Two Nomads
An adventure in Central Asia
from Almaty to Bishkek
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Central Asia, combining the rugged beauty of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Start with vibrant Almaty before stepping into the surreal landscapes of the singing dunes of Altyn-Emel and the striking Charyn Canyon.
Discover the crystal clear waters of the Kolsai Lakes and cross the border to the spectacular Karakol of Kyrgyzstan, the home of the red rocks of the Oguz Children. Relax on the shores of Issyk-Kul, explore the quaint Fairy Tale Canyon and peaceful Kaji Sai. Finish in Bishkek with a stop at the ancient petroglyphs of Tamgaly. This is a tour for those who crave nature, adventure and the magic of unexplored landscapes.
Almaty, Altyn-Emel, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy
Karakol, Oguz Children, Skazka Canyon, Lake Issyk-Kul
Hot springs, petroglyphs, accommodation in yurts, local cuisine
8 days of adventure from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan
Route program
08:00
Our journey begins with the guide meeting you at your hotel or airport, and we begin our adventure in a comfortable off-road vehicle.
It will take about 4 hours to drive to the village of Bashshi. On the way, we will try the Kazakh cheese "Kurt" and drive past the Kapshagai reservoir.
13:00
Upon arrival in Bashi, we will visit the National Park Museum, where the guide will show you your hotel rooms. After a short rest, we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
14:30
In the mountains, the guide will suggest various routes to explore. We will embark on a three-hour hike to admire the unique scenery. After that, we will have a hot tea before heading to the Katutau Mountains.
17:00
The Katutau Mountains, formed as a result of volcanic activity, have bizarre shapes and provide excellent opportunities for photographing. If we're lucky, we'll be able to see wildlife.
17:30
On the way back to the hotel, we stop to drink fresh spring water under a 700-year-old willow tree.
19:00
We are enjoying a cozy dinner at the hotel.
13:00
The off-road trip takes about 1.5 hours. Once there, the guide will guide you through various routes of varying difficulty levels, telling you about the history of these stunning mountains.
07:00
After a hearty breakfast, we pack up and head to the mysterious Singing Dune.
The off-road trip takes about an hour. Along the way we can meet kulans, jeyran and birds of prey.
09:00
After reaching the Singing Dune, we climb to the top to admire the stunning views of the Ili River and the surrounding mountains. The guide will tell us the story of the sand and teach us how to make the dune "sing".
11:00
After enjoying the view of the dunes, we will go to Zharkent for a lunch break, where we will try the best lagman in Kazakhstan.
We will also visit a Chinese mosque built entirely of wood. The journey to Zharkent will take about 3 hours, including a stop in the Tiger Mountains.
14:00
After lunch, we will visit the mosque and the local market where you can buy fresh fruits. Then we will continue our journey to the Chunji Hot Springs, which are a 2-hour drive away.
17:00
Upon arrival at the hot springs, we will enjoy a relaxing two-hour immersion in warm mineral water, the perfect way to unwind after a desert trip.
19:00
Dinner will be served at the hotel, after which we will spend our free time at the outdoor springs.
08:30
After breakfast, we pack our bags and go to the canyons of Charyn National Park. We will stop at Chund to grab lunch boxes before heading to the first canyon.
10:30
Our first stop is Temerlik Canyon, where we will take photos from the panoramic platform and get acquainted with the history of the area.
11:30
After a short trip, we will arrive at Bestamak Canyon, a colorful and wild analogue of Castle Valley.
We will walk 2 km through the canyon and have lunch on the banks of the Charyn River. After that, we will return to the parking lot in the SUV.
14:30
We stop at the Moon Canyon to admire the panorama of the labyrinthine clay mountains. We will have some time to capture the stunning scenery before heading to the famous Valley of Castles.
17:00
In the Valley of Castles, we will explore the best viewing platforms and descend to the Charyn River.
The walk will take about 3 hours, and you will have plenty of photo opportunities along the way. After that, we will go to the village of Saty, where we will stay overnight in a guest house.
20:00
We will have a traditional dinner and get acquainted with the local culture in the guest house.
07:00
After a delicious breakfast, we drive to Kaindy Lake, located 12 km from the hotel. The trip will be scenic, and we will stop along the way to admire the views.
09:00
At Kaindy Lake, we will visit three picturesque places with the best view of the lake. We will also collect some wild herbs and berries for our next tea party. A walk around the lake will take about 2 hours.
12:00
After that, we return to the guest house to have lunch and relax a bit. We will also try the traditional drink "Koumiss" (fermented mare's milk).
14:00
We are heading to the Kolsai Lakes, the pearl of the Kungei Alatau. You will have 2 hours of free time to explore the surroundings, where you can rent a boat, ride a horse or walk along the lake.
17:00
We return to Sati and take a leisurely stroll through the village to enjoy its charm and chat with the locals.
19:00
After dinner, we will gather around the campfire to share our thoughts and impressions of the trip.
06:00
After breakfast, we pack our bags and begin our journey to Kyrgyzstan. The road to the border runs through the picturesque Kungei-Alatau mountains.
10:00
We cross the border at the Karakara pass, located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level.
Be prepared for cooler temperatures, so bring a windbreaker with you. Crossing the border takes about an hour.
11:00
After crossing the border with Kyrgyzstan, we descend towards Karakol. Along the way, we will stop in the mountainous areas of beekeeping to taste the delicious mountain honey.
13:00
In Karakol, we will enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz lunch, and then we will go to Lake Issyk-Kul, known as the "sea of Kyrgyzstan" because of its huge size.
15:00
On the way to our hotel, we will stop at the Zhety-Oguz gorge, famous for its impressive red cliffs. We'll have an hour to explore the area.
16:00
We continue our journey along the shore of Issyk-Kul and check into our hotel on the shore of the lake.
18:00
After checking in, we can swim at the nearby beach, which is only a 5-minute walk away.
19:00
Dinner at the hotel, then relax in the garden, where we can watch the sunset from the terrace.
08:00
We start the day with a hearty breakfast.
09:00
We will go to the Barskun gorge, where we will hike to three waterfalls. This small hike is suitable for most travelers.
13:00
After a picnic by the river, we will continue our journey to the Arabel Valley, climbing to an altitude of 4,000 meters. Here we will visit Lake Arabel and see several glaciers in this cold, windswept region.
16:00
On the way back, we will stop at a remote beach along Lake Issyk-Kul to swim in the crystal clear water, which is believed to have healing properties.
17:00
Then we will visit Fairy Tail Canyon, where the setting sun paints the unique rock formations in beautiful colors. We'll have an hour to check it out.
19:00
After a full day of hiking and swimming, we will go to a yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul, just a 2-minute walk from the water. We'll spend the night here.
08:00
After breakfast at the yurt camp, we enjoy a last swim in Lake Issyk-Kul.
09:30
We drive towards Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, stopping along the way at the Burana Tower, an ancient historical structure built in the 11th century.
14:00
We have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit Osh Market, one of the largest in Bishkek, where you can buy souvenirs, fruits and traditional treats.
18:00
We enjoy dinner at a Central Asian restaurant, after which we check into the hotel and spend our free time.
19:00
We relax and enjoy the evening at the hotel.
07:00
After breakfast at the hotel, we pack our bags and go on a guided tour of Bishkek, visiting the Central Mosque and exploring the city center.
08:30
Then we return to Kazakhstan, making a stop to visit the petroglyphs of Tamgaly. Here we explore more than 4,000 ancient rock carvings.
15:00
We will spend about 2 hours exploring the petroglyphs and then have a light lunch before heading back to Almaty.
08:00
The guide will take you to your hotel or any convenient place in the city. The tour of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ends with unforgettable memories.
Transfer on a comfortable 4WD SUV with fuel
Services of an English-speaking guide
Entrance fees
Food
Accommodation in hotels
1.5liters of drinking water per person for every 3 days
Alcohol
Personal expenses
Boating and other activities
Number of people:
The cost of an individual tour:
₸2 755 060
₸2 578 730
₸2 193 730
₸1 717 870
1-4 people
SUV
