Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan Trip: 12-Day Mountain & Canyon Tour

Route: Bishkek – Kegety Gorge – Burana Tower – Chon-Kemin

• The Narrative: After departing the capital, we journey to the Burana Tower, one of the oldest architectural monuments in Central Asia. This 11th-century minaret is the last remains of Balasagun, the flourishing capital of the Karakhani Empire. Originally standing 45 meters tall, the tower was shortened to its current height of 25 meters by a major earthquake in the 15th century. After exploring the "garden of stones"—a collection of balbals (ancient Turkic grave markers)—we head to Kegety Gorge. Here, we hike to a stunning 20-meter waterfall that cascades over moss-covered cliffs. The day ends in the lush Chon-Kemin Valley, a protected national park known for its biodiversity and mountain forests.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Boutique Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin.

  • Meals: Lunch (local café), Dinner (traditional Kyrgyz hospitality).

  • Museums/Sites: Burana Tower Archaeological Complex.

  • Experiences: Waterfall trekking; panoramic drive through the Chu Valley.

Route: Chon-Kemin – Kok-Moinok Canyons – Kochkor – Son-Kul Lake

• The Narrative: Our morning begins at the Kok-Moinok Canyons, a geological marvel featuring winding sandstone corridors carved by millennia of water erosion. We then proceed to the village of Kochkor, a hub for nomadic handicrafts. You will participate in a UNESCO-recognized felt-making masterclass, learning how to create shirdaks (traditional carpets) from raw sheep wool. The final leg of the day is a dramatic ascent over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,300m) to reach Son-Kul Lake. This alpine lake is the second largest in Kyrgyzstan and serves as a vital summer pasture (jailoo) where nomadic families live in yurts, herding horses and sheep under an endless sky.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Authentic Yurt Camp at Son-Kul Lake (high-altitude stay).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Canyon exploration; Felt-making Masterclass; High-altitude pass crossing.

Route: Son-Kul – "33 Parrots" Pass – Naryn

• The Narrative: Leaving the quiet shores of Son-Kul, we descend the Teskey-Torpok Pass, famously known as the "33 Parrots" due to its 33 serpentine switchbacks that offer breathtaking views of the valley below. We stop to visit a hidden waterfall formed by the Son-Kul River as it plunges down toward the Naryn basin. Our destination is Naryn, a town able car tickets.

• situated along the roaring Naryn River at an elevation of 2,000 meters. The region is known for its harsh but beautiful climate and is the heart of the country’s livestock culture, where the altitude and pure mountain water produce the most sought-after organic meat in Central Asia.

•  Included:

  • Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Naryn.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Extreme mountain driving (serpentines); hike to the Son-Kul River waterfall.

Route: Horseback ride to Kel-Suu Lake – Naryn

• The Narrative: Today we head deep into the Ak-Sai Valley toward the Chinese border to find Kel-Suu, a landslide-formed lake located at 3,500 meters. Accessible primarily by horseback, the lake is encased in massive limestone cliffs that give it a fjord-like appearance. Kel-Suu is a "ghost lake"—it is fed by glaciers and can drain completely through underground caves in a matter of days, leaving a vast, empty canyon. We will ride through the rugged terrain to reach the turquoise water and, conditions permitting, take a boat ride between the towering cliffs to see the lake’s hidden grottoes.

• ✅ Included:

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Naryn.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch at the lake, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Full-day horseback trek; Border zone exploration; Boat excursion (weather permitting).

Route: Naryn – Eki-Naryn – Kochkor

• The Narrative: We travel through the Eki-Naryn region, where the Big and Small Naryn rivers merge to form the powerful Naryn River, the primary tributary of the Syr Darya. This area is a pristine wilderness of spruce forests and jagged peaks, far from the main tourist trails. The route takes us through meadows dotted with wild flowers and past isolated nomadic camps. By afternoon, we return to the familiar village of Kochkor, allowing for a relaxed evening and a chance to interact with local families.

• ✅ Included:

  • Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in Kochkor.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Off-road valley driving; photography at the river confluence.

Route: Ak-Sai Canyons – Bokonbaevo – Skazka Canyon

• The Narrative: Heading toward the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, we explore the Ak-Sai Canyons, known for their dramatic ridges. In Bokonbaevo, we witness the ancient art of Berkutchi (eagle hunting). This tradition, passed down through generations, involves a deep psychological bond between the hunter and the golden eagle. Later, we explore Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, a surreal landscape of red sandstone formations that have been eroded into shapes resembling castles, dragons, and towers. The day ends with a performance by local musicians playing the komuz (traditional three-stringed instrument).

•  Included:

  • Accommodation: Guesthouse/Lakeside Yurt in Bokonbaevo.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Eagle Hunting Demonstration; Ethno-music show; Geological hiking in Skazka.

Route: Barskoon – Arabel Plateau – Jeti-Oguz – Karakol

• The Narrative: We ascend through the Barskoon Gorge, famous for its massive waterfalls like the "Manas Bowl" and "Old Man's Beard." Continuing upward, we reach the Arabel Plateau at 3,900 meters. This is a permafrost zone, a high-altitude tundra filled with glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks even in summer. After experiencing this arctic environment, we descend into Jeti-Oguz ("Seven Bulls"), a canyon of brilliant red rocks steeped in local legends. The day concludes in Karakol, a multi-ethnic city where we will enjoy a dinner of "Dzhun," a complex meal prepared by a Dungan (Chinese-Muslim) family, reflecting the city’s Silk Road heritage.

•  Included:

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Karakol.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Traditional Dungan Dinner.

  • Experiences: Glacial plateau exploration; Waterfall trekking; Cultural dinner immersion.

Route: Karakol – Jyrgalan Valley

• The Narrative: We drive to the remote Jyrgalan Valley, often referred to as the "Switzerland of the East." Once a coal-mining hub, Jyrgalan is now a sanctuary for eco-tourism. We will take a horseback ride to Lake Turaluu-Kol, passing through meadows of edelweiss and wild herbs. The valley is surrounded by peaks exceeding 4,000 meters, offering a serene atmosphere of absolute isolation. Alternatively, guests can hike to the Kok-Bel waterfall, enjoying the fresh alpine air and the sound of rushing mountain streams.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Cozy Guesthouse in Jyrgalan.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Horseback riding to high-altitude lakes; alpine trekking.

Route: Karkara Border – Kaindy Lake – Kolsay Lakes – Saty

• The Narrative: After crossing into Kazakhstan via the scenic Karkara border, we visit Lake Kaindy. Created by a massive landslide after the 1911 Chon-Kemin earthquake, the lake flooded a spruce forest. Today, the limestone-rich, ice-cold water has "mummified" the trees; their bare trunks rise from the turquoise surface like masts of sunken ships, while their needles remain perfectly preserved beneath the water. We continue to the Kolsay Lakes, a chain of three emerald gems nestled in the northern Tien Shan. We will walk the shores of Lower Kolsay, surrounded by dense coniferous forests.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Authentic Guesthouse in Saty Village.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

  • Experiences: Border crossing; visit to the Sunken Forest; hiking at Kolsay Lakes National Park.

Route: Saty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty

• The Narrative: We head to the world-famous Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon but unique for its vertical red sandstone walls. We hike through the "Valley of Castles," a 2-kilometer stretch of bizarre cliff formations that resemble medieval citadels. The canyon is also home to a rare grove of Sogdian Ash, a tree species that survived the Ice Age and has existed for over 5 million years. After exploring the canyon floor down to the Charyn River, we drive toward the cosmopolitan city of Almaty, the cultural and financial heart of Kazakhstan.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Almaty.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (outdoor café).

  • Experiences: Hiking through the "Valley of Castles"; visiting the Relic Ash Grove.

Route: Medeu – Shymbulak – Kok-Tobe – Almaty

• The Narrative: Today we explore Almaty’s mountain backyard. We visit the Medeu High-Altitude Rink, the highest skating rink in the world, built at 1,691 meters. From here, a cable car takes us to Shymbulak Mountain Resort, ascending to 3,200 meters for breathtaking views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau range and its glaciers. In the evening, we take another cable car to Kok-Tobe Hill, the highest point in the city, to enjoy a final panoramic view of the Almaty skyline as the sun sets over the steppe.

• Included:

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Almaty.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

  • Experiences: Medeu Ice Rink; Shymbulak cable car ascent; Kok-Tobe panoramic tour.

• Included:

  • Meals: Breakfast.