KAZAKHSTAN & KYRGYZSTAN

Upon your arrival at Almaty International Airport (ALA), you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in the vibrant city center. After some time to refresh,  welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant, offering your first taste of Kazakh cuisine and hospitality.

Overnight: Renion City Hotel or similar 

Meal: Dinner

 After breakfast, depart from Almaty for a scenic drive (approx. 3 hours) to Charyn Canyon. Explore the iconic "Valley of Castles" section, where wind-sculpted red sandstone formations create a mesmerizing landscape. Lunch on the way.

In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Saty village. In the evening, check into your hotel, your comfortable retreat near the lake. Dinner and overnight surrounded by mountain serenity.

Overnight: Zhan Au guest house or similar 

Meal: BLD

 In the morning, embark on an adventure to Kaindy Lake. Transfer to a Russian military car to traverse the final, rugged track. From the drop-off point, enjoy a moderate hike (approx. 1 hour) through a pine forest to the lake's stunning shore, famous for the surreal sight of its submerged spruce tree trunks.

In the afternoon, continue your journey into the Tian Shan Mountains to the pristine Kolsay Lakes National Park. Visit the Kolsay Lake, where the turquoise waters reflect the surrounding spruce forests.

Overnight: Zhan Au guest house or similar

Meal: BLD

 After an early breakfast, begin your journey into Kyrgyzstan. Embark on a scenic drive through the rugged Tian Shan foothills to the remote Kegen/Karkara border crossing. Arrive in Karakol in the afternoon and begin with a visit to the unique Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church and explore the colorful Dungan Mosque, built in the style of a Chinese temple by the Dungan people.

In the evening, dinner will be served at the local restaurant and the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.

Overnight: Suncor Hotel or similar

Meal: BLD

After breakfast, you will drive to Bokonbayevo village to explore the Issyk-Kul region, starting with the scenic south shore. The road from the Karakol to Issyk-Kul regions is stunning, with livestock grazing on lush, picturesque pastures along the way. You will stop in Jeti Oguz for 

Upon arrival in Bokonbayevo, you will visit a local eagle hunter’s home, where he will demonstrate the traditional Kyrgyz art of hunting with an eagle. After the demonstration, you will have dinner at the eagle hunter’s home with his family, where you can ask questions or learn more about Kyrgyz traditions. Afterwards, you will check in and rest at your guesthouse in Bokonbayevo.

Overnight: Altyn Oimok guest house or similar

Meal: BLD

You will start your journey at 8 am with a drive from Bokonbaevo to Kochkor. By noon, you will arrive in Kochkor and enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz lunch. After lunch, you will visit a local carpet-making workshop, where artisans demonstrate how shyrdak (felt carpets) and ala-kiyiz are made. You will also have the opportunity to buy handmade souvenirs.

Afterwards, you will continue to Tash Bashat village near Naryn city, following the Naryn River and enjoying views of the Tien Shan mountains. You will arrive in Tash Bashat village in the late afternoon, check into the guest house and relax until dinner. In the evening, enjoy home-cooked dinner.

Overnight: Altay Village Hotel or similar

Meal: BLD

After breakfast, you will drive from Naryn toward Shabyr, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. Before reaching the yurt camp, you will stop for a walk (2 km, 40 minutes) to fully appreciate the beauty of the surrounding nature. Upon arrival at the Shabyr yurt camp, you will settle into your yurts and enjoy a hearty traditional lunch.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a guided two-hour walk through the surrounding hills. During the walk, you will visit ranger Maky Baike and his forest nursery to learn about his life and conservation work. In the evening, you will relax at the camp. Later, after dinner, you will gather around a warm bonfire, share stories under the stars, and listen to the sounds of nature.

Overnight: Shabyr yurt camp

Meal: BLD

Today’s adventure will take you to the breathtaking Song Kol Lake. You will begin with a rewarding hike from the Shabyr Gorge up to the Moldo Ashuu Pass, offering stunning mountain landscapes along the way. Before setting off, you will take your lunch boxes from the Shabyr yurt camp. The middle part of the hike is slightly challenging due to a gradual ascent lasting about 1–1.5 hours. It’s not steep, so the key is to keep a comfortable pace and go at your own rhythm. Along the way, you will enjoy the views, and once you reach the Moldo Ashuu Pass, you will stop to relax and have your picnic lunch surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

Hike details:
Distance: 9.2 km (about 3.5 hours)
Lowest point: 2,260m.a.s.l.
Highest point: 2,848m.a.s.l.
Elevation gain: 588m

In the afternoon, you will continue with a 50 km off-road drive to the shores of Song Kol Lake. Upon arrival, you will check into your yurt camp, relax, and take in the magnificent lake views. The day will end with a delicious homemade dinner served at the camp.

Overnight: Ali-Nur yurt camp or similar

Meal: BLD

After a peaceful breakfast with panoramic views of Song Kol Lake, bid farewell to the high mountains. Begin your scenic drive towards the capital, Bishkek. En route, you will stop at the Dungan family’s house and enjoy lunch.

Continue to Bishkek, arriving in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy some time at leisure. After, go for a city tour in Bishkek: Ala-Too Square, Victory Monument and Osh Market for last minute souvenir pick up. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the conclusion of your Kyrgyzstan adventure. 

Overnight: Crown Hotel or similar

Meal: BLD

After an early breakfast, say bye to Bishkek and begin your private transfer to the Korday border crossing. With the assistance of your guide, you will complete exit formalities for Kyrgyzstan and enter Kazakhstan.

Upon arrival in Almaty, you will have a small city tour. Your tour will include a visit to the vibrant and bustling Green Bazaar, where you can see, smell, and taste local delicacies, dried fruits, and spices—a perfect last-minute souvenir stop. Following this, you will have a brief panoramic drive past some of Almaty’s iconic sights, such as the graceful Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park.

After dinner, check into your hotel and rest. 

Overnight: Reunion City Hotel

Meal: BLD