Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living

G Adventures · 12 days
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living
12 Days
From AUD $2579
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating

Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living

Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan: Colourful Canyons & Nomadic Living

G Adventures · 12 days
Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

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.

Highlights

  • 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

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle, Walking, Train, 4x4 Vehicle.

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Finishes

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1

Day 1: 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!
2

Day 2: 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.
3

Day 3: 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.
4

Day 4: 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.
5

Day 5: 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.
6

Day 6: 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.
7

Day 7: 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!
8

Day 8: 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.
9

Day 9: 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.
10

Day 10: 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.
11

Day 11: 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!
12

Day 12: Almaty

Depart at any time.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $2,579
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

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.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 24 Apr 2026

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990