Ready for a wild ride through Central Asia? This 12-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is the perfect mashup of jaw-dropping landscapes and deep cultural dives. Hike through canyons that look like they belong on another planet, listen to the desert sing beneath your feet, and learn how to build a yurt like the nomads do. From village stays and yurt workshops to city streets buzzing with history in Bishkek and Almaty — this is one epic journey where nature stuns, culture shines, and every day brings something totally unexpected.
Travel Style
18-to-Thirtysomethings
Service Level
Basic
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Big Night Out Moment: Almaty, Almaty. Free Time in Bishkek. Bishkek Orientation Walk. Burana Tower Visit. Iskra Village Dungan Family Lunch. Shatyly View Point Hike. Free Time in Tamga, Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon. Barskoon Waterfall. Yurt Building Demonstration. Karakol Orientation Walk. Free Time in Karakol. Kaindy Lake Hike Visit. Saty Village Stay. Charyn Canyon Visit. Singing Dunes. Almaty Orientation Walk. Free Time in Almaty. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Marvel at the colourful rock formations of Skazka Canyon and Charyn Canyon, Feel the desert hum beneath your feet at Kazakhstan’s Singing Dunes, Stay with local families in Saty and enjoy a home-cooked Dungan lunch in Iskra Village, Learn to build a traditional yurt alongside nomadic experts, Soak up the local energy in the cultural hubs of Bishkek and Almaty
How large will the group be?
Max 18
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private Vehicle, Walking, Train, 4x4 Vehicle.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hostel (4 nts, multi-share), Guesthouse (5 nts, multi-share), Yurt Camp (2 nts, multi-share).
Itinerary
Bishkek
Arrive at any time. Join your new crew this evening at a welcome moment before heading out for your first night out! Grab a bubbly (water or beer) if you choose and get to know your new travel friends in Kyrgyzstan!
Bishkek
Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, spend the rest of the day seeing the city how you'd like. Opt to join a guided tour of the city or learn to make local Kyrgyz dumplings called manti.
Bishkek/Chon Kemin
Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way to Iskra Village where we will enjoy a yummy lunch with a Dungan family, a group of Muslim-Chinese heritage. After spending time with the family and digging into the yummy food, drive to Chom Kemin for the night.
Chon Kemin/Tamga
Start today with an easy hike up to the Shatyly view point. Take in the view from above before hiking back down for some free time at camp. Take a dip if you wish in Issyk Kul Lake, meaning "Warm Lake" in Kyrgyz. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fairytale Canyon, Skazka. Walk through the wild rock formations that resemble castles and gnome homes. Then enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
Tamga
After breakfast at camp, hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a little waterfall adventure? Then head to Ak Orgo, a G Adventures-supported project that helps bring much-needed job opportunities to the Barskoon region. We'll dig into some lunch then learn how to build a yurt (like the one we're staying in here in Tamga!) Then head back to camp and take a dip in the lake.
Tamga/Karakol
Drive to Karakol this morning and join your CEO on an orientation walk, the perfect way to start your time in Karakol and get to know this city a bit better. Then the day is yours for adventure! Opt to visit the colorful Dungan Mosque, Karakol Market or the impressive Russian Orthodox Church.
Karakol
Fill up on breakfast before heading out for a free day in Karakol. How about a tour of the city? Or maybe get back out into nature with visits to the spectacular Jety Oguz or Aksu Kench hot springs!
Karakol/Saty Village
Cross the border into Kazakhstan, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. Then climb into a 4x4 vehicle to visit the stunning Kaindy Lake. Grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. This evening, connect with local Kazakh culture at our Saty Village homestay.
Saty Village/Altyn Emel National Park
Get ready to see red... red rocks and canyons we mean! Our first stop of the day is to Charyn Canyon. Full of different shades of reds, oranges, and browns, the beautiful Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Then continue on to Altyn Emel National Park where more red and orange rocks make up this beautiful landscape.
Altyn Emel National Park/Almaty
Right on the bank of the Ili river sits the beautiful golden Singing Sand Dunes. On a windy day, when the sad moves across the dunes, it produces a low-pitched humming sound, giving it its name. Get your body moving as you trek through the sand. Return to the guest house for a well-deserved lunch before driving to Almaty. Then join your crew and CEO for an orientation walk.
Almaty
Almaty is on full display as you get to choose your own adventure through the city. We recommend a city tour to connect with Kazakhstani culture. Then see the city come to life at night on your Big Night Out!
Almaty
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
