🌍 Between History, Nature, and Traditions in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan – 13 Days / 12 Nights
✨ Embark on a unique adventure through the breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Explore the ancient Silk Road cities, stunning canyons, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and immerse yourself in authentic nomadic traditions.
📅 Season: June 15 – September 15
👥 Group Size: From 2 people
💰 Price: From $1770 USD per person
📍 Detailed Itinerary:
🛬 Day 1: Arrival in Almaty – The Green City
- Meet & greet at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
- Explore Kazakhstan’s cultural capital:
- Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral, the largest wooden church in Central Asia.
- Museum of Traditional Kazakh Instruments.
- Republic Square & Green Bazaar, the city’s bustling heart.
- Excursion to Shymbulak Ski Resort (3,200m) with stunning panoramic views.
- Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
🏔️ Day 2: Almaty – Ile-Alatau National Park – Overnight Train to Taraz
- Hiking in Turgen Gorge, famous for its waterfalls, hot springs, and alpine meadows.
- Lunch in nature.
- Return to Almaty and night train to Taraz.
🚆 Overnight train (comfortable sleeper compartments).
🏛️ Day 3: Taraz – Silk Road Treasures
- Explore the 2,000-year-old city of Taraz:
- Aisha-Bibi Mausoleum (UNESCO), a masterpiece of terracotta architecture.
- Karakhan Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Karakhanid dynasty.
- Tekturmas Complex, a spiritual hilltop site.
- Drive to Turkestan, the spiritual center of Central Asia.
- Overnight at the hotel in Turkestan.
🚗 Driving time: 4h30 – 340 km.
🕌 Day 4: Turkestan – Otrar – Shymkent
- Visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO), a medieval architectural gem.
- Explore the ruins of Otrar, an ancient Silk Road city and birthplace of philosopher Al-Farabi.
- Arrival in Shymkent, a lively modern city.
- Dinner and overnight in Shymkent.
🚗 Driving time: 3h – 250 km.
✈️ Day 5: Shymkent – Flight to Almaty – Basshi (Altyn Emel National Park)
- Domestic flight Shymkent – Almaty.
- Drive to Altyn Emel National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Hike the Singing Dune, a sand formation that “sings” when walked upon.
- Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Basshi.
🚗 Driving time: 4-5h – 290 km.
🌄 Day 6: Altyn Emel – Charyn Canyon – Kolsai Lake
- Discover Charyn Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan.”
- Hike through the Valley of Castles, a landscape of towering red rock formations.
- Drive to Kolsai Lakes, the “Pearls of the Tian Shan.”
- Overnight in a local guesthouse.
🚗 Driving time: 4-5h – 320 km.
🏞️ Day 7: Saty – Kaindy Lake – Saty
- Hike to Kaindy Lake, famous for its submerged spruce trees.
- Picnic lunch in nature.
- Return to Saty village and overnight in a guesthouse.
🌿 Day 8: Saty – Kegen Border – Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)
- Cross the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border at Kegen.
- Arrive in Karakol and explore the city:
- Russian Orthodox wooden church.
- Dungan Mosque, inspired by Chinese architecture.
- Karakol’s local bazaar.
- Overnight in a hotel in Karakol.
🚗 Driving time: 4-5h – 240 km.
🌅 Day 9: Karakol – Jety-Oguz – Ak-Say Canyons
- Explore Jety-Oguz Gorge, known for its “Seven Bulls” red rock formations.
- Visit Ak-Say Canyons, with their unique eroded rock formations.
- Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp.
🚗 Driving time: 3-4h – 190 km.
🐎 Day 10: Ak-Say Canyons – Son Kul Lake
- Drive to Son Kul Lake, a high-altitude nomadic paradise (3,000m).
- Meet Kyrgyz shepherds and experience their traditional lifestyle.
- Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp.
🚗 Driving time: 4-5h – 270 km.
🏔️ Day 11: Son Kul Lake – Kyzyl Oy
- Cross Karakeche Pass (3,600m) with stunning mountain views.
- Arrive in Kyzyl Oy, a remote village in the Tian Shan mountains.
- Dinner and overnight in a local homestay.
🚗 Driving time: 4-5h – 160 km.
🏙️ Day 12: Kyzyl Oy – Bishkek
- Drive to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
- City tour:
- Ala-Too Square, a Soviet-era landmark.
- Osh Bazaar, the city’s largest market.
- Farewell dinner and overnight in Bishkek.
🚗 Driving time: 4h – 220 km.
✈️ Day 13: Departure
- Transfer to the airport and return flight.
📩 Book your adventure now!
📧 info@silkroadhorizons.com
🌟 An unforgettable journey between nomadic traditions and natural wonders awaits! 🌟
