9 days tour

Highlights Of Kyrgyzstan And Kazakhstan

$ 1,699 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $1,699.00

Highlights Of Kyrgyzstan And Kazakhstan

This tour includes:

Transport

Private van, walking.

Accommodation

Hotels (3 nts), village guesthouse (3 nts), yurt (1 nt, multishare up to 4 people per yurt), village homestay (1 nt)

Meals

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Others

Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group, Bishkek Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Song Kรถl Your Local Living Moment: Tamga Village Stay, Tamga. Half-day city tour (Bishkek). Burana Tower visit. Felt-making workshop visit. Karakol city tour (half-day). Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum. Saty Village stay. Kaindy Lake and sunken forest exploration. Charyn Canyon stop. City tour (Almaty). Transport to/from all included activities and between destinations.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventuresโ€™ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours.  The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour.  There are some tours and departures that are only โ€˜Travel-Readyโ€™ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour.  Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 below** Travel with Confidence & Vaccinated Tours As we continue to see vaccine mandates shifting and countries evolving COVID-19 policies, we have continued to monitor and adjust our policies in line. Based on this, we will be making some adjustments to our Vaccinated Tours and Travel with Confidence policy in 2023. Tours departing on or after March 31, 2023 we will no longer be requiring all travellers to be vaccinated to travel with G Adventures. However, we still strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travelling. As per our existing policy, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure they are aware of and adhere to the regulations of the country they are visiting. Please remember to ensure that your travellers have adequate travel insurance to protect them should their travel plans change, this should include trip disruption and COVID-19 coverage. Our National Geographic Journeys, National Geographic Family Journeys and G Expedition will remain fully vaccinated for all departures . You can read more about these policies here: https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  Leading up to March 31, 2023 our tours will continue to be Vaccinated Tours and you can look for the Vaccinated Tours icon to indicate which departures are vaccinated and which will not require a vaccination as we move forward with this change. You can find more information on our Travel with Confidence landing page https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  or as well as on Sherpa.  Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these updates. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 above**

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

ACCOMMODATION NOTE: Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary. CULTURE Central Asia is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Mixture of Soviet heritage and Islam, summer heat and winter cold, religious conservatism, traffic and crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. DRESS CODE Though you can see lots of people in traditional clothes, Central Asia has adopted western style clothing as well. Donโ€™t hesitate to pack your usual travel clothes: in summer it can be shorts and t-shirts, sandals etc. We recommend not to bring tank tops/singlets and any types of clothes with bare shoulders and backs - it is unacceptable in most areas, even in bigger cities. Our tour takes us to many religious sights, where dress code is very strict. We recommend women to have a headscarf in their day bags to cover up when going inside mosques (itโ€™s also a great help in the heat in summer). Best things to pack for the hot Central Asian climate is loose, long clothing - long trousers and sarongs or long skirts for women. In colder months (from the end of October through the end of April) it can rain and snow - bring warm clothes, jackets and comfortable warm shoes for walking. ALTITUDE CONSIDERATIONS This trip operates at altitudes over 800m (max altitude 3016m at Song Kul ). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatize you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on oneโ€™s tolerance especially on long driving days. MONEY Due to the restrictions on changing money in Central Asia region, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well - many vendors accept them if you donโ€™t have local currency. RAMADAN According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who canโ€™t at that time. COMBO TRIP Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.Song-Kรถl - Hiking in Song Kรผl (Free) Kolsay Lakes National Park - Hiking in Kolsay Lakes National Park (Free) Almaty - Zelyony Bazaar (Free)

Flights

Flights before and after the tour are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here ( https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance ).

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Kyrgyzstan And Kazakhstan

  • Day 1 Day 1: Bishkek
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Bishkek

      Arrive at any time.
      Welcome to Kyrgyzstanโ€™s artsy capital and cultural hub, situated at the base of the Tian Shan mountain range. There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting, so get out there and explore!

      Included Activities:
      - Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Day 2 Day 2: Bishkek/Chong-Kemin (1B, 1D)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Bishkek/Chong-Kemin (1B, 1D)

      After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Bishkek before travelling to the serenity of Chong-Kemin Valley. Along the way, stop at one of Kyrgyzstanโ€™s oldest sights, the Burana Tower and learn about this ancient structure, rare in nomadic culture. Tonight, stay in a cozy guest house run by Ashuu villagers. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village and savour a home-cooked traditional dinner.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Dinner

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Burana Tower Visit
      - City Tour
  • Day 3 Day 3: Chong-Kemin/Song Kul (1B, 1L, 1D)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Chong-Kemin/Song Kul (1B, 1L, 1D)

      In the morning, opt for a hike to the nearby mountains or explore the famous gorges of Chong-Kemin. After lunch, enjoy the scenic drive along the Kalmak-Ashuu mountain pass to Song Kul Lake. Immerse yourself in Kyrgyz culture with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt. Experience daily nomadic life and wander the breathtaking landscape. With an altitude of 3,016 meters above sea level, itโ€™s possible to experience four seasons in one day! Indulge in delicious home-cooked cuisine for dinner, then get cozy in the yurt around the stove.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Lunch
      - Dinner

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 04:00 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Overnight in a Yurt

      Additional Notes: Weather related conditions may limit access to the Song Kol mountain pass in May and June. If the pass is closed, the group will instead overnight at a yurt stay near Issyk Kol Lake.
  • Day 4 Day 4: Song Kul/Tamga (1B, 1L, 1D)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Song Kul/Tamga (1B, 1L, 1D)

      Spend the morning soaking in all the beauty of Song Kul Lake before departing for Kochkor to learn the importance of felt-making to Kyrgyz culture and local artisans. Learn the craft during a hands-on workshop creating a small version of the traditional carpet known as ala-kiyiz, and enjoy lunch together. Afterward, head to Tamga village in the clutches of the Terskey Ala-Too and celestial Issyk-Kolโ€™ Lake, where youโ€™ll spend the night at a village guesthouse and get to know the local community members.
      Tamga village was once famous for its Soviet-era military sanatorium, where Soviet cosmonauts relaxed and recovered after space flights. The complex still exists in its original, untouched 1930โ€™s glory, with an atmosphere that would seem to bring you back in time.

      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Lunch
      - Dinner

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 04:30 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Felt Making Workshop
      - Tamga Village Stay
  • Day 5 Day 5: Tamga/Karakol (1B, 1L)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Tamga/Karakol (1B, 1L)

      Enjoy a free morning getting to know this isolated village. Transfer to Ak-Orgo Workshop Centre to observe how traditional yurts are built and learn about the importance of this Kyrgyz craft. After Lunch at Ak Orgoo, drive to Kyrgyzstanโ€™s 4th largest city - Karakol. Stop for a visit at the Prejevalskiy Museum, dedicated to the famous Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky, followed by a city tour. See the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and pagoda-style Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th Century.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Lunch

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Yurt Building Demonstration
      - Przhevalsky Museum Visit
      - Karakol City Tour
  • Day 6 Day 6: Karakol (1B, 1D)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Karakol (1B, 1D)

      After breakfast take a short drive to Jety-Oguz Gorge, located in the footsteps of Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, and visit famous unique red rock formations called โ€œBroken Heart and โ€œSeven Bullsโ€. Then, hike to the valley of wildflowers and reach a stunning view point overlooking the flower-filled valley. Return to Karakol and have a free afternoon to explore. In the evening enjoy dinner with local family


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Dinner

      Included Activities:
      - Jeti-Oguz Gorge Visit & Hike
  • Day 7 Day 7: Karakol/Saty Village (1B, 1D)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Karakol/Saty Village (1B, 1D)

      Cross the border into Kazakhstan on the journey to Saty Village, part of the Kolsay Lakes National Park. On arrival, jump in a Russian 4x4 for the ride to Kaindy Lake, then embark on a trek to explore the sunken forest. Soak in the bright hues and marvel at the eerie sight of submerged trees. Spend the night in a homestay and indulge in traditional Kazakh meals for a true Kazakh experience.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast
      - Dinner

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 04:30 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Saty Village Stay
      - Border Crossing (Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan)
  • Day 8 Day 8: Saty Village/Almaty (1B)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Saty Village/Almaty (1B)

      Depart early this morning for Almaty, the former Kazakh capital, stopping along the way to marvel at Charyn Canyon. Boasting stunning shades of red, orange, and brown, the Charyn Canyon is a natural wonder comparable in beauty to the Grand Canyon. On arrive in Almaty, take a city tour visiting sights such as Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilovโ€™s Park, and the striking WWII memorial. Time permitting, opt to climb Green Hill for panoramic views, visit the local markets, or sip coffee in one of the plentiful cafรฉs.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast

      Transport:
      - Private Vehicle 04:00 Hr(s)

      Included Activities:
      - Charyn Canyon Visit
      - City Tour
  • Day 9 Day 9: Almaty (1B)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Almaty (1B)

      Depart at any time.


      Meals Included:
      - Breakfast

      Included Activities:
      - Departure Day
+6
Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 12 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

Select a country to define if the visa is required