Highlights of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Flights before and after the tour are not included

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered.

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners

Other activities and services not included

Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group, Bishkek
Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Song Köl
Your Local Living Moment: Tamga Village Stay, Tamga. Bishkek City Tour. Burana Tower. Home-cooked traditional dinner. Overnight in a Yurt. Free time in Chong-Kemin. Song Kul Lake. Lunch with Local Family in Kochkor. Skazka "Fairytale" Canyon. Tamga Village Stay. Yurt Building Demonstration. Jety Oguz & the Seven Bulls. Karakol City Tour. Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Dungan mosque. Saty Village Stay. 4x4 ride to Kaindy Lake. Charyn Canyon. Almaty City Tour. Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov's Park. WWII memorial. Free time in Almaty. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

CULTURE
Central Asia is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Mixture of Soviet heritage and Islam, summer heat and winter cold, religious conservatism, traffic and crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge.

DRESS CODE
Though you can see lots of people in traditional clothes, Central Asia has adopted western style clothing as well. Don't hesitate to pack your usual travel clothes: in summer it can be shorts and t-shirts, sandals etc. We recommend not to bring tank tops/singlets and any types of clothes with bare shoulders and backs - it is unacceptable in most areas, even in bigger cities. Our tour takes us to many religious sights, where dress code is very strict. We recommend women to have a headscarf in their day bags to cover up when going inside mosques (it's also a great help in the heat in summer). Best things to pack for the hot Central Asian climate is loose, long clothing - long trousers and sarongs or long skirts for women. In colder months (from the end of October through the end of April) it can rain and snow - bring warm clothes, jackets and comfortable warm shoes for walking.

ALTITUDE CONSIDERATIONS
This trip operates at altitudes over 800m (max altitude 3016m at Song Kul ). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatize you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on one's tolerance especially on long driving days.

MONEY
Due to the restrictions on changing money in Central Asia region, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well - many vendors accept them if you don't have local currency.

RAMADAN
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.

COMBO TRIP
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.Song-Köl
- Hiking in Song Kül (Free)

Kolsay Lakes National Park
- Hiking in Kolsay Lakes National Park (Free)

Almaty
- Zelyony Bazaar (Free)

Private van, walking.