Classic · Multi-country
Northern Stans: Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
9 days · From Bishkek to Almaty · From $1,690 USD
Tour overview
Your adventure at a glance
- Trip code
- KTG-KZ09
- Days
- 9
- Starts
- Bishkek
- Ends
- Almaty
- Group size
- 2–12
- Season
- June – September (Karkara border opens in summer)
Two countries, one mountain range. This nine-day trip links the capitals of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan through the Tian Shan instead of the motorway — via Issyk-Kul lake and Karakol, over the summer-only Karkara border, and on to Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai lakes before ending in Almaty.
Is this tour for me?
What's included
Highlights
Moments you'll remember
- Burana Tower and Issyk-Kul on the Kyrgyz side
- Cross the remote Karkara valley border on foot
- Charyn Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia"
- Kolsai lakes and Kaindy's sunken forest
- End in leafy, cosmopolitan Almaty
9 days, Bishkek → Almaty
Day by day
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Day 1 Bishkek
Bishkek
Arrival, transfer and an afternoon walk around Ala-Too Square and Osh Bazaar. Welcome dinner.
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Day 2 Burana & Issyk-Kul
Bishkek → Burana → Cholpon-Ata
Burana Tower and balbals, then on to Issyk-Kul and the petroglyph field.
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Day 3 South shore
Cholpon-Ata → Skazka → Jeti-Oguz
Around the lake to Skazka canyon and the red cliffs of Jeti-Oguz. Night in a valley yurt camp.
-
Day 4 Karakol
Jeti-Oguz → Karakol
Short hike in the morning, then Karakol's wooden cathedral, Dungan mosque and a Dungan family dinner.
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Day 5 Into Kazakhstan
Karakol → Karkara → Saty
Drive up the wide Karkara valley to the border and cross on foot. Meet your Kazakh driver and continue to Saty village.
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Day 6 Kolsai & Kaindy lakes
Saty
Walk at the first Kolsai lake and visit Kaindy, where drowned spruce trunks rise out of the water.
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Day 7 Charyn Canyon
Saty → Charyn → Almaty
Walk through the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon before driving to Almaty.
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Day 8 Almaty
Almaty
Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar, then cable car to Kok-Tobe for the sunset.
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Day 9 Departure
Almaty
Transfer to Almaty airport.
Dates
Travel on your own dates
Pick any start date in the season. You travel with your own guide and vehicle, so the trip is shaped around your group. The price depends on group size.
Price details
What's in the price
Included
- Accommodation and meals as listed
- English-speaking guides in both countries
- Private vehicles and drivers
- Entrance and park fees
- Airport transfers
Not included
- Flights
- Visas if required
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Frequently asked questions
All the answers to your questions
Do I need visas?
Citizens of the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan visa-free. Check with us for your passport.
Request this tour
Tell us your dates and group size. We'll confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours — no payment needed to ask.
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