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Stans
The Stans are back! One of out bestsellers, with our already classic itinerary over-landing Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Summer is the perfect time to explore the stunning raw outdoors and rich nomad lifestyle. There are few places more off the beaten path than Central Asia and this is a great way to combine these countries. A balanced and very affordable Expedition, where we’ll use our time efficiently to experience the nature and live with nomads. All of it with the best possible company of new lifelong friendships you’ll create.
- Trip dates: Sep 1st - 8th 2023
- 8 days
- 7 nights
itinerary
Day 1: Kok Boru & Song Kul
- In Wander Expeditions we like to start early on Day 1, and fully maximize our time together, so we ask you to arrive at least a day early. You can use that time pre-Expedition to wander around Bishkek, get your bearings and rest.
- Day 1 kicks off with a Kok Boru game in Chon Kemin. It’s the Kyrgyz national sport and one of the most authentic local experiences you can have. From there we’ll have lunch at a local guest house and continue our roadtrip to Song Kul via the Kalmakashuu Pass.
- We’ll overnight in a yurt camp and share a traditional dinner with the nomads.
Day 2: Songkul to Aksai
- We’ll begin our day admiring the beautiful and scenic Songkul Lake. Then we leave our camp and head to Kochkor, to witness first hand how traditional Kyrgyz carpets are made.
- The afternoon will be in Aksai, where we will experience eagle hunting and a sunset horseback ride through the desert canyons.
- Overnight and dinner in Aksai yurt camp.
Day 3: Road to Karakol
- Early morning wake up call to continue our journey to Karakol, the easternmost town in Kyrgyzstan and base to many of the mountain treks and climbs in this area of the country. On the way, we plan to stop at the stunning Skazka canyon, have a picnic lunch in Barksoon valley and mesmerize at the jaw dropping view of Jety Oguz.
- We’ll reach Karakol before nightfall and visit its interesting Chinese influenced mosque as well as it’s quaint wooden church.
- Overnight in a Karakol.
Day 4: Alty Arashan
- From Karakol we’ll take off on a day trip to the mountains through the beautiful Aksuu Valley. We’ll reach Altyn-Arashan’s thermal pools, a gorgeous setting where we will relax and unwind and sink in all the beauty of Kyrgyz outdoors.
- Overnight in Karakol.
Day 5: Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan.
- Today we’ll cross overland into Kazakhstan through the mountain passes that are only open in Summer.
- We’ll explore the incredible Charyn Canyon, with 154km in lenght, it’s one of the biggest in the World, and a little brother to the Colorado Canyon in USA.
- We’ll have some time in the evening to explore the little village life in the mountainous settlement of Saty.
- Overnight in Saty.
Day 6: Kolsai Lake
- Today, we visit Kolsai Lake, an alpine wonder in the southern region of Kazakhstan. From there we continue on to Basshi village and the singing dunes, a sandy desert with some of the biggest dunes you will ever see!
- Overnight at a local guesthouse
Day 7: Journey to Almaty
- In the morning, we’ll visit the white canyons of Altyn Emel and Ak Tau, before heading back after lunch to Almaty, the country’s second biggest city.
- Overnight in Almaty.
Day 8: Almaty
- We’ll explore Almaty in the morning, before heading out and flying back home.
Hotels
Shared rooms in 3star hotels when available.Transport
Private van, or 4WD and driver.Entrance Fees
All entrance fees to sites on your itinerary.Activities
Kok Boru, Eagle Hunting, horseback riding, Nomad games and Yurt camps.Meals
Some meals are included (when we don't have any alternatives to choose from) and some are not (whenever we can have a bit more flexibility and choose what we prefer on the spot).International Fights
Flights to Bishkek and back from Almaty.Travel Insurance
You will need Travel Insurance for the Stans.Meals
In general, meals are not included. Food in the Stans is affordable and thus, we'll have more flexibility to each choose from the different options. However, when staying at some yurt camps or guesthouses, where there are limited options to choose from, meals will be included. It'll depend on the spot on our itinerary, but generally, meals arent included.PCR tests
Around $60. (should you need one for onward travel).

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