6-Day Private Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Tour from Almaty

Day 1 · Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lake

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   Charyn Canyon National Park

   2 hours

   Meet your driver-guide in Almaty around 08:00 at your hotel or the airport, as arranged. Drive to Charyn Canyon and explore the Valley of Castles. Walk about 7 km to the river and back, or choose a shorter upper-viewpoint route. After lunch, continue to the first Kolsai Lake for a walk and photos. Dinner and overnight in Saty village, in a guesthouse or yurt; yurt bathrooms may be shared.

Overnight in local guest house with private bathrooms

Day 2 · Kaindy Lake, Kegen–Karkyra Border and Karakol

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   Lake Kaindy

   2 hours Admission included

   After breakfast in Saty, visit Kaindy Lake and see its submerged spruce trunks. Walk with your guide; optional horse riding costs extra. Return to Saty for lunch, then travel via Kegen to the Kegen–Karkyra border crossing. Border formalities can vary. Continue to Karakol for dinner and a hotel stay with a private bathroom.

Overnight in hotel. Karakol

Day 3 · Jeti-Oguz, Barskoon and Fairytale Canyon

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   Canyon Fairy Tale

   one hour Admission included

   After breakfast in Karakol, stop at Jeti-Oguz to see the red Seven Bulls cliffs. Travel along the south shore of Issyk-Kul via Barskoon. In suitable weather and season, continue towards the high-altitude Arabel Plateau; Arabel is omitted in winter and may also be skipped after heavy rain or delays. Have lunch en route, then explore the colourful sandstone formations of Fairytale Canyon. Dinner and overnight in Kadji-Sai at a guesthouse or yurt; yurt facilities may be shared.

Overnight in Yourt camp or guest house

Day 4 · Eagle Demonstration, Aksai and Konorchek Canyons

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   Chon-Kemin National Park

   one hour Admission included

   After breakfast by Issyk-Kul, meet an eagle hunter for a demonstration of the golden-eagle tradition; this is included. Walk in Aksai Canyon, then continue via Balykchy for lunch. Explore the red-rock formations of Konorchek Canyon on a walk adapted to your group and the time available. Continue to Chon-Kemin for dinner and a guesthouse stay with a private bathroom.

Overnight in Chon Kemin

Day 5 · Burana Tower, Ala-Archa and Bishkek

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   Ala-Archa Gorge

   2 hours Admission included

   Leave Chon-Kemin after breakfast and visit Burana Tower. Continue to Ala-Archa National Park for mountain views and a walk suited to your group. We aim to include both stops, but weather, traffic or your pace may mean prioritising one. After lunch, enjoy a short introduction to Bishkek, such as the historic centre, a bazaar or a city walk. Dinner and overnight in a Bishkek hotel with a private bathroom.

Overnight in Bishkek

Day 6 · Return to Almaty or Finish in Bishkek

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   Almaty

   one hour

   After breakfast in Bishkek, return to Kazakhstan through the Korday border crossing. Border formalities and traffic affect arrival time. If time permits, take a short guided walk in Almaty before hotel or airport drop-off, usually around 18:00. A visit to Tamgaly-Tas can be discussed as an optional request in advance; it is not part of the standard route. If a Bishkek finish was arranged when booking, spend the final day on a fuller Bishkek city visit instead of the return journey.