Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan Culture Group Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 20% deposit, balance one month before tour starting date.
Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan Culture Group Tour Highlights
This 11-day group tour combines the mountains, lakes and nomad traditions of Kyrgyzstan with the city life and canyons of south-east Kazakhstan. It starts in Bishkek with a city tour and a welcome dinner, then heads east to the Burana Tower, the last remains of the Karakhanid town of Balasagyn, and to lunch with a Dungan family in Iskra village before reaching Issyk-Kul lake at Cholpon-Ata with its open-air petroglyph museum. Around the lake you walk in the Grigoriev and Semenov gorges, visit the Orthodox cathedral and the Dungan Mosque of Karakol, see the red “Broken Heart” cliffs of Jeti-Oguz and the waterfalls of the Barskoon Valley, and spend a night in a yurt camp on the south shore.
On the way to Kochkor you explore the wind-carved rocks of Skazka Canyon, meet an eagle hunter near Bokonbaevo and learn how a family in Kyzyl-Tuu village builds yurts. The road over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,447 m) leads to Son-Kul Lake for a night in a nomads’ yurt camp, and after a felt-making workshop in Kochkor you stay in the green Chon-Kemin Valley. Then you cross the border to Almaty for a city tour, the Medeu sports complex, the cable car up Kok-Tobe hill and a day trip with a short hike into the Valley of Castles of Charyn Canyon.
Difficulty: Easy Sightseeing with short walks: about an hour in Jeti-Oguz Gorge, gorge walks near Issyk-Kul and a hike of about 2 km on the floor of Charyn Canyon. Two nights in yurt camps – at Son-Kul Lake (about 3,000 m, reached over the 3,447 m Kalmak-Ashuu Pass by car) 4 people share a yurt and toilets and showers are outside – and several long drives.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2027
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Mon – Thu | $1,790 |
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| – Available | Thu – Sun | $1,790 |
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Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Bishkek at any time. Standard hotel check-in is after 14:00. Enjoy some free time to relax or explore on your own before the group gathers. At 14:00, meet your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome briefing covering the itinerary and travel plan, followed by a city tour of Bishkek with Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, Oak Park and the Central Mosque. In the evening, join a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant to sample authentic Kyrgyz cuisine. Note: since most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning, we highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel before the tour start date.
Ala Too Square, Bishkek Victory Square, Bishkek Oak Park, Bishkek Central Mosque
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Dinner
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. The tower, along with funerary monuments, earthworks, castle remains and three mausoleums, is all that survives of ancient Balasagyn, a town founded by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century. Enjoy lunch in Iskra village with a local Dungan family – an ethnic group of Chinese Muslims who fled China – and taste their traditional cuisine. We then continue to Issyk-Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the deepest in the world, to your hotel right on the lakeshore. Your first stop at Issyk-Kul is the Petroglyph Museum, spanning 42 hectares dotted with ancient stones, tombs, balbals and petroglyphs dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 4th century AD. Enjoy free time to relax on the beach and swim in the lake. Dinner at a restaurant in the evening.
Burana Tower, Iskra, Cholpon Ata petroglyphs museum
- Bishkek → Cholpon Ata
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Lakeside resort)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Next, head to the Grigoriev and Semenov gorges, stopping for a picnic or lunch at a café along the way. These gorges are among the most celebrated natural attractions of the Issyk-Kul region, offering scenic walks through untouched wilderness and plenty of time to soak in the beautiful surroundings. Afterward, continue to Karakol, the administrative center of the Issyk-Kul region, where we visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before settling in for a restful overnight stay at the hotel.
Grigoriev Gorge, Semenov Gorge, Karakol Orthodox cathedral, Karakol Dungan Mosque
- Cholpon Ata → Karakol
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we set off from Karakol toward the breathtaking Jeti-Oguz Gorge, where the striking red cliffs of the famous “Broken Heart” rock formation greet us at the entrance. Enjoy a leisurely hour-long walk through the gorge, surrounded by fresh mountain air and sweeping views. Our journey continues to the scenic Barskoon Gorge, celebrated for its cascading waterfalls, among them the “Tears of the Snow Leopard”. Midway through the gorge stands a monument to Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first cosmonaut. Dinner and overnight stay at the yurt camp.
Jeti Oguz, Barskoon Valley
- Karakol → Tosor
Overnight: Tosor (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we head toward Kochkor village along the lake’s south shore. En route, we visit Skazka Canyon – “skazka” means “fairy tale” – where wind and time have carved the rocks into surprising shapes and sizes, with formations resembling skyscrapers or animals. Next, we meet a local eagle hunter and his bird of prey, a chance to witness the speed and precision of the hunt, one of the oldest traditions of the Kyrgyz nomads. Lunch at a guesthouse or café. Our next stop is Kyzyl-Tuu village, where a local family shares the secrets of traditional yurt-making, a craft passed down through generations. Continue to Kochkor for dinner and an overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Skazka Canyon, Bokonbaevo, Kyzyl-Tuu village
- Tosor → Kochkor
Overnight: Kochkor (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we journey along winding mountain roads, climbing higher into the heart of Kyrgyzstan’s wild beauty until we reach the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,447 m). From this lofty vantage point, Son-Kul Lake shimmers in the distance like a small turquoise jewel set among the vast highland plains. As we descend toward the lake, its true grandeur unfolds: a vast, dazzling mirror of sky surrounded by rolling green pastures. At our yurt camp we are welcomed with the warmth and hospitality of local nomads, offering a glimpse into their centuries-old traditions, way of life and deep connection to the land. In the evening, we share a hearty dinner before spending the night in authentic yurts beneath a sky thick with stars. Note: 4 people per yurt. Toilets, shower and sauna facilities are located outside.
Song Kul
- Kochkor → Song Kul
Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)
- Toilet: Outdoor (pit / drop toilet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning soaking in the beauty of your surroundings before setting out for the scenic Chon-Kemin Valley, with a stop along the way in the village of Kochkor. Here, we discover the rich tradition of felt-making, an art deeply woven into Kyrgyz culture. Guided by skilled local artisans, take part in a hands-on workshop crafting your own miniature ala-kiyiz – the colorful, patterned felt carpet beloved by nomads for generations. Enjoy an optional stroll through the tranquil village, surrounded by sweeping mountain views, before settling in for a freshly prepared traditional dinner.
Kochkor, Chon Kemin
- Song Kul → Chon Kemin
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast before departing toward the Kyrgyz–Kazakh border. Border crossing (Kyrgyzstan → Kazakhstan): ready for another stamp in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list. Today’s journey brings us to Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan. On arrival, we explore the city’s highlights, including Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park and the WWII Memorial.
Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), Panfilov Park
- Chon Kemin → Almaty
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Continue exploring the city with a visit to Medeu Gorge, home to the world’s highest mountain sports complex at an altitude of 1,691 meters and a favorite weekend destination for Almaty locals. Next, head to Kok-Tobe, the highest point in the city, known for its sweeping panoramic views in every direction. Getting there is part of the experience: a cable car ride starting near Hotel Kazakhstan glides over some of Almaty’s oldest neighborhoods and its lush fruit gardens. At the top, you’ll find the iconic 372-meter TV Tower, visible from across the city, along with stunning mountain and city views and a handful of attractions to enjoy.
Medeu, Kok Tobe Mountain
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Today we visit Charyn Canyon, located within a national park and often called the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon in the United States. Centuries of erosion by the Charyn River have shaped this dramatic landscape. On arrival, take in the magnificent panorama before descending to the canyon floor for a hike of about 2 km through the labyrinth of rock formations known as the Valley of Castles. Return to Almaty in the evening.
Charyn Canyon
- Almaty → Almaty
Overnight: Almaty (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out by 12:00. Departure at any time. End of the services.
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $440
Optional extras
Airport transfer (one way, per person): $50 per person
Extra night in Bishkek before the tour: double/twin room $120, single room $90
Extra night in Almaty after the tour: double/twin room $130, single room $100
What's included
Included
- Private transportation throughout the tour
- English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as per program (hotels, guesthouses and yurt camps)
- Meals as per program (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
- Bishkek city tour: Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, Oak Park, Central Mosque
- Burana Tower
- Lunch with a Dungan family in Iskra village
- Petroglyph open-air museum in Cholpon-Ata
- Grigoriev and Semenov gorges
- Karakol city tour: Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Dungan Mosque
- Jeti-Oguz Gorge and the Seven Bulls rocks
- Barskoon waterfalls
- Skazka Canyon
- Eagle hunting demonstration
- Yurt-building demonstration
- Felt-making workshop
- Son-Kul Lake with an overnight stay in a Kyrgyz yurt
- Free time in Chon-Kemin
- Almaty city tour: Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park, WWII Memorial
- Medeo Gorge
- Kok-Tobe Hill
- Charyn Canyon
Not included
- Airport transfers (50 USD one way per person, optional extra)
- Extra nights in Bishkek and Almaty (optional extras)
- Meals not listed in the program
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Bishkek
My Hotel or similar
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Night 2
Cholpon Ata
Caprice Lakeside Resort or similar
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Night 3
Karakol
Hotel 78 or similar
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Night 4
Tosor
Yurt camp in Tosor or similar
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Night 5
Kochkor
Traveler Guest House or similar
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Night 6
Song Kul
Yurt camp at Song Kol or similar
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Night 7
Chon Kemin
Kemin Guesthouse or similar
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Nights 8–10
Almaty
Garden Park Inn or similar
Good to know
- Arrival: Most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning, so we highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel before the tour start date (available as an optional extra).
- Hotel times: Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00.
- Yurt camp at Son-Kul: 4 people per yurt; toilets, shower and sauna facilities are located outside.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for each country on this tour. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
The official currency is the tenge (KZT), and Kazakhstan has the most advanced banking system in the region.
ATMs and exchange
ATMs are widespread in the major cities, in banks, hotels and shopping centres, but most dispense only tenge. Every city has exchange offices for US dollars, euros, roubles, pounds, Chinese yuan and Kyrgyz som, and changing dollars or euros into tenge is easy at banks and exchange offices.
Paying by card
International cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and large supermarkets. Smaller shops usually take cash only and often have little change, so carry smaller notes.
The security situation is stable, but it can change. A few precautions go a long way.
Documents
Always carry original identification such as your passport, as police patrols may ask for it. When approached by a police officer, driver or official, ask to see their identification.
Crime and scams
- Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag theft and car break-ins is common. Keep valuables out of sight and be vigilant, especially at night.
- Never leave food or drinks unattended or with strangers.
- Be careful of online scams.
- Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings, and leave the area if there is unrest nearby.
Getting around
- Avoid walking alone and arrange transport in advance. Do not use unofficial taxis.
- On trains, keep your passport and travel documents safe and lock the compartment, especially on night trains.
- Roads are well maintained in and around the major cities, but rural roads may be in poor condition.
Laws and customs
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is banned near schools, playgrounds and medical facilities, in public places such as museums, public transport, airports, stations and underpasses, and in cars carrying children.
- Possessing or using illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence.
- Photography is restricted near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Avoid sharing images that could be seen as disrespectful to religion, culture or national symbols.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Kazakhstan's visa rules depend on your passport. Check whether you need a visa for your visit.
Passport
If you enter visa-free, your passport only needs to be valid for the length of your stay. With a visa, it must be valid for six months beyond the end of your stay.
Visas and registration
For a tourist visa from an embassy or an electronic visa, you first need a letter of invitation (LOI). You may need to register after arriving in the country.
The best times to visit Kazakhstan are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), avoiding the hot summers and snowy winters.
Summer and winter
Kazakhstan has a harsh continental climate, at its most extreme in the central steppe and around the capital, Astana. Temperatures can rise above 40°C in June to August and drop to −20°C in December to February.
Before you travel, make sure the places you are going can provide any medical help you might need, and that your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.
Medical care
Medical staff often speak little English.
Medicines
Non-prescription medicines are easy to buy. For prescription medicines you need a prescription from a local doctor, or a foreign prescription translated into Kazakh or Russian.
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