Kyrgyzstan Highlights Tour

Day 1. ARRIVAL IN BISHKEK 
Welcome to Bishkek – the capital of Kyrgyzstan. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel (30km, ~1hr). Your local guide will conduct a group briefing in the lobby that evening (time to be advised) before you head out for a welcome meal where you will get to know your travel companions.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Welcome dinner

Special Information:
Keep in mind that many flights into Bishkek arrive very early in the morning. If you would like to be able to check in on arrival, please let us know so we can book an additional night of accommodation beforehand so a room is available for you. The regular check-in time is 1 pm.

Day 2. BISHKEK – BURANA – CHON KEMIN
Driving time/distance: 3 hrs, 150 km
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Bishkek before traveling to the serenity of Chong-Kemin Valley. Along the way stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest sights, the Burana Tower, and learn about its ancient architecture – rare in nomadic culture. The territory where the tower is located was once called Balasagyn town. This town had strategic meaning for the Great Silk Road. Here you will see a small museum with exhibits found during past excavations, providing more details about this ancient settlement, including a collection of “Balbals” – Turkic grave marks. After, drive to Chon-Kemin village. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village and savor a home-cooked traditional dinner. Tonight, stay in a cozy guesthouse run by local families.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 3. CHON KEMIN – ISSYK KUL LAKE – KARAKOL
Driving time/distance: 5 hrs, 301 km
After breakfast, depart to Karakol city via Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca in South America. Its length reaches 182 km and width is 58 km, the maximum depth is up to 668 meters. On the way, we will visit the Open Air Petroglyphs Museum in Cholpon Ata town. Petroglyphs are dated back to the Sak-Wusun period from the 8th century BC up to the 2nd century AD. The territory where the Petroglyphs are found lies below the Kungey Alatoo Mountains with a beautiful view of the lake. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to Karakol city. We will take a short sightseeing tour in Karakol city by visiting the wooden Dungan mosques and Russian Orthodox church. Dinner and overnight stay in Karakol city.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 4. KARAKOL – JETY OGUZ VALLEY – RADIAL HIKE TO SEE THE OGUZ BASHY PEAK
Driving time/distance: 1 hrs, 40 km
Trekking distance/time: 15km / 5-6 hours, Ascent: 340 meters
Today we will take an easy hike to see the astonishingly beautiful panoramic view of Oguz Bashy peak which is located in the heart of Tian-Shian Mountain Range. After breakfast, we depart Karakol to Kok Jaiyk valley, a 1-hour drive. Arrival, start the hike. From the trailhead, we follow the roadbed along the tumbling Jety Oguz river. Stunning white mountain peaks slowly begin to appear as we gain elevation. Reach the viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and pose for stunning photos. After lunch, we hike back to the camp. Dinner and overnight in a yurt. 

Accommodation included: Yurt camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B, Picnic Lunch, D

Day 5. KOK JAIYK – KOCHKOR
Driving time/distance: 5 hours, 260 km
After breakfast, we will drive to Kochkor town. A one-hour side hike at Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon) awaits us. Skazka is a truly incredible destination that boasts an assortment of impressive rock formations. Skazka is one of the highlights of all of Kyrgyzstan. The canyon, stunning in its array of earthen colors, also provides a magnificent view of Lake Issyk-Kul and the surrounding peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Here, we will see an eagle hunting demonstration with a local eagle hunter. Eagle hunting is an ancient tradition to hunt for animals with the help of specially trained eagles. After the show, we continue driving to the Kyzyl-Tuu village where we learn how to set up a yurt. The yurts are the traditional dwellings of the Kyrgyz nomads constructed of a multi-pieced wooden frame that is overlaid with several felt coverings of sheep wool. It takes only about two hours to put a yurt together. There are usually many colorful handmade mats, felt rugs and embroideries to be found inside. After the yurt show, our trip heads on to Kochkor town, a Kyrgyz village whose residents are known for their creation of shyrdak felt rugs, embroideries, and other handicrafts. Local ladies will share their knowledge and expertise in the making of traditional shyrdaks, through a special demonstration and workshop. Try your hand at this classic Kyrgyz art and support local entrepreneurs by purchasing handmade souvenirs from local artisans. Free time afterward to roam about the village, take photos, and enjoy the laid-back local lifestyle.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B, Picnic Lunch, D

Day 6. KOCHKOR-SONKUL LAKE
Driving time/distance: 3 hours, 90 km
Today, we drive to Son-Köl Lake, one of the largest alpine-mountain lakes in the country and considered a sacred place for many Kyrgyz nomads for its best summer pastures. You can spot nomadic herders and their families tending their goats, sheep, and horses. Lunch in a yurt. After lunch, we will ride a horse along the beautiful lakeshore. Alternatively, for those who are not interested in horse riding, a simple stroll around the lake can be had. We will have the opportunity to sample fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (the national drink of fermented mare’s milk). After, we will stay in yurts set up along the lakeshore. Sleeping arrangements are on a multi-share, mixed-gender basis with mattresses on the floor. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there is a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. There are no bathroom facilities inside the yurts – please expect outdoor toilets. Those daring enough for a morning dip can make use of Son-Köl.

Accommodation included: Yurt Camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 7. SONGKUL LAKE – KAZARMAN
Driving time/distance: 7-8 hours, 210 km
Today you travel along gravel roads to Kazarman village, one of the biggest summer pastures in Kyrgyzstan. On our way, we will pass large coal deposits and travel along with the crystal clear Kökömeren River. From there starts one of the major rivers of Central Asia – the Syr Darya. Enjoy the beauty of colorful mountains while driving to Kazarman city. Lunch break en-route. Arrival in Kazarman and a short walk in the village. Overnight and dinner in a Guesthouse.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 8. KAZARMAN TO ARSLANBOB
Driving time/distance: 6 Hours, 240 km
After a delicious breakfast, say goodbye to your host and head to Arslanbob. Driving through big and beautiful landscapes today. The road crosses the Kaldama Pass standing at 3000m. Bushes along the road on mountain slopes delight your senses. Amazing mountain ranges open up on top of the pass. Descend the pass. Arrival in Arslanbob village and accommodation in CBT guesthouse. After lunch, we walk around the village to see the local culture. People claim that their ancestors go back to Alexander Great who once visited this village and brought some wall-nuts to his land later became Greece Nuts. Hike up the waterfall and further the panorama hill to see the scenic view of the village. Home-cooked dinner.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 9. ARSTANBOB – HIKING THROUGH THE WALNUT FOREST – OSH CITY
Driving time/distance: 5 Hours, 200 km
Breakfast. Today we take 3-4 hours walking through the largest walnut forest in the world. Arslanbob’s famous walnut forest is also surrounded by waterfalls and hiking options. Arstanbob is a great place to get a sense of rural village life. The village is quite different from other places in Kyrgyzstan because the people are mostly ethnic Uzbeks – different languages, cultures, and ways of life. Lunch in the guesthouse. After lunch, get ready for another 4-hour journey to Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city Osh, located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country and often referred to as the Capital of the South. We take a short side trip to see Uzgen village with its 12th-century architectural complex. The minaret and three mosques of Uzgen remain an important relic of medieval Central Asian architecture.

Accommodation included: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 10. OSH – ON PAMIR HIGHWAY TO TULPAR KUL LAKE
Driving time/distance: 4 Hours, 220 km
We drive out of Osh along the Pamir Highway, the second-highest road in the world after the Karakoram in Pakistan. After crossing the Taldyk Mountain Pass (3,600m/11,800ft), we will see the stunning and vast Alay Valley with the snow-capped Pamir Mountains towering above 7000 meters. After the pass, we will drive 2 hours to get to Tulpar-Kul lake (3,500m/11,800ft) near the base camp of Lenin Peak. Arrival at our yurt camp and lunch. After lunch, you first will be treated to folkloric shows on the shores of Tulpar Kul lake. During this event, you will learn more about the culture and traditions of southern Kyrgyzstan.

Accommodation included: Yurt camp (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 11. TO THE TRAVELER′S PASS – SARY MOGOL
Breakfast. Today we hike up to the Traveler’s Pass (4100 meters) to see the towering Lenin Peak. Lenin Peak is one of Central Asia’s most impressive and awe-inspiring mountains at 7134 meters. Just three hours’ easy hike will bring us to the magnificent views atop Traveler’s Pass. Glaciated slopes, craggy mountains, and an array of impressive natural features lie under Lenin Peak. Break for lunch on top of the Traveler’s Pass – enjoy snow-capped peaks of Lenin Peak and the Pamir Mountains. After lunch, we hike back to our yurt camp and depart for Sary-Mogol village. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Accommodation included: Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included: B,L,D

Day 12. TO OSH
Driving time/distance: 4 Hours, 220 km
After breakfast, we will head back to Osh city. Arrive in Osh city and check into our hotel. Take your time and enjoy walking around the town. Visit the Bazaars and the Sulaiman Mountain Silk Road Museum. Late in the evening, we will have a farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation included: Hotel  (1 night)
Meals Included: B, L, Farewell dinner

Day 13. FLY OUT – BACK HOME
The trip ends and we depart Osh for our respective corners of the globe with new friends, full of life experiences.

Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Price in USD

# of people	2	4	6	8
price per person	2825	1990	1600	1400

 

Included

Not included

– Airport pick up/drop off – Transportation with experienced driver throughout the whole trip – Accommodation twin room in hotels/guesthouses and 4 pax in one yurt – Three meals a day (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner) – Welcome/Farewell dinners – English speaking guide (except for day 13 – transfer to the airport) – Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo – Yurt building demonstration in Kyzyl-Tuu village – Felt carpet workshop in Kochkor – Horse riding in Son-Kul lake – Folklore and Yak show in Tulpar-Kul lake – Entrance tickets, border permits

– Single supplement – Payment for a hotel early check-in and late checkout – International/domestic airfares – Alcoholic, soft, coffee, mineral drinks – Tips are not included but would be appreciated – Personal insurance and items not mentioned above. – All personal expenses – Photo/video fees at museums – Lunch on Day 1 in Bishkek

 

Join the following groups for  summer 2024
(If the following dates do not suit your travel plans, please contact us, we will post a new tour with your dates and try to collect more people to join you)