This tour combines the cultural highlights and natural beauty of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in one epic journey. During the first week in Kazakhstan, you will visit the country’s modern (Astana), ancient (Turkestan) and Soviet (Almaty) capitals, as well as the unofficial capital of East Kazakhstan (Oskemen). From the Kazakh Steppes with impressive Charyn Canyon, we will move on to visit the beautiful mountain lakes of Kolsay and Kaindy. We will then cross the border into Kyrgyzstan and discover the country’s highlights, from the rural lake of Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan to the sublime alpine pastures of Song Kul, and Kyrgyzstan’s green capital, Bishkek. You will be immersed in the ancient nomadic culture of the Kyrgyz, including their equestrian traditions.
Welcome to Kazakhstan! Most flights arrive early in the morning, so after being greeted by your guide, you will be transferred to the hotel for an immediate check-in. Have some rest after your long flight and enjoy breakfast. In the afternoon, we will walk in the old part of Almaty and, optionally, visit some museums. We will have a Kazakh welcome dinner in a local restaurant in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Renion 4* or similar (incl. early check-in)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Oskemen or Ust-Kamenogorsk (the Russian name of the city). Ust-Kamenogorsk is the largest city in East Kazakhstan situated on the Irtysh River at the footsteps of the Altay mountains. It was founded in 1720 and became a city in 1868. It’s a large industrial and cultural hub.
After checking in at the hotel, we will walk around the city center, and visit the local history and ethnographic museums. Then we will continue to a unique wooden sculpture museum opened by a local artisan. He will show us around and we will have a nice dinner together.
Accommodation: Best Western 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will continue our exploration of Oskemen’s pre-revolution and soviet legacy and visit a few scenic spots as well. East Kazakhstan is considered to be the best honey-producing region in Kazakhstan. That’s why in the afternoon we will visit a local Medovukha (Russian mead) brewery and see how they make this amazing local drink and get to try all varieties. But this will be just a warmup for our taste buds, as in the evening we will go to a local cuisine restaurant run by a renowned restaurateur for a magnificent dinner set.
Accommodation: Best Western 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, if possible, we will visit a unique venue – the Kazakhstan Mint. The tour could only be confirmed at short notice, but we will do our best to make it happen. Otherwise, we will have some more free time to finish our exploration of Ust-Kamenogorsk before leaving for Astana – the capital of Kazakhstan. After we check in at the hotel in Astana, we will meet some new members of our tour, who are starting the trip in Astana, and have a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Garden Inn 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Astana is Central Asia’s youngest capital and a showpiece for 21st-century Kazakhstan. Talented, well-known architects from all over the world have made major contributions to the surreal skyline of this futuristic city in the steppe.
Your city tour will start with a walk down Nurzhol boulevard (designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa) towards the Baiterek Tower in the very center of Astana. The tower has become the symbol of the city. Its shape represents a poplar tree, and on its top is a golden egg laid by a magic bird from Kazakh folk tales. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy the best views of Astana’s astonishing skyline. Then we will continue to Independence Square where we will visit the impressive new National Museum. It has a huge collection, but your guide will focus on the most interesting rooms, including those exhibiting the Scythian gold hoards and, most importantly, the Golden Man. After that our journey will continue to the “old town”, the soviet build Akmolinsk, which was partially modernized in 1997 to accommodate the new capital. The tour will end at an again modern structure – Khan Shatyr, a giant, tent-like shopping center designed by architect Norman Foster.
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Garden Inn 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will first head to the Alzhir memorial complex, located 40km outside of the city in the steppes. It is a museum dedicated to a labor camp during the Stalin era for “wives of the betrayers of the motherland”. Back in the city, we will have lunch and some time to see the newly built EXPO (2017) area. In the afternoon we will then drive to the airport to catch the domestic flight on FlyArystan to Turkestan. Halfway between the city and the airport, we will visit the largest mosque in Central Asia – an impressive modern palace with giant wooden doors from Africa and endless carpets from New Zealand.
Upon arrival at Turkestan Airport at 7:05 pm, transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Accommodation: Hotel Hampton 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we will drive around one hour to Otrar, also known as Farab, which was one of the biggest cities on the Silk Road. Located at the junction of many caravan routes, Otrar, was a significant center of culture and trade. Its history dates back 2,000 years, and the surviving ruins include a fortress and remains of a once densely populated town. After Otrar you will visit the Mausoleum of Arystanbab. He was the spiritual teacher of Khodja Ahmed Yassavi, whose mausoleum we will visit in the afternoon in Turkistan. Back in Turkistan, we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will have a tour at the Azret-Sultan Museum Reserve, which surrounds the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. You will begin by visiting the necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, the citadel and gates, the hammam, and the Hilvet underground mosque. Turkistan was founded around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. The city was the spiritual and political center of Turkic-speaking peoples from the 16th to 18th centuries, and it was also the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Turkistan gained its international reputation thanks to the preaching of the famous Sufi sheikh and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, who was buried in a small mausoleum here in 1166. The current mausoleum was erected 233 years after the saint’s death, on the orders of Emperor Timur (Tamerlane). It is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and remains a major place of worship for Central Asian Muslims. The city has undergone major changes during the last few years, and it has become the center of tourism in Southern Kazakhstan. We will have time to walk around the newest Karavan-Saray complex and watch a show in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Hampton 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today morning we have some free time in Turkistan. Your guide will be available and provide options. After lunch, transfer to the airport to catch the domestic flight to Almaty, departing at 1:45 pm and arriving at around 3:15 pm at Almaty Airport. Transfer to the city and dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Renion 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Almaty is the largest city in Central Asia’s richest country, Kazakhstan. For 70 years – up until 1997 Almaty was the country’s capital and it remains today the country’s business and educational center. Roads are wide and tree-lined and there are good views of the Zailisky Ala-Too Mountains that form a backdrop to the city. The name Almaty means “the place with apples” and it is believed that this is where apples originated from. We will visit Panfilov Park to see the most famous sight of Almaty, Zenkov Cathedral. In the same Park is the impressive Soviet Glory Memorial, a tribute to 28 men who, as the narrative goes, repulsed 50 German tanks from the outskirts of Moscow during World War Two. We will also visit Green Bazaar, the city’s bustling central market.
In the evening we take the cable car to the top of Kok Tobe Hill for a nice city view. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Renion 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive around one hour out of the Almaty to the small town of Esik, the land of the Golden Man. The area just outside of the town is where in 1969 a group of soviet archaeologists made an astonishing discovery – an untouched grave of an ancient Saka warrior, who was dressed in a suit of armor consisting of thousands of gold pieces. We will visit the museum located just outside the excavation area. Afterward, we will meet a family of farmers, who produce their cheese and wine. They will show us around the farm, and we will have a beautiful gastronomic meal together. We will then return to Almaty. Free time in Almaty for the rest of the day and independent dinner. Your guide and driver will be available.
Accommodation: Hotel Renion 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Check out from the hotel and depart for Charyn Canyon, following the new Silk Road of our days – the Khorgos-Almaty highway. During our road trip, you will observe the striking diversity of landscapes: from green agricultural fields of nearby villages sown with fruits and vegetables suddenly being swapped for the endless ascetic steppes stretching to the edge of the horizon with a rare bunch of sheep led by a lonely herder. Before visiting one of the country’s most famous natural sights – Charyn Canyon, we will stop by a small village for some tea and tandoor (local wood stove) and bake samsa (meat or vegetable pastry). At the Canyon, we will descend at the Valley of Castles and picnic at the shore of the Charyn River that carved the canyon 12 million years ago (5km in total both ways, a taxi is also available). In the afternoon, we will depart from the canyon and drive from the steppes into the mountains, to the Kolsay Lakes. Have a walk on the shore of the mountain lake. Overnight in a hotel located in the Nature Park Kolsay, around 15 minutes driving distance from the lake.
Accommodation: Hotel Prestige 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, we depart to another mountain lake nearby. The road to the lake is pretty rough, so we would need to switch to a soviet designed minibus – “Buhanka” (which means a loaf of bread) for a bumpy but adventurous 45-minute drive to the lake. The unusual and mysterious Kaindy Lake (Birch Lake) is located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level. Kaindy Lake was formed as the result of a huge landslide after a powerful (8.1 magnitude) earthquake in 1911. The landslide blocked the river, and the water flooded the valley. That is how the lake appeared with Tien Shan Spruce tries in the middle. The water of the lake is very cold, which is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and visible through the transparent surface of the water. Dry stems of spruce trees overlook the water’s surface. We will then return to the village of Saty to have lunch with a local family before continuing to our hotel. Free time before dinner and the option to revisit the Kolsay lake.
Accommodation: Hotel Prestige 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we drive through the mountains to the Bestobe reservoir. Locals call it the part of Iceland in Kazakhstan for its majestic scenery. Then we continue to the village of Kegen, where we will have lunch at a local café. If the weather and road conditions are good we might have a chance to visit a viewpoint of the Central Tyan Shan mountains before continuing to the border with Kyrgyzstan. Cross the border on foot and meet your Kyrgyz guide and driver on the other side. After another couple of hours, we arrive in the town of Karakol. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel 78 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karakol was founded as a Russian military outpost in 1869. It grew in the 19th century after explorers came to map the peaks and valleys separating Kyrgyzstan from China. In the 1880s Karakol’s population surged with an influx of Dungans, Chinese Muslims fleeing warfare in China.
Today is Sunday, and we may visit the local cattle market. We will then tour the town’s most interesting sights, including the Dungan Mosque, built in 1904, and the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, which has been standing since 1869. We will also visit the museum of Russian explorer Przhevalsk and the town’s local market.
Dinner at the local Uigur family. The hostess will show us a cooking master class of making traditional dishes “Lagman”. If you want you can participate in the cooking master class.
Accommodation: Hotel 78 3* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge, which is a lush valley with some striking red sandstone rock
formations (the “seven Bulls” from which the valley takes its name). Easy hike in the gorge. We will then drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. On the way, we visit another side valley, Barskoon Gorge. There are two interesting monuments along the road – a bust of Yuri Gagarin, who holidayed on the South shore of Issyk Kul after his historic first manned space flight. From Barskoon we will drive further up toward Kumtor Gold mine, to the beautiful Arabel plateau at almost 4000m altitude. Picnic lunch. After, we drive back down to the main road and continue driving to the yurt camp, near the shore of Lake Issyk Kul, located right next to Skazka Canyons. Skazka means “fairytale” and it’s a reference to the bizarre rocky landscape, which has been formed by wind and rain into fabulous sculptures and formations. We will go for a short hike here. Dinner and overnight at the yurt camp. Folklore show during the dinner by a family of local musicians.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp “Royal Gate” (private bathroom in each yurt)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Kochkor along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. On the way, we will also meet an eagle hunter, who will show us his eagle and tell us about his passion. Next, we will stop at the village of Kyzyl-Tuu, where you will meet a yurt maker, who will tell you more about the traditional nomadic dwelling. We will set up a yurt together. Lunch with the family in Kyzyl-Tuu. We will continue to Kochkor. In Kochkor, we will meet a women’s cooperative that produces traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets. We will see how they are made by hand. Dinner and overnight in a small hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Nomad Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we start our ascent toward the mountain lake Song Kul. The lake is not very far from Kochkor, but due to bad road conditions, it will still be a quite long and bumpy ride to the lake (c. 3 hours). Lake Song Kul is a mountainous lake at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. The nomads pass their summer on the “jailoo” (summer pasture) with their animals. We will arrive in time for lunch, which will be served in the yurt camp. Free time in the afternoon to go on a walk to the shore or try our horseback riding and observe nomadic life.
Accommodation: Yurt Camp “Nomads Dream” or similar (shared bathroom facilities)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we drive back down the same road to Kochkor and continue driving for another 1.5 hours to the Chon Kemin Valley, not far off the main road to Bishkek. We check in at the comfortable guesthouse at the foothills of the mountains. Before dinner, we will watch a match of the traditional Kyrgyz horse game Kok Boru.
Accommodation: Kemin Guesthouse or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will depart to Bishkek with a stop en route at Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok. Burana’s 11th-century minaret is the only remaining building from the ancient city of Balasagun, once the capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a wide view of the scenic Chuy Valley. There is also a small open-air museum of balbals, carved stone figures often found around ancient burial mounds. From Burana, we will drive another one and a half hours to Bishkek (possibly a bit longer, depending on traffic). Check-in at the hotel in the city center and independent dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Ambassador 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Bishkek is a city of wide boulevards and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks surrounding interior courtyards. There are also thousands of smaller privately built houses, mostly outside the city center. Streets follow a grid pattern, with most flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels, watering innumerable trees to provide shade in the hot summers. We will visit Ala-To Square and the newly renovated History Museum. Walk along Oak Park to the open art gallery of sculptures. In the afternoon, you have some free time and opportunity to buy some souvenirs, if you like. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Ambassador 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your transfer to the airport.
If you like, you may stay a day longer in Bishkek and we can book an extra night at the hotel for you. We may arrange a guided day hike at nearby Ala Archa National Park.
Important Information
The Kazakh currency is called the Tenge (KZT). The banking system in Kazakhstan is the most developed in Central Asia and in big cities there are many places to exchange money and to withdraw cash from ATMs using a variety of cards. We recommend bringing some cash in new USD bank notes of denominations of at least 20 USD. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with a credit card is possible in most places. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.
Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic country with a long history of tolerance. Guests and locals are treated with respect and the whole country can be regarded as a very safe destination for travelers. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and take only official taxis. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Kazakh partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of most Western countries do not need a visa for a stay of up to 30 days in Kazakhstan. To be sure whether you need a visa or not you can contact us. Any permits you might need for access to places that will be visited during your tour, we will provide them for you free of charge.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Kazakhstan.
The climate of Kazakhstan is continental and dry in the majority of the country, including the largest cities. Summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius and winters are extremely cold with strong winds. In the mountains, however, the weather is quite changeable. If you are planning to visit the mountains the best season is summer. Be aware, however, at high altitudes of 3000 meters or more it may even snow overnight during the summer. For cultural sightseeing tours, spring and autumn are the best seasons. Autumn is also the time when the country goes to harvest, meaning markets are full of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered, or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Kazakhstan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Kazakhstan are basic at best.
The Kyrgyz currency is called the Som (KGS). In the capital Bishkek and larger towns, there are many ATMs that you can find in shopping centers, supermarkets, or on the main streets. All of them accept Visa cards and some, like Kyrgyz Kommerts Bank, Demir Bank and Uni Credit accept other cards such as MasterCard. In the mountains and small villages, you better don't rely on ATMs. We also recommend that you bring some cash in new USD banknotes of denominations of at least 20 USD. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with a credit card is possible in most shops and restaurants.
Kyrgyzstan is the most liberal and democratic country in the Central Asian region. The political situation in the country is calm and there is nothing to suggest that this situation might change. Guests and locals are treated with respect and the whole country can be regarded as a very safe destination for travelers. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night, and only use official taxis. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Kyrgyz partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of developed countries do not need a visa for a stay of up to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan. To be sure whether you need a visa or not you can contact us. Any special permits that you might need for access to places that will be visited during your tour, we will provide to you free of charge.
As soon as we receive your deposit payment, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Kyrgyzstan.
The climate of Kyrgyzstan is continental and dry in the majority of the country, including the largest cities. In the Ferghana Valley in the south and in the capital Bishkek, summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius. However, most of the country is situated more than 1500 meters above sea level, where temperatures are in the mid-20s during summer. At high altitudes of 3000 meters or more it may even snow overnight during the summer, so make sure you bring some warm clothes. The best season to visit for activity or jeep tours would be in summer and winter for skiing tours. Please note, the weather in some mountain areas may change quickly.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered, or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing your teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Kyrgyzstan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Kyrgyzstan are basic at best.
