Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Destination:
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Stay:
8 days/ 7 nights
Dates:
August 12-20
Arrival Day
Our journey begins with a city known as a motherland of modern apples – Almaty. This metropolitan gem boasts a vibrant blend of modernity and tradition, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the country's rich history and promising future.
Upon arrival comfortable VIP transfer will bring all guests to the Swisshotel 5*, which is located in a forest area in the outskirts of Almaty. During the first day, we offer optional city tour to our guests, while some other guests might take it slow and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 1
Charyn Canyon is our first stop on the way to a series of three beautiful alpine lakes. Enjoy a traditional lunch set up with the view on the canyon formations and walk around to explore this untouched natural gem.
Later on we will continue our journey to Kolsai lakes. Once we arrive, you will have some time to explore nature wonders with a local guide. In the evening we invite you to the outdoor dinner set up by the lake with fully customized menu of traditional-fusion food and wines. Musicians will be filling the air with beautiful ancient nomadic melodies that evoke the essence of Kazakh culture. Stay a night at a comfortable hotel by the lake.
Day 2
Our second day starts with a hike to unique “sunken forest” lake Kaindy. The lake was created by an earthquake, which triggered a landslide that blocked a river and created the lake. The surrounding forest is also stunning, with tall spruce trees and vibrant wildflowers. In the afternoon we will enjoy our lunch and prepare for the ride back to the city.
In the evening, we invite you to experiential dinner at Sandyk restaurant. Directly from the entrance you are immediately struck by the beautiful fusion of traditional and modern decor. The restaurant also serves as a museum with one-of-a-kind artifacts from Kazakh collectors. Stay a night at Swisshotel.
DAY 3
Today we invite you to enjoy a relaxing ancient SPA experience - Scythian Saka steam bath. The ritual derives from Scythians tribes, which originated in Central Asia possibly around the 9th century BC. The whole experience lasts 3 hours and includes 7 entries to special herbal sauna under the guidance of experienced bath attendant.
The ritual includes scrubbing with herbal balsams, steaming with the besom, herbal tea and bathing in the ice- cold mountain river. You will definitely feel refreshed after this one of a kind experience. Stay a night at a Swisshotel.
Day 4
On our last day in Kazakhstan, we invite you to tour some of the city’s most prominent parks. You will visit Panfilov Park and it’s famous Zenkov Cathedral. Kazakhstan is known for its multi-cultural population, so to add some flavors, we invite you to try traditional Georgian food in the heart of the city center. Pack your bags in the evening, as the best part of the journey begins! We are flying to Kyrgyzstan. Stay a night in the best 5* hotel in Bishkek.
Day 5
Meet the real nomads that still reside in the hidden parts of Kyrgyzstan. The yurt camp located near Song Kul lake is an incredible and unique experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking landscape of the region. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature and admire the stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and the valleys dotted with yurts and flocks of grazing livestock.
The day will wrap up with traditional pre-set dinner by the brand chef of the best restaurant chain in Kyrgyzstan. We invite you to try unique dishes and wine pairings developed especially for this occasion. As the sun sets, accompanied by the crackling of the campfire we will enjoy live traditional music performances.
DAY 6
Join us to see cultural performances next to the scenic beauty of Song Kul lake. Horse games have been an integral part of nomadic culture for centuries.
You will have a chance to become a nomad yourself by going for an exciting horse riding tour. On the way we will meet the real nomads, which will always invite you inside their yurts to drink tea with them. Followed by the games we will see the eagle-hunting show, which is a thrilling display of the traditional nomadic skill of hunting with trained golden eagles. Finalize your day with a traditional dinner in the yurt.
Day 7
Our next destination is a luxurious wooden villa complex located on the Issyk Kul lake. The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For our guests, we will conduct closed-door felt workshop – one of the most ancient nomadic crafts. Throughout the workshop you will see the various stages of the felting process.
Later on we will join the cooking class of dungan cuisine, which is a unique culinary style that originated from the Dungan people. We will spend the evening enjoying banya in “maldivian style” located right on the water, from where you can directly dive into the lake. The experience will be enriched by tasting of fresh local fruits. Stay a night at the best hotel near lake Issyk Kul.
Day 8
Following breakfast at Issyk Kul we will head back and conclude our trip in Bishkek. Upon arrival we will have free time and a chance to explore the city and prepare for the return flight.
Note:
The following is an example of the itinerary planned for set departure trips between June and September. Please note that it is only an example and may be changed at your guides’ discretion due to weather or local conditions
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
8 days/ 7 nights
USD 7,000 per person
Single supplement USD $500 pp (price is based on a minimum of 10 guests)
The price includes:
• all activities from day 1 to day 8 (horse riding, kayaking, saunas, workshops, cooking classes and etc.)
• accommodation in 5* hotels within cities and best available options in remote areas (yurt camp, issyk kul resort)
• entertainment (traditional kazakh and kyrgyz bands live performances, falcon show and etc)
• food and limited alcohol present throughout the trip (preset menus by brand chefs), vegan/ vegetarian options available
• VIP transport across the whole trip including airport pick-up and drop off
• Internal flight (Almaty – Bishkek)
The price excludes:
• visa expenses
• airplane tickets
• additional activities on the day of arrival and departure
• Medical/ travel insurance (which you must have)
Single supplement: Please note that if you book alone, you will need to pay the supplement for a single room/tent. This will be charged on all single bookings unless you have arranged a sharer. Private tours and other dates available upon request for groups between June and September.
More Information
• Arrival and Departure
The meeting point for the tour is Almaty airport. Arrival can be at any time on Day 0 (Arrival Day) and departure at any time on Day 8 or 9 (we can help with arrangements for additional night stay in Bishkek).
• Flights
There are many direct flights to Almaty from Seoul, Beijing, Istanbul, Bangkok, New Delhi or Dubai. In most cases, the best option is to fly via one of the above cities. For outbound flight, you can choose to return to Almaty (1 hr daily flight from Bishkek) or fly directly from Bishkek. Please contact us for further assistance, if needed.
• General visa information
Please note that this is a brief outline; further information will be sent to you once your booking has been confirmed. For majority of the countries visa is not required. However, make sure to check with your local guidelines to confirm if you require a visa to both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
• Health
No inoculations are legally required to enter Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan if travelling from Europe, but tetanus is recommended for most travelers. You should always consult a health professional for further and more detailed personal medical advice.
