14 Days Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Essence Tour

Your guide will pick you up at International Airport and accompany you to Almaty City. Today we will have a city tour. The city is located in a mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Almaty is the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. You will get acquainted with Almaty's history and see the Ascension Cathedral – the second highest wooden building in the world. Then you will visit the Square of 28 Panfilov Heroes. Afterwards you will visit the Museum of Musical Instruments In the evening we drive to Kok Tebe to see the panoramic view of Almaty. Night will be in a hotel.

In the morning we will drive to the Issyk Gorge. The route will take you to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain Issyk Lake. The lake was formed about 10,000 years ago due to colossal landslide, which resulted in the formation of a natural dam of 300 meters in height. At the lake you will enjoy the majestic beauty of its turquoise water surface and the views of Issyk Gorge. We will have a picnic there to spend more time having a rest.  In the afternoon you will return to Almaty city. After arrival we will drive to the “Hawks nursery”. There you will see many birds of prey. At this place people train hawks, eagles and golden eagles to hunt with them. In the evening you will have a night train to Shymkent. Night is in the train. 

Today we will drive to Turkestan. It attracts people with its historical monuments and rich history. You will have a full day excursion in Turkestan. We will visit Azret-Sultan historical-architectural complex and Khodja Akhmed Yassayu mausoleum. He is the first great Muslim holy man that brought religious glory to the town. The mausoleum in honor of Kozha Akhmed Yasaui, was built on a grand scale by Timur in the late 14th century (from 1389 to 1405). Also we will visit Turkistan town’s necropolis, oriental baths, and underground mosque. It is a small but very interesting town! Overnight is in a hotel.

In the morning we will drive to Arystan Bab mausoleum. The mausoleum was erected over the grave of a famous religious mystic Arystan Bab, who lived in XII century. The first building of the mausoleum belongs to the 14-15 centuries. In the 18th century section of the site an ancient tomb was destroyed by an earthquake, was built two domed building with aiwan, supported by two carved wooden columns. The 18th century building was destroyed and in 1909 was rebuilt again. The mausoleum was built of baked bricks. In the afternoon we arrive in Shymkent town. Then we will have a flight to Almaty. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Today we will have a transfer to Bishkek city. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. The distance from Almaty city to Bishkek is 230 km. It will take about 4 hours for the transfer. On the way you will pass a border control. This entire day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the History Museum, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. On route to the gorge you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). After an interesting excursion and climbing on the top of the tower is transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. Here you will meet a nice family that will prepare a traditional lunch for you. In the afternoon we will have 3 hours of horse riding. Your route will go high in the mountains and you will even ride horses through a mountain forest. On the top you will see the panorama view of the gorge. The night and dinner will be in a home stay.  

Today you will be transferred to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608m.above sea level). Its length is 180 km and it is 60 km wide. The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. Thanks to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. At Soviet period the heads of governments had their houses near the lake to have a rest. Your dinner will be in a local restaurant. Night is in a hotel.

The day starts with a breakfast at 8 o’clock. Afterwards, you will start your trip to Karakol city. On the way, we will take a short break to give you the opportunity to visit ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.). These petroglpihs were made more than 2 000 years ago by shamans. Then we continue our way along the northern shore of the lake to the town of Karakol. You will visit the Dungan mosque. One of its highlights is the fact that it was built in a Chinese style without using a single metal nail. The mosque will be followed by a visit to an old wooden Orthodox Church. The night is spent in a guesthouse.

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). When we arrive at Kochkor village you will meet a family who will show you how to make national woolen felt carpets. Night is in a home stay. 

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road (Stone Castle from the 14th century). The building is unique. Tash Rabat is located at the very heart of Tian Shan Mountains.  Tash Rabat was built of stone blocks inside a mountain at an elevation of 3200 m above sea level. In total there are 31 rooms in the mountain. The walls are 1 m thick. There are also underground prison cells formerly used to incarcerate thieves in ancient times. There will be a traditional dinner and the night will be spent in yurts near Tash Rabat Caravanserai. 

After breakfast we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Dinner and overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.

After a breakfast you will have free time at Son Kul Lake, to explore nature on your own. You can ride along the lake on a horse, or just relax and soak in the calm atmosphere of the lake side wilderness. Also you will have time to communicate with nomads and have a glimpse into their way of life. Lunch will be served at 2 pm. Then we will drive to the village of Kyzyl Oi which is situated right in the gorge. The drive to Kyzyl Oi traverses over one of the most beautiful passes, along the top of a mountain. Night and dinner will be in a home stay. This is a very remote village. 

After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During your transfer be prepared for amazing views of impressive mountains and gorges. Today you will see panoramic views of Tue Ashuu pass which is more than 3000 meters high! This road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. You will have many photo stops so that you will remember this day. Fantastic roads, amazing views, nomads, high mountains; ensure your memories of Kyrgyzstan will last a lifetime. Night is in a hotel. 

In the morning is transfer to airport.