Tour from Almaty

Karakol and gorges: Jety-Oguz, Altyn-Arashan

4.8 · 23 reviews

Tour from Almaty to Karakol with visits to famous Jety-Oguz and Altyn-Arashan gorges, hot springs and Lake Issyk-Kul.

WhenOn schedule, 4 days
Duration4 days / 3 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $190/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Karakol and gorges: Jety-Oguz, Altyn-Arashan

Day 1

Transfer to Karakol

Departure from Almaty early in the morning. Transfer across the border to Kyrgyzstan, lunch at a cafe along the way. Arrival in Karakol, check-in at a hotel, dinner.

Day 2

Jety-Oguz Gorge

Breakfast, transfer to the Jety-Oguz Gorge. Walk through the gorge, exploring the rocks and waterfall. Return to Karakol, free time, rest.

Day 3

Altyn-Arashan and Hot Springs

Transfer to the Altyn-Arashan Gorge. Hiking route to the hot springs, swimming. Picnic in the mountains. Return to Karakol, night at the hotel.

Day 4

Lake Issyk-Kul and Departure

In the morning, transfer to Lake Issyk-Kul, walk along the shore. Lunch. Return to Almaty, arrival in the evening.

What's included

What is included: Karakol and gorges: Jety-Oguz, Altyn-Arashan

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the Karakol tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
TS
Talgat Sh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In September we went with colleagues, the weather was great, not hot. The gorges are beautiful, especially Altyn-Arashan. The hot springs are super. The transfer was comfortable, the driver was careful.

Verified review · Order #47638
TT
Temirlan T.
Google ·
★★★★★

My wife and I had long wanted to see Karakol and the gorges, and finally went in August. Aleksandr was our guide on the multi-day route, he is very experienced and attentive, always advised how best to go. In Jety-Oguz we walked through the gorge, saw the rocks and a waterfall, very beautiful. In Altyn-Arashan we climbed to the hot springs, swam, the water is warm, especially pleasant after the road. The weather was hot, but cool in the mountains, so we took windbreakers. Lunch at the picnic was simple but tasty. In Karakol we stayed at a hotel, the conditions are normal. On the way back we drove along Issyk-Kul, managed to walk along the shore. I recommend this tour to everyone, especially if you like active recreation.

Verified review · Order #47341
VB
Viktoriya B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I booked the tour through Madina, she helped choose the date and explained everything in detail. In August we went with my family, the weather was great, we swam in the lake. The only thing is there were many tourists in the Jety-Oguz gorge, but it didn't spoil the impression. Thanks for the organization!

Verified review · Order #47017
MK
Marzhan K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We chose the tour spontaneously, my husband and I wanted to go to the mountains. In August it's hot, but fine in the gorges. Downside - the bus was a bit late. Overall 4.

Verified review · Order #46943
KI
Kamila I.
Google ·
★★★★★

I went with my friend to celebrate her birthday. Anzhelika gathered the group efficiently and explained everything. Downside - there were many people in Jety-Oguz. Rating 4.

Verified review · Order #46456
AV
Alina V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In May we went with a friend for the May holidays. The weather was cool but sunny. The gorges were impressive.

Verified review · Order #43771
SL
Sholpan L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In May we went with my family, the nature is very beautiful. But the bus was late, so we were tired on the first day. Rating 4.

Verified review · Order #42930
VG
Vitaliy G.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour with my wife for our anniversary, we wanted mountains and new impressions. In August it was cool in the gorges in the morning, but hot during the day, so we took both jackets and t-shirts. We liked everything, but crossing the border took longer than we expected, so on the first day we saw Karakol only late in the evening. Rating 4.

Verified review · Order #35353
AU
Aidana U.
Google ·
★★★★★

We chose the tour spontaneously, we wanted to take a break from the city. In July it's hot, but cool in the mountains, we swam in the springs. We really liked it, it's just a pity that 4 days flew by quickly.

Verified review · Order #35252
AY
Adil Ya.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Ezdil v sentyabre s bratom, pogoda otlichnaya. Ushchelya i ozero - krasota, no avtobus starovaty.

Verified review · Order #27801
VS
Vitaliy S.
Google ·
★★★★★

In September we went to Karakol, the weather was good, but cool in the morning. The gorges are beautiful, especially Jety-Oguz.

Verified review · Order #27200
PK
Pavel K.
Google ·
★★★★★

In August we went on this tour with my family, we wanted to show the children the mountains and the lake. The program is packed: in four days we managed Karakol, the gorges, and Issyk-Kul. The weather was excellent, hot, but cool in the gorges. The bus was comfortable, the driver careful. The guide told us everything and answered questions. In the Jety-Oguz gorge we walked among the red rocks, it was impressive. In Altyn-Arashan we climbed to the springs, swam, the children were delighted. The food was okay, the hotel clean. The only downside is the long border crossing, but it was worth it. Thanks for the organization!

Verified review · Order #26396
ZB
Zhuldyz B.
Google ·
★★★★★

In August we went with our family, we liked everything. Especially the hot springs. But the bus is a bit cramped.

Verified review · Order #26329
OZ
Oksana Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We had long wanted to see Kyrgyzstan with the children, and so we chose this tour. In July it was hot, but cool in the gorges, the water saved us. The program is packed but not tiring. We especially liked swimming in the hot springs. The hotel in Karakol is simple but clean. The only thing is the bus was a bit old, but that's not critical. The children are delighted with Lake Issyk-Kul. Thanks for the organization!

Verified review · Order #24750
AE
Anna E.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with my sister for the weekend. Madina helped with the meeting point, everything was clear. In June the weather was pleasing.

Verified review · Order #24437
KS
Kanat S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In May the mountains are very beautiful, the nature of Jety-Oguz and Altyn-Arashan is wonderful. We liked it.

Verified review · Order #22579
DN
Dinara N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We planned a vacation with our family and chose this tour. In October the weather was cool, it's better to take warm clothes. The guide Ilyas knows the mountain routes well and told interesting stories. The Jety-Oguz gorge made an amazing impression. Walking along the shore of Issyk-Kul was wonderful. The hotel in Karakol is simple but clean. The food is delicious, especially at the picnic. Next time we want to go again.

Verified review · Order #19491
AZ
Andrey Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★

In October we went with colleagues to take a break from work. The weather was already cool, there was snow in the mountains, but we were lucky with the sun. The bus went for a long time, we crossed the border without problems. In Karakol we settled into a hotel, the food was okay. In Jety-Oguz we climbed to the waterfall, the views are stunning. We didn't get to the hot springs because of the snow, but it didn't spoil the impression. Lake Issyk-Kul is beautiful in October, but it's already cold for swimming. Overall we liked the trip, I recommend it for those who want to see the mountains in autumn.

Verified review · Order #18310
LL
Larisa L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In September we had a great trip, the weather was warm, the mountains are beautiful. Everything is well organized.

Verified review · Order #17223
KK
Karina K.
Google ·
★★★★★

My family and I had long wanted to see Issyk-Kul, and finally decided on this tour. In August it was warm, even hot, but good in the mountains. We liked that the program is diverse: both gorges and the lake. The hotel in Karakol is normal, but without frills.

Verified review · Order #16383
GE
Gulnara E.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In August we went on this tour, we really liked the hot springs in Altyn-Arashan. The bus is comfortable, but the road is long.

Verified review · Order #16295
GU
Gulmira U.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In June we went with my husband, the weather was cool, but it's beautiful in the mountains. We liked that there was a lot of time in nature.

Verified review · Order #14576
OS
Oleg Sh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In May we went with Sergey, he is an excellent guide, showed and told us everything. The weather was cool, but we liked it.

Verified review · Order #13444

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the tour to Karakol, Jety-Oguz and Altyn-Arashan

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

Take what is comfortable for walking in the mountains: broken-in shoes and clothes you don't mind getting rained on or dusty, plus a hat or cap for the sun and sunscreen. Water and a light snack will be enough for the walking outings in Jety-Oguz and Altyn-Arashan, and it's best to keep your phone or camera charged. The guide will tell you about the other little things before departure. And don't forget your documents for the border crossing — on day one we cross into Kyrgyzstan.

Between the points you travel by bus, and on foot you walk through the gorges and to the hot springs, where the program includes a walk, swimming and a picnic in the mountains. No special training is needed, but basic endurance will come in handy. The guide will tell you the exact duration of the walks before departure.

The format is a group tour, you stay overnight in a hotel in Karakol, and you walk through the gorges at a measured pace with stops — for many parents this is comfortable. But the walking sections to the springs and the climbs in the mountains still require strength, so honestly assess each person's abilities. If you have doubts, we'll clarify for your date on WhatsApp.

The tour runs on schedule, 4 days, starting from Almaty — we'll confirm the nearest dates on WhatsApp. The weather in the mountains is changeable in any season, so weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes are a must. Before departure, the guide will tell you what to expect on the route on your specific date.

Departure from Almaty is early in the morning on the first day, and return to the city is in the evening of the fourth day, after a walk along the shore of Issyk-Kul and lunch. We'll confirm the exact meeting point for your date on WhatsApp. So it's best to keep the first and last days free.

The price includes the bus along the entire route, a guide, and the organization of all stops. Personal expenses, meals unless otherwise stated, and entrance tickets to individual sites are separate. Keep cash or a card handy for these expenses.

This tour is a group tour, with a shared bus and departures on schedule, so traveling with your own group within its framework is not provided — but write to us on WhatsApp, and we'll discuss options for your date. We hold the booking based on a WhatsApp message, without prepayment. You can pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash, and if your plans change, canceling the booking is free.