Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

DIFFICULTY 3.5/5 | FITNESS 4.5/5 | ADVENTURE 4/5 | CULTURE 4/5

dates

DURATION

15th - 24tH
June 2026

10☀︎9☾

GROUP

11 PAX

A 10-day adventure through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, blending epic landscapes with rich nomadic culture.

Deep canyons, ice cold lakes and Soviet history await you in the thriving south of Kazakhstan.
The raw and authentic nomadic culture is still alive and strong across the border in Kyrgyzstan where golden eagle hunting and the national sport of kok boru fill your day before retiring to lakeside yurt camps.

$2390 USD

Itinerary AT A GLANCE

  • Arrival and welcome dinner/drinks in Almaty

    Arrive in Almaty and settle into your rooms. Enjoy an afternoon city tour including Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and the Green Bazaar. Visit the unique "Sunkar" falcon nursery to see rare birds and a falconry show. End the day with a local wine tasting and welcome dinner.

  • Charyn Canyon & Kolsai Lakes
    Journey to the spectacular Charyn Canyon for a hike and river swim, then continue to the peaceful Kolsai Lakes in the Tien Shan mountains. Experience breathtaking nature and spend the night in a cozy yurt near the lake.


  • Kaindy Lake & Karakol
    Explore the unique sunken forest of Kaindy Lake, then cross into Kyrgyzstan and continue to Karakol for a city tour and traditional Dungan dinner.

  • Commence our 3 day trek through the Terskey Ala-Too mountains. Hike from Karakol Gorge to a remote campsite near Kurgak-Tor, ascend to the turquoise Ala-Kol Lake and cross a dramatic mountain pass (3,860m), then descend into Altyn Arashan for a relaxing soak in natural hot springs before returning to Karakol.

  • Djeti-Oguz & Eagle Hunting Experience
    Hike through the scenic Djeti-Oguz Gorge, passing shepherds’ yurts and panoramic viewpoints before exploring the famous red rock formations. Visit Barskoon Gorge, Arabel Plateau, and the Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyons. Enjoy lunch with a local family and meet an eagle hunter for a traditional demonstration. Overnight in a yurt camp with dinner included.

  • Bokonbaevo to Son-Kul Horse Trek
    Travel to Kyzart and embark on a horse trek to Son-Kul Lake. Spend the night in a traditional yurt camp by the lake. Car transfer available for non-riders.

  • Son-Kul to Bishkek via Burana Tower
    Drive to Bishkek with a stop at the historic Burana Tower and marvel at the famous traditional sport of Kok Boru being played with a goat carcass by local farmers. Continue to Bishkek for hotel check-in and enjoy our last Far Corners tribe dinner together.

  • Bishkek & Departure
    Spend the morning enjoying the capital of Bishkek before final goodbyes and a late afternoon transfer to the airport for your flights home or to onwards itineraries.

This 10-day journey through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan blends cultural exploration, natural wonders, and outdoor adventure. The trip begins in Almaty with a city tour, a visit to a falcon nursery, and local wine tasting. It continues to the dramatic Charyn Canyon and the serene Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes before crossing into Kyrgyzstan.

In Karakol, travelers explore religious sites and then embark on a scenic three-day trek through alpine valleys, turquoise lakes, and hot springs. Afterward, the group visits Jeti-Oguz Gorge and Skazka Canyon, experiences eagle hunting traditions, and enjoys a horse trek to the high-altitude Son-Kol Lake, spending the night in yurts. The journey ends with a stop at the historic Burana Tower en route to Bishkek, where travelers witness Independence Day festivities before departure.

WANT A HAND GETTING TO THE START LINE?
OUR FAR CORNERS CREW ARE HAPPY TO HELP!

    • Accommodation in twin share 3/4* rooms (where available), or eco-accom (e.g. yurts)

    • All meals included, unless otherwise specified

    • All entrance and permit fees

    • All ground transportation and driver costs

    • FCT guide and local english-speaking guides in each country

    • Welcome and farewell dinners and drinks

    • Visa support, if necessary

    • International flights to Almaty.

    • Visa fees (if applicable)

    • Travel insurance

    • Spending money

    • Tips for guides

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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

A cornerstone of Far Corners vision is the provision of sustainable support to locals. These social development projects aim to improve the living standards of the communities that make up the foundation of our tours. This expedition gives back by funding the training of new guides in the Karakol region.

As part of our itinerary, we will be attending the training facilities to meet and see the direct beneficiaries of your contributions in action.

FAQs

  • 83 nationalities do not require a visa to Kyrgyzstan (check if you do here). Nationals that require an eVisa can apply here in advance. 84 nationalities require a visa to enter Kazakhstan (check if you do here). Nationals that require an eVisa can apply here in advance.

  • Absolutely, we have planned out the tours so the dates align enabling you to be able to jump from one tour to the next. Although we don’t cover travel between each tour, we can advise the best way to get from one tour to the next if you choose to book more than one tour! Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is our final stop on our Central Asia route but have a look at our previous tour Tajikistan and Afghanistan here!

  • To get to Almaty you’ll either be coming from our previous tour in Tajikistan/Afghanistan or flying in to meet us. Almaty is very well connected by air from all over Europe, Middle East and Asia.  We recommend arriving in the morning on the 15th of June to ensure a smooth start to the trip.

  • Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are some of the safest countries to travel in when it comes to tourist safety (ranking higher than places like France on Global Peace Index). Our local partners are experts in guiding clients and are constantly monitoring the situation to respond accordingly to any safety issues. Safety is our number one priority and therefore we reserve the right to adapt the itinerary, if necessary.

  • Yes, all adventurers that join us on our Far Corners expeditions are required to have comprehensive travel insurance. Given some of the destinations we visit, it can prove difficult (or very expensive!) to have travel insurance that covers you. At Far Corners we have used Safetywing for our personal and business travels for years and the best part is they don’t break the bank.

  • Our tours are designed for those that are willing to journey off the beaten track and tackle some, at times, physically demanding adventures for example. Once in Kyrgystan we’ll be climbing to the breathtaking Ala-Kol Lake at 3532m, surrounded by snow-dusted peaks then crossing the dramatic Ala-Kol Pass (3860m) before descending to camp in Keldike Gorge.

  • We choose to run our Far Corners tours during the prime season to ensure all activities are available. We will visit diverse landscapes (mountains, lakes, canyons, cities) so temperatures will fluctuate. Given the mountainous nature of these two countries, cooler temperatures/snow are the most likely adverse conditions we will have to deal with.

  • Yes, a non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required upon booking. Alternatively, you can also pay the full amount at booking.