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Upon arrival at Almaty Airport, meet our guide for a seamless transfer to your hotel. Check-in and rest before exploring the city independently. Discover Almaty’s Soviet-modern architecture, vibrant Green Market, and local cuisine like beshbarmak. Enjoy leisurely strolls or café relaxation in this lively urban hub.
Stay in Almaty
Following breakfast, we will head to Big Almaty Lake, a stunning natural mountain reservoir nestled in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains at an elevation of 2,511 meters above sea level. Spend some time exploring the surrounding area and taking in the breathtaking views.
In the afternoon, we will return to Almaty and embark on a city tour, visiting the vibrant Green Bazaar, picturesque Panfilov Park, and the iconic Zenkov Cathedral. We will also wander through the city’s charming center, admiring its cozy alleys and boulevards. Enjoy dinner at a local café before retiring to your hotel for the night.
B, L, D, Stay in Almaty
Begin your journey to Saty village, a picturesque destination nestled in the heart of Kazakhstan. Upon arrival, proceed to Kaindy Lake, also known as Birch Lake, which is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The lake boasts a vibrant emerald surface, created after a significant earthquake in 1911 formed a natural dam in the gorge. Enjoy lunch at the lake, followed by a relaxing stay at a family-run bed in Saty village.
B, L, D, Stay in Saty Village
Begin the day with a scenic drive to Charyn Canyon, a journey that takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. This natural wonder offering breathtaking views of a unique, nature-crafted corridor.
After lunch, continue your journey along the Kegen-Karkyra road towards the Kyrgyzstan border. Once you’ve crossed the border, proceed to Karakol town, stopping along the way to visit the San-Tash Scythian Kurgans, a site steeped in legend where warriors once collected stones before and after battles. Upon arrival in Karakol, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a cozy, family-run bed and breakfast.
B, L, D, Stay in Karakol
Travel to the breathtaking Altyn-Arashan mountain gorge, traveling in a specially adapted off-road Ural truck designed for passengers. The scenic route follows the Arashan River and winds its way up the hills to the Arashan hot spring thermal bath valley. Take in the stunning natural beauty of the area and enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, hike down to Ak-Suu, a leisurely four-hour trek at an average pace. Tonight, relax at a cozy guesthouse, enjoying local hospitality and comfort.
B, L, D, Stay in Karakol
After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey to Bokonbay village, tracing the southern shoreline of Issyk-Kul Lake. Along the way, stop for an hour at the breathtaking Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famous for its striking red rock formations.
Next, spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the enchanting Kok-Jaiyk Valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the stunning scenery before continuing your drive along the Issyk-Kol lake’s southern shore.
In the evening, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a cozy guesthouse in the village.
B, L, D, Stay in Bokonbaevo
Following breakfast, you’ll embark on a journey to the majestic Song-Kol mountain lake, passing through the charming village of Kochkor. In Kochkor, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a local family for lunch and participate in a workshop where you can learn the traditional art of crafting felt carpets.
After lunch, continue your adventure to Song-Kol, crossing the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass at an elevation of 3,400 meters.
Upon arrival at the northern shore of the lake, you’ll be warmly welcomed at a yurt camp. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in the cozy yurts.
B, L, D, Yurt Camp
Begin the day with breakfast, then spend the morning observing the daily life of a family living at the summer pasture. Watch as they milk cows, prepare cream, and brew tea using a traditional samovar. Enjoy some free time by the lake shore until lunch, which will be served in a cozy yurt.
In the afternoon, depart for Bishkek, where you’ll enjoy dinner at a local café. Finally, retire to your hotel for a comfortable night’s stay.
B, L, D, Stay in Bishkek
After breakfast, we will transfer to Bishkek airport for your flight.
B, Depart from Bishkek
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory - we recommend approximately $5-10 per day for guides and $3-5 per day for drivers as a gesture of appreciation for good service.
Traditional handicrafts including felt products, handmade carpets from Kochkor, eagle hunting accessories, and local honey make excellent authentic souvenirs available at the Green Bazaar in Almaty and local markets.
The optimal time is from May to September when the weather is pleasant, mountain passes are clear, and Song-Kol Lake is accessible - July and August offer warmest temperatures but are peak season.
We recommend approximately $25-30 USD per day for additional snacks, souvenirs, optional activities, and personal expenses not included in the package.
We recommend drinking only bottled water, which is provided during transportation - at higher elevations and mountain areas, even natural spring water should be purified.
Yes, we offer options to extend your stay or include additional activities. Please inquire when booking for more details.
ATMs are readily available in Almaty, Bishkek, and Karakol, but limited in smaller towns and non-existent in remote areas like Song-Kol Lake - we recommend carrying sufficient cash for rural segments.
Beijing - Lanzhou - Xiahe - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi - Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Tashkent
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Great adventure!
Hafiz –
Loved the nature, the people, and the food—especially the fresh lamb dishes!
Highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves nature and culture!
Nurul –
I didn’t expect to fall in love with this trip so much! In Kazakhstan, the mix of tradition and modern life was fascinating. We visited a local market in Almaty, where I tried the best dried fruits and Kazakh snacks. The scenery? Absolutely stunning! But Kyrgyzstan was even more magical—lush valleys, snow-capped peaks, and super friendly nomadic families. Riding a horse near Issyk-Kul Lake was such a peaceful experience.
Seniors' Treat
Lisa –
Our journey with Alex, our skilled driver-guide, was truly unforgettable. His youthful energy and endurance were invaluable, especially in assisting my husband through sand dunes, canyons, and treks—no challenge was too great. As a couple in our seventies, we’re thrilled we embarked on this adventure when we did.
The weather was ideal, and our lodgings, while modest, were impeccably clean. Each day began with a charming local breakfast—simple yet hearty. Though language barriers occasionally arose, the warmth of the people we met shone through. The itinerary was expertly crafted, and Alex’s cautious, capable driving navigated even the roughest 4WD terrain with ease. Yes, the roads were bumpy, but the awe-inspiring vistas more than compensated.
Kudos to the team for such a well-organized experience—we’re already dreaming of our next visit!
Will recommend to my colleagues！
Matthias –
Mein Gott! This Silk Road trip was absolute fantastisch! I am travelling since 25 years but never experienced something like this. The organisation was very good, not perfect like German tours maybe, but the local touches make it special, ja? We started in Almaty, Kazakhstan – very clean city with mountains backdrop, reminds me little bit of Innsbruck! Our guide Nurlan knew ALL historical facts, very impressive. The yurt staying in Kyrgyzstan was my highlight – sleeping under stars in these traditional homes, drinking kumys (fermented mare milk – not so tasty for me but authentic!). The Burana Tower climbing was bit dangerous I think – the stairs very old and no proper handrails! But the view from top – wunderbar! Food was every day fresh and too much – always pushing “eat more, eat more”! I gained 3 kilos, haha! The nomadic horse games – very exciting, these riders standing on horses at full gallop – in Germany would never allow such things without safety equipment! I take many beautiful photographs from Charyn Canyon – like American Grand Canyon but smaller and more red colors. One problem only – the toilet situation in countryside… very basic, yes? But this is part of adventure!
One of the best tour we had
Agnel P –
Absolute blast! We were two families (with kids in tow) and chose private SUVs—best decision ever! Guide Ramil was a walking encyclopedia, broke down the history and traditions in a way that even the kids stayed hooked. Most spots were rural—think endless green valleys, epic mountain roads, and tiny villages. Every drive felt like an adventure. 100% recommend this for families or anyone craving a deep dive into Central Asia’s roots. My 10-year-old now wants to be a nomad, lol.
Great guide and amazingly landscapes.
aleztriplea –
Caught a cold mid-tour, but the private setup saved my trip! No rushing, plenty of rest stops, and cozy rides. Kosta? Legend. Pro-level driver on crazy mountain roads, and his local knowledge was chef’s kiss. Mind-blowing how deserts, lakes, and snowy peaks are all packed into one region. Shoutout to the team for making “sick days” feel like adventure days. Tip: Bring meds, just in case!