Ten days - two countries

Arrival to the airport of Almaty . Transfer to the hotel. Today we will have a city tour around Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park – named after the 28 heroes, who died for freedom and independence of the country. Zenkov Cathedral - the oldest building of the city, that is entirely wooden, built without any metal nails and a Memorial complex devoted to the World War Two and with eternal flame. Continue sightseeing at Green bazaar – a place where you can buy souvenirs, central Moslem mosque, Republic Square with three main symbols of Kazakhstan and Obelisk devoted to the independence.

After the city tour, drive the Kok-Tube hill, where you can enjoy unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of the tallest TV tower in Kazakhstan you can take a walk along the winding paths of the Kok-Tube park, where you will come across "The Beatles" monument devoted to the popular Liverpool band. At the end of the tour take a short ride from the hill to the city center by the cable car.

Dinner and transfer to the hotel 4*.

Meals are on your own.

Almaty – Charyn canyon. This day we will drive to Charyn canyon. Charyn Canyon is a unique natural monument, stretching for 154km along the banks of Charyn river to the east from Almaty. It consist out of sedimentary rocks which are about 12 mln years old. The height of canyon walls can be up to 300 meters. The most interesting tourist place is Valley of Castles, curvy 2-km path through the bottom of canyon will lead you along picturesque mountains, red cliffs and rocks.Walk in the canyons and overnight in a guest house in Saty village.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch / dinner.

Charyn canyon – Kolsay and Kaindy lakes. Kolsay lakes is the system of 3 picturesque lakes which are located 330km south from Almaty on the altitude of 1800, 2250 and 2700 respectively. Area is interesting in its geological landscape and availability of rare plants and tranquil untouched nature. Kolsay lakes are often called the Pearls of Northen Tian-Shan.

Today we will see the lowest lake and walk in its surroundings.
After lunch we will drive to the sunken forest of lake Kaindy which is a stunning view to behold and a lovely place to relax for a picnic when going east from Almaty. In 1911, an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which formed a natural dam on the slopes of the Kungey Alatau range outside of Almaty. The imposing shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest there, were now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide.

Walking in the surroundings and overnight in a guest house in Saty village.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch / dinner.

Saty village – Karakol town. This day you will drive to the border Kegen and cross to Kyrgyzstan. Continue driving through Karkara gorge with stunning views.

Arrival to Karakol town and have a city tour with visiting wooden Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque (XIX century) and local bazaar. Also if you have a desire you may visit the museum of Prjevalsky the explorer.
Accommodation in a hotel 3*.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch (picnic)

Karakol ski base. After breakfast we will depart to the ski base in the Karakol gorge. All day skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice-skating, snowballing, winter fun and a frost-red nose. Lunch at the cafe at the ski base.

Closer to the evening we will return to the guest house.

Meals - Breakfast

Karakol – Bokonbaevo village. In the morning we will enjoy the view of Terskey-Ala-Too ridge and after breakfast will continue our way. Southern shore is more picturesque than its northern brother. Though main hotels, night clubs and restaurants are on the north shore, south side has preserved virgin beauty. We will see the amazing change of landscapes like in kaleidoscope. The first place we will visit today is Djety-Oguz gorge known for its rock formations 7 bulls and Broken Heart.

After that we will drive to the “Fairy Tale” gorge. The whole originality of the place is the frozen in bizarre forms colorful rocks, like after the eruption. Solid clusters made of limestone and sandstone are bulging from the colorful soil and the place looks like the ruins of ancient castles.

The most surprising is that the architect and sculptor of the place is the nature that used only water, sun and wind as instruments. Besides the fancy castles and fairy figures there the structures can also be considered as many-domed churches, and crenellated walls with loopholes; so for example - Sandy fence, which is very much like a "Chinese wall", stretching for several kilometers along the southern shore of Lake Issyk- Kul. Finally we will be transferred to the village of Bokonbaevo. In the village we will visit the house of an eagle hunter and see the eagles, get information about eagle hunting and have an opportunity to hold them in hands. We may also visit the local felt factory.

Dinner and overnight in a guest house.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch / dinner.

Bokonbaevo – Chon Kemin (160km / 3 hours). After breakfast we will drive to the beautiful Chon-Kemin National Nature Park. Chon-Kemin is a unique natural complex, located relatively close to large settlements and at the same time preserving intact natural landscapes from semi-deserts to snowfields and glaciers.

You will be able to enjoy the pristine nature of this wonderful place. On the way we will have the opportunity to visit the amazing canyons of Kok-Moinok in the Boom gorge (the hike will take 2-3 hours). Upon arrival at the ethno-hotel, we will go on a horseback ride around the area (2 hours).

Accommodation - ethno-hotel.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch / dinner.

Chon Kemin – Bishkek (160 km / 3 h). Today we are heading to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. On the way we will visit the historical and archaeological complex - Burana Tower. Burana Tower (minaret) is located on the site of an ancient settlement 90 km from the capital Bishkek.

Historians and archaeologists have proven that the settlement was the capital of the Karakhanid Khanate and was called Balasagun. The city of Balasagun was founded in the middle of the 10th century and Burana Tower is currently the central monument of this complex. We will have lunch with a local family in the city of Tokmok. Arrival in the capital in the evening.

Accommodation in a 3* hotel. Free time.

Meals - Breakfast / lunch

Bishkek. Today you can get some sleep, have breakfast and then go for a walk in the mountains. Today we have a short journey to the nearest Ala-Archa Gorge. Just 40 minutes drive and you will find yourself in a winter fairy tale. Here you can walk to a frozen waterfall (about 2.5 hours one way) or take a short walk along the gorge and feed the birds and squirrels. Lunch in the gorge.

Free time in the evening, you can walk around the city, go to the central square, have dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation - 3* hotel. Meals - breakfast and lunch.

Departure. This morning the car will take you to the airport for your flight home. End of the program.

Meals - Breakfast

Extra day in Almaty - Chimbulak Ski Resort

You can get to Almaty one day earlier to go to the Medeo Gorge, where you will have the opportunity to stop at the huge Medeo Dam, which protects the city from destructive mudflows. From the top of the dam, at an altitude of 1733 meters above sea level, there is a view of the largest skating rink in the world - Medeo, surrounded by the amazing mountains of the Zailiysky Alatau. Here you can go ice skating.

On the other hand, you can go up to the Chimbulak ski resort and spend the day there enjoying the mountain views, skiing and snowboarding.

***Please contact the program manager to find out the cost of additional days.