This 12-day Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan tour starts in Almaty and ends in Bishkek, and gets more active every day. In Kazakhstan you see Charyn Canyon, the sunken forest of Kaindy and the Kolsai lakes; over the Karkara border you reach Karakol, the hot springs of Altyn-Arashan and an eagle hunter at Issyk-Kul. Then you hike to a yurt camp below the alpine lake Kol-Ukok and ride two days over the Jalgyz-Karagai pass to Song-Kol (3,016 m). About 1,400 km by car, about 28 km on foot and 26 km on horseback; private, June to September.
The price is calculated individually: it depends on group size, dates and accommodation level. Send a request and we will prepare an offer for your group.
Private tour on any date from June to September. Price on request — it depends on group size and hotel level (standard, boutique or deluxe in Almaty and Karakol); send us your dates.
Included:
Not included:
Moments that stay with you
Season. June to September, when the yurt camps at Kol-Ukok and Song-Kol are open and the passes are free of snow. The city and canyon part also works in May and October as a shorter tour.
Border. You cross from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan overland at Karkara (open in summer). Your guides meet on both sides.
What to bring. Hiking boots, comfortable trousers for riding, warm layers and rain jacket, sleeping bag liner, swimwear for the hot springs, sun protection.
Booking. 10–30% deposit by bank transfer or card, the rest on arrival.
No. The horses are calm, the pace is mostly walk and a horseman rides with you. You should be fine with 4–5 hours in the saddle; light riding trousers help.
On day 4 your Kazakh guide drives you to the Karkara crossing; you walk through passport control and your Kyrgyz guide and car wait on the other side. It usually takes under an hour.
Hotels in Almaty (2 nights) and Karakol (2), guesthouses in Saty, Bokonbaevo and Kochkor, and four nights in yurt camps — two below Kol-Ukok, one in Kilemche and one at Song-Kol.
The price depends on the number of travellers and the hotel level you choose. Send us your dates and group size — you get an exact quote within 24 hours. A 10–30% deposit confirms the booking.
Want Uzbekistan too: the 18-day Silk Road tour of three countries. Kyrgyzstan only, more riding: the 3-day Song-Kol horse riding tour. All options: Central Asia tours.
Tell us your dates and group size. You get a personal offer within 24 hours, no commitment.
