Adventure holidays

Almaty, Bishkek & Issyk-Kul

Almaty's lakes and Charyn Canyon, the road across the border to Bishkek, and two nights by the alpine lake of Issyk-Kul.

Trip at a glance

Duration8 days / 7 nights
Starts inAlmaty
RouteAlmaty · Bishkek · Issyk-Kul
Places3 destinations
CountryKazakhstan
Ideal forAdventure holidays, Multi-country tours
Trip stylePrivate, customisable
Package codeNX-KP2NJD

Best time to visit: May to September for lakes and canyons; December to March for snow

Request a quote See the day-by-day plan

Charyn Canyon – Almaty

Trip overview

Almaty's lakes and Charyn Canyon, the road across the border to Bishkek, and two nights by the alpine lake of Issyk-Kul.

The route spends 3 nights in Almaty, 2 nights in Bishkek and 2 nights in Issyk-Kul, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits adventure holidays, multi-country tours and couples' holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.

Highlights

Big Almaty LakeShymbulakCharyn CanyonAla-Archa National ParkAla-Too SquareOsh BazaarCholpon-AtaCholpon-Ata petroglyphsJeti-Oguz

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Almaty

Arrive via Almaty International Airport (ALA) and transfer to your hotel
Check in and settle in
Later: Charyn Canyon: Red-rock canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon

Day 2Almaty: Day trip to Charyn Canyon and Skiing (December to March)

Day trip to Charyn Canyon
Skiing (December to March)

Day 3Almaty: Big Almaty Lake and Kolsai and Kaindy lakes

Big Almaty Lake: Turquoise mountain lake above the city
Kolsai and Kaindy lakes: Alpine lakes, one with a sunken forest

Day 4Almaty to Bishkek

Travel from Almaty to Bishkek and cross into Kyrgyzstan by private vehicle, with stops on the way
Check in at your Bishkek hotel
Hike in Ala-Archa

Day 5Bishkek: Ala-Archa National Park and Ala-Too Square

Ala-Archa National Park: Glacier gorge with hiking trails, 40 km away
Ala-Too Square: Central square with the changing of the guard

Day 6Bishkek to Issyk-Kul

Travel from Bishkek to Issyk-Kul by private vehicle, with stops on the way
Check in at your Issyk-Kul hotel
Cholpon-Ata: Lakeside resort with beaches

Day 7Issyk-Kul: Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs and Jeti-Oguz

Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs: Rock carvings up to 3,000 years old
Jeti-Oguz: Red sandstone cliffs, the 'Seven Bulls'

Day 8Depart from Issyk-Kul

Breakfast and hotel check-out
Transfer to Road from Bishkek for your journey home

How this version is planned

Activities booked with licensed, insured operators
Fitness level and experience checked before we confirm each activity
Weather and season buffers built in for outdoor days
Travel insurance covering the activities strongly recommended
Visa applications sequenced for each country

This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.

Good to know

Almaty: Plan an overnight near Kolsai rather than doing the lakes and canyon in one long day.
Bishkek: Many travellers fly into Almaty and drive to Bishkek, then fly home from Bishkek.
Issyk-Kul: Spend at least one night in a yurt camp; the starry sky over the lake is unforgettable.

At a glance

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Route: Almaty, Bishkek, Issyk-Kul
Ideal for: Adventure holidays, Multi-country tours, Couples' holidays
Best time: May to September for lakes and canyons; December to March for snow; May to September; June to September
Trip style: Private, customisable
Package code: NX-KP2NJD

Plan this trip

Request a customised quote

Prices depend on dates, hotel category and group size, so we quote each trip individually.

Request a quote WhatsApp us Call +91 73059 71481

Typically included

Hotel stay for 7 nights with daily breakfast (hotel category as per your quote)
Airport transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary (private or shared, stated in your quote)
Entry tickets for the sightseeing listed in your quote
Visa documentation guidance before you travel
Trip support from our Chennai team on WhatsApp

Not included

International flights unless added to your quote
Visa fees and travel insurance
Lunch and dinner unless stated
Optional activities and personal expenses
City or tourism taxes payable at hotels where applicable
GST and TCS as applicable under Indian tax rules

Final inclusions are listed in your written quote.

FAQs

Questions about this trip

Can I change this itinerary?

Yes. This is a private, customisable itinerary. We can add or remove nights, change hotels, swap sightseeing and adjust the pace before you book.

When is the best time for this trip?

Almaty: May to September for lakes and canyons; December to March for snow. Bishkek: May to September. Issyk-Kul: June to September.

How do I start the trip from Chennai?

The trip begins in Almaty (Almaty International Airport (ALA), with direct flights from Delhi). We can add return flights from Chennai or any other city to your quote.

How much does this package cost?

We quote each trip individually because the price depends on travel dates, hotel category, room sharing and group size. Request a quote and we send a price on WhatsApp.

What documents do I need?

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is commonly required. Visa and entry rules for Indian citizens vary by country and change, so we confirm the current requirements from official sources when you book.