Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Explorer — 12 Days of Tian Shan Wonders
| Duration | 12 Days / 11 Nights |
|---|---|
| Countries | Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia) |
| Price From | $2,185 USD per person (~$182/day, was $2,349) |
| Tour Style | Cultural, Hiking, Silk Road |
| Operator | Steppe Journeys (4.9 stars, 8 reviews, TourRadar Traveller’s Choice) |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek — Arrival in Kyrgyzstan
Arrive in Bishkek and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon orientation walk: Ala-Too Square, the State History Museum, and Oak Park. Welcome dinner with traditional Kyrgyz dishes — lagman, manty, and shashlik. Start getting to know Central Asian cuisine!
Day 2: Ala-Archa National Park
Drive to Ala-Archa National Park, a stunning gorge in the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range just 40km from Bishkek. Hike through alpine meadows and juniper forests with dramatic views of 4,800m peaks. Picnic lunch in the mountains. Return to Bishkek for the evening.
Day 3: Bishkek to Almaty — Crossing into Kazakhstan
Morning drive across the Kazakhstan border to Almaty, the country’s cultural capital and largest city. Afternoon exploration: Panfilov Park with the colorful Zenkov Cathedral (a wooden church built without nails in 1904), the Green Bazaar, and Kok-Tobe Hill for panoramic city views with the snow-capped Tian Shan as backdrop. Overnight in Almaty.
Day 4: Almaty — Soviet Legacy & Modern Kazakhstan
Full day in Almaty. Visit the Central State Museum to see the famous Golden Man (Altyn Adam) — a 5th-century BC Scythian warrior discovered in a gold suit. Explore the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments. Ride the Medeu cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort at 2,260m, surrounded by dramatic peaks. Evening walk along Arbat street and dinner at a traditional Kazakh restaurant.
Day 5: Charyn Canyon — Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon
Drive 200km east of Almaty to Charyn Canyon. Walk through the Valley of Castles, a 2km stretch of dramatic red rock formations carved by wind and water over 12 million years — walls up to 300m high. Hike to the Charyn River at the canyon bottom. This is Kazakhstan’s answer to the Grand Canyon, equally spectacular but far less crowded. Return to Almaty.
Day 6: Kolsai Lakes — The Blue Pearls of Tian Shan
Drive to Kolsai Lakes National Park. Trek to Lower Kolsai Lake, an emerald alpine lake surrounded by pine forest at 1,800m. The water is so clear you can see fish swimming 5m below the surface. Continue to Saty village, a traditional Kazakh settlement. Overnight in a village guesthouse with home-cooked dinner — try beshbarmak, the national dish.
Day 7: Kaindy Lake — The Sunken Forest
Morning trek (or horseback ride) to Kaindy Lake, one of Kazakhstan’s most surreal sights. Created by a 1911 earthquake-triggered landslide, the lake submerged a forest of Tian Shan spruce. The dead tree trunks rise eerily from the turquoise water, creating an otherworldly landscape. The best photos are taken from above. Return to Almaty in the evening.
Day 8: Almaty to Issyk-Kul — Back to Kyrgyzstan
Cross back into Kyrgyzstan and drive to Issyk-Kul Lake. Stop at Cholpon-Ata to see ancient petroglyphs. Afternoon at leisure on the beach — swimming in the world’s second-largest alpine lake. Overnight at a lakeside hotel.
Day 9: Karakol — Dungan Culture
Drive to Karakol. Visit the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Afternoon hike in the Karakol Gorge. Evening visit to the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer who died near here. Dinner with a Dungan family.
Day 10: Jeti-Oguz & Kochkor
Visit the dramatic Jeti-Oguz red rock formation. Continue to Kochkor for a felt-making workshop — learn the ancient art of shyrdak from local craftswomen. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 11: Return to Bishkek
Drive back to Bishkek via the Boom Gorge. Visit the 11th-century Burana Tower. Afternoon at Osh Bazaar for last souvenirs. Farewell dinner at a top Bishkek restaurant.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to Manas International Airport. Twelve days across two countries, from the massive Tian Shan to ancient Silk Road monuments — Central Asia at its most spectacular.
What’s Included
• 11 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Professional English-speaking guide
• All transportation
• Almaty city tour
• Charyn Canyon entry
• Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes trek
• Felt-making workshop
• All entrance fees
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Lunches and dinners (~$5-10/meal)
• Travel insurance
• Tips
