Discover kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
- Duration
- 8 days
- Season
- April – October
- Group
- Private or small group
This route is one of the absolute premier multi-country adventure loops in Central Asia. It forms a massive, highly diverse circle connecting southeastern Kazakhstan with the heart of Kyrgyzstan, blending striking desert canyons, sunken forests, alpine valleys, traditional nomadic culture, and massive mountain lakes.
Itinerary
-
1 Almaty — Charyn Canyon — Kaindy Lake
- Morning: Early departure from the second capital of Kazakhstan Almaty to beat the holiday weekend traffic.
- Activity: Explore Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles). Walk through the dramatic red sedimentary formations and visit several panoramic viewpoints.
- Afternoon: Continue to the village of Saty and transition to a 4WD vehicle to reach Kaindy Lake, famous for the "sunken" spruce trees emerging from the turquoise water.
- Overnight: Guesthouse in Saty
-
2 Kolsay Lakes — Kegen Border — Karakol
- Morning: A scenic morning walk around Kolsay Lake-1. Enjoy the reflection of the Tien Shan mountains in the mirror-like water.
- Mid-day: Drive toward the Kegen (Karkara) border. Cross from Kazakhstan into Kyrgyzstan.
- Evening: Scenic drive to Karakol.
- Overnight: Hotel or boutique guesthouse in Karakol.
-
3 Karakol — Jyrgalan Valley (Full Day Trekking)
- Morning: Transfer to the remote mountain village of Jyrgalan.
- Activity: A full day of trekking through alpine meadows, pine forests, and mountain valleys. This area is famous for its untouched nature and "Swiss-like" landscapes.
- Evening: Return to Karakol for a hot dinner and rest.
- Overnight: Hotel in Karakol.
-
4 Karakol — Jeti-Oguz — Skazka Canyon — Bokonbaevo
- Morning: Visit Jeti-Oguz ("Seven Bulls") to see the iconic red sandstone cliffs and the "Broken Heart" rock.
- Afternoon: Explore the labyrinth of Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon. The wind-eroded red clay takes shapes of dragons and castles.
- Evening: Drive along the picturesque South Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake to Bokonbaevo.
- Overnight: Guesthouse or Yurt Camp in Bokonbaevo.
-
5 Bokonbaevo — Kochkor — Son-Kul Lake
- Morning: Drive toward the Naryn region. Stop in Kochkor to visit a local women’s cooperative for a felt-making demonstration (UNESCO heritage).
- Afternoon: Ascend to Son-Kul Lake (3016m). This is the heart of Kyrgyz nomadic culture.
- Overnight: Traditional Yurt Camp.
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6 Son-Kul (Horseback Riding) — Chon-Kemin Valley
- Morning: Horseback riding along the lake (suitable for beginners). Experience the freedom of the high-altitude jailoo (summer pasture).
- Afternoon: Descend from the mountains and drive through scenic passes toward the lush Chon-Kemin Valley.
- Overnight: Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin
-
7 Chon-Kemin — Burana Tower — Bishkek
- Morning: Visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and a major landmark of the Silk Road. Explore the open-air museum of "balbals" (ancient stone warriors).
- Afternoon: Transfer to Bishkek, the green capital of Kyrgyzstan.
- Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek
-
8 Bishkek City Tour
- Full Day: Explore the highlights of the capital:
o Ala-Too Square: The main square with the Monument of Manas.
o Osh Bazaar: A bustling market for spices, nuts, and local crafts.
o Victory Square: A memorial honoring the end of WWII.
o National Historical Museum: To learn about the rich history of the Kyrgyz people.- Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek.
Price per person
Depends on how many of you travel together.
- 1 traveller $2,945 per person
- 2 travellers $1,750 per person
- 3 travellers $1,350 per person
- 4 travellers $1,000 per person Best value
Included
- Professional Guide & Driver: Experienced local English-speaking guide and professional 4x4 driver
- Transportation & Fuel: Comfortable off-road vehicle including all fuel, mountain driving taxes, and vehicle prep
- Accommodation: 3 nights in cozy guesthouses and an authentic high-altitude yurt camp on the shore
- Full Board Meals: 3 meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner featuring fresh local cuisine)
Not included
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and personal items
- Entrance Fees: Park entry fees, museum passes, and historic sight admissions (Burana, Skazka, etc.)
- Additional Optional Activities: Eagle hunting demonstration, high-altitude horse riding, or thermal spa entry
- Insurance & F
Look no further!
My friend and I traveled to Kyrgyzstan in April, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide than Mirbek. From start to finish, everything was simply amazing. Mirbek was incredibly knowledgeable about the history, culture, and landscapes of Kyrgyzstan. Every place we visited came to life through the stories and insights he shared. He was also exceptionally well connected. We got to experience local traditions, meet welcoming families, and visit spots that felt off the beaten path. Beyond that, Mirbek is a very trustworthy person. As two travelers in a country we weren't familiar with, that meant everything to us. We always felt safe, well taken care of, and confident that every recommendation and arrangement was made with our best interests at heart. Mirbek handled every detail seamlessly, making the entire trip feel effortless and safe. If you're looking for someone who is passionate, professional, trustworthy, and truly cares about creating an unforgettable journey, look no further than Mirbek. This was a trip of a lifetime, and we're already dreaming of going back. Highly, highly recommended!
Unforgettable experience in Kyrgyzstan
Three of us spent 8 incredible days exploring Kyrgyzstan in May 2026, and Mirbek made every single moment unforgettable. If you're considering booking with Discover Kyrgyzland, stop searching this is the one. Mirbek's knowledge of Kyrgyzstan is truly remarkable. Whether we were hiking, visiting nomadic families, or learning about centuries of history and tradition, he brought everything to life in a way that no guidebook ever could. His passion for his country is infectious, and it made us fall in love with Kyrgyzstan just as deeply as he clearly has. We learnt about the ancient, modern and current history of Kyrgyzstan; Mirbek blending it all together through out the tour. He also taught us some Kyrg swear words which as an Australian was much appreciated. What sets Mirbek apart is how effortlessly he handled every detail of our 8-day journey. Logistics, accommodations, local connections everything was seamless. He took us to places we never would have discovered on our own, giving us an authentic experience that felt a world away from typical tourism. Most importantly, Mirbek is someone you can completely trust. We felt looked after, and genuinely cared for throughout the entire trip. He is warm, professional, and deeply committed to making sure his guests have the journey of a lifetime. Eight days flew by far too quickly. We are already talking about when we can come back. Mirbek, thank you for an experience we will carry with us forever. Highest possible recommendation!
Kyrgyzstan in 8 days
I recently spent 8 incredible days travelling through Kyrgyzstan with two friends and our guide Mirbek. Mirbek was absolutely brilliant from start to finish: funny, endlessly knowledgeable, patient, and somehow always cheerful even when we were asking silly questions or dramatically pretending to die halfway through hikes. Over the 8 days he took us to some unbelievably beautiful places, including Song Kul Lake, a stunning hike near Karakol, and Fairytale Canyon. What made the trip so special was that it never felt like a standard tour. It felt like travelling around Kyrgyzstan with a very funny friend who knows every mountain, horse, road, and local story in the country. We learned so much about Kyrgyz culture and history. I would absolutely recommend Mirbek to anyone.
Super smooth, very welcoming
Was a perfect trip. Everything went super smooth and a very warm vibe from Mirbek and our guide. We found out tash Rabat monument was closed the day before we were supposed to visit and Mirbek adjusted our itinerary on the fly to make sure we got the most out of our experience. When we come back we will definitely be booking through them again.
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