Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventure
Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventure
Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Adventure
11 Days Starting in Astana and ending in Bishkek
Visiting: Astana, Turkistan, Turkistan/ Overnight Train, Almaty, Kolsay Lakes National Park, Kolsay Lakes/Border Crossing/Karakol, Karakol, Bishkek
Tour operator:
Tour code:
KFSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
16-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
See the contrast of the futuristic and the ancient on this 11-day journey from Astana to Bishkek. You’ll see the Central Asian landscape change from the vast expanse of flat countryside to winding mountain roads. Visit the Silk Road ruins of Otrar, stand in awe of the grand Yasaui Mausoleum, explore Astana’s monuments (that might remind you of Star Trek) and wander the cultural capital of Almaty. Hike the incredible Kolsai Lakes to see sunken forests, deep canyons and valleys and take a scenic boat ride on the alpine waters of Issky-kul Lake, bringing it home in charming Bishkek.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Astana
Location: Astana
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Salemetsiz be! Welcome to Kazakhstan. Your adventure begins in Astana with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. Astana was purpose-built to become the capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997 and is home to meticulously planned city streets and architecture. The modern metropolis was designed by leading Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, who won first prize in a competition against other world-renowned architects. Now, it’s one of the youngest cities in Central Asia. If you arrive early, maybe stroll along the Astana waterfront or go shopping in the world’s largest tent at the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre. Tonight, join your leader and group for dinner in town for your first authentic Kazakh food experience.
Day 2: Astana
Location: Astana
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, join your leader for a city tour around some of the most impressive designs of the new city. Visit Bayterek tower, then stroll down Nur Boulevard to Khan Shatyr – another city landmark in the shape of a giant transparent tent. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque – with its capacity of 5000 worshippers inside and an additional 2000 outside, it’s one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Then, you'll stop at the Palace of Peace & Reconciliation – a pyramid-shaped conference hall considered Astana's symbolic centre. This afternoon, why not find some horse meat dishes or plov (a popular rice dish with chunks of lamb, onions and carrots) for lunch. After, you’ll met back up with your group and visit a renowned local jeweller and his workshop to learn about his craft.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Turkistan
Location: Turkistan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, take a flight to the historic centre of Kazakhstan, Turkistan – home to more relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. When you arrive, visit the new Caravan Serai – a complex recently built to model ancient Silk Road trade centres, giving visitors a taste of what life was once like here. With your free time in the late afternoon, you can see the Yasawi Mausoleum, illuminated with vivid colours and patterned exteriors.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Turkistan/ Overnight Train
Location: Turkistan/ Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Meals Included: breaksfast
Head out on a city tour this morning, starting with a visit to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum – Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. Built by Tamerlane, it’s said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it’s a religious site, it’s recommended that women wear a headscarf when entering. On the grounds, you'll find a rose garden, monuments, an archaeological museum and a mosque. Leaving the mausoleum, jump in your private transport to Shymkent, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. First excavated in 1969, its history dates back to the first century AD, with remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses that can still be seen today. This is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. Board your overnight train in the evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Pulling into Alamaty this morning, hop off the train and head out to find some breakfast. Today, you’ll be going on a daytrip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at the Issyk Museum – an archaeological reserve dedicated to Kazakh history and Scythian culture (an ancient nomadic people who were particularly skilled in horseback warfare). Continue to Ile-Alatau National Park, where peaceful Lake Issyk sits in the foothills of the surrounding mountains. Relax and refresh on the lakeshore of this stunning spot before carrying on to Turgen Gorge, where a short hike will bring you to a waterfall. On the way back to Almaty, stop by a winery, where you’ll meet with a local craft winemaker and sample some raw wine, craft cheese and tuck into a hearty lunch.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Almaty
Location: Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, you’ll take a city tour of Almaty with a local guide. This former capital of Kazakhstan now has a completely different vibrancy to Astana, with its wide tree-lined streets, numerous parks and the view of the snow-capped mountains. Visit Central Square and the colourful Zenkoff Cathedral in Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Check out the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, which features a great collection of ancient relics. Finally, visit Zelenyi Bazaar and experience the vibrant market scene before returning to the hotel to rest and recharge.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Location: Kolsay Lakes National Park
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning, drive to Saty Village, stopping at the spectacular Charyn Canyon along the way. The richly coloured canyon carves a path through the surrounding landscape, with vivid tones of oranges and browns shifting and changing as the sun travels across the sky. Enjoy some time here to marvel at the natural wonder and grab some photos before continuing to Saty Village, where you’ll check into your homestay and experience a taste of local life in the Tien Shan Mountain Range.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Kolsay Lakes/Border Crossing/Karakol
Location: Kolsay Lakes/Border Crossing/Karakol
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning, visit Kolsay Lakes, also known as ‘the blue necklace’ for the clear blue waters framed by the mountains. If there’s time, you’ll take a hike to the lesser-known Kaindy Lake – a turquoise lake with a ‘submerged forest’ protruding from the water. Amazingly, the lake was created by an earthquake in 1911 which caused a limestone landslide, creating a natural dam in the forest. As time went on, the dam filled with water and the trees were covered, leaving just their trunks standing in the centre. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then head over the border to Kyrgyzstan, where you’ll continue your journey to Karakol.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Karakol
Location: Karakol
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning you’ll head out on a city tour of Karakol – once a small Russian military post, then a bustling soviet state, this town is bursting with history. Visit the Dungan Mosque – built in 1910, this colourful mosque was created without the use of a single nail. Instead, the structure was built using special cutting and groove techniques. You’ll also explore the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral and a local market. Then, head out of the city to see the Jety Oguz, also known as Seven Bull Valley, where your leader will take you on a forest hike to a waterfall with panoramic views. Return to Karakol for another restful night.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Bishkek
Location: Bishkek
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today you’ll have a full day's drive to Bishkek, which sits along the northern shore of Issyk Kul – the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The views of the landscape are not to be missed, especially your first glimpse of Issyk Kul, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you'll stop at Cholpan Ata to visit a petroglyph's site. Then, take a short boat ride out onto the huge alpine lake to really soak up the beauty of these shimmering waters. In Bishkek, you have a free night, where you might want to head to a final dinner with your group and toast to an amazing adventure.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Bishkek
Location: Bishkek
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. You can check out of your hotel any time before noon.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Train (1 night), Guesthouse/Homestay (3 nights) -
Astana - City tour
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Turkistan – Caravan Serai complex
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Otrar - Ancient settlement
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Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum
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Almaty – Winery visit and wine tasting
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Almaty – Turgen Gorge
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Almaty – Lake Issyk
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Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
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Almaty - Panfilov Park
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Almaty - Kok Tobe Hill
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Private vehicle , Plane , Overnight Sleeper Train
Accommodation
- Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Train (1 night), Guesthouse/Homestay (3 nights)
Included Activities
- Nur-Sultan - City tour
- Baikonur - Yuri Gagarin Museum & House
- Baikonur - Cosmodrome
- Baikonur - Space Museum
- Otrar - Ancient settlement
- Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum
- Almaty - Central State Museum
- Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
- Almaty - Kok Tobe Hill
- Almaty - Panfilov Park
- Almaty - Medeu
- Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
- Charyn Canyon - National Park
- Karakol - Dungan Mosque
- Karakol - Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
- Karakol - Przhevalskiy Museum
- Karakol - Jeti Orghuz Canyon Hike
- Cholpan Ata - Petroglyphs
- Bishkek - City Tour
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 & 7, where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight and train tickets booking no later than 45 days prior to departure. Fees may apply for amendments or failure to provide the required details within 45 days of departure.
Mode of Transport
- Private vehicle , Plane , Overnight Sleeper Train
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Be prepared to experience the full legacy of the Soviet era – not just in the sights and history, but also in the standards of accommodation and service. In other words, while you’ll be comfortable, don’t expect luxury.
In true adventure style, the trip involves some long travel days by private vehicle and trains. While tiring, this is a great opportunity to sit back, unwind and let the sweeping views roll by.
The conditions at home stays and guest houses are basic with shared facilities. This means the group being split between different houses, multi-share rooms and the bathroom facilities are separated from your sleeping quarters. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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