Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan Culture Group Tour
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Tour in 11 days
TOUR OVERVIEW
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan where untamed nature, ancient traditions, and vibrant cityscapes collide. From the wild pastures and star-filled nights at Son Kul Lake, to the dramatic red cliffs of Jeti Oguz and the fairy-tale rock formations of the Skazka Canyons, this tour immerses you in Central Asia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. You’ll stroll among petroglyphs dating back millennia, ride along mountain passes above 3,000 m, and spend nights in authentic yurts with local nomads. Add to that visits to bustling Almaty and cultural gems like the Burana Tower, the Dungan villages, and the panoramic Kok-Tobe hill, and you have a journey that’s as enriching as it is adventurous.
Guaranteed Tour Dates 2027
| Start Date | End Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 20 May 2027 | Sun, 30 May 2027 |
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| Thu, 27 May 2027 | Sun, 06 Jun 2027 |
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| Thu, 10 Jun 2027 | Sun, 20 Jun 2027 |
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| Thu, 17 Jun 2027 | Sun, 27 Jun 2027 |
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| Thu, 24 Jun 2027 | Sun, 04 Jul 2027 |
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| Mon, 05 Jul 2027 | Thu, 15 Jul 2027 |
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| Thu, 08 Jul 2027 | Sun, 18 Jul 2027 |
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| Mon, 19 Jul 2027 | Thu, 29 Jul 2027 |
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| Thu, 22 Jul 2027 | Sun, 01 Aug 2027 |
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| Mon, 02 Aug 2027 | Thu, 12 Aug 2027 |
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| Thu, 05 Aug 2027 | Sun, 15 Aug 2027 |
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| Mon, 16 Aug 2027 | Thu, 26 Aug 2027 |
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| Thu, 19 Aug 2027 | Sun, 29 Aug 2027 |
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| Mon, 06 Sep 2027 | Thu, 16 Sep 2027 |
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| Thu, 09 Sep 2027 | Sun, 19 Sep 2027 |
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| Mon, 20 Sep 2027 | Thu, 30 Sep 2027 |
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| Thu, 30 Sep 2027 | Sun, 10 Oct 2027 |
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KAZAKHSTAN – KYRGYZSTAN TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1. Bishkek
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.
In the evening, join a welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant to sample authentic Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Note: Since most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early morning, we highly recommend booking an extra night at the hotel prior to the tour start date
Day 2. Bishkek – Burana – Iskra village – Cholpon Ata
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, driving you to your hotel located 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.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Lakeside Resort
Day 3. Cholpon Ata – Grigoriev and Semienov gorges – Karakol
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. Visits in Karakol include:
- The Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- The Dungan Mosque
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before settling in for a restful overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 4. Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Barskoon – Tosor
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, setting a romantic and mysterious tone for the visit. 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 enchanting “Tears of the Snow Leopard.” Midway through the gorge stands a monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first cosmonaut, set proudly amid the rugged landscape.
Dinner and overnight stay at the yurt camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Day 5. Tosor– Fairy Tale Canyons – Bokonbaevo – Kochkor
After breakfast, we head toward Kochkor village, passing along the lake’s south shore. En route, we visit the Skazka Canyons meaning “Fairy Tale” where wind and time have carved the rocks into surprising shapes and sizes, with formations resembling skyscrapers or animals appearing before you.
Next, we meet a local eagle hunter and his bird of prey, offering a chance to witness the speed and precision of the hunt, one of the oldest traditions among 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 in this unique art form.
Continue on to Kochkor for dinner and an overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 6. Kochkor – Son-Kul Lake
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, appearing 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. On arrival at our yurt camp, we’re 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.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt Camp
Note: 4 people per yurt. Toilets, shower, and sauna facilities are located outside.
Day 7: Son-Kul Lake – Chon-Kemin
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 charming 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 a perfect ending to a day of culture and beauty.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Day 8. Chon-Kemin - Almaty
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel 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. Upon arrival, embark on a city tour to explore the highlights, including Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park, and the impressive WWII Memorial.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 9. Almaty
Continue exploring the city with a visit to Medeo 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, gliding over some of Almaty’s oldest neighborhoods and its lush fruit-growing 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 10. Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
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 carved by the Charyn River have shaped this dramatic, striking landscape. On arrival, take in the magnificent panorama before descending to the canyon floor for a roughly 2 km hike through the labyrinth of rock formations known as the Valley of the Castles.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Day 11. Almaty - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at the 12:00.
Departure at any time. End of the service.
Meals included: breakfast
TOUR INFORMATION
Price Includes
- Private transportation throughout
- English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as per program
- 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 Dungan family
- Free time in Chong-Kemin
- Petroglyph open-air museum
- Karakol City Tour: Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Dungan Mosque
- Jety-Oguz & the Seven Bulls
- Barskoon Waterfalls
- Yurt building demonstration
- Eagle hunting demonstration
- Felt crafting
- Song-Kul Lake with overnight stay in a Kyrgyz yurt
- Almaty City Tour: Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park, WWII Memorial
- Kok-Tobe Hill
- Medeo Gorge
- Charyn Canyon
Price Does Not Include
- Airport transfer: $50 USD one way per person
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Extra night in Bishkek: $120 USD (Double/Twin room) / $90 USD (Single room)
- Extra night in Almaty: $130 USD (Double/Twin room) / $100 USD (Single room)
Good to Know
- Hotel check-in: after 14:00
- Hotel check-out: before 12:00
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $440
| City / Location | Type | Hotel Name |
|---|---|---|
| Bishkek | Hotel 3★ | My Hotel or similar |
| Cholpon-Ata | Hotel 3★ | Kapriz Resort or similar |
| Karakol | Hotel 3★ | Hotel 78 or similar |
| Tosor | Yurt Camp | Yurt Camp |
| Kochkor | Guest House | Traveler Guest House or similar |
| Son-Kul | Yurt Camp | Yurt Camp |
| Chon-Kemin | Guest House | Kemin Guest House or similar |
| Almaty | Hotel 3★ | Garden Park Inn or similar |
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Tour updated 6.9.2026