Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan & the Pamir Highway

Meet at the airport and fly via a connecting airport to Almaty.

Our Almaty adventure begins! Arrival at Almaty International Airport early in the morning. There we will be welcomed by our local guide, ready to introduce us to the charm of Kazakhstan’s former capital. After a short transfer, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant, where we will have the chance to taste authentic Kazakh flavours and build up our strength for the day ahead.

Exploring the heart of Almaty Our exploration begins at the legendary Green Bazaar, a colourful paradise full of aromas and flavours. There we will wander among stalls of fresh local produce, dried fruit and traditional spices, feeling the pulse of the city. A unique opportunity to discover the region’s food culture and, why not, to taste some traditional delicacies.

Next stop, historic Panfilov Park, a verdant park dedicated to the 28 Panfilov soldiers, home to the impressive Zenkov Cathedral. Built entirely of wood without a single nail, it is one of the city’s most iconic sights. Nearby we will visit the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, a place that breathes respect and remembrance for the sacrifices of the past.

Panoramic views from Kok-Tobe hill Next comes a magical experience! We will go up Kok-Tobe hill, from where we will enjoy panoramic views of the city against the backdrop of the impressive Tien Shan range. The hill is dominated by the world’s tallest television tower, while the park’s small markets and sculptures offer a relaxed and picturesque setting. The descent will be by cable car, giving us an unforgettable experience with panoramic views of the city from above.

Medeu & Shymbulak – Nature in all its glory After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we set off for Medeu, the highest skating rink in the world! It stands at an altitude of 1,691 metres and has hosted countless competitions and champions. Even outside the competition season, the scenery is impressive and the atmosphere unique.

Our day culminates in an amazing ascent to Shymbulak ski resort, the most famous in Kazakhstan. By cable car we will rise to 3,200 metres, where we will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains! Here we will enjoy the absolute tranquillity of nature and the grandeur of the Tien Shan peaks.

Arrival at the hotel & rest After a day full of sights, experiences and new discoveries, we will transfer to our hotel for check-in and rest.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, our exciting adventure begins! At 08:00 we board our jeeps and set off for the spectacular Altyn Emel National Park, one of the most impressive natural areas of Kazakhstan. Our road trip of 450 kilometres will treat us to amazing views as we cross varied landscapes, from vast steppes to rocky formations.

Arriving at the park around midday, we will settle into a traditional guesthouse and enjoy a meal of fresh local dishes, getting to know the hospitality of the region.

After a short rest, our adventure continues with a gentle hike in the enchanting White Mountains of Aktau. Their multicoloured, lunar-landscape formations are a geological wonder created millions of years ago. We will explore these impressive mountains, admiring their changing colours and enjoying the absolute silence of nature.

We will then visit the 700-year-old willow tree, a unique natural sight that has stood proudly through the passing centuries, linking the past with the present.

After our exploration we return to our guesthouse, where a traditional dinner awaits us. Our day ends relaxing under the starry sky, enjoying the peace and magic of the nature around us.

Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast we continue our adventure with a visit to the mysterious Singing Dune, where the sand produces sounds reminiscent of the melody of a church organ, one of the rarest natural phenomena in the world!

After a tasty lunch at the guesthouse, we head for the imposing Charyn Canyon, also known as the “Valley of Castles”, which recalls the Grand Canyon with its striking geological formations.

Our day ends with an enchanting drive to the Kolsai Lakes, a haven of natural beauty. Here we will settle into our guesthouse and relax, enjoying the serenity of nature.

Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Lake Kaindy, one of the most impressive sights in Kazakhstan, famous for its unique origins. The lake was formed after a powerful earthquake in 1911, when the forest was submerged by the flooding caused by the landslide. The lake’s waters are cold, and that is why the trees remain in excellent condition to this day, visible through its crystal-clear waters.

After exploring the area and once past the dirt road, we will hike up to Lake Kaindy. From the top of the hill we will enjoy the stunning view of the lake spread out before us.

We then continue our journey towards the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border, where we will have the chance to enjoy a unique experience: crossing one of the least touristy border crossings in Central Asia. Once we have completed the formalities and crossed into Kyrgyzstan, we will be transferred to Karakol.

Karakol, a charming town with a rich history and strong Russian and nomadic influences, is the gateway to the spectacular mountain routes of the Tien Shan.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight.

The morning begins with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before we delve into the cultural heritage of the town of Karakol. We will explore the town, visiting the impressive Dungan Mosque, which enchants with its blend of Chinese and Islamic elements, and the Orthodox Cathedral, with its authentic Gothic beauty.
Next comes the N.M. Przhevalsky Museum: here we will learn about the great Russian explorer and dive into the history of the geographical discovery of Asia through unique exhibits.
We continue to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge, whose name translates from Kyrgyz as “Seven Bulls”, where the red rocks and dense fir forests create a breathtaking landscape.
The day ends in the picturesque village of Tamga, where we will settle into a traditional yurt or guesthouse and in the evening enjoy authentic local flavours.

After breakfast in Tamga, we leave the traditional village behind and set off on a road trip through Kyrgyzstan’s incredible nature:
Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon: Our first stop, where colourful palettes of clay and unique geological forms create a landscape that looks like a scene from a fairy tale. Here, together with our guide, we will enjoy an easy hike and be enchanted by the beauty of nature.
Next comes Bokonbayevo village, , whose inhabitants have been famous since antiquity for raising birds of prey. Falconry demonstration. Falconry is the hunting of wild animals in their natural environment with the help of a trained bird of prey. We will savour an authentic Kyrgyz meal in a yurt, experiencing local hospitality and culture. We continue to Bishkek through beautiful mountains, forests and plains.
Our day ends in the capital, where we will check in to the hotel to rest.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Osh. We will meet the local team at Osh airport and then transfer and check in to the hotel after 14:00. After that, we will have free time to enjoy the city.

Osh, also known as the “southern capital”, is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, built at an altitude of 963 metres on the south-eastern edge of the fertile Fergana Valley, right at the foot of the Pamir-Alay mountains.

Depending on our arrival time, we can take a stroll around the city centre. We can visit the local bazaar or the shopping street full of shops and street vendors selling various local delicacies. We can also follow the stepped path leading up the sacred mountain of Sulaiman-Too, which takes about half an hour on foot to reach the point with the best views, at an altitude of 1,092 metres. From there we will enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the whole city of Osh. At the top we will find a huge Kyrgyz flag flying, as well as a small mosque, the House of Babur (15th-16th century), who was a descendant of Tamerlane. The location of this mountain in the heart of the city makes it all the more impressive, and if we visit the area at sunset we will enjoy the most amazing, enchanting view.

Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, after breakfast, a journey begins through the majestic Pamir range:
Today we will travel one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the world, as confirmed by National Geographic, with enchanting views of red mountains, streams and the vast Alay Valley. The Taldyk Pass (3600 m) impresses with its imposing appearance, leading us to the yurt camp at Edelweiss Meadow (3600 m), where we check in and enjoy our lunch with a view of the majestic Lenin Peak. We then explore Lukovaya Meadow (3800 m), a protected area where nature blooms in vivid colours, with flowers dancing in the wind.
The day ends with a walk along the Achik-Tash gorge, where the magical rock formations and the sound of water create an atmosphere of serenity and mystery

Starting with a hearty breakfast, our day is devoted to hiking and discovering natural wonders. Along the picturesque “fjords” of the Achik-Tash river valley, we will come across lakes with multicoloured waters and turquoise surfaces, reflecting the majestic beauty of the Pamirs and the tranquillity of nature.
Our route then leads us to the sacred Lake Tulpar-Kol, where we cross a bridge and experience the traditions of the locals, who consider its waters sacred and healing.
Our exploration ends with a fascinating cooking class, where we will learn the secrets of traditional Uzgen plov, one of the region’s favourite dishes.

The day starts early with a hearty breakfast, and then we set off into the traditional Alay Valley. As we pass through villages and traditional settlements, we immerse ourselves in the authentic atmosphere of the real Asia, where every little house and every road tells stories of bygone times.
Our first stop is the picturesque town of Daroot-Korgon, where we visit the ruins of the ancient fortress known as the “Kurtka Wall”, talking about the generals and trade routes that once made the region central to the Great Silk Road.
We then visit a local family to watch the making of handmade felt carpets, an art that keeps the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz alive.
We continue to the village of Sary-Mogol, where we will watch a demonstration of traditional Kyrgyz costumes and enjoy an authentic lunch with a local family.
Finally, our journey continues towards Osh, crossing spectacular passes such as Taldyk (3615 m) and Chyrchyk (2408 m), on an enchanting route through the Pamirs. Arrival in Osh for check-in and rest.

Breakfast at the hotel opens our day before we head to the airport for the flight that takes us back to Bishkek.
In Bishkek our tour begins with a visit to the enchanting Ala-Archa National Park, where a gentle hike through the lush landscape offers us tranquillity and a connection with nature.
We will then discover Bishkek’s main sights: the central Ala-Too square with its impressive changing of the guard, the statue of Lenin and the Freedom Monument, which tells the story of independence, as well as the Monument to Manas the Great, which honours Kyrgyz mythology.

Shortly after midnight we transfer to the airport and return home, bringing with us memories that will last forever.