Best of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Tamgaly on Ili River (165 km from Almaty).
Tamgaly Tas – written cliffs, on the Ili River. Located 170 km from Almaty, natural boundary consists of huge cliffs. It was a place where beautiful images of Buddha and Burhans were found. Trip to Altyn Emel National Park. Arrival to "Basshy" village. Check-in at the guesthouse (DBL/Standard accommodation) and lunch.
Arrival to so-called Singing sand (also called whistling sand or barking sand). The dune is composed of light-colored sand and has a length of about 3 km and a height of 150 m. In dry weather sands emit a sound similar an organ melody. Since ancient times this place was considered supernatural. The legends explained the sound by the activities of the desert spirits, mythical animals, the bells of buried towns, underground rivers etc.
Returning to the guesthouse. Dinner& night stay at the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse. Trip to Aktau and Katutau mountain range (1.5 hours). Aktau mountains are located 80 km from the village that takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach them. The Aktau hills look supernatural. You will observe rock layers of white, red and orange colours across the range, known as a unique paleontological deposit with an estimated age of 25-30 million years. Lunch boxes - outdoor picnic.
Katutau hills are less spectacular, but certainly interesting since it’s a good place to see argali. Return to the guesthouse and lunch. Night stay at the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse. Check out of the guesthouse. Departure to Charyn canyon. The canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep. Lunch boxes - outdoor picnic. Free time for your own. Arrival to "Saty" village. Check-in at the guesthouse, dinner and night stay.

Breakfast and departure to Kolsay lake1. Trip to Kolsay lake 1. Kolsay Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals. Kolsay Lakes are considered a pearl of Northern Tien-Shan located in 300 km from Almaty city. Lunch (outdoor picnic).
Hiking or horse riding to Kolsay lake 2 (12 km approx. 2 hours). Free time. Returning to the guesthouse and dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse. Check out of the guesthouse. Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off-road).
Kayndy lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The rockslide “place of origin” can still be seen today, because it has not been overgrown yet. The uniqueness of the lake is that after the rise of natural dam that blocked the gorge, water that filled a basin has formed a lake but has not destroyed the spruce that had been growing in this place along the river. Lunch at Saty village and departure to the border with Kyrgyzstan, border formalities.
Pick up at Karkara border point, followed by ride to Karakol city, centre of Mountain Tourism of the Central Asia. The day consists of a short city tour, visiting famous heritage of the pre-Soviet architecture (e.g. Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Wooden Mosque). The tour ends with dinner at local Uyghur family, trying authentic local cuisine and experiencing the folklore. Overnight at local guesthouse/hotel

After breakfast, we forward from Karakol to Altyn Arashan which means “Golden Springs”. For this day you are going to have mostly free time, trying the Springs and preparing for next day hike to Ala-Kol lake (3532 m).
Overnight in local guesthouse

The main goal of this day is to hike through the Ala-Kol Pass (3860 m.) towards most beautiful lake of the Central Tian – Shian, the Ala-Kol lake. The views from the hills are truly amazing, you are able to recognise a number of peaks as Karakol (5281 m.), Oguz-Bashi (5168 m.) and Zhigit (5170 m.) Staying overnight in camp by the lake Ala-Kol would be one of the most fantastic experiences you have in Kyrgyzstan.

Early morning kick off back to Altyn Arashan. Once back, we have some food and depart to Kochkor via South Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. We will have lunch at Bokonbaevo village and then move forward. Once arrived, we will stay at local guesthouse.

We begin that day with horses. But before that we will have transfer to Kyzart village, from where we will start our horse-riding activity. There we meet with our local guides and continue our horseback tour. The route is not difficult with minimum landscape change. Lunch will be on the way but dinner and following overnight will be at the Kilemche pasture Yurt camp.

On this day we will cross the Zhalgyz-Karagai pass (3437 m.) on horseback. You will be delighted to view amazing panoramic view of Son-Kul Lake and the behind Kilemche pasture. We will continue our riding and stop by one of Son-Kul Yurt camps.

After breakfast, we have some free time at the Son-Kul lake and then start our journey to Bishkek via the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass. On the way to Bishkek, we will visit the Medieval Burana Tower, remained after once glorious Balasagun city of Karakhanid Empire. Once arrived to Bishkek, we will have some rest and free time. However, our guide may show you some key places to see and visit.

Early morning departure to Almaty via Kordai (“Ak-Zhol” border pass).