Tour Type: Private Tour, flexible and customized
Guide & Driver: Experienced English-speaking driver guide & air-conditioned car
Hotel: 3 to 5-star well selected hotels and featured lodge
Itinerary |
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty, Airport pick-up
Thanks for choosing our tour and welcome to Almaty! Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan and is also one of the greenest city in the world. Our English-speaking driver-guide will wait for you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars) |
Day 2: Drive to Basshi Village and visit Altyn Emel National Park
After breakfast, drive for 300 km (186 mi) to Basshi village, taking about 3.5 hours. On the way we'll have a taste of the traditional cheese of Kazakhstan, "Kurt". Upon arrival, check in the hotel and have lunch. Then head to Altyn Emel National Park which is constructed to protect the rare plants and animals here. We'll hike in Aktau Mountains for 3 hours and then go to Katutau Mountains. Go back to the hotel and on the way visit a willow 700 years old.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Basshi hotel |
Day 3: Day trip to Singing Dune and Zharkent Mosque, Drive to Hot Springs
In the morning, we will climb up to the top of Singing Dune to listen to the singing of the sand. Then drive to Zharkent. At noon, taste the local special lagman for lunch. Next visit Zharkent Mosque which is reputed to be the art museum of Kazakhsatan. After that, head to the local market. Here you can buy various fruits and bargain with the sellers to experience the local customs. Finally drive 2 hours to the hotel in Hot Springs. Today's dinner will be delicious Beshbarmak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Karadala Hot Springs Hotel |
Day 4: Visit Charyn Canyon, Drive to Saty village
On the 4th day of the vacation we'll visit Charyn Canyon National Park. Here we'll visit five canyons: Charyn Canyon, Temerlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Moon Canyon and Valley of Castles. At noon, have packed lunch at Bestamak Canyon. After, drive to Saty Village and check in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner Accommodation: Saty Village guest house |
Day 5: Hike from the Third Kolsai Lake to the Second Kolsai Lake
Today, we will drive to the Third Kolsai Lake. After arrival, hike to the Second Kolsai Lake and then hike back and take the car back to the hotel. The round-trip 16 kilometers (10 miles) hiking route takes 6 hours. We will stay at the Second Kolsai Lake for 2 hours and have packed lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner Accommodation: Saty village guest house |
Day 6: Tour to Kaindy Lake, Cross the Kyrgyzstan border & drive to Karakol
Today we'll visit the Kaindy Lake, also called "underwater forest" by locals. Afternoon send you to the Kyrgyzstan border. The Kyrgyzstan driver and the guide will pick you up and transfer you to Karakol. Check in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: My Hotel Karakol (3 stars) |
Day 7: Karakol tour with Karakol National Park
Karakol is the best destination for hiking, skiing, and mountain cycling. If it is Sunday, the guide will accompany you to explore the Karakol Animal Market in the early morning. After, go to visit Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum, the Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. After, enjoy a hiking in Karakol National Park. The lunch is picnic-lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: My Hotel Karakol (3 stars) |
Day 8: Visit the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake
After breakfast, go to Jeti-Oguz Canyon to visit the "Seven Bulls Rocks" and the "Broken Heart". Then we'll drive to Tamga on the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake and check in the yurt. The last stop of today is Canyon Fairy Tale famous for the amazing Danxia landform. The red and yellow sandstones have been eroded for several thousands of years, forming different shapes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomad Lodge Tamga |
Day 9: Explore Bokonbayevo, Drive 5h to Song Kol Lake
Today we'll drive to Bokonbayevo to see the golden eagle. There, you can also learn the traditional culture about the eagle hunting and training from the tamer and explore the local bazaar to experience the bustling life. Next stop is Kochkor, 2-hour drive away. After having lunch upon arrival, drive through Kalmak Ashuu pass with an altitude of 3,447m (11,309 ft.) and arrive at the scenic Song Kol Lake with an altitude of 3,016 m (9,895 ft) about 3 hours later. Stay in a yurt tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomad's Dream Yurt Camp |
Day 10: Song Kol Lake discovery
Song Kol Lake is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. We will spend the whole day here. By the calm lake is the interminable snow mountains and the vast grassland. You can take a walk or ride a horse on your own expense to explore it.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Nomad's Dream Yurt Camp |
Day 11: Drive to Bishkek with stopover in Kochkor & Burana Tower
First we'll drive for 3 hours to Kochkor, where the guide will escort you to visit the local felt store Altyn Kol. Then walk around to explore the bazaar here. Next continue to drive for 3 hours to the crucial historical site on Ancient Silk Road, Burana Tower. Located on Chui Valley in the north of Kyrgyzstan, the tower is 80 km (50 mi) away from the capital Bishkek. After the visit, drive to Bishkek and check in the hotel there.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek (5 stars) |
Day 12: Bishkek airport see-off
This is the last day of your Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tour. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll send you to Bishkek airport for you to catch your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast |
