Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan multisport

You’ll arrive bright and early for your first day in Kazakhstan. After checking into your hotel you’ll have the opportunity to rest before your city tour begins. As the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty is the country’s business and education centre. After grabbing bikes, you’ll head on a tour of the city’s most memorable sights, including Zenkov Cathedral, which was built in 1904 without a single metal nail. This impressive building is one of the world’s tallest wooden structures.

A long but exciting day awaits! After an early breakfast your guide will take you to one of the most famous natural sights in the country - Charyn Canyon. Often compared to the Grand Canyon in the US (though much smaller in size), this canyon is known for its unusual rock formations. You’ll walk down to the river and have a picnic lunch before driving onto Kaindy Lake. In the evening you’ll stay in the village of Satty.

Another long day with an early morning start. After driving through the picturesque Karkara valley you’ll have a picnic lunch at the Kegan border before embarking upon the start of your three-day cycling tour. It begins with a 20km ride along the Karkara River at around 200m elevation, where you’ll have dinner and camp for the evening.

You can choose to cycle or drive 35km along the Karkara River to Kyzyl-Moinok Pass (3,370m). Once you reach the top, it’s a 20km ride downhill to wild Sary-Jaz River, where you’ll stop to camp overnight.

The day begins with a 20km descent along the Sary-Jaz River, before a 30km ascent to the Chon-Ashu pass (3,825km). The ascent can be done by car, if you wish. From the top you will descend for another 20km to the forest zone, where a truck will drive you to the town of Karakol.

Wake up after a relaxing nights sleep in the hotel. This will be the first of your three-day trek, with a two-hour minibus transfer to the Karakol valley, where the walking begins. You will hike for around two-three hours to reach the “Orphan” Mountaineer Shelter, where you’ll have dinner and set-up camp.

Lake Kul is often considered one of the highlights of the trip. At more than 70m deep, this glacial lake is a place of incomparable beauty. After a three-hour hike you will enjoy lunch by the lake before continuing onto Ala Kul Pass (3,890m), which offers uninterrupted views of Terskey Ala-Too mountains.

The final day of your trek to Altyn Arashan. Leaving the campsite after breakfast, you’ll trek for 10km to the Altyn-Arashan valley. The valley is famous for its hot springs, which is a much-welcomed natural luxury after a three-day trek! After a picnic lunch, a Russian truck will take you back to Karakol. Dinner will be served by an Uighur family, and you’ll stay overnight in a hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll set out to discover Karakol. Your guide will take you on a tour of the city, including the wooden Dungan mosque, the Karakol Historical Museum and Lake Issyk Kul. From there you’ll head onto Skazka Canyon, which is awash with burnished reds, ochres and yellows from exposed sedimentary rocks. After a picnic at the canyon you will head onto a yurt camp at Tosor, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim before dinner.

Wake up on the banks of Issyk Kul and enjoy breakfast with a view before driving westwards along the southern shore of the lake. Your guide will introduce you to an eagle hunter and then stop at Kyzyl-Tutu, where you can learn how the locals make their yurts. The drive will take you past the Orto-Tokoi reservoir before arriving at Kochkor, where you’ll visit a workshop to see how traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets are made.

After breakfast you’ll be driven to the village of Kyzart, where a local guide will meet you with horses. You’ll embark on a light trek to Kilemche “jailoo”, and then cross a large flat sea of grass called Kyzyl-Kiya jailoo. You’ll continue into the Chaar-Archa valley for lunch by the river and take in the views of the holy Baba-Ata mountain (4,400m). After lunch you’ll follow the trail to Kilemche jailoo for dinner in a family yurt camp.

Ride on towards Jaldyz Karagi pass (3,400m) over the Song-Kul Mountains and into the lake’s basin. You’ll experience wonderful views of Kilemche Jailoo from the previous day before heading down the slopes towards Song Jul lake. This mountain lake sits in the centre of Kyrgyzstan at 3,016m above sea level. The lake is known as the ‘nomad’s paradise’.

Leaving the paradise of the nomads behind, you’ll be picked up and driven towards the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. On the way you’ll stop at Burana Tower, which was built in the 11th-century in the medieval town of Balasagun. Climb up the winding staircase to enjoy stunning views of the Chun Valley. In the evening you’ll dine in Bishkeke.

The last full day of your adventure will be spent in Ala Archa National Park, around 30km outside of Bishkek. Hike for three hours to a beautiful waterfall for a picnic lunch before returning to the city. Your guide will then take you on a sightseeing tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy souvenirs at Osh Bazaar.

After one final breakfast it's time for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Say goodbye to your companions and Central Asia - perhaps you'll return again soon!