Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living

Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living

• Trip code: 4M2X004
• Dauer: 12
• Stil: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Ready for a wild ride through Central Asia? This 12-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is the perfect mashup of jaw-dropping landscapes and deep cultural dives. Hike through canyons that look like they belong on another planet, listen to the desert sing beneath your feet, and learn how to build a yurt like the nomads do. From village stays and yurt workshops to city streets buzzing with history in Bishkek and Almaty — this is one epic journey where nature stuns, culture shines, and every day brings something totally unexpected.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hostel (4 nts, multi-share), Guesthouse (5 nts, multi-share), Yurt Camp (2 nts, multi-share)

Checklist

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
• Warm waterproof jacket

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout

Group Size Notes

Max 18

Highlights

Marvel at the colourful rock formations of Skazka Canyon and Charyn Canyon, Feel the desert hum beneath your feet at Kazakhstan’s Singing Dunes, Stay with local families in Saty and enjoy a home-cooked Dungan lunch in Iskra Village, Learn to build a traditional yurt alongside nomadic experts, Soak up the local energy in the cultural hubs of Bishkek and Almaty

Introduction

Ready for a wild ride through Central Asia? This 12-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is the perfect mashup of jaw-dropping landscapes and deep cultural dives. Hike through canyons that look like they belong on another planet, listen to the desert sing beneath your feet, and learn how to build a yurt like the nomads do. From village stays and yurt workshops to city streets buzzing with history in Bishkek and Almaty — this is one epic journey where nature stuns, culture shines, and every day brings something totally unexpected

Meals Included

7 Frühstück, 3 Mittagessen, 6 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD210-275 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Bishkek
- Bishkek City Tour
- Kyrgyz Dumpling Making

Karakol
- Besuch der Kathedrale der heiligen Dreieinigkeit (Gratis)
- Dunganische Moschee (Gratis)
- Ak-Suu Kench Hot Springs

Jety-Oguz
- Jety Oguz & the Seven Bulls

Almaty
- Stadtführung

Start / Finish

Bishkek nach Almaty

Transport

Private Vehicle, Walking, Train, 4x4 Vehicle

What's Included

Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Jurtenbau, Barskoon
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein First-Night-Out-Moment: Begegne neuen Freunden
Dein Big-Night-Out-Moment: Almaty, Almaty. Free Time in Bishkek. Bishkek Orientation Walk. Burana Tower Visit. Iskra Village Dungan Family Lunch. Shatyly View Point Hike. Free Time in Tamga, Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon. Barskoon Waterfall. Yurt Building Demonstration. Karakol Orientation Walk. Free Time in Karakol. Kaindy Lake Hike Visit. Saty Village Stay. Charyn Canyon Visit. Singing Dunes. Almaty Orientation Walk. Free Time in Almaty. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

Mindestalter für diese Reise sind 18 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Bishkek

Arrive at any time. Join your new crew this evening at a welcome moment before heading out for your first night out! Grab a bubbly (water or beer) if you choose and get to know your new travel friends in Kyrgyzstan!

Day 2 Bishkek

Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, spend the rest of the day seeing the city how you'd like. Opt to join a guided tour of the city or learn to make local Kyrgyz dumplings called manti

Day 3 Bishkek/Chon Kemin

Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way to Iskra Village where we will enjoy a yummy lunch with a Dungan family, a group of Muslim-Chinese heritage. After spending time with the family and digging into the yummy food, drive to Chom Kemin for the night

Day 4 Chon Kemin/Tamga

Start today with an easy hike up to the Shatyly view point. Take in the view from above before hiking back down for some free time at camp. Take a dip if you wish in Issyk Kul Lake, meaning "Warm Lake" in Kyrgyz. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fairytale Canyon, Skazka. Walk through the wild rock formations that resemble castles and gnome homes. Then enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake

Day 5 Tamga

After breakfast at camp, hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a little waterfall adventure? Then head to Ak Orgo, a G Adventures-supported project that helps bring much-needed job opportunities to the Barskoon region. We'll dig into some lunch then learn how to build a yurt (like the one we're staying in here in Tamga!) Then head back to camp and take a dip in the lake

Day 6 Tamga/Karakol

Drive to Karakol this morning and join your CEO on an orientation walk, the perfect way to start your time in Karakol and get to know this city a bit better. Then the day is yours for adventure! Opt to visit the colorful Dungan Mosque, Karakol Market or the impressive Russian Orthodox Church

Day 7 Karakol

Fill up on breakfast before heading out for a free day in Karakol. How about a tour of the city? Or maybe get back out into nature with visits to the spectacular Jety Oguz or Aksu Kench hot springs!

Day 8 Karakol/Saty Village

Cross the border into Kazakhstan, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. Then climb into a 4x4 vehicle to visit the stunning Kaindy Lake. Grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. This evening, connect with local Kazakh culture at our Saty Village homestay

Day 9 Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park

Get ready to see red... red rocks and canyons we mean! Our first stop of the day is to Charyn Canyon. Full of different shades of reds, oranges, and browns, the beautiful Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Then continue on to Altyn Emel National Park where more red and orange rocks make up this beautiful landscape

Day 10 Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty

Right on the bank of the Ili river sits the beautiful golden Singing Sand Dunes. On a windy day, when the sad moves across the dunes, it produces a low-pitched humming sound, giving it its name. Get your body moving as you trek through the sand. Return to the guest house for a well-deserved lunch before driving to Almaty. Then join your crew and CEO for an orientation walk

Day 11 Almaty

Almaty is on full display as you get to choose your own adventure through the city. We recommend a city tour to connect with Kazakhstani culture. Then see the city come to life at night on your Big Night Out!

Day 12 Almaty

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Bishkek

Day 2 Bishkek

Day 3 Bishkek/Chon Kemin

Day 4 Chon Kemin/Tamga

Day 5 Tamga

Day 6 Tamga/Karakol

Day 7 Karakol

Day 8 Karakol/Saty Village

Day 9 Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park

Day 10 Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty

Day 11 Almaty

Day 12 Almaty