Trekking Tour Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan

Experience with Kyrgyz Vibes Kyrgyzstan

Tour at glance

Best Time to Go

May, June, July, August, September

Cost of Tour per Person

Duration of the Tour

12 days

Difficulty Level

High

Type of Tour

Private

Location

Kyrgyzstan

Trekking Tour Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan

12-Day Trekking Tour in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

The 12-day hiking tour in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is the ultimate Central Asian trekking adventure. Led by local guides, you’ll traverse dramatic alpine lakes, deep canyons like Charyn, and high mountain passes reaching 3,400m — all while experiencing nomadic culture through yurt stays, eagle hunting shows, and home-cooked regional cuisine

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport - Almaty

Airport Pickup: Begin your journey with a warm welcome as you arrive at the airport. Having dinner and reviewing the program.

Transfer to Hotel: Relax and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Take the evening to rest and prepare for the exciting days ahead.

Day 2: Big Almaty Lake – hotel (Almaty)

  • After breakfast leave hotel at 09:00
  • Please take food and drinks in advance 
  • Hiking in Big Almaty Lake:

Level of difficulty: easy

Total: 5km
Elevation Gain/Loss: 390m+ /133m-

Altitude: 2500m

Temperature: up to 20-27 degree

Raincoats, fleece are important to take

  • Drop off at the hotel

Day 3: Charyn Canyon - Kol-Say lake – Saty village

Level of difficulties: easy, straight and flat area to walk 

Altitude: ~1300m

Distance: up to 5 km one way

NOTE: May and June are the wet months: it is raining almost every day in the afternoon. Normal day temperature in Kolsay and Kaindy area in July is +15..+20C, night +5…+12C.

 

  • Marvel at the captivating panorama of Charyn Canyon, where nature paints a vivid canvas of colors. Take a leisurely walk through the enchanting Castle Valley, where ancient rocks tell a timeless tale.
  • Embark on a scenic drive to Kol-Sai Lake and be captivated by the breathtaking panorama of one of Kazakhstan's magnificent lakes. Revel in the simplicity of nature's beauty as the pristine waters mirror the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. 
  • Transfer to Saty village and have dinner there. A guesthouse has a sauna, the booking should be in advance.

Driving hours:  Almaty-Charyn canyon: 2.5 hrs, Charyn – Kol-Sai lake: 2.5 hrs



Day 4: Kaiyndy lake - Saty village – Karakol city

Level of difficulties: easy

Distance: 4.07 km 

Elevation gain: 265 m

Elevation loss: 265 m

Max elevation: 1,894 m

  • After breakfast this morning, getting to Kaiyndy lake by Soviet UAZ car called Bukhanka.
  • After lunch at Saty village in one of the guesthouses we’ll cross the border into Kyrgyzstan, the duration of driving is 3.5-4 hours. 
  • Dinner at Chinese Muslim family and get to know more about their culture, history and the reason of living in Karakol

 

Day 5: Jyrgalan village – Karakol city

We will drive to Jyrgalan village the distance of it is 1-1.5 hours to get there. 

Hiking to Turnaluu Kol Lake 

Distance: 13.3 km 

Max. Elevation: 2,862 m

Min. Elevation: 2,205 m

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: 1.5-2 hrs one way

 In Karakol, you’ll enjoy a little sightseeing in Karakol, once a small Russian military post, then a bustling soviet state, this town is bursting with history just waiting to be explored. You’ll visit the Dungan Mosque, built in 1910 this colourful mosque was created without the use of a single nail – instead, the structure was built using special cutting and groove techniques. You’ll also get a chance to explore the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. Or we can just take a rest in the hotel.



Day 6: Jeti Oguz gorge - Barskoon gorge –– Skazka Canyon – southern shore of the lake 

  • Photo stop in Broken Heart Rock 
  • Hiking to see the panoramic view of Seven Bulls Rocks and Jeti Oguz gorge

Level of difficulty: easy, Altitude: 2200m

  • Hiking to “Bowl of Manas: waterfall at picturesque Barskoon gorge. It takes 15-20 min one way on 2500 m. Level of difficulties: easy 
  • Hiking in “Skazka Canyon” - Fairytale Canyon, where you will see different unusual shaped rocks where we will hike for around one hour. 

Level of difficulty: easy 

Altitude: 1765 m 

  • The southern part is close to the shore of Issyk-Kul lake so that it is possible to have a nice picnic on the wild beach and enjoy the horizon of the lake surrounded with Tian-Shan mountain range.
  • Driving to a modern hotel in a yurt camp style with a modern washroom inside. Dinner at a yurt camp.



Day 7: Relax day at southern shore of the lake 

  • Relaxing at a modern hotel in a yurt camp style with a modern washroom inside 
  • Bürküt eagle hunting show
  • Kyrgyz felt carpet making master-class
  • Dinner at 3rd generation of Eagle hunter’s home and get to know more about his, eagle hunting.



Day 8: Southern shore -Cultural heritage - Orto Tokoi water reservoir - Kochkor city - Kyzart village

  • Hiking at Ak-Say canyons
  • Lunch at a master’s home who makes Kyrgyz dwelling “boz-üi”, that you know as a yurt (in Russian)
  • Driving to Kyzart village and prepare for hiking to Song-Kul lake
  • Total driving:  4-5 hours to get to Kyzart 

Day 9: Kyzart village – Tuz Ashuu pass (3228m) – Eki Bala valley near to Song-Kul lake – yurt camp

Level of hiking: from moderate to difficult

Distance- 11 km 

Day of hiking to the Tuz Achuu pasture. Transfer by vehicle to the starting point (the bridge) where we will center the local team. Along the hike, we discover magnificent views of the pastures of Chaar Archa. Picnic lunch. We gain height and arrive at the Tuz Achuu pass (3400m). We continue towards Tuz Achuu, surrounded by mountains and begin to see Song Kul Lake. Arrival at the lake and descent to the pastures of Tuz Achuu (3080m), crossing on our way several herds of cattle with their shepherds. On our arrival, meeting with the family of shepherds who welcome us for dinner and the night.

Distance: 16 km on foot / approx 4-5h 

Positive elevation: + 1100 m.

Negative elevation: - 200 m

Night and dinner at the yurt camp

Day 10: Kalmak Ashuu pass (3447m) – Kok Moinok canyons – Burana Grand Hotel 10

The total driving is 4.5-5 hours.

Hiking to Kok-Moinok canyons with different trails inside.

Level of difficulty: easy

Altitude: 1600 m 

Duration: ~1 km one way, 30min one way



Day 11: Kegeti gorge - Köl-Tör lake - Bishkek

Early start of tour: 07:30 if we want to hike to Kol-Tor lake 

After early breakfast driving to Kegeti gorge. It takes around 2 hours.

After check in at the guesthouse, start of hiking to Kol-Tor lake 

Duration: 3-4 hours, one way

Length of the hike: 8 km, one way

Level of difficulties: moderate

Elevation difference: 900 m

Elevation: 1850-2725 meters

NOTE: we can skip this hiking if you feel that you need relax time. Next day will be easy hiking. 

Day 12: City tour - Bishkek

  • Relaxing day
  • City tour:

Here are the places we will visit: 

  1. Victory Square
  2. Central Department Store (ZUM)
  3. Opera and Ballet Theater
  4. Cinema "Ala-Too"
  5. Monument to Kurmanjan Datka
  6. Art gallery shop of local artists
  7. Oak Park
  8. Erkindik Boulevard
  9. The State History Museum
  10. “Ala –Too” Square
  11. Supreme Court Building
  12. Old Square and Lenin Monument
  13. The Palace of Sports
  14. Government House. Monument to events of April 7
  15. Kyrgyz National Philharmonic
  • Transfer to the airport 



Highlights of the Tour

  • Trek across two stunning countries — explore Kazakhstan's Charyn Canyon, Kol-Sai Lakes, and Kyrgyzstan's most spectacular mountain landscapes in one unforgettable 11-day journey
  • Sleep in a yurt at Song-Kul Lake (3,016 m) — spend a night under the stars on a vast high-altitude plateau surrounded by wild horses and nomadic shepherds
  • Experience authentic nomadic culture — watch a live eagle hunting show, try felt carpet making, and share home-cooked meals with local Kyrgyz families
  • Hike through breathtaking alpine scenery — from the fairy-tale Skazka Canyon and Jeti-Oguz red rocks to the peaks of Ala-Archa National Park

Prefer a shorter trip? Our Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan Adventure Tour covers the highlights in just 5 days.

March 6, 2025

Guaranteed Fixed departure – Group size 10 people

Trekking Tour Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan
$ 1300
Available

By confirming your booking, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions. We will send you confirmation to your email. 

Inclusions

INCLUSIONS:

  • All transfer: a mini-bus
  • English speaking-guide
  • Additional hikers:2
  • 2 Horses and a horseman during the hiking in Tüz-Ashuu
  • Horse riding in Song-Kul lake 
  • Accommodations: 10 on breakfast basis
  • Lunches – 6, Dinners – 8.
  • All entrance fees
  • Water everyday

EXCLUSIONS:

  • Other activities not mentioned in inclusions
  • Air tickets and visa

Since it is quite cold in the evenings since it is high altitude, please take warm clothes with you. 

  • Hiking sticks 
  • A plastic bottle for multi usage (We are for responsible tourism and trying to follow some rules to make our tours sustainable) 
  • Antiseptic sprays, antiseptic wipes, a sanitizer
  • Health insurance and other documentation should be on your handbag in cases if you’ll lose your luggage. 
  • Put any prescription drugs in carry-on luggage. Ensuring to store your medicine (temperature, humidity) and to check the expiration date. 
  • During the trekking your clothes should cover all your body since it is a high season of ticks: Pants that is able to tuck into the boots, trekking shoes, a warm hat, a warm jacket, a sweater, enough long sleeves and other underwear (think of taking smth with long sleeves to avoid sunburns), a rain-coat -Sun-screen cream (30 or higher)
  • Insect repellent (skin + clothes)
  • Personal first aid kit (most likely problems: blisters, sunburns, allergy, diarrhoea, sore muscles after horse riding, take painkillers, anti-histaminic, antibiotics of general action, and anything you need for your usual medical conditions). 
  • A smaller backpack, except for your normal suitcase
  • Flashlight (torch) to use to get to the toilet in a yurt camp

Money exchange: if you plan to exchange dollars /euro/ to KGS, we recommend to take the notes of 50, 100 USD without any stamps, inscriptions and others otherwise banks will exchange for a lower cost by adding % for each damaged banknote. 



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