Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

Once you arrive at Almaty International Airport, meet with our English-speaking guide who will welcome you with a Luxtripper-branded placard. You will be accompanied by our representative to the hotel. Since the room is reserved from the previous day, early check-in is available, giving time to refresh before an optional lunch at a local restaurant. The Almaty city tour begins at the Green Bazaar, where you can experience the multicultural atmosphere and sample traditional products, including horse milk from the Almaty region and camel milk delivered from a family farm in Turkestan. (Closed on Mondays.)

The tour continues to the Museum of National Musical Instruments, the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, and the Ascension Cathedral. (Museum closed on Mondays.) Return to the hotel, with an optional dinner afterwards.

As soon as you have finished your scrumptious breakfast, our representative will transfer you to the Nomad Ethno Centre, where you will arrive and begin exploring the history of the Scythian-Saka kurgans. Here, you get to learn how these sacred mounds once made the Almaty region a spiritual hub for nomadic leaders from across the Great Steppe. You will then receive an introduction to the warfare of nomads, viewing their weapons, armour, and horseback tactics, including traditional mounted archery.

You also discover the structure and purpose of the yurt and observe the art of hunting with a Berkutchi, followed by a hands-on archery class, with optional horseback riding. A national lunch is served in a yurt. After returning to Almaty, you stroll along Arbat and Panfilov Streets before transferring to your hotel. If you wish, you can have an optional dinner before calling it a day.

As soon as you have finished your scrumptious breakfast, our representative will transfer you to the Nomad Ethno Centre, where you will arrive and begin exploring the history of the Scythian-Saka kurgans. Here, you get to learn how these sacred mounds once made the Almaty region a spiritual hub for nomadic leaders from across the Great Steppe. You will then receive an introduction to the warfare of nomads, viewing their weapons, armour, and horseback tactics, including traditional mounted archery.

You also discover the structure and purpose of the yurt and observe the art of hunting with a Berkutchi, followed by a hands-on archery class, with optional horseback riding. A national lunch is served in a yurt. After returning to Almaty, you stroll along Arbat and Panfilov Streets before transferring to your hotel. If you wish, you can have an optional dinner before calling it a day.

An exciting day awaits you as you travel to Kaindy Mountain Lake’s lower parking area and take a 1.5-hour trek reaching 1,700 meters, followed by an hour to unwind by the lake with views of the Kungey Alatau Gorge. Horseback access is available. Afterwards, you continue to the first Kolsay Lake, the largest of the three lakes, set at elevations of 1,800-2,700 meters. You may have lunch, enjoy free time by the lake, then proceed to a guesthouse for a shared dinner and an overnight stay.

You begin the day with breakfast at the guesthouse before checking out and proceeding to the Kegen Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. Upon arrival, you will complete Immigration and Customs formalities, carrying all of your luggage through the border zone, as vehicles and drivers will be changed. After clearing the Kyrgyzstan border, an English-speaking guide will greet you and accompany you on the drive to Karakol (140 km).

In Karakol, you explore major landmarks, including the Dungan Mosque, designed in the style of a Chinese pagoda and still serving the local Muslim community; the wooden Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church, reflecting historical Russian influence; and the Karakol Historical Museum, which presents archaeological, cultural, and regional heritage. Afterwards, you transfer to the hotel, check in, and may opt for dinner at a nearby restaurant before overnight rest.

After breakfast, travel to the spectacular Altyn Arashan Gorge, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful mountain valleys, nestled within the Terskey Ala-Too range near Karakol. Renowned for its pristine alpine scenery, towering snow-capped peaks, dense spruce forests, and crystal-clear rivers, the gorge offers a true escape into nature. Enjoy a visit to the famous natural hot springs, known for their mineral-rich thermal waters. Optional activities include horse riding through the valley, a short scenic hike, and a traditional homemade lunch at a yurt camp. Return to Karakol for an optional dinner before overnighting at the hotel.

After breakfast and check-out, you will travel to the beautiful Chon Ak-Suu (Grigorievskoe) Gorge, a stunning alpine valley celebrated for its lush green meadows, fragrant pine forests, and scenic mountain river landscapes. Upon arrival, enjoy an excursion through the gorge and take a short hike to fully appreciate the area’s natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. An optional homemade lunch at a traditional yurt camp offers an authentic local experience. Later, continue to Cholpon Ata on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, where you will check into your hotel. An optional dinner at a local restaurant is available in the evening.

Today, you will explore the fascinating Open-Air Museum of Petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata, home to thousands of ancient rock carvings dating from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Issyk-Kul Lake, the site features depictions of hunting scenes, animals, rituals, and mysterious solar symbols, offering a glimpse into the region’s ancient cultures. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing one-hour boat cruise on the crystal-clear waters of Issyk-Kul Lake.

An optional lunch can be enjoyed at a local café before continuing to the picturesque Chon Kemin Valley. Surrounded by alpine meadows, forests, rivers, and traditional villages, this peaceful area is part of Chon Kemin National Park and showcases authentic nomadic landscapes. Check in to your camp, with optional horse riding and dinner available before an overnight stay in this beautiful natural setting.

It's time for you to travel towards Bishkek, stopping en route to explore the historic Burana Tower Complex, a UNESCO-listed site that preserves the legacy of the ancient Silk Road city of Balasagun. The complex features the iconic minaret, archaeological remains, and stone monuments that offer insight into the region’s rich history. An optional lunch can be enjoyed at a local café before continuing to Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital.

Upon arrival in Bishkek, embark on a city sightseeing tour showcasing the capital’s key landmarks, including the ceremonial Changing of the Guards of Honour, the statues of Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin, the Fine Art Gallery, and Victory Square. You will also visit Ala-Too Square, the symbolic heart of the nation, surrounded by important government buildings and historical landmarks.

You will continue to Oak Park, one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric green spaces, known for its open-air sculpture collection, mature oak trees, monuments, and connection to Kyrgyzstan’s cultural heritage. An optional dinner at a local restaurant is available this evening.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home. As your journey through Kyrgyzstan comes to an end, take with you lasting memories of breathtaking mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, traditional nomadic experiences, and the warm hospitality encountered throughout your adventure.