Tour overview

This 11-day small-group adventure crosses two of Central Asia's least-visited countries, from the gleaming modern capital of Kazakhstan to the mountains and alpine lakes of Kyrgyzstan along the old Silk Road. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with a leader throughout and a local guide in Almaty. You spend ten nights: six in hotels, one on an overnight sleeper train and three in a homestay and guesthouses. Ten breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners are included, among them a winery lunch and a picnic by the lakes.

Astana, purpose-built as the capital in 1997, is a city of bold architecture, and a city tour takes you to the Bayterek Tower, the giant tent of Khan Shatyr, the Nur-Astana Mosque and the pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, before a visit to a local jeweller's workshop. A flight brings you south to Turkistan, the spiritual heart of the country, to see the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, built by Tamerlane and listed by UNESCO, and the ruins of Otrar, an ancient Silk Road city, before boarding the overnight train to Almaty.

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From Almaty you visit Lake Issyk and hike to a waterfall in Turgen Gorge, then meet a craft winemaker for a tasting and lunch. A city tour reveals the colourful Zenkov Cathedral, the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments and the Green Bazaar. Heading east, you stop at Charyn Canyon, whose red and orange walls are often compared to the Grand Canyon, and spend a night in a homestay in Saty village in the Tien Shan mountains.

Kolsay Lakes, known as the blue necklace, and Kaindy Lake, with its sunken forest of tree trunks rising from turquoise water, are the highlights of a day of hiking before you cross into Kyrgyzstan. In Karakol you visit the Dungan Mosque, built without a single nail, and hike to a waterfall in the red-rock Jeti-Oguz valley. A final day follows the shore of Issyk-Kul, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world, with petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata and a boat trip, before arriving in Bishkek.

The physical rating is medium, with short hikes and long drives. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to discover a remote corner of the world.

Trip highlights

  • Astana's modern architecture (Day 2)
  • The Yasawi Mausoleum in Turkistan (Day 4)
  • An overnight train to Almaty (Day 4)
  • Charyn Canyon (Day 7)
  • Kolsay and Kaindy lakes (Day 8)
  • A boat trip on Lake Issyk-Kul (Day 10)

Your route

10 stops from Astana to Bishkek

11-day route: Astana – Turkistan – Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kolsay Lakes – Karakol – Issyk-Kul – Bishkek
  1. Astana Days 1–2
  2. Turkistan Days 3–4
  3. Otrar Ancient Settlement Day 4
  4. Almaty Days 5–6
  5. Charyn Canyon Day 7
  6. Kolsay Lakes National Park Day 7
  7. Kaindy Lake Day 8
  8. Karakol Days 8–9
  9. Cholpon-Ata Day 10
  10. Bishkek Days 10–11

Why choose this tour

Two Central Asian countries rarely seen by visitors. A homestay, an overnight train and mountain hikes in one trip.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Travellers who want somewhere new
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
  • Nature and history lovers
The Bayterek Tower in Astana

Day-by-day itinerary

11 days from Astana, Kazakhstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

  1. Day 1 · Astana Arrive in Astana

    A welcome meeting and Kazakh dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr Astana

    A tour of the modern capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Turkistan Turkistan

    Fly to the historic heart of Kazakhstan.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Yasawi Mausoleum, Otrar Otrar

    A mausoleum, ruins and the night train.

    Hotel
    Sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Lake Issyk, Turgen Gorge Almaty

    A lake, a waterfall and a winery.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar Almaty

    A city tour with a local guide.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Charyn Canyon, Saty Saty village

    A canyon and a mountain homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake Karakol

    Hike the lakes and cross into Kyrgyzstan.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  9. Day 9 · Dungan Mosque, Jeti-Oguz Karakol

    A town tour and a valley hike.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Bishkek

    Petroglyphs and a lake boat trip.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  11. Day 11 · Bishkek Trip ends

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Tilework on the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum

Where you stay

  • Astana (2 nights) Hotel
  • Turkistan (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Almaty (2 nights) Hotel
  • Saty village (1 night) Homestay
  • Karakol (2 nights) Guesthouse
  • Bishkek (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 6 nights in hotels, 1 on a train and 3 in a homestay and guesthouses
  • Meals 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Flight from Astana to Turkistan and an overnight sleeper train
  • Private transport throughout
  • City tours of Astana, Turkistan, Almaty and Karakol
  • Hikes at Turgen Gorge, Kolsay Lakes and Jeti-Oguz
  • Winery tasting and a boat trip on Issyk-Kul
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Meals not included 6 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Visas if required
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The sunken forest of Kaindy Lake

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury
  • You dislike long drives or sleeper trains
  • You want a single room every night
  • You want flights to Kazakhstan included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–11 · Lunch: Days 5, 8 and 10 · Dinner: Days 1 and 7
Visitors at the historic sites of Turkistan

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,295 per person, twin share, tour only. 36 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the overnight train like?

Shared sleeper compartments. Pack a small bag with essentials for the night.

Can I have a single room?

A supplement is available, except on the train and at the Saty homestay.

How much hiking is there?

Short hikes to waterfalls and lakes on Days 5, 8 and 9. Wear broken-in walking shoes.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors can usually visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan visa-free for short stays. Check the latest advice before travel.

How remote is the route?

Outside Astana and Almaty, much of the route sees few foreign visitors.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,295
See dates & prices