ak-Sai Valley which is the widest pasture for livestock and wild animals in Kyrgyzstan. Drive to Kochkor. Here you will see “shyrdak show”, Kyrgyz women will show and explain you how they are making traditional carpets. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse accompanied by Kyrgyz folklore
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Family Home Stay
DAY 11: Kochkor – Bishkek (130km 2hrs)
After breakfast, Transfer to Burana tower, a cultural complex of X-XI AD.
Lunch in Kyrgyz family.
Optional, only by request: we can see the traditional Kyrgyz game ‘’Kok-Boru’’ (it is a traditional game played by two teams on horses, where players try to maneuver with a goat’s carcass and score by putting it into the opponents’ goal.
Drive to Bishkek. Check-in at the hotel. Free time.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Discovery Hotel 3* or similar
DAY 12: Bishkek – Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek sightseeing (80km 2 hrs)
Transfer to the “Ala-Archa National Park” (walking 1-1,5 hours). Ala-Archa it is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan Mountains. The Park, which includes the gorge of the Ala-Archa River and the mountains surrounding.
Transfer to Bishkek for lunch and sightseeing: Osh bazar, Ala-Too square with changing of the guards, Victory square and old square with the statue of Lenin, Oak trees park, Central White Mosque.
Dinner in restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Discovery Hotel 3* or similar
DAY 13: Bishkek – Airport (30km 40 min)
Check out and transfer to
Airport depending on departure. End of the tour.
Meals: breakfast
PRICE
Price in USD / per person
Single Supplement
Kazakhstan + Kyrgyzstan
13 days / 12 nights
$1 785
$213
Included:
- Transport during 13 days by SUV (group 1-3pax) with English-speaking driver
- Transport during 13 days by Mercedes Sprinter 18 seats (group 4-12pax)
- Pick up and drop off from Airport
- Accommodation as mentioned in program based on twin sharing room
- English speaking Guide
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- Excursions + entrance fees.
- Eagle hunting show
- Yurt assemble show
- Carpet making show
- Permissions to Natural Parks
- Horseback riding on Son-Kol Lake 3 hours
- Border permission to Kel-Suu Lake
- SUV or horses to Kel-Suu Lake
- LOI for Kyrgyz visa if required
- Local taxes
not included:
- International air flight
- Early check-in in Almaty
- Meals in cities which is not mentioned in the program
- Personnel expenses.
- Travel medical insurance
Notes:
- Contact us for addition nights, activites or any other questions
- You can add other trips to your journey
- Tour Operator reserves the right to modify itineraries and/or substitute hotels of a reasonably similar quality, when available, should circumstances beyond our control deem it necessary.
- Domestic flights are booked as per availability, if flight is cancelled or no tickets available on the time of booking, itinerary will be modified as per timetable
Clothing
- Layered clothing: Include base layers, mid-layers, and outer layers to adapt to varying weather conditions.
- Waterproof jacket and pants: To stay dry during rain or wet conditions.
- Warm hat and gloves: To protect against the cold, especially at higher altitudes.
- Comfortable boots: Well-fitted and sturdy, preferably waterproof.
- Additional pair of shoes or sandals for leisure time
- Extra socks and underwear: Moisture-wicking and quick-drying options are best.
Gear
- Backpack: A durable and comfortable backpack with a capacity suitable for the length of your trek. Recommended weight maximum 10kg
- Sleeping bag liner: Adds warmth and ensures cleanliness. We cannot give you 100% guaranty that mattresses at the Yurt Camps or Homestays will be ideally clean and meet your standards. That is why better to put your own inlet to these beds.
- Headlamp or flashlight: With extra batteries, for visibility at night.
- Multi-tool or knife: Useful for various tasks.
Food and Water
- Water bottles: To reduce waste we’ll recommend you to buy 7-10l Bottles from the stores and refill your bottles.
- Food: meals which are not included to the program, you’ll have the choice to try local food at markets/bazars on the way, at restaurant or cafes.
Safety
- First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
- Personal hygiene items: Biodegradable soap, toilet paper, wet wipes.
- Medications: Any personal medications, plus extras in case of delays. We are sometimes in very remote areas, so obtaining these items could be difficult.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF, hat, sunglasses.
- Insurance: Travel insurance is not included in the tour package. It is highly recommended that clients have their own travel insurance to cover illness, injury, and loss or damage to personal belongings. In case of an emergency, the staff will do their best to assist and transport you to a hospital or another point of care. However, if you do not have insurance, you will be required to cover the charges yourself. Your insurance should also cover helicopter services and rescue/search operations in the mountains.
Miscellaneous
- Money: it’s common to pay by cash.
Credit cards and Visa cards to withdraw money can be used in Bishkek, Karakol only. - In bigger restaurants, cafes or gas station sometimes you can pay by card.
- Camera or smartphone: To capture the beautiful scenery.
- Power bank: To keep your electronic devices charged. In theory, accommodation places in the countryside have electricity. But it does not mean “automatically” that in practice it’ll be so. Sometimes there is the problem with electricity in some places but it is very unpredictable.
- Wifi: at accommodation at the moutains can be possible but don’t expect it. Same with mobile phone reception
- Reusable bags: For carrying trash out of remote areas.
Remember, packing light is important, but make sure you have all the essentials to stay safe and comfortable during your horse trekking adventure. Enjoy the ride!