Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
12 days, Bishkek to Almaty
Itinerary
Day 1Bishkek
Arrive at any time. Join your new crew this evening at a welcome moment before heading out for your first night out! Grab a bubbly (water or beer) if you choose and get to know your new travel friends in Kyrgyzstan!
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Day 2Bishkek
Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, spend the rest of the day seeing the city how you'd like. Opt to join a guided tour of the city or learn to make local Kyrgyz dumplings called manti.
Bishkek Orientation Walk
Join your CEO to get to know the city of Bishkek. Visit notable spots like Osh Market and see the neighborhood. Your CEO will point out restaurants, bars, coffee shops and supermarkets while teaching you how to navigate the city.
Free Time
The rest of the day is yours to explore Bishkek.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Bishkek City Tour
Get to know the capital of Kyrgyzstan better on a guided tour. See the highlights of the city like Ala-Too Square, the Paramount Kyrgyz Republic Flag, the Manas Statue of the hero of Kyrgyzstan and the Eternal Flame in Victory Square.
Kyrgyz Dumpling Making
Learn to make the delicious Kyrgyz steamed dumplings known as manti. Filled with a variety of meats and veggies, knead some dough and make some of these flavorful Kyrgyz snack.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 3Bishkek/Chon Kemin
Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way to Iskra Village where we will enjoy a yummy lunch with a Dungan family, a group of Muslim-Chinese heritage. After spending time with the family and digging into the yummy food, drive to Chom Kemin for the night.
Burana Tower Visit
Visit the historical site of Burana and climb the stairs to check out the view from the top. A large miniaret about 80km from Bishkek, along with some grave markers and remnants of a castle and mausoleums, are all that remains of the 9th century city of Balasagun.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Iskra Village Dungan Family Lunch
Enjoy an intimate and delicious local lunch in the family home of a local Dungan family, of Chinese-Hui Muslim minority group. Learn about the history of their migration, their tradition, and then try a traditional Dungan Chinese meal.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 4Chon Kemin/Tamga
Start today with an easy hike up to the Shatyly view point. Take in the view from above before hiking back down for some free time at camp. Take a dip if you wish in Issyk Kul Lake, meaning "Warm Lake" in Kyrgyz. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fairytale Canyon, Skazka. Walk through the wild rock formations that resemble castles and gnome homes. Then enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
Shatyly View Point Hike
Hike through the gradual hills of Kyrgyzstan up to the incredible panoramic view of Shatyly. On this easy hike, admire the spectacular views all around you, especially of the lake spanning in the distance.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon
On the Southern Shore of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the breathtaking Skazka Canyon, also known as the Fairytale Canyon. It's nickname speaks for itself, with natural rock formations that tower like princess castles in faraway lands.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Tamga
After breakfast at camp, hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a little waterfall adventure? Then head to Ak Orgo, a G Adventures-supported project that helps bring much-needed job opportunities to the Barskoon region. We'll dig into some lunch then learn how to build a yurt (like the one we're staying in here in Tamga!) Then head back to camp and take a dip in the lake.
Barskoon Waterfall
Hike to the frothy Barskoon Waterfall and watch as the rushing water cascades down the cliff. In addition to the waterfall, we'll see bright red reds and interesting rock carvings on display for us!
Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration
Visit the Ak-Orgo workshop, a G Adventures-supported project working to preserve Kyrgyz traditions and create employment opportunities in Barskoon. Observe how traditional yurts are built.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time for leisure and to swim in Issyk Kul Lake.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Tamga/Karakol
Drive to Karakol this morning and join your CEO on an orientation walk, the perfect way to start your time in Karakol and get to know this city a bit better. Then the day is yours for adventure! Opt to visit the colorful Dungan Mosque, Karakol Market or the impressive Russian Orthodox Church.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Karakol Orientation Walk
Get your bearings in the great city of Karakol on this CEO-guided orientation walk.
Free Time
Spend today free time wander through Karakol!
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral Visit
FreeStop by Karakol's cathedral to admire the unique architecture. This beautiful wooden church was built in 1895, after the old structure was destroyed by an earthquake and is still used for services on sundays.
Dungan Mosque
FreeVisit this colourful mosque originally built in 1910 that almost resembles a Buddhist temple. This is the only mosque in the area and definitely worth checking out. The word Dungan in the temple name is a term from the Soviet-era referring to the ethnic group of Muslims of Chinese descent. The people themselves, however, call themselves Hui.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Karakol
Fill up on breakfast before heading out for a free day in Karakol. How about a tour of the city? Or maybe get back out into nature with visits to the spectacular Jety Oguz or Aksu Kench hot springs!
Free Time
A full day free in Karakol means a day full of adventure!
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Jety Oguz & the Seven Bulls
Visit the stunning Seven Bulls in the Jety Oguz mountain area. Watch as the bright red sandstone seemingly changes color hues as the sun reflects off the unique rock formations. We'll have a picturesque picnic lunch in the valley that is blanketed in colorful flowers in the spring. Then hike to the Jety Oguz view point on a 1.5 hour roundtrip moderate hike.
Ak-Suu Kench Hot Springs
Take a dip in the warm hot springs of Ak-Suu.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Karakol/Saty Village
Cross the border into Kazakhstan, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. Then climb into a 4x4 vehicle to visit the stunning Kaindy Lake. Grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. This evening, connect with local Kazakh culture at our Saty Village homestay.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Kyrgyzstan - Kazakhstan)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Kaindy Lake Hike Visit
Visit the perfectly turquoise colored Kaindy Lake. In this unique lake, you can see spruce trees sticking out of the crystal water. This sunken forest will leave you in awe of its beauty.
4x4
Jump in a 4x4 vehicle to get off-road in Kazakhstan.
Saty Village Stay
Be immersed in Kazakh culture during a homestay near the Kolsay Lakes National Park. Eat a traditional dinner and marvel at the mountain range and forests surrounding the village.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park
Get ready to see red... red rocks and canyons we mean! Our first stop of the day is to Charyn Canyon. Full of different shades of reds, oranges, and browns, the beautiful Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Then continue on to Altyn Emel National Park where more red and orange rocks make up this beautiful landscape.
Charyn Canyon Visit
Enjoy the views of the beautiful Charyn Canyon. Breathe the fresh air and snap a few photos of this stunning landscape.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 10Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty
Right on the bank of the Ili river sits the beautiful golden Singing Sand Dunes. On a windy day, when the sad moves across the dunes, it produces a low-pitched humming sound, giving it its name. Get your body moving as you trek through the sand. Return to the guest house for a well-deserved lunch before driving to Almaty. Then join your crew and CEO for an orientation walk.
Singing Dunes
Wander across the drifting sand at the seemingly unending Singing sand dunes. Hike through the dunes and take in the breathtaking views of snow capped mountains in the distance.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Almaty Orientation Walk
Enjoy the chance to see Almaty on this orientation walk led by your CEO.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Almaty
Almaty is on full display as you get to choose your own adventure through the city. We recommend a city tour to connect with Kazakhstani culture. Then see the city come to life at night on your Big Night Out!
Free Time
A full free day in Almaty is on the docket for today!
Your Big Night Out Moment: Almaty
See the beautiful city of Almaty light up with lights when we head out for a Big Night Out with the crew. Grab a drink of choice and enjoy the Kazakhstani night life!
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Almaty City Tour
Get to know Almaty on a city tour, visiting the most stunning sights. Stop by the colourful Ascension Cathedral, constructed entirely of wood without the use of any nails. It survived an earthquake in 1911 and continues to stand today. Walk through Panfilov's Park and the historical part of the city. Visit the new part of Almaty known as Independence Square, and stop by the WWII Memorial.
Day 12Almaty
Depart at any time.