Nomadic Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

Fly overnight from London to Almaty.

Early morning transfer to the 4-star Hotel Kazzhol Almaty for two nights. After settling in, join a guide to explore Kazakhstan’s biggest city, which combines Russian heritage with glitzy malls and apartments, backed by the snowy mountain tops of Zailiysky Alatau. Browse the Green Bazaar to meet traders and sample national delicacies like horse milk, then visit historical landmarks including the Ascension Cathedral. You’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and spend time at the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments in Panfilov Park. Ingeniously built from wood without a single nail, the museum displays over 60 types of instruments dating back to the 17^th century. Finally, take a stroll to Republic Square and Arbat Walking Street before returning to your hotel.
(L)

This morning begins with a scenic drive to the Nomad Ethnic Centre. This open-air ethnographic complex lies in the Ushkonyr plateau and showcases Kazakhstan’s nomadic tribal culture. You’ll be greeted by a host in traditional dress, who’ll offer local snacks and explain the history of the region’s various tribes including the Saks, Usuns, Turks, and Kazakhs. Step inside yurts and witness centuries-old traditions, from pottery and weaving to horse riding and archery. The parade of nomad warriors is a highlight, featuring weapons, armour and battle tactics from different historical periods, complete with thrilling spear-fighting displays. After an authentic Kazakh lunch, you’ll continue to a falcon nursery to learn about the hunting culture of nomadic communities; watch a bird show that features seven species of predators. The evening is yours to enjoy back in Almaty.
(B, L) 

Start the day with a trip to the Tamgaly Valley, a ritual site for nomadic communities, where the black-flint rock walls are adorned with over 6,000 carvings dating back to the second millennium BC. Take a walk through the Tamgaly Archeological Complex with a guide, who’ll help you interpret these ancient drawings. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the petroglyphs depict images of animals, hunting scenes and fertility rituals, offering a window into Bronze Age life. Stop for a packed lunch and then cross into Kyrgyzstan (3 hrs), where you’ll check into the 4-star Damas or Ramada Hotel in Bishkek for two nights. After freshening up, you’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant followed by a folklore show.
(B, L, D)

Today you’ll get your first glimpse of Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty. Travel into Ala Archa National Park, a 2,300-hectare wonderland of alpine meadows studded with wildflowers and thick forests home to the park’s namesake trees – Ala Aracha translates to striped juniper. The park is formed from a glacial canyon hemmed in by the highest peaks of the Kyrgyz Alatau Range, including the 4,895-metre-tall Semenov Tian Shansky. Savour a serene picnic lunch in the park before returning to Bishkek for some urban sightseeing.  Accompanied by a guide, you’ll delve into the history of the country’s capital, with its mix of Soviet architecture, buzzing markets, tree-lined avenues and peaceful parks. The tour takes in highlights like the changing of the Guards of Honour, monuments to Lenin and the Kyrgyz national hero Manas, Victory Square and the Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Arts. Afterwards, spend a free evening in the city. 
(B, L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to the Burana Tower Historical Complex, a UNESCO site. The 11th-century brick tower is all that’s left of the former city of Balasagyn, a once-powerful strategic point on the Great Silk Road. Restored in the 1950s Soviet era, the 24-metre-high tower lies in a sweeping plain backed by jagged mountains. Climb to the top for views and peruse exhibits found during excavations in the complex’s small museum, from Chinese coins to Christian carvings. Your guide will also point out the dozens of intricately-carved Turkic grave markers called Balbals, which decorate the area. Stop for lunch at a restaurant before continuing to Chon-Kemin, a diverse landscape that combines semi-deserts, glaciers, an icy river and endless conifer forests. Traverse the deep valley, which is carpeted by meadows and enclosed on three sides by sheer ridges that rise to heights of up to 4,700 metres. You’ll stay the night at Ashu Guesthouse, where your host will serve a home-cooked meal.
(B, L, D) 

Travel to the shores of Issyk Kul, the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan which stretches 60 kilometres wide and 182 kilometres long and is fed by over a hundred rivers and streams. The lake also claims the title of tenth largest in the world by volume and second-largest high mountain lake on the planet after Lake Titicaca, sitting at an ear-popping altitude of 1,607 metres. Wander along the shoreline or go for a swim; in summer, Issyk Kul’s water reaches up to 23 degrees, hence its name, which translates to warm lake. 

Stop for lunch at a guesthouse before continuing to a collection of Saka-Usun petroglyphs dating from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Your guide will explain the purpose and history of the petroglyphs, which depict everything from hunting to camel caravan scenes. Afterwards, drive on to Cholpon-Ata, where you’ll check into the 4-star Caprice Hotel (or similar) for the night and have dinner. The city lies on the shores of Issyk Kul and was a popular summer retreat during the Soviet era.  
(B, L, D)

Follow the lake’s north-eastern shore this morning to the regional capital, Karakol, stopping to taste mountain honey at apiaries along the way. Lunch awaits at a Kyrgyz restaurant in Karakol, followed by a sightseeing tour of the town. Start by visiting the nearby Przhevalsky Memorial Museum, which tells the story of Russian scientist and geographer Nikolay Przhevalsky, who studied Central Asia’s flora and fauna. Other highlights include the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Chinese Dungan Mosque, a brightly-painted wooden structure.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at Djety Oguz, which translates to Seven Bulls, a reference to the gorge’s most iconic rock formation which is steeped in local legend. Take a light hike to a panoramic lookout where you can admire the Seven Bulls, surrounded by mountains covered with Tien Shan fir trees. End the day with a transfer to Green Yard Hotel (or similar) in Karakol, followed by dinner at a local eatery.
(B, L, D)

Spend your last day in Kyrgyzstan exploring more of its natural wonders. You’ll take a drive through Karkara Gorge, a high-altitude mountain tract that traders traversed during their journey along the Great Silk Road. Savour views of the Tien Shan mountains, watch shepherds’ grazing livestock and spot native birds; Karkara is named after a type of heron from the area. Continue through the lush Kegen Valley, where three rivers meet, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. Now it’s time to say goodbye to Kyrgyzstan as you cross the border into Kazakhstan and drive to the village of Saty, where you’ll check into Saty Village Guesthouse and have dinner.
(B, L, D)

Check out of your hotel this morning and drive to Kolsay Lakes, often referred to as the pearls of northern Tien Shan. These three alpine lakes sit in a national park in the eastern section of Kungei Tau Gorge and were formed by glaciers in the surrounding mountains. Each lake is fringed by forests of spruce trees; the largest and most dazzling is Sredney, which lies at an elevation of 2,250 metres. The park is rich in biodiversity, home to 700 plant species, colourful birds and rare wildlife such as snow leopards and Tien Shan bears. You’ll have free time to swim or rent a boat to sail across the calm waters, which plunge 80 metres in places. 

Have lunch at a guesthouse near the lakes, then soak up the scenery during the drive to Almaty city (5 hrs). Here, you’ll check back into Hotel Kazzhol Almaty and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
(B, L, D)

Take advantage of a free day in Almaty to relax following your epic adventure, or explore the Mega shopping mall, the most popular retail destination in the city.
(B)

Today your Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan adventure comes to an end. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a transfer to Almaty International Airport in time for your homebound flight.
(B)