Exploring Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

For those travelling from Malta we will meet at Malta International Airport and travel together to Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

Group Flight Details: TBA

After breakfast, depart for Charyn Canyon, making a short stop at a supermarket on the way. Continue the drive and enjoy lunch at a café before reaching the canyon.

Upon arrival, explore the canyon’s breathtaking rock formations in a Soviet-era vehicle. For those who enjoy hiking, there is an optional 2.5 km trek down to the Charyn River, with the option to return by Soviet car.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river, surrounded by the canyon’s dramatic scenery.

After lunch, return to the van and continue the journey with a 40-minute drive to the Black Canyon, known for its unique rock formations. From there, drive to the hotel.

Arrive at the hotel, check in, and unwind. 

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Transfers & Entrance fees

Accommodation: Kolsay Prestige or similar

After breakfast, travel to Bokonbaevo Village along the road on the south shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way, stop to visit the stunning Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) red rock formations, a 30-minute drive. Enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoint.

Next, drive to visit the Master Craftsman of traditional “Komuz” musical instrument (30-minute drive), where you’ll learn about the craftsmanship behind the most popular Kyrgyz musical instrument.

Afterward, take the opportunity to taste fresh honey directly from the bee house, and enjoy a lunch with a local family, savouring their honey while being serenaded by the sounds of traditional Kyrgyz music played by our craftsman.

Continue the journey to Barskoon Valley, a 1.5-hour drive. Upon arrival, take a short uphill 20-minute hike (one way) to the beautiful waterfall. 

Next, drive to Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, about 1 hour away. Explore the mystical canyon with an hike for about 1 hour. The trail is of medium difficulty, so wearing good hiking boots is essential.

Drive onward to the hotel and check-in. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Transfers.

Accommodation: Traditional Guesthouse with local family

Note: Walk to waterfall could be steep, you could choose to wait in the area.

After breakfast, drive to Kochkor town via the Orto Tokoy Water Reserve. This scenic reservoir marks the beginning of the Chu River, which serves as a natural border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Upon arrival in Kochkor, visit local artisans and learn the traditional craft of felt carpet making from sheep’s wool. You’ll even have the chance to participate and help create one alongside skilled masters.

Enjoy a homemade lunch with a local family before continuing the journey to Song-Kol Lake, a breathtaking alpine lake situated at 3,016 meters above sea level, passing through the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,446m) for stunning panoramic views.

Arrive at the yurt camp around 5:00 PM and check in.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to:

• Explore the stunning landscapes with a short hike.
• Go horseback riding near the camp (available for an extra fee –  €25 (2500 KGS pp)
• Enjoy a delicious dinner and overnight at a traditional yurt camp, surrounded by the untouched beauty of Song-Kol.

After breakfast, depart from Song-Kol Lake and drive towards Naryn town. Stop at the top of the 33 Serpentines to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below.

Descend via the 33 Serpentines, also known as “33 Parrots,” a winding mountain road offering spectacular scenery. At the base of the mountain, take a short 15-minute hike (one way) to Kajyrty Waterfall. The trail is of medium difficulty, so wearing good hiking boots is essential.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild, surrounded by nature.

After lunch, continue the drive to Naryn town, passing through Dolon Pass (3,030m above sea level), offering stunning landscapes along the way.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax.

In the evening, enjoy a buffet-style dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, drive to Kok Kiya Valley. On the way, we will pass through a checkpoint where border guards will check our special permits and passports, as Kel Suu (Köl-Suu) is located in a strategic area near the border with China. This is a necessary security procedure for entering the region.

Once we clear the checkpoint, continue the journey through mountainous landscapes to reach the Kel Suu (Köl-Suu) Yurt Camp. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy a delicious lunch at the yurt camp.

After lunch you will go on a hike to explore the untouched beauty of the surrounding area or choose to go horseback riding near the camp (available for an extra fee – €25 (2500 KGS pp)

After breakfast, set out to explore Kel Suu Lake. You can reach the lake in one of three ways:

• By horseback (approximately 1,5 hour one way) – Optional approx €25 (2500 KGS pp)
• By Soviet off-road vehicle (included) + 500m uphill trek
• Or, for a more immersive experience, hike directly from the start (2.5 hours one way).

Once at the lake, enjoy a relaxing boating excursion on its tranquil waters. Take a coffee break by the lake, surrounded by breathtaking views.

Afterward, return to the yurt camp for a delicious lunch.

Once you’ve finished, gather your belongings, and prepare for the journey back to Naryn Town. Load your luggage into the vehicle and enjoy a scenic drive back.

Upon arrival in Naryn, check-in to the hotel and enjoy a buffet-style dinner.

After breakfast, drive to Kok Moinok Canyon. Upon arrival, take a short hike to explore the stunning rock formations and unique landscapes of the canyon.

Return to the vehicle and continue the journey to Chong Kemin. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy a delicious lunch. 

Spend the afternoon at your leisure—relax, take a swim in the pool, or unwind in the sauna. The accommodation has a 25m long pool.

If you prefer, you could also opt for an optional activity:
• Hiking in the scenic surroundings
• Horseback riding – Optional approx €25 (2500 KGS pp)

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel before settling in for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive about 25 minutes from Ashu Guest House to the junction of two rivers for a scenic stop before rafting.

Either enjoy a relaxed morning or choose to take part in a  rafting experience along the scenic Chu River, navigating gentle rapids while surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes – Optional: €30 (3000 KGS pp)

After rafting, you will head to Bishkek for lunch. 

Check-in to the hotel after lunch and take some time to relax and to freshen up (1 hour)

Later, take a guided city tour of Bishkek, visiting key landmarks and exploring the vibrant culture. Stop at Osh Bazaar, one of the city’s most famous markets, where you can experience the lively atmosphere, browse traditional goods, and see colorful displays of spices, dried fruits, handcrafted souvenirs, and local delicacies.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, savoring authentic Kyrgyz cuisine and reflecting on the incredible journey.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport. 

If you wish to explore more of Bishkek you could opt to stay another night at your own expense. If the majority of the group opt for this we could help with logistics. 

Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

Please note that yurt camps on this journey are shared between two people, with communal bathrooms and showers available for all guests. As these locations are remote, facilities are more basic than in urban areas, and hot water may not always be available. This arrangement offers an authentic experience of the traditional lifestyle, allowing you to fully connect with both the culture and the surrounding natural beauty.

This is up to your personal food and drink choices. You could spend anything between €5-20 for a meal – most meals are included – take a look at the day-to-day itinerary.

Yurt availability is limited – single occupancy in yurts is only possible if available. 

For safety, travel insurance is mandatory when travelling with us. You need to make sure that the country of visit is covered by your insurance and is important to keep a copy of your insurance policy handy.

Accommodation will be hand selected and can be viewed above. There will be a mix of 4*, 3*, guesthouses and yurt camps. 

The majority of guests joining our trips are solo travellers. Through meet-ups, events and our facebook community you will get to know the group before meeting at the airport to fly to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. You could get a single room at an additional charge, however, meeting up with the group beforehand could give you the opportunity to meet someone and decide together to share a room. 

Breakfasts and 12 lunches and 10 dinners are included. If you have any food intolerances or allergies, please let us know as soon as you complete your booking. This will help us ensure that we can accommodate your dietary needs effectively during your trip

Generally all restaurants cater for your needs and we will have a local guide who will suggest appropriate dishes and restaurants. Best is to advice us on booking so that we could plan for this in advance.

In Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan the power plug sockets are of type C and F.

EU passport holders do not need a visa to visit Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan as a tourist, provided they have a passport of usually six months’ validity and an onward or return ticket.