Alpine Meadows of Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

SEE FULL GALLERY

5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!

TWO FOR ONE ‘STANS:
You’ll visit two ‘stans on this epic adventure into the heart of Central Asia! Have fun spotting the contrasts between Kazakh and Kyrgyz culture and traditions – similar, but different.
NOMADIC CULTURE:
Dive right into nomadic traditions and culture from the start. Getting from A to B on foot? Check. Watching a kok boru match? Definitely. Learning how to hunt with eagles? For sure. Fueling up on fermented mare’s milk? Err…check?
YURT SWEET YURT:
Who needs cushy hotels when you have traditional yurts? Spend several nights snoozing away in these dwellings that locals have been calling home for thousands of years. You’ll be surprised at just how cosy they really are!
BAGGING PEAKS:
This trek is rated a Level 4! Meaning, you’ll summit high mountain passes that will leave you huffing and puffing (up to 3,800 metres!) and hike for hours on end. But you’re here because you know it’s worth the sweat.
LAND OF LAKES:
Kyrgyzstan has over 2,000 lakes, scattered throughout this mountainous country like jewels. You’ll trek to, and sleep beside, some of the very best! Waking up to sunrise over a high alpine lake? There’s nothing better.

Uncover more info by clicking the tabs below!

Trip Details

Dates Price AUD
(per person twin share)
  • 13 Aug 2026
  • Ends: 28 Aug 2026
  • $7,344 AUD
  • Private supplement: +$1,097 ⓘEven if you come solo, we will match you with a roomie. This Private Supplement is for those who would like to pay extra for their own private room.
  • NEW TRIP
  • Deposit
$1,836 AUD
Private Supplement: +$274

Details

  • 2 week cooling off period applies.
  • Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
  • Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
  • Private supplement available: $1,097 AUD, max 4 spots

Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.

Trip length

  • 16 days, 15 nights
  • Trip starts in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Meeting point

Freedom Hotel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Departure point

Hotel Renion City, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Group size

Maximum 14

Participation requirements

  • You’re open-minded and open-hearted
  • You try to embrace the little things
  • You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks
  • You don’t mind that even in the best restaurants, the service is sometimes a little slow.
  • You acknowledge that all of the above is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.

Fitness

Level 4 or Strenuous 

Our Level 4, ‘strenuous’- rated trips are demanding. You’ll need to be in good enough shape to exercise vigorously for hours on end over back-to-back days. Although the days of trekking will be long and arduous, they’ll be punctuated by intrepid experiences and your ‘off-days’ will be closer to a Level 1 rating, with a comfortable amount of walking. Consider preparing well in advance of your trek by getting used to walking for hours at a time through hilly landscapes.

Camino Women Fitness Levels

Included

  • Arrival and departure transport.
  • All meals during the trip
  • Private vehicle transportation
  • 6 hotel nights 
  • 3 nights yurt camp
  • 1 night guest house 
  • 3 nights fixed tent camp during the trek
  • A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
  • All listed activities and more!

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Any visas required
  • Late check-out at hotels
  • Pre or post-trip accommodation
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Drinks with included lunches and dinners
  • Tip kitty
  • Personal expenditure
  • Horse Riding

Accommodation Preview

Kemin Guest House, Chon Kemin

Nomad Lodge, Issyk Kul

Hotel Renion City, Almaty

Overview

Trip Summary By Days

Trip Map

Get To Know Your Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Itinerary

What You'll See & Do

Day 1: Welcome to Bishkek! 

Welcome to Bishkek, the bustling capital of Kyrgyzstan where your local guide is ready and waiting to say “Salamatsyzby!”. There’s no better way to beat that pesky jet lag than by keeping busy. Luckily, you’re already making memories on your first day, the first being tucking into a yummy Central Asian brekkie. 

After you’ve fueled up, warm up those legs on a city walk of Bishkek. Once a hotspot on the Silk Road, it’s slowly grown into a modern metropolis. This little stroll is just a glimpse of what’s to come! Gather together with your new outdoorsy besties and find yourself slowly falling in love with Kyrgyz culture, with some folklore and a welcome dinner this evening.

Accommodation: Freedom Hotel, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Alla Archa National Park

It’s only Day 2 and you’re already waving goodbye to the big city, and making your way to the Alla Archa National Park. Before you gear up, you’re in for a special visit. You and your Camino tribe will head to a local women’s collective that’s keeping centuries-old crafts alive. You’ll learn how the ladies at AIDAI are preserving the art of felt scarf making and have a go at fashioning your very own.

Then, as you hike your way to the Ak Sai waterfall, you’ll be thankful that your first hike allows you to get used to the higher altitudes. After sharing a picnic (and dreams of alpine treks) with your Camino tribe, you’ll head back to say your final goodbyes to your new favourite city – Bishkek.

Accommodation: Freedom Hotel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Chon-Kemin Valley

Today, it’s time to head deep into the Kyrgyz countryside. It’s a three-hour journey to your final destination, but you’ll stop off in the village of Burana for a bit of a peek at the region’s ancient past.

A Medieval minaret, better known as the Burana Tower, stands almost forgotten, with only snow-capped peaks and ancient balbals to keep it company. These stone figures are the tell-tale sign of a burial site, but it’s also the remains of the ancient Silk Road city of Balagsun. Despite being ravaged by earthquakes over the years, the tower is sturdy enough to climb, and you won’t regret the dizzying heights when you’re peering at the Chuy Valley views laid out in front of you.

After a leg stretching two-to-three-hour hike this afternoon, you’ll snuggle down into your first of a series of rustic yet unforgettable stays – this time a local guesthouse.

Accommodation: Kemin Guest House, Chon Kemin, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kilemche

While you’re probably itching to stretch your legs in the mountains, first you have an invitation to a local sporting event that you just can’t miss. If you’ve never heard of kok boru, this whimsical sport is sort of like polo, but the ‘ball’ is… a goat carcass. While that might sound a little macabre, this incredible show of horsemanship is anything but. In fact, it’s a downright party!

You’ll get a little preview of your hike this afternoon, driving over two mountain passes and drinking in movie-screen skies. Soon it will be time to strap on those hiking boots on your way to Kilemche. Pass through emerald jailoos, Kyrgyzstan’s summer mountain pastures, exchanging smiles with local shepherds along the way. This light, three-hour walk will lead you straight to your first evening sleeping in a traditional yurt. You’ll never forget it – all wrapped up in colour and cosiness inside your traditional nomadic home-for-the-night.  

Accommodation: Yurt Camp, Kilemche, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Song Kul Lake

Get ready to conquer the Jalgyz Karagai Pass today, feeling your first huffs and puffs at both the mountain scenery and the fact that you’re standing at 3,000 metres. 

Looking off into the distance from your rocky perch, your final destination will seem like a distant pond, but that puddle is about to turn into a giant lake – the second largest in the country!

All of your uphill climbs will be well worth the sweat as you walk into your yurt camp, right on the shoreline of Song Kul Lake. Watch the sunset reflect off the mountain peaks, turning the water an otherworldly hue, and dig into dinner. 

They say hunger is the best sauce, but Kyrgyz food is so tasty you’d be digging in whether you trekked all day or not. Go ahead and pinch yourself, you aren’t dreaming!

Accommodation: Nomad Lodge, Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kochkor

Tranquility is the name of the game at Song Kul Lake and you’ll have the entire morning to do as you please. Walk the glimmering shoreline – it’s where all the locals hang – or do as the Kyrgyz do and try out horse riding!

Your aching muscles will sing out praises today as there’s no trekking, but there is something special in store! It’s a three-hour drive through rugged terrain and cloud-reaching passes to Kochkor, broken up with a stop at a local women’s collective where you’ll be welcomed in with open arms and big smiles. Coming with it is a firsthand glimpse at just how painstaking the process of traditional shyrdak carpet making is. You’ll spot these sturdy fibre creations, dyed in rich colours, decorating everything from yurts to fancy hotels throughout your trip. 

Take a break from yurt-camp-living tonight at a local guesthouse. That means a hot shower!

Accommodation: D&D Guesthouse, Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Traditional Rug Making in Kyrgyzstan

The ancient art of felt rug making is alive and well in the heart of Kyrgyzstan! You’ll see felt rugs everywhere, both as insulating wall hangings in yurts and rugs in modern homes. Known as shyrdak, this complex artform is painstakingly all done by hand. The process starts with shearing the sheep before drying, fluffing and picking the wool clean. Eventually it’s felted and dyed to create striking patterns and symbols that are said to hold magical meaning, including protecting the homes they adorn. These felt products make for the perfect, eco-friendly take-home from Kyrgyzstan and an ever-lasting memory of your epic trek through this gorgeous country.

Day 7: Tamga

If you thought Song Kul Lake was a stunner, wait until you see where you’re headed today! The drive is long, but you’ll be totally mesmerised by the second-largest mountain lake in the world passing right outside your window – only Lake Titicaca is bigger! Issyk Kul directly translates to “warm lake”, a bit of a misnomer because its high salt concentration means it never freezes.

Pick your way along the lake’s southern edge, popping into small villages along the way that reveal bits and pieces of Kyrgyz life. A local family is waiting for you in Kyzyl Tuu Village, eager to show you how yurts are constructed, and there’s a special encounter in store for you! Let’s just say you’ll be watching the locals with an eagle eye…

As if you couldn’t be more immersed in nomadic culture today, you’ll be resting your head in a lakefront yurt tonight, watching the sunset on another unforgettable day in Kyrgyzstan. They’re starting to rack up at this point!

Accommodation: Nomad Lodge Yurt Camp, Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Jeti-Oguz

Can you believe you’re halfway through the trip? There’s no better way to celebrate than by waking up on the shores of Issyk Kul with your Camino crew. At this point they’re feeling more like family and you’re probably feeling more at home in a yurt than in a cushy hotel, happily gathered around the fire… worlds away from home. Look at you Miss nomad!

You will learn how elecheck is made. A lovely local lady will explain what it means to wear this traditional female headwear. Put your hand up if you want her to help you try one!

Set out on another foot-powered adventure today, enjoying peek-a-boo views of the lake and tromping right up an alpine pass. A picnic lunch is your hard-earned reward, and after the five-hour hike, you’ll meet your driver once more. It’s a two-hour drive to this evening’s Yurt Camp – but this time you’ll trade snow-capped peaks for the jagged red rocks of Jeti-Oguz!

Accommodation: Golden Yurt Camp, Jetty Oguz, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Telety Valley

Today starts four days of epic non-stop trekking, so lace up the boots and be prepared for views worthy of a tear or two. Head out from camp after a hearty brekkie, there’s nothing like kattama, Kyrgyz bread, and a piping hot cup of tea to power a full day’s hike.

Your guide will lead you along a trail that follows the river through the Aiu Tu Gorge. At its end, you’ll spill out into a heavenly alpine meadow that’s carpeted in wildflowers for most of the warmer months. It’s a perfect picnic lunch spot! Soak in the views and continue on to the foot of Telety Pass. Rest your weary bones – you’ll summit this 3,770-metre peak bright and early tomorrow morning.

Accommodation: Fixed Tent Camp, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Karakol Gorge

There’s nothing like summiting a high mountain pass to kick off the day! You did most of the climbing yesterday which means that today is an easy start, considering you’re heading up and over Telety Pass. It might be hard to catch your breath at the top – you’re standing 3,800 metres tall – both due to the altitude and the panoramic views.

Spend the rest of the day on a gentle downhill slope, through talus fields and alpine meadows until you reach the wooded trails that skirt the East Telety River. Keep your eyes peeled for shepherds and their flock along the way. You never know when you might be invited into a local yurt for tea! Nest down inside the Karakol Gorge tonight, with the burbling river of the same name lulling you into a peaceful sleep. Or maybe it’s the 15-kilometre trek that will have you instantly snoozing.

Accommodation: Fixed Tent Camp, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Ala Kul Lake

Wake up sleepy head, to the soft light filling the Karakol Gorge. It’s an easier day today with only 10 kilometres of trekking and a mix of ups and downs, with plenty of magical tidbits to look forward to. Kick off the day by tromping over wooden bridges, through pine forests and along the gush of mountain streams, all leading you to the highlight of the day – a small wooden cabin surrounded by hand-carved idols. Take the opportunity to stop and rest on the benches inside. You’ll also probably want to take a photo… or twenty! 

Continue following the river until you reach a waterfall, a sneak peek of where you’ll be resting your head tonight! Where could this trickling stream lead? It’s a final push up to Ala Kul, a lake cradled in mountain peaks and so turquoise it almost glows. Your tent camp awaits along its shores. This might be the most memorable one yet.

Accommodation: Fixed Tent Camp, Kyrgyzstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Altyn Arashan

It’s 12 kilometres and over 2,000 metres of elevation gain today, but you have your hiking legs under you by now! Savour this one, because it also happens to be your last big hike.

If you thought the views from the lakeshore were enchanting, wait until you summit Ala Kul Pass. You’ll be doing a little happy dance – this is the highest point of the trip at 3,800 metres! If you’re lucky enough to be trekking on a sunny day, Ala Kul Lake is practically iridescent from above. Pause, take your time here while the scene is burned into your memory. Chances are you’ll be the only ones here… besides the herds of grazing cows and sheep.

It’s all downhill to Altyn Arashan Valley, where you’re about to be rewarded for all your hard work. Spend the rest of the day at a Russian Bathhouse, soaking in 50-degree hot springs, before your ride via Russian military truck to Karakol – yes, really! We’re sure you’ll be dining out on stories about this day for years to come!

Accommodation: Amir Hotel, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Karakol

We’ll let you ease out of the hiking phase of your trip today, on a sightseeing tour through Karakol. You’ll explore the Dungan Mosque and Russian Orthodox Church – both a testament to the city’s surprising medley of cultures and religions.

A local Uyghur family will host you for dinner today. Don’t be shy to ask questions – your guide is there to translate for you. Learn about their customs and traditions and what life is like for the ethnic group living in Kazakhstan.

Accommodation: Amir Hotel, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Almaty – Kazakhstan

Your trip might be winding down, but the excitement doesn’t end here! You’re headed to your second country of the trip today, Kazakhstan. There’s no sugarcoating that today’s a heck of a journey, but don’t fret because you’ll be stretching your legs at stops, in landscapes that are a stark contrast to the powdered mountaintops you’ve been trekking through. 

After a few border formalities, stop off at the Charyn Canyon, your first Kazakh destination. Carved over the last few millennia by the Charyn River, a walk through this red rock wonder will have you saying, “Grand Canyon, who?”. Have a picnic lunch and share some laughs with your Camino crew and the realisation that you’re almost at the end of this adventure… and hug your amazing guide too! You know you couldn’t have done it all without their guidance and support.

Back in the vehicle, you’ll soon see on the horizon, your first real metropolis in almost two weeks. That’s Almaty!

Accommodation: Hotel Renion City, Almaty, Kazakhstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Almaty

Say hello to Almaty today! This is the cultural and business capital of Kazakhstan, and there’s plenty to see. Your last day (how can it be?!) is a jam-packed itinerary that will make the most of your one and only full day in this massive country. Learn more about the Russian occupation at grand monuments and squares like the Monument of Independence, with a more lighthearted pit stop at a local museum that’s chock full of traditional folk instruments.Of course, it wouldn’t be a Camino Women trip without a farewell dinner to reflect on your life-changing journey! Nosh on Kazakh specialties like manty dumplings and baursak bread and toast to high alpine treks through mountains and meadows with a daring sip of fermented kumys, traditional fermented mare’s milk.

Accommodation: Hotel Renion City, Almaty, Kazakhstan (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Farewell Friends

There’s something about feeling the highs and lows of hiking with total strangers that’s almost sure to bond you for life. Hug your fellow Camino Women tight and exchange emails. With memory-making this good, there’s every chance you’ll want to do it together again, somewhere new – and soon. 

A driver will be waiting to whisk you off to the airport unless, that is, you’re continuing your travels in the ‘Stans. This isn’t ‘goodbye’, but ‘see you next time’!

Included: Breakfast

FAQs

Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.

The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:0.64USD.

A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.

There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)

We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.

The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.

Australians and New Zealanders do not need visas to enter Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. 

Level 4 or Strenuous

Our Level 4, ‘strenuous’- rated trips are demanding. You’ll need to be in good enough shape to exercise vigorously for hours on end over back-to-back days, to keep a moderate pace and to partake in activities like cycling and kayaking. Although the days of trekking will be long and arduous, they’ll be punctuated by intrepid experiences and your ‘off-days’ will be closer to a Level 1 rating, with a comfortable amount of walking. Consider preparing well in advance of your trek by getting used to walking for hours at a time through hilly landscapes.

Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.

We’ll be updating this section with the tipping amount and how it’s distributed, soon.

The summer period, from June to August, is the best season to visit Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with temperatures during these months being warm and comfortable. You can expect daytime temperatures to range from 25°C to 30°C, with nighttime lows around 15°C to 20°C.

The days are long and sunny, making this the perfect season for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

On this trip, accommodation alternates between hotels and yurt camps. Hotels range from 3 to 4 stars, depending on availability at each location. Yurts are sturdy, circular tents, traditionally used in Central Asia for thousands of years. They are typically covered in felt or other fabrics, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how colorful, cozy, and comfortable these tents are.

During the trekking portion of the trip, you will stay in fixed tent camps, with double tents provided.

Yes, we offer an optional Accommodation Concierge Service for guests who would like us to organise pre-trip arrival and or post-trip departure accommodation.

The concierge fee is AU$40 per guest for arrival arrangements and AU$40 per guest for departure arrangements, regardless of how many nights are booked. The fee is charged per guest, including when sharing a room (for example, AU$40 for person A and AU$40 for person B). This fee is in addition to the cost of the accommodation.

This service allows our team to take care of all the research, bookings and coordination for your extra nights, so you can arrive feeling relaxed and focus on enjoying your trip.

You are also very welcome to book your own accommodation if you prefer. Some guests choose this option for greater flexibility or access to different cancellation terms.

If you are unsure which option is best for you, our team is always happy to help.

For the Kyzart – Kilemche – Song-Kul trek on Day 4, you will need to separate your luggage. Your main luggage will go in the car, while you take only what you need for two days and one night. This trekking luggage (about 6–8 kg) will be carried by horses, and you will carry a small day bag with your rain jacket, slippers, water, and lunch box.

On Day 8, during the trek from Svetlaya Polyana to Jety-Oguz, your main luggage will be transported by car to the yurt camp. You will carry only your day bag with essentials.

From Day 9 to Day 12, porters will carry up to 12 kg of your luggage. Any extra weight above this limit must be carried by you. You will still carry your day bag yourself, and any luggage you do not need during these days will be sent ahead with the drivers to your hotel in Karakol.

You can bring soft bags or suitcases for your main luggage. A suitcase plus a small backpack is usually the most practical solution. Inside your suitcase, pack an additional waterproof duffel bag for items to be carried by horses or porters. Each guest will need a day bag in addition to their main luggage for carrying daily essentials.

This trip begins in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We recommend flying into Manas International Airport in Bishkek, as your hotel transfer will be waiting for you there. A departure transfer from the final hotel to Almaty International Airport is included in the cost of your trip.

For travelers flying from Australia, the best option is usually a one-stop flight via Dubai.

The official currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyzstani Som (KGS), with banknotes and coins in denominations ranging from 1 tiyin to 5000 som.

In Kazakhstan, the official currency is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT), which is divided into 100 tiyn.

For this trip, it’s not necessary to bring local currency in advance. You’ll be able to easily convert money in both countries. US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency at banks and official exchange offices. Our guide will assist you with currency exchange on-site, should you need any support.

Another convenient option is to use ATMs, where you can withdraw KGS or KZT. Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro are supported, but Visa is generally the best option.

While some major hotels, restaurants, and shops may accept card payments, it’s important to note that both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are predominantly cash-based economies. Therefore, it’s recommended to carry enough cash for places that do not accept card payments.

In the unlikely event of a health or security-related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops. 

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page!

FAQ PAGE

Discover More Caminos

Uzbekistan Culture & Tajikistan Trek Women-only hike
Tajikistan Trek & Uzbekistan Culture
View Tour
The Lycian Way
Turkiye Lycian Way
View Tour