10-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

Welcome to Bishkek, the lively capital of Kyrgyzstan! You’ll start your adventure in a city where Soviet heritage, modern influences and traditional Kyrgyz culture come together. Explore Ala-Too Square, the heart of the city, and admire its impressive statues and parks. Visit Osh Bazaar, where you’ll find everything from local produce to souvenirs. After exploring the city, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many cafés or restaurants and try local dishes such as beshbarmak, a traditional meat dish. You’ll spend two nights in Bishkek, giving you plenty of time to get to know the city.

Today, your journey into nature begins as you travel to the Chong-Kemin Valley. This beautiful valley in northern Kyrgyzstan is surrounded by mountains and full of natural beauty. It’s also a great opportunity to experience the hospitality of the Kyrgyz people. Along the way, you’ll stop at Burana Tower, an ancient minaret dating back to the 11th century and one of the few remaining traces of the former city of Balasagun. The tower offers fantastic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Once you arrive in Chong-Kemin Valley, you can enjoy the peace and beauty of the area. You’ll stay in a traditional guesthouse and enjoy a local meal.

The following morning, you can choose between a hike into the nearby mountains or exploring the famous gorges of Chong-Kemin. After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive over the Kalmak-Ashuu mountain pass towards Song Kul Lake.

On your way to Song Kul, you’ll pass through some incredible landscapes. Song Kul is a popular destination for nomadic communities and offers you the chance to experience the traditional lifestyle of Kyrgyz nomads up close. You’ll stay in yurts, the traditional tents used by nomadic families. It’s a unique experience, especially when you look up at the clear and impressive night sky.

After a morning by the lake, you’ll continue to the village of Kochkor. The village is known for its traditional crafts, and today you’ll have the chance to take part in a felt-making workshop. Felt making is a traditional art in Kyrgyzstan that has been practised by local communities for centuries. After the workshop, you can take your creation home as a souvenir.

From Kochkor, you’ll continue towards Tamga, a small village on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. Along the way, you’ll stop in Barskoon, where you’ll see a demonstration of how a yurt is built. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the skills and traditions behind these traditional tents.

You’ll then continue to Tamga, where you’ll spend the night in a cosy guesthouse near the lake. Lake Issyk-Kul is not only the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, but is also known as the “Sea of Kyrgyzstan” because of its huge size. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

You’ll continue to Karakol, a city with a rich history and a mix of different cultures. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol is an important cultural centre.

During your time in the city, you can visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the famous Russian explorer who began many of his expeditions here. Your city tour also includes the Dungan Mosque, built in Chinese architectural style, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Karakol is also famous for its food, so don’t miss the chance to try the local speciality Ashlan-Fu, a spicy noodle soup you won’t soon forget. You’ll spend the night in Karakol.

After Karakol, you’ll cross the border into Kazakhstan and arrive in the traditional village of Saty. This picturesque village sits at the foot of the impressive Tien Shan Mountains and gives you the chance to experience rural life in Kazakhstan.

Here, you can get a glimpse of local village life and enjoy the hospitality of the residents. You’ll stay in a simple guesthouse, where you’ll have the chance to try traditional Kazakh cuisine. Saty Village is also a great base for hikes and exploring the surrounding nature.

Today brings one of the highlights of your trip: a visit to Kaindy Lake. This remarkable lake is famous for its “sunken forest”, with trees that still stand upright beneath the surface of the water. It’s a unique and surreal place that you won’t forget easily.

After visiting Kaindy Lake, you’ll continue to Charyn Canyon, a spectacular gorge often compared to the Grand Canyon thanks to its impressive rock formations and colours. Take a walk through the canyon and enjoy the views. In the evening, you’ll arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, where you’ll spend your final night of the tour.

You’ll finish your journey with a city tour of Almaty, the “City of the Sun”. This modern city is surrounded by mountains and offers a mix of Soviet architecture, modern buildings and green parks. Visit Panfilov Park, home to a monument dedicated to soldiers who died during World War II, and the Zenkov Cathedral, a colourful wooden church.

Don’t miss the Green Bazaar, where you can shop for local produce and experience the atmosphere of the city. Almaty is also known for its cafés and restaurants, making it the perfect place to finish your trip with one last meal of local specialities.

From Almaty, you can choose to fly home or stay a little longer in Kazakhstan and continue exploring this fascinating country.