Road trip
8-Day Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Tour: Almaty to Bishkek
- Duration8 days
- CountryKazakhstan
- SeasonJune - September
- Tour typePrivate, flexible
Tour overview
This private Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tour links the two most beautiful corners of the northern Silk Road in one trip. Start in leafy Almaty, explore the red walls of Charyn Canyon and the mountain lakes of Kolsai and Kaindy, cross the mountains into Kyrgyzstan through the scenic Karkara valley, then travel around Lake Issyk-Kul to Bishkek. Eight days, two countries, no backtracking.
Both countries have direct flights from Europe, Turkey, the Gulf and Asia, and many nationalities can visit both without a visa. Fly into Almaty, out of Bishkek, and let us handle the border, the drivers and the logistics in between.
Tour at a glance
- Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Finish: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Highlights: Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, Karkara valley, Karakol, Jeti-Oguz, Skazka canyon, eagle hunters on Issyk-Kul, Burana Tower, Ala-Archa
- Style: private road trip with easy to moderate walks
- Nights: city hotels, family guest houses and one yurt camp
- Season: June to September (Karkara border crossing is open in summer)
Kazakhstan: canyons and mountain lakes
Charyn Canyon is often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon. You walk through the Valley of Castles between 150-metre red cliffs down to the Charyn river. The next day is all about water: Kaindy, a lake created by an earthquake in 1911 where the trunks of drowned spruce trees still stand in turquoise water, and Kolsai, a chain of deep blue lakes in the forest. Nights are spent in the village of Saty, with a local family.
Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul and the Tian Shan
After crossing at Karkara you arrive in Karakol, the trekking capital of Kyrgyzstan. From there the route follows the quieter southern shore of Issyk-Kul: the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, the colourful sandstone of Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon and a night in a yurt camp by the lake, with an eagle hunting demonstration by a local berkutchi. The trip ends with the 11th-century Burana Tower, a hike in Ala-Archa National Park and the Soviet-era boulevards of Bishkek.
Make it longer
Add 3 days for the Ala-Kul trek from Karakol, or extend to Song-Kul with the 3-day horseback adventure. Short on time? The 4-day Issyk-Kul tour covers the Kyrgyz part only.
Photos: Tim Broadbent, Anatolii Shcherbyna, Evgeny Matveev, Above Horizon on Unsplash
Day-by-day itinerary
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1 Arrival in Almaty – city tour
Meet your guide at Almaty airport and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon explore the city: Panfilov Park and the wooden Zenkov Cathedral, the Green Bazaar with its dried fruit and spices, and the cable car to Kok-Tobe hill for sunset views over the city and the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. Overnight in a hotel in Almaty.
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2 Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty village (300 km, 5 hrs driving)
Drive east across the steppe to Charyn Canyon. Walk about 3 km through the Valley of Castles to the Charyn river, where we have lunch by the water. In the afternoon continue south into the mountains to the village of Saty. Dinner and overnight in a family guest house.
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3 Kaindy Lake and Kolsai Lakes (hiking day)
After breakfast drive by 4x4 to Lake Kaindy and walk down to the sunken forest. In the afternoon visit the first Kolsai lake, walk along its shore or take an optional horse ride towards the second lake. Return to Saty for dinner and a second night in the guest house.
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4 Saty – Karkara border crossing – Karakol (230 km, 5-6 hrs driving)
Drive through the wide Kegen steppe to the Karkara border crossing, a quiet mountain checkpoint with summer pastures on both sides. Your Kyrgyz driver and guide meet you on the other side. Continue to Karakol and visit the wooden Dungan mosque and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Overnight in a guest house in Karakol.
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5 Karakol – Jeti-Oguz – Skazka canyon – Bokonbaevo (200 km, 4 hrs driving)
Morning walk among the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) and the Broken Heart rock. Follow the southern shore of Issyk-Kul with stops for swimming and lunch, then explore Skazka canyon. In the evening watch a local eagle hunter show how golden eagles are trained to hunt. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp by the lake.
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6 Bokonbaevo – Burana Tower – Bishkek (330 km, 5 hrs driving)
Drive along the lake and through the Boom gorge to the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret of the Karakhanid city of Balasagun, with its collection of ancient stone balbals. Arrive in Bishkek in the afternoon and walk through Ala-Too square and the Oak Park. Overnight in a hotel in Bishkek.
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7 Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek
A day in the mountains just south of the city. Hike in Ala-Archa National Park along the river or up to the Ak-Sai waterfall, with a picnic lunch. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner of Kyrgyz dishes in Bishkek. Overnight in a hotel.
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8 Departure from Bishkek
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Manas airport for your flight home. If you have an evening flight, we can add a visit to the Osh bazaar.
Prices and what’s included
Price per person (USD):
- Solo traveller: 3150 USD
- 2 persons: 1790 USD per person
- 3 persons: 1480 USD per person
- 4 persons: 1290 USD per person
This is a private tour. A 20% prepayment confirms the booking and the rest is paid on arrival, by bank transfer or a secure card link. Larger groups get a lower price: ask us for a quote.
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver in each country
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Seven nights: hotels in Almaty and Bishkek, guest houses in Saty and Karakol, a yurt camp on Issyk-Kul
- Breakfast daily, full board on days 2-6
- All entrance and national park fees (Charyn, Kolsai, Kaindy, Ala-Archa, Burana)
- Eagle hunting demonstration
- Airport transfers in Almaty and Bishkek
- 1.5 litres of mineral water per person per day
Not included
- International flights
- Visas, if required for your nationality
- Lunches and dinners in Almaty and Bishkek
- Horse riding at Kolsai (optional)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
Photos
Route map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
Citizens of the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan visa-free for short stays. Rules change, so check the current requirements for your passport before you book; we are happy to help.
How do you cross the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
We cross at Karkara, a quiet mountain checkpoint between Saty and Karakol. You walk across with your guide, and a Kyrgyz vehicle waits on the other side. Karkara usually operates from June to September; at other times we cross near Almaty and Bishkek and adapt the route.
Can I do the tour in reverse, from Bishkek to Almaty?
Yes. The route works equally well from Bishkek to Almaty. Choose whichever direction gives you the best flights.
How much walking is involved?
Walks are easy to moderate: about 3 km at Charyn Canyon, short hikes at Kaindy and Kolsai, and a choice of an easy or moderate hike in Ala-Archa. No special fitness is needed.
What kind of accommodation is used?
Comfortable hotels in Almaty and Bishkek, family-run guest houses in Saty and Karakol and one night in a yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Upgrades to 4-star hotels in the cities are possible.
How much does the 8-day Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tour cost?
The private tour costs from 1,290 USD per person for a group of 4, including transport, guide, accommodation, most meals and all entrance fees. Prices for solo travellers and couples are listed above.
From $1,290
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