The Kyrgyz land is a place of the untouched wild nature where the people from ancient times still keep their traditions, customs and culture. In the mountains, you can meet the modern nomads who do not change their lifestyle for centuries.
Their simple life can go into the yurt, a felt house that Kyrgyz nomads set so skillfully and decorate it with such love by multi-colored carpets.
A lot of incredible discoveries and positive impressions expect you during this trip.
What's included
All transfers in air-conditioned and comfortable vehicle
Experienced driver
English-speaking guide throughout the trip
Accommodation mentioned in the program
Full board
Visits mentioned in the program
Yurt production
Eagle hunting
Hot Springs
Transfer in Russian SUV Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Karakol
What's excluded
International flights
Personal expenses
Single room supplement
Insurance
Tips for guide, driver etc.
Optional activities
Early check in
Porters for baggage in hotels and airport
Alcohol
Itinerary
Day 1. Airport – Bishkek (30 km, 40 min)
We will pick you up at the airport / border point and drop you off at the comfortable hotel where you can have a rest.
After rest and breakfast, the visit of the city Bishkek is planned. We will visit sights such as the central square Ala Too with its monuments and the Oak park.
After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market, Osh bazar. Just as you step the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a big variety of goods and colors.
Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel / Rixon Hotel or similar)
Day 2. Bishkek – Burana – Cholpon Ata (290 km, 4h)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Our journey begins from a visit the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – it’s all that last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch on the road in the cafe or in the guest house.
As we arrive in Cholpon Ata, we will visit the petroglyph museum. The 42 hectares of the museum are dotted with stone, tombs, balbals and various petroglyphs. These petroglyphs date from the 2nd millennium BC until the 4th century AD.
Then we drive you to the hotel located on the shore of the lake. You can rest on the beach and swim in the lake.
Dinner in the restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Hotel or similar)
Option: boat trip
Day 3. Cholpon Ata – Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe gorges – Karakol (160 km, 3h)
After breakfast, we visit the Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe Gorge. These places are considered as one of the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kul region. You can go for a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and spend a nice time in this beautiful place.
Picnic or lunch in the cafe on the road.
As we arrive in Karakol we visit its famous sights such as the Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque.
You will have dinner in the local restaurant and then take a rest in the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Karagat or similar)
Day 4. Karakol – Altyn Arashan – Karakol (40 km, 2-3h go and back)
Breakfast in the hotel.
This day, we try a special transport (Russian SUV car UAZ) on real broken mountain roads; we have to overcome the enormous rocks, ravines, and pits. This ride should be very exciting and fascinating.
By arriving in Altyn Arashan, you can swim in the hot springs.
You will have free time to walk in the gorge. Lunch in the guest house or yurt in Altyn Arashan.
We return on the same Russian SUV is more difficult because of the relief, so you can appreciate the good skills of the driver.
Arriving in Karakol, dinner in the restaurant and rest in the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Karagat or similar)
Day 5. Karakol – Jety Oguz – Barskoon – Tamga (135 km, 2-3h)
After breakfast we leave Karakol for Jety Oguz gorge.
The red rock Broken Heart located at the entrance to the gorge creates a special romantic ambiance in the gorge. You take a walk there for an hour.
Picnic lunch is planned or lunch in the yurt.
Then we go to Barskoon Gorge with the gorgeous landscapes. You go for a walk to the waterfall Tears of Snow Leopard.
In the evening you will enjoy a real Russian sauna.
Dinner in the guesthouse with a Russian family.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (U Pavla or similar)
Day 6. Tamga – Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu – Kochkor (170 km, 3h)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, we leave towards the village Kochkor and passing on the south shore of the lake, we will visit the Skazka canyons which translate as the “fairy tale”. Here you can find objects of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal can appear in front of you. Walking in the canyons (1-2h).
In Bokonbaevo, we meet an eagle hunter with his bird. You can appreciate the alertness and speed of the bird during the hunting. It is one of the oldest traditions of Kyrgyz nomads.
Lunch in the guesthouse or cafe.
Our next stop is Kyzyl Tuu village where the local family reveals the secrets of yurt production. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation.
Dinner in the guesthouse in Kochkor.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
Day 7. Kochkor – Tash Rabat (240 km, 4h)
After breakfast, we take the road and continue our journey.
On our way, we have to overcome the Dolon Pass (3030 m), then we go to the old caravan stop of the Silk Road period – Tash Rabat.
On the road, we stop in the city of Naryn to have lunch in the restaurant.
We arrive at the yurt camp in Tash Rabat. Tash Rabat is a historical monument founded by monks in the 10th century. At the begging of the Silk Road period Tash Rabat lost its religious significance and the monastery served as a hotel for passing caravans.
Dinner and overnight in yurt.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Option: horse riding
*To note: 6 people per yurt. But in the low season, you can be accommodated 2 people per yurt depending on availability. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
Day 8. Tash Rabat – Son Kul (260 km, 5h)
After breakfast, the beautiful mountain roads lead us to Son Kul Lake.
Today, we overcome the mountain pass Moldo Ashu (3400 m). From the pass, the lake Son Kul seems very small, but descending lower and approaching the lake, it appears as a big and gorgeous lake.
Upon arrival at a camp at the lake, you get to know the hospitality of the nomads, their lifestyle and their customs. Dinner and night in the yurts.
Accommodation: Yurt camp
Option: horse riding
*To note: 6 people per yurt. But in the low season, you can be accommodated 2 people per yurt depending on availability. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp.
Day 9. Son Kul – Bishkek (315 km, 5-6h)
We return to the capital after breakfast in the yurt.
We will return to the civilization descending from Kalmak Ashu pass of 3400 m and passing again by the Boom gorge.
Lunch in the cafe.
As we get Bishkek we will have time to visit the local market to buy some presents, and in the evening the farewell dinner awaits us.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel / Rixon Hotel or similar)
Day 10. Bishkek – Airport – Departure (30 km, 40 min)
A lot of incredible discoveries and positive impressions expect you during this trip around Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Central Asia. ns expect you during this trip around Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Central Asia.