The Grand Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Loop: Eight Days
Altyn-Emel, Kolsai, Issyk-Kul and the Altyn-Arashan hot springs
Two countries on one route. The first three days are Kazakhstan: Altyn-Emel with the multicoloured Aktau mountains and the Singing Dune, Charyn Canyon, the sunken forest of Kaindy and the Kolsai lakes. Then, through the Black and Moon canyons, comes the border and four days of Kyrgyzstan: the Altyn-Arashan hot springs at 2600 m, the red Jeti-Oguz rocks, the Barskoon waterfalls, Skazka Canyon above Issyk-Kul, a birds-of-prey show, the clay canyons of Konorchek and the Burana tower. The road home passes the Tamgaly petroglyphs, a UNESCO site. This is not a sightseeing trip but an expedition — in eight days you cross two ranges and return by another road.
Program
- Day 1Almaty → Altyn-Emel → the Aktau mountains
The transfer into the national park and, in the afternoon, the multicoloured clay mountains of Aktau. Overnight in Basshi village.
- Day 2The Singing Dune → Charyn Canyon
The Singing Dune in the morning, then the transfer to Charyn: the Valley of Castles and the walk down to the river. Overnight in Saty village.
- Day 3Lake Kaindy and Kolsai
The sunken forest with spruce trunks standing under water, then the Kolsai lakes in the afternoon with the hike to the second lake. A second night in Saty.
- Day 4The Black and Moon canyons → the border → Karakol
Two remote canyons of the Charyn park, then the border at Kegen and the road along the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul. Overnight in Karakol.
- Day 5Altyn-Arashan
The 4x4 climb up the gorge to the hot springs at about 2600 m: a soak in hot water with the glaciers in view. Back to Karakol for the night.
- Day 6Jeti-Oguz, Barskoon and Skazka Canyon
The red Seven Bulls rocks and the Valley of Flowers, the cascade of waterfalls in the Barskoon gorge and the red clay formations of Skazka Canyon above the lake. Overnight in Kadji-Sai.
- Day 7A birds-of-prey show, Konorchek and the Burana Tower
Hunting with a golden eagle on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, the clay canyons of Konorchek in the Boom gorge and the Burana tower — a 10th–11th-century minaret near Tokmok. Overnight in Bishkek.
- Day 8Bishkek → the Tamgaly petroglyphs → Almaty
The border at Korday and the last stop of the route: the 5000-plus rock carvings of Tamgaly, a UNESCO site. Arrival in Almaty in the evening.
Price by group size
Price per vehicle
Price for the whole 4x4, up to 6 people. The table shows the per-person cost by group size.
Accommodation, meals and entrance fees are not included — we arrange and book them to suit your budget, paid separately.
| People | ₸/person |
|---|---|
| 1 | from 950,000 ₸ |
| 2 | from 475,000 ₸ |
| 3 | from 316,667 ₸ |
| 4 | from 237,500 ₸ |
| 5 | from 190,000 ₸ |
| 6 | from 158,333 ₸ |
- ✓Driver-guide
- ✓Comfortable 4x4
Route
What to bring
Passport or ID card. Some locations are in the border zone — documents may be checked.
Sneakers or boots comfortable for walking in the mountains; ideally waterproof.
It can be cold in the mountains — bring warm but non-restrictive clothing.
Sunglasses, a cap or hat and sunscreen.
Rain is frequent in the mountains and forecasts are unreliable — bring rain protection.
There's no internet in the mountains — you can't pay by card or transfer.
Calculate price
Calculate price
from 475,000 ₸/person · 2 people