10-Day Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Tour: Canyons, Alpine Lakes & Nomadic Culture
Travel overland from Almaty to Bishkek on this small-group journey through two of Central Asia’s most spectacular countries. Hike between alpine lakes, explore red-rock canyons, cross the remote Kegen border and experience Kyrgyz nomadic culture during two nights in yurts beside Song Kul.
This 10-day Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tour brings together an extraordinary variety of landscapes and experiences in one logically connected route from Almaty to Bishkek.
The journey begins in southeastern Kazakhstan, where you walk through the dramatic Charyn Canyon, hike between the forest-fringed Kolsai Lakes and visit the submerged trees of Lake Kaindy. You then cross the quiet Kegen border into Kyrgyzstan and continue through Karakol, the mountains surrounding Lake Issyk Kul and the open grasslands of Song Kul.
Along the way, you combine 2 hiking days with shorter nature walks, scenic drives and cultural encounters. You meet an eagle hunter, learn how traditional felt carpets are made and stay in locally run guesthouses and yurt camps. The route is active and varied, but you do not need to be an experienced trekker. A good level of fitness and a willingness to spend several hours walking are enough.
The tour starts in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and finishes in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This makes it ideal for travellers who want to experience two countries without retracing the same route or arranging difficult rural transport and border connections independently.
If you’re from Belgium or the Netherlands, you can read the description in Dutch.
10-day Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tour Departure DATES 2027:
September 1st – September 10th
Tour price: €1900 per person
→ Book by December 1st, 2026, and receive a 5% early-booking discount!
The 10-day Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan Tour at a Glance
- Duration: 10 days/9 nights with departure in the evening of Day 10 or on Day 11
- Group: Small international group (maximum 10 travellers)
- Arrival: Almaty
- Departure: Bishkek
- Main highlights: Almaty, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Lake Kaindy, Karakol Gorge, Lake Issyk Kul and Song Kul
- Cultural experiences: eagle-hunting demonstration, traditional felt-making workshop, yurt stay at Song Kul Lake
- Hiking: 2 easy-moderate hiking days of up to 16 km, plus several shorter walks
- Accommodation: one hotel night in Almaty, 6 nights in guesthouses/homestays and 2 nights in shared yurts.
- Guide: experienced English-speaking local tour guide, arranged by my trusted local partner Emir from E2 Travel.
“This tour offers a perfect mix of hiking and nature highlights, scenic road trips and learning about Kazakh and Kyrgyz history, culture, traditions and crafts through homestays and travelling with exceptional guides. Our time in the two countries couldn’t have been more wonderful, and I can’t recommend this tour highly enough!”
“This tour offers a very good mix of light- to medium-intensity outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes and culture. Please don’t think too long about it-just book it and go.”
“I felt so safe and really felt as though I had travelled to another world. I got such a good taste of the region that I will never forget.”
What makes the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan Tour special?
Instead of visiting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as two separate trips, you travel overland from Almaty to Bishkek. The route links the natural highlights of southeastern Kazakhstan directly with eastern and central Kyrgyzstan, without unnecessary backtracking.
In 10 days, you move from Almaty’s leafy streets to red sandstone canyons, forested alpine lakes, glacier-fed valleys, the shores of Lake Issyk Kul and the wide summer pastures surrounding Song Kul. The changing scenery is one of the great strengths of this journey.
Two full hiking days give you time to experience the mountains properly, while shorter walks and cultural visits keep the programme varied. You return to a guesthouse or yurt camp each evening, so you do not need to carry camping equipment or trek for several consecutive days. The journey includes locally run guesthouses, two yurt-camp nights, an eagle-hunting demonstration and a felt-making workshop. These experiences offer a closer look at daily life and traditions.
The group is limited to 10 travellers. The tour is led by a professionally trained, English-speaking guide arranged by my trusted local partner Emir from E2 Travel, and supported by experienced local drivers and hosts. This makes difficult rural logistics and the international border crossing much easier while keeping the experience personal.
Why Travel with Journal of Nomads
I have travelled extensively through both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and have kept returning to the region for many years. I lived in Kyrgyzstan for almost a year, explored its mountains and villages slowly and built lasting friendships with people working in local tourism.
I created this route around places and experiences that stayed with me: the changing colours of Charyn Canyon, the mountain reflections at Kolsai, the unusual submerged forest at Kaindy, the trails around Karakol and the enormous open sky above Song Kul.
I’ve been working with Emir from E2 Travel since 2022 and his trusted local teams who know the route, road conditions and communities along the way. Local guides, drivers, guesthouse families, yurt-camp hosts and activity providers all contribute to the journey, meaning that a meaningful part of the tour price stays within the places you visit.
I remain your personal point of contact before departure, provide detailed preparation information and work directly with the local team on the programme. The guide makes the final operational and safety decisions during the journey, but the route itself is grounded in places I know and genuinely want to share.
IS this tour for you?
This journey is designed for active and open-minded travellers who want to combine nature, culture and local experiences. Previous groups have included solo travellers, couples, friends and family members from different countries, generally ranging in age from their 20’s to their 60’s. This tour is a good match if you:
- want to experience two Central Asian countries in one varied overland journey
- enjoy hiking and can comfortably walk up to 16 km
- are comfortable with several scenic but sometimes long driving days
- appreciate modest, locally-run accommodation
- don’t mind sharing homestay rooms and yurts during parts of the journey
- enjoy travelling in a small international group
- are interested in local history, food, traditions and everyday life
- can remain flexible when weather, road or border conditions require changes
The hikes are non-technical, but they are not casual city walks. The routes to the second Kolsai Lake and through Karakol Gorge each take around six hours and include uneven or steep sections. You should have good general fitness and be comfortable spending time outdoors.
The accommodation is clean and welcoming but modest. Facilities at Song Kul are limited, yurts are shared, toilets are outside and hot showers aren’t always available. This is not a luxury or glamping holiday. The comfort comes from warm local hospitality, nourishing meals and having the logistics organised for you in remote places.
If you enjoy active days, varied landscapes and travelling with an open mind, it offers a memorable introduction to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
10-day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty (Kazakhstan) and guided city tour
Day 2: Almaty to Charyn Canyon and Saty
Day 3: Hike from the first to the second Kolsai Lake (16km)
Day 4: Lake Kaindy, Kegen border crossing into Kyrgyzstan and Karakol
Day 5: Day hike in Karakol Gorge (16km)
Day 6: Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Skazka Canyon, Eagle Hunting Demonstration, and Bokonbaevo
Day 7: Shatyly viewpoint, felt-making workshop and Kochkor.
Day 8: Kochkor to Song Kul
Day 9: Free day and optional activities at Song Kul such as horse riding or hiking
Day 10: Song Kul to Bishkek and guided city tour. Departure possible in the late evening or on Day 11.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN Almaty and Guided City Tour
Welcome to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and former capital. Your guide meets the group at the hotel at 2 pm before you head out together for an introductory city tour.
You visit several of Almaty’s best-known sights, including Panfilov Park and the colourful Ascension Cathedral, before taking the cable car to Kok Tobe for panoramic views over the city and the mountains beyond it.
Note: Regular hotel check-in begins at 2 pm. If your flight arrives early and you would like immediate access to your room, I can request an additional night at extra cost, subject to availability.
Meals included: Dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel
Facilities: wi-fi, electricity, hot shower, western-style toilets.
Day 2: Almaty to Charyn Canyon and Saty
After breakfast, you leave Almaty and drive for about 4 hours towards Charyn Canyon National Park. Wind, water and time have carved the red sandstone into towers, walls and unusual formations, including the famous Valley of Castles.
You explore the canyon on foot before continuing the 2-hour drive to Saty, a small village near Kolsai Lakes National Park. Dinner and your overnight stay are at a family-run guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in homestay.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
DAY 3: Day Hike to the Second Kolsai Lake
Hiking Distance: 16km return Hiking Time: 6 hours
The Kolsai Lakes form a chain of clear alpine lakes surrounded by spruce forest and mountains in the northern Tian Shan. After a short drive to the first lake, you begin the hike to the second lake, which can only be reached on foot or horseback.
The trail climbs through forest and open mountain terrain. Some sections are steep, but the changing views make the effort worthwhile. You stop for a picnic near the second lake before returning along the same route.
If you prefer not to complete the full hike, you may remain around the first lake while the group continues. Confirm with the guide what walking options are possible on the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in homestay.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 4: Lake Kaindy and Border Crossing to Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)
After an early breakfast, you travel to Lake Kaindy. The lake was formed after an earthquake in 1911 triggered a landslide and created a natural dam. The trunks of the flooded spruce forest still rise from the water, giving Kaindy its unmistakable appearance.
After a short walk around the lake, you continue to the remote Kegen land border. Border procedures can take time and schedules may change, so patience and flexibility are important. Once in Kyrgyzstan, you drive onwards to Karakol near the eastern shore of Lake Issyk Kul.
If timing allows, your guide introduces you to some of Karakol’s highlights, such as the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral and the colourful Dungan Mosque. You finish the day with dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
day 5: Day Hike in the Karakol Gorge
Today you’ll head into nature again and go on an easy day-hike to the picturesque Karakol gorge. You’ll see the stunning beauty of this mountain gorge by walking along the river that comes from the glaciers further in the Tian Shan Mountain Range.
The rich vegetation with its vivid colors and beautiful landscapes will be a pleasure for the eyes! You’ll hike to a roaring waterfall and then hike the trail back to the starting point, from where you return by car to Karakol and spend another evening in the guesthouse there.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 6: Jeti Oguz, Skazka Canyon and Bokonbaevo (Eagle Hunting Demonstration)
After breakfast, you travel west along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul. Your first stop is Jeti Oguz, a striking red-rock formation whose name means Seven Bulls. A short walk brings you to a viewpoint over the rocks and valley.
You then continue to Skazka Canyon. Wind and erosion have shaped the colourful sandstone into ridges, towers and forms that resemble castles and animals. You explore the canyon on foot before driving to Bokonbaevo.
Near the village, you meet a local eagle hunter who explains this centuries-old tradition and gives an educational demonstration on how golden eagles are trained.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower.
Day 7: Shatyly Viewpoint, Felt Workshop and Kochkor
The day begins with a short hike to the Shatyly viewpoint, where the hills overlook the blue water of Lake Issyk Kul and the mountains beyond it.
Back in Bokonbaevo, a local family introduces you to the traditional process of making shyrdak felt carpets. You can help with part of the process and learn about the patterns and techniques used in Kyrgyz felt work.
After lunch, you go on a 3-hour drive to Kochkor and settle into a local guesthouse for the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower.
Day 8: Kochkor to Song Kul
After breakfast, you leave Kochkor and go on a 4-hour drive into the mountains towards Song Kul, a high-altitude lake surrounded by open summer pastures at 3,016 metres.
You arrive at the yurt camp around lunchtime. During the afternoon, you take a gentle walk near the lake and have time to settle into the slower rhythm of life on the jailoo, the high summer pasture where local families graze their herds.
Dinner is served in the communal yurt. On a clear night, the remote location offers a remarkable view of the stars.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Limited wi-fi & electricity, hot shower might be available, depending on conditions, outdoor toilets
Day 9: Full day at song Kul
After breakfast, you explore another part of the lake and settle into a second yurt camp. The day is deliberately less structured after the earlier hiking and travel days.
You can walk into the surrounding hills, relax near the lake or go on an optional horseback ride if horses and suitable conditions are available. Horse riding is not included in the tour price and is paid locally.
Song Kul is exposed to rapidly changing mountain weather. The guide may adapt the day’s activities in response to rain, wind, cold or trail conditions.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: Limited wi-fi & electricity, hot shower might be available, depending on conditions, outdoor toilets
Day 10: song Kul to bishkek
You leave Song Kul early for the long but scenic drive to Bishkek. The journey normally takes around 7 hours, depending on traffic, road and weather conditions.
After arriving in the capital, you go on a short guided city tour and visit central landmarks such as Ala Too Square and Oak Park. The tour finishes at around 6 pm. Travellers who wish to can join an optional farewell dinner afterwards.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.
Most international flights from Bishkek leave in the early morning. You can choose to spend the evening in Bishkek before going to the airport after the farewell dinner or stay an extra night at a ho(s)tel in Bishkek and leave the day after. We can help organizing your accommodation in Bishkek.
If you want to return to Almaty, you can take the bus or a shared taxi from Bishkek (5-hour journey) in the evening. You’ll receive an info guide upon booking with further information.
Note: This itinerary can be modified in case of weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
TOur Cost
Price for the 10-day Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Tour: €1900 per person
What’s included in this price?
- English-speaking tour leader
- All transportation: van with experienced driver
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary (shared rooms and sleeping spaces)
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for all sites listed in the itinerary
What’s not included in this price?
- International airfares to and from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
- Airport transfer to and from the airport (you’ll receive an info guide with detailed information on how to get from and to the airport)
- Visa fees if applicable
- Medical or travel insurance (mandatory to join this tour). I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI Backpacker if you want a good insurance provider (in case you don’t have one yet).
- Early check-in at the hotel in Almaty
- Accommodation in Bishkek on day 10 (you’ll receive recommendations in the info guide upon booking)
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses (such as souvenirs, snacks,…)
- Single supplement in the hotel and guesthouse in Almaty and Karakol (2 nights, €140).
- Horse riding in Son Kul and other optional activities
Frequently asked questions
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Booking & Cancellation
Confirm your participation with a deposit of €350 per person.
Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.
As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. Your booking is only confirmed once the deposit has been paid.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (fees might apply) at the latest three weeks before the start of the trip.
If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you can’t join this tour, we’ll refund your deposit – minus €100 administrative costs – if you cancel at the latest 3 months before the start date of the tour.
In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (pandemic, political reasons, natural disasters,…), you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs). We’re not responsible for and therefore don’t refund any flight cancellations and/or flight expenses.
Journal of Nomads Tour REVIEWS: What travelers say about the Kyrgyzstan KazakhstaN Tour
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