Silk Road Tour: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Kazakstan & Kyrgyzstan.

Silk Road tour in two countries of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan giving a chance to see the beauties of the Celestial Mountains – amazing lakes – Son-Kol, Issyk-Kol, and Kaindy Lakes.

The territory of the two countries has enormous of the alpine lakes, some of them in the remote areas of the Tien-Shan Mountains, but some of them as a jewel appeared on our way.

Son-Kol Lake is a lake situated at the high about 3000 meters above sea level. The land of summer pastures, shepherd’s life, and serenity.

Issyk-Kol Lake satellite view similar to the eye.  Favorite place for summer holidays with hot sand, stone coasts and warm salty water.

Kaindy Lake one of the beautiful lakes in Kazakhstan. Famous stunning photos with fir trees and lakes.

  • Itinerary: Almata -Charyn canyon – Kayindy Lake – Kegen – Karakol – AltynArashan – Bokonbayevo – Songkul – Bishkek.
  • Duration: 9 days
  • Best Season: June – mid-September
  • Category: combined –auto
  • Level of Difficulty: Easy to Medium
  • Group Size: 2 – 24 pax
  • Highlights: Almata, Charyn canyon, KolSay lakes, Karkyra valley, Altyn-Arashan, Silk road heritages, Song-Kul valley, Nomad’s life, yurt stays
  • Requirements: weatherproof warm clothes, trekking boots, hat, sunglasses, sleeping bag, and sunscreen.

ROUTE

Arrival to Almaty airport. Transfer to your hotel. Standard check-in time. Dinner at local cafe. Accommodation at hotel. (Optional city tour)

Morning after breakfast transfer to the Big Almaty Lake – natural mountain reservoir. Lake is situated at the territory of the Trans-Ile-Alatau mountains at 2511 meters above sea level. Have a time walking around the area. Afternoon transfer back to Almaty. Have a city tour visiting Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and exploring city center with cozy alleys and boulevards. Dinner at cafe. Accommodation at hotel.

Start the way to Saty village. Arrival at the village and further transfer to Kaindy Lake (Birch lake). Lake situated at 2000 meters above sea level with bright emerald surface.  The Lake was formed after an earthquake at 1911, making a natural dam at the gorge. Lunch, Dibber and B&B accommodation at family run guesthouse in Saty village.

Morning drive to the Charyn Canyon. Driving time about 2-3 hours. Visit one of the famous landscapes reminding the Grand Canyon of Colorado river. Enjoy the fantastic view of the nature created corridor of unique natural architect. Lunch. Further transfer by the road Kegen-Karkyra to the border of Kyrgyzstan. Pass the border. Further transfer to Karakol town. On the way see San-Tash Scythian Kurgans, meaning counted stones. That is one of the legends that warriors collected stones before and after the war. Arrival in Karakol. Dinner and B&B stay at family run guesthouse.

Travel to Altyn-Arashan mountain gorge. You will reach the place with a special off-road truck adopted for passengers (Ural). The road goes along the river Arashan and up the hills you will get to the Arashan hot spring thermal bath valley. Enjoy the nature beauties and take a lunch in the wild! In the Afternoon you will hike down to Ak-Suu. The terrain is easy to hike and it takes about 4 hours, walking average speed. The vehicle will follow you behind for any case, to pick up the tired or because of sudden changes in the weather conditions. Tonight accommodation will be in a guesthouse.

After breakfast you travel to the Bokonbay village, following the road on the south lake shore of Issyk-Kol lake. On the way visit of the Jeti-Oguz Gorge (Seven Bulls) for 1 hour. Visit the Kok-Jayik area (Valley of Flowers), 2-3 hours. Picnic lunch en-route and driving on to the southern shore of Issyk-Kol Lake (3-hour drive). Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house in the village. (3-4 hours driving with sightseeing stops on the way). (Optional with eagle hunting, yurt making or folklore concert)

Having enjoyed breakfast you will be transferred to the mountain lake Song-Kol through Kochkor village. In the village you can visit a local family for lunch and participate in a workshop to make the traditional handicraft felt carpets. After lunch we continue the journey to Song-Kol, crossing the pass Kalmak-Ashuu (3400m). Arrival at the northern lake shore and being welcomed in the yurt camp. You will dine and sleep in the yurt camp. (3-4 hours driving, stop at Kochkor).

Have a breakfast. Morning see the everyday life of the family, living at the summer pasture with milking the cow, making cream, boiling tea at samoor (self brewer boiler for tea). Have a free time till lunch at the lake shore. Lunch in a yurt. Afternoon transfer back to Bishkek. Dinner at cafe in Bishkek. Hotel accommodation.

Airport transfer for your flight back.

FAQ

The tours start upon request, please contact us. The itineraries can be adjusted individually to fit into your schedule and provide you with the best experience. Furthermore, we are happy to create tailor-made tours according to your wishes.

After having solved all the questions and programs confirming we issue an invoice for payment. You can make a bank transfer or pay upon your arrival time in Bishkek before the trip starts.

The price of the tour depends on the number of people and the season. According to the request and interest, we can negotiate the optimal price for your budget.

South Kazakstan area and Kyrgyzstan is a mountain country and some point you prefer to do walking and hiking. We recommend you train with sport or jogging 2-3 times a week in the run-up to your trip

Clothing for hiking in temperatures from +25C to -0C. A detailed kit list will be sent to you when you book on.

We offer hospitality local guest houses, homestays in the villages Arslanbob, Kazarman, Bokonbaevo, and Chong-Kemin. In the cities Bishkek, Osh, Karakol you will have a hotel. The yurt stays at Song-Kul valley. All the accommodations has bathroom facilities (western toilet, hot shower) except the yurt camp accommodations (basic toilet conditions).

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have a free-visa entry for many countries.

For more information about Kazakstan visa link to http://mfa.gov.kz/en/visa/index

For more information about Kyrgyzstan visa link to http://mfa.gov.kz/en/visa/index

The basic hints for travelers.

  • During your travel time, please respect local culture, customs, traditions, and religion.
  • Try to buy local products and make a benefit for the local economy.
  • Always give fair prices for lodging, food and other services.
  • Take off your shoes, when entering home or yurt stay.
  • Smoking is prohibited at home.
  • Please share your ideas on food and accommodation preferences.
  • Ask people for photographing them.
  • Be friendly and try to get in contact.
  • Be careful during the evening and night time and aware of mass meetings.
  • Be careful with your documents, money and valuable items.
  • Be aware of pickpockets and strangers at bazaars and streets.
  • If someone asking for documents, wallets or cameras, saying that they are from the police, ask them to go police together.
  • Never give your belongings to strangers.
  • Wear good hiking shoes for outdoor activities.
  • Bring warm waterproof clothes even in summer.
  • Have your torch sunscreen and repellent.
  • Do not drink very cold water from unknown sources.
  • Drinking alcohol at high altitudes is unsafe.
  • If the food fat or not acceptable for you can taste a bit and say thanks.
  • Do not drink cold water after eating out, better hot tea or c It helps in high altitude digestions cases.
  • Wear warm clothes in the mountains, usually after eating out.
  • Bring your medicines and first aid kit.
  • If you feel unsafe or have issues to discuss, please share with your staff, host or tour manager.
  • Collect your litter. Pack up all non-biodegradable rubbish.
  • Please don’t drop cigarette butts or litter.
  • High altitude vegetation is very fragile. Save the environment.
  • Use toilets in nature wherever available. Where are none, stay at least 40-50 m from streams and water sources and bury all waste and paper.
  • Leaving footprints, take just your photographs.

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