Kyrgyzstan + Kazakhstan
Central Asia, Caucasus & Mongolia - Self-drive or with driver
Itinerary idea: Almaty, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai lakes, Karkara pass, Karakol, Issyk-Kul, Song-Kol, Kochkor, Bishkek
Strengths: The best of both countries: Kazakh canyons and lakes, Kyrgyz mountains and yurts, low costs
Weaknesses: Changing cars at the border, dirt roads, little medical assistance in the mountains
Children and safety: Two countries in 20 days; border at Karkara pass or Kegen; nights in yurts
Weather: Dry, warm valleys and cool mountains, 15-30 °C
Book ahead: 4-6 months
Key facts
- Best time to go: June to September
- Flight from Milan: about 7 hours
- Rain days in August: 4
- Daylight hours in August: 14
- Driving: on the right
- Malaria: none
- Visa (EU citizens): No in both for short stays (to be checked)
- International licence: Yes
- Currency: Tenge (KZT) and som (KGS)
- Language: Kazakh/Kyrgyz and Russian, little English
- Roads: Paved in Kazakhstan, dirt roads and passes in Kyrgyzstan; rentals usually cannot cross the border
- Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid; consider rabies
Ratings (1 to 5)
- Ease of getting around: 3
- Child friendly: 4
- Scenery and wildlife: 5
- August weather: 5
- Logistics ease: 2