BETWEEN HISTORY, NATURE AND TRADITIONS IN KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN”
TOUR IN KAZAKHSTAN AND KIRGISIA
DURATION: 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
SEASON: FROM JUNE 15 TO SEPTEMBER 15
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1 Almaty
Upon arrival, welcome by our local guide. Depending on our arrival time, transfer to the hotel for breakfast. We will then start the tour of Almaty, also known as “the green city.” First exploration of this charming city at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Alatau Mountains, reaching almost 5,000 meters: Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen Park and the Zenkov Orthodox Cathedral, the largest wooden church in Asia. Visit the Museum of Traditional Musical Instruments and stroll through the vast (and very Soviet) Republic Square and the astonishing Green Market.
Continuation of the discovery of Almaty: drive to the Shymbulak ski resort, where the Medeo ice rink, the world’s largest, was built. Cable car ascent to the top of the resort at 3,200 meters, offering a panoramic view of the rugged peaks of the Ile-Alatau National Park.
Dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Almaty – Taraz
Breakfast. Departure by road to the Ile-Alatau National Park, specifically to the Turgen Gorge, a true paradise for hikers. The region is rich in hot springs, waterfalls, coniferous and mixed forests, alpine and subalpine meadows, lakes, and streams. The densely wooded Turgen Gorge is especially famous for its dozen waterfalls, the most impressive being the “Bozgul Falls,” which has carved a tunnel in the rock through the force of its rushing waters. In the afternoon, we will continue our journey back to Almaty. Upon arrival, dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to the train station. We will board the train in our sleeping car. Overnight on the train.
Road transport time: approx. 2 hours / approx. 200 km
Hiking: 4 km / duration: 2 hours / Elevation gain: +230m -230m
Train transport time: approx. 6 hours 48 minutes / 490 km / schedule: 23:58 – 06:46 Train 027 Almaty – Uralsk
Indicative schedule, subject to change.
Day 3 Taraz – Turkestan
After breakfast in a restaurant, we will begin the visit to one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. With a history of more than 2,000 years, ancient Taraz was the largest commercial and administrative center on the Silk Road from the 7th to the 9th centuries. Then, it was destroyed by Mongol invasions in the 13th century before gradually rising from its ashes centuries later. Today, there are still more than 70 archaeological, architectural, and artistic monuments in Taraz and its surroundings. We will explore the iconic Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only building in all of Central Asia entirely decorated in terracotta. We will then visit the Karakhan Mausoleum, built in the 11th century in honor of the founder of the “Karakhanide” dynasty, which played a crucial role in the Islamization of the region. Finally, we will visit the Tekturmas complex, the resting place of the holy Sultan Makhmoud-Khan, the Kali Yunus Baths, and the Babaja-Hatum Mausoleum. We will then continue our journey to Turkestan for the night. Overnight at the hotel.
Road transport time: approx. 4 hours 30 minutes / approx. 340 km
Day 4 Turkestan – Otrar – Shymkent
Breakfast. The city of Turkestan was the spiritual and political center of the Turkic people in the region from the 16th to the 18th centuries. This city even gained some international reputation due to the preaching activity of its famous Sufi sheikh and philosopher, “Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.” He rests in a small mausoleum erected 233 years after his death by the direct order of Tamerlane himself. Today, it is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and one of the main places of worship for Muslims in the region. We will also explore the “Azret-Sultan” architectural complex, the ancient city of Turkestan, the necropolis, the citadel, the underground Hilvet mosque, and the Hammam. After lunch, we will continue towards the oasis of Otrar, a ghost town located at the confluence of the Arys and Syr-Darya rivers. Covering an area of 200 km², this archaeological site reveals the remains of six medieval cities with a 2,000-year-old irrigation canal system. Also known as Farab, this city saw the birth of the famous medieval philosopher and scientist “Al-Farabi.” It was mainly known as a major center for trade and craftsmanship along the caravan routes between Eastern Europe and China. In the late 13th century, the Mongol troops treated it the same way as Taraz and razed it. Rich in resources, Otrar rose from its ashes and developed economically in a relatively short time. The remains of the citadel, its main gate, and some major buildings have survived to this day. We will finally reach Shymkent by the end of the day.
Day 5 Flight Shymkent – Almaty. Almaty – Basshi 290km / 4-5h
Breakfast. Transfer to Chimkent airport for the flight to Almaty. KC972 Departure towards the village of Basshi, the northern gateway to the Altyn Emel National Park. This park covers a vast steppe territory and includes several spectacular sites, including the Singing Dune and the Aktau and Katutau mountains. Lunch in the village of Basshi. From there, we will reach the famous “Singing Dune,” a unique experience. Standing at 150 meters, the dune is nestled in the Ili River valley over a length of 3 km. We will climb to the top of this impressive sharp dune. Once at the summit, we will enjoy a breathtaking panorama while the sand roars and vibrates under our feet. We will gently slide down the sand to feel the vibrations of the Altyn Emel sand dune! Captivated by the geological curiosity, we will be enchanted by the song of the Altyn Emel sand dune! We will settle into our guesthouse. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Day 6 Altyn Emel – Charyn – Kolsai Lake 320km/4-5h
Early morning departure for the Charyn Canyon. The entire range of ochres covers the fantastic shapes of the impressive cliffs sculpted in the rock by the Charyn River, earning them the well-deserved nickname “Little Colorado.” Charyn shines with fascinating colors and shapes in the heart of its 5 spectacular sites: the “Valley of the Castles,” the “Yellow Gorge,” the “Red Gorge,” the “Temirlik Gorge,” and the “Bestamak Gorge.” We will start our hike with the most amazing site in the canyon, the Valley of the Castles. We will discover a splendid landscape composed of reddish rock formations with various shades and shapes of the canyon formed by wind, water, and sand, resembling the ruins of ancient fortresses. We will have lunch near the Charyn River before continuing our way to reach the heights and enjoy a spectacular panorama.
After the walk, we will continue to the village of Saty at the entrance to the Kol Sai lakes natural park, nicknamed the “pearls of the Tian Shan.” Check-in and dinner with a local family.
Day 7 Saty – Kaindy Lake – Saty
Breakfast. This morning, to fully appreciate these incredible, raw, and grandiose landscapes, we will continue our hike towards the “yellow and red gorges.” Lunch during the hike. And departure by road to discover the surprising spruce forest submerged in Kaindy Lake. It was a violent earthquake that triggered a landslide and created a dam that captured the waters of the Kaindy River, thus submerging the spruce trunks.
Picnic in nature. Later, return to the village. Easy walk in the afternoon to the first lake – Saty.
Day 8 Village of Saty – Kegen Border – Karakol 240 km
After breakfast, depart for Karakol and drive to the Kegen border. After border formalities, drive to one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan – the Karkyra Valley. Karkyra means “crane” in English, as it is one of the rare places where these birds stop. We arrive in the afternoon in Karakol. Arrival in the city of Karakol and a brief city tour visiting the Russian Orthodox wooden church, the Dungan mosque (19th century), and, if time allows, the local bazaar.
Day 9 Karakol – Jety Oguz – Ak Say Canyons 190 km
After breakfast, we will head to Jety-Oguz on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. It is one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. The gorge eventually becomes a wide Kok-Djayik valley entirely covered with spruce forests up to the top of the ridge.
After that, we will head to the “Ak-Say Canyons.” The uniqueness of the place is frozen in the bizarre forms of colorful rocks, as if after an eruption. Solid clusters made of limestone and sandstone emerge from the colorful ground, and the place looks like the ruins of ancient castles. Finally, we will be transferred to our yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp.
Day 10 Ak Say Canyons – Son Kul Lake 270 km
Breakfast. Depart by road to reach the heart of Kyrgyzstan, Lake Son Kul. After crossing some passes, we will reach a true haven of peace perched at an altitude of over 3000 meters in the heart of the Tian Shan massif. Nomads live there for a few months in spring and summer with their herds of yaks and horses. A great opportunity to meet local shepherds and their families in the heart of breathtaking landscapes. Kyrgyz families, always friendly, will invite us to taste regional products, Airan (yogurt), and Kumis (fermented national drink made from mare’s milk). We will have the opportunity to take long walks on the dominant ridges or, for those who wish, ride horses (at your own expense and at your own risk). It is in this bucolic setting that we will have dinner and spend the night in yurts, staying warm.
Day 11 Son Kul Lake – Kyzyl Oy 160 km
Breakfast at the camp. Depart by road to the village of Kyzyl Oy, our last stop before Bishkek. After crossing the Karakeche Pass at over 3,600 meters, we will descend into the Jumgal Valley and reluctantly leave Lake Son Kul behind. We will stop in the village of Chaek, this small town in the middle of nowhere, to do some shopping. The road will then lead us to a track that plunges into a canyon where a splendid river with turquoise waters flows, with beautiful cliffs in green and ocher colors in the background. This is the moment to immortalize this extraordinary nature; photography enthusiasts will be delighted. Upon arrival, we will be captivated by the hospitality of the villagers of Kyzyl Oy. They will open their doors to us for the night. For those who want to stretch their legs, the village is an excellent starting point for a short hike upstream from the village to enjoy a beautiful panorama of the valley, the village, the river… Dinner and overnight with the locals.
Day 12 Kyzyl Oy – Suusamyr – Bishkek 220 km
Breakfast with the locals. We will board our vehicle to cover the last kilometers to Bishkek. The track will follow the Kekmeren River, which originates up to the Tui Pass at over 3,500 meters. During our journey, we will cross two isolated villages at the top of the valley. Then we will descend the wide Chuy Valley. We will arrive in Bishkek in the middle of the day. For those who wish, head to the Osh market for last-minute shopping or for a relaxing time, head to the Jirgal Banya baths. Dinner in a local restaurant to celebrate your last evening in Kyrgyzstan.
Day 13 Bishkek – Airport. Return flight
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, return flight home.
for the price of this trip please contact us: info@sikroadhorizons.com