Discover Central Asia on a unique 9-day tour through two remarkable countries - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This journey blends modern cities, breathtaking natural landscapes, and the enduring traditions of nomadic culture.
Your adventure begins in Astana, the futuristic capital of Kazakhstan, before continuing to Almaty and the stunning Charyn Canyon, where dramatic rock formations create an otherworldly landscape. From there, you will travel to Kyrgyzstan, a country where nomadic traditions harmonize with nature. Explore historic cities, take in the beauty of Lake Issyk-Kul’s crystal-clear waters, and spend a night in a traditional yurt at an altitude of 3,016 meters by Lake Son-Kul.
The 9-day Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Classic Tour is perfect for travelers who appreciate nature, history, and unique cultural experiences. Connect with the nomadic heritage, indulge in the local cuisine, and discover the hidden gems of Central Asia!
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Astana. Transfer to the hotel and check-in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast. At 09:00 meet your guide and other group members in the hotel lobby to start a sightseeing tour of Kazakhstan’s capital. Visit the “Old Centre”, previously the home of merchants. Walk along the Millennium Axis line named by Kisho Kurokawa, the chief architect and designer of Astana’s general layout. Visit the Opera building and the Round Square with its numerous fountains. Touring on Independence Square with 91 meter high snow-white stele Kazakh Eli, Khazret Sultan Mosque, and Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Continue to Nurzhol and Green Water boulevards to see stunning skyscrapers with their unique architecture. Take the lift up the Bayterek monument and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view from the observation deck. Conclude the morning city tour with a visit to Khan-Shatyr, a major shopping and entertainment center. Go for a tasty welcome lunch. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, start a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Highlights of this morning will include Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square, and the Central State Museum (closed on Tuesdays). A short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Our last stop of the day will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with these magnificent birds is a distinguishing feature of the Kazakh way of life. Return to the hotel by 18:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Breakfast. At 08:00 meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Leave Almaty and drive to Charyn Canyon (220 km, 3-4 h). This 154m-long canyon is in eastern Kazakhstan, part of the Charyn National Park. In addition to unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured tower formations, the National Park offers the opportunity to see an old ash-tree grove, the Castle Valley. The canyon’s beauty makes you forget the long drive from Almaty, and you will remember this highlight of Kazakh nature for a long time. After arriving at the canyon, take some time for a picnic and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon and enjoy the views. Then transfer to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border post at Kegen (116 km). Meet your Kyrgyz driver and guide and transfer to Karakol via the Karkara Valley (110 km). Enjoy dinner with an Uigur family, including a Kyrgyz folkloric show, national music and songs. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol.
Meals: picnic lunch, dinner
Meals: picnic lunch, dinner
After breakfast, visit the Wooden Orthodox Church and the intriguing Dungan Mosque (which was built in Chinese style). Then transfer to the Jeti Oguz Gorge. Take a short hike in the gorge and then drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way, stop in Bokonbaevo to see an eagle hunting show. Continue driving to Kochkor. This drive guarantees you one of the best views of Lake Issyk-Kul. Have dinner and spend the overnight with a Kyrgyz family.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Drive to Son-Kul (120km), a remote mountain lake that is one of the highest in Kyrgyzstan (3,016m above sea level) via Kalmak Ashu pass (3,400 m above sea level). The lake is situated on a treeless, high-mountain plateau to which shepherds bring their livestock in summer and establish yurt camps where they’ll live. In this magnificent place you can expect to see hundreds of herds of livestock and numerous yurts, as well as edelweiss flowers and camels. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll learn about the traditional life of Kyrgyz nomads, watching local women make the Kyrgyz national drink, kymyz (mare’s milk) You’ll surely be invited to try kymyz, as well as traditional bread, dairy products, and home-made jam. You’ll also have the chance to ride a horse (optional, at extra cost). Dinner and overnight at a yurt camp.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Breakfast. At 09:00 transfer to Bishkek (400 km). On the way, join a workshop in Kochkor to see how traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets are made. After lunch continue driving to Bishkek, via Burana Tower. This tower was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Breakfast. At 09:00 begin a sightseeing tour of Bishkek. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Philharmonic Hall, the Statue of Manas, Victory Square, and the Oriental market (Osh Bazaar) and new mosque named after Mahmud Kashgari. After lunch, enjoy some free time in the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Price includes:
- Accommodation – 8 nights
- Local ESG in Astana
- Escort ESG from Almaty
- Transportation, including all transfers on arrival
- Entrance fees
- Meals – as per program
- Cable car to Chymbulak
- Sunkar Falcon show
- Folklore show in Karakol
- Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo
- Felt making show in Kochkor
- Mineral water 1L pax/day
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2025 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Economy:
Matsunoki / Hillside / Tagaytay
Comfort:
Oimo hotel / 78 hotel / Green Yard
Lux:
Oimo hotel / 78 hotel / Green Yard
Matsunoki / Hillside / Tagaytay
Comfort:
Oimo hotel / 78 hotel / Green Yard
Lux:
Oimo hotel / 78 hotel / Green Yard
Economy:
Orient / Bridges / Ak Jola / Crown / My Hotel
Comfort:
Ambassador / Solutel / Damas / City Stay
Lux:
Orion / Sheraton / Novotel
Orient / Bridges / Ak Jola / Crown / My Hotel
Comfort:
Ambassador / Solutel / Damas / City Stay
Lux:
Orion / Sheraton / Novotel
Tour Request
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