The best yurt stay in Kyrgyzstan by Lonely Planet
Experience Kyrgyz nomadic life by staying close to the shepherds. See how national drink “kymyz” is made and why it is so popular. Help the locals to milk cows and mares and make bread on a heated stove by fire. Feel the authentic culture and the hospitality of nomads.
Destination: Sary Oi summer pasture, Osh city, southern Kyrgyzstan
Max Elevation: 2400 meter
Distance: 1 hour from Osh city
Accommodation: Authentic yurt camp
Season: late May to late August
It is just an hour drive and 20 minutes’ walk to get to the yurts. Sary Oi is the place where locals from neighborhood areas go in the summertime. They come here to follow the old tradition of making national drink “kymyz” fermented horse’s milk and pasture their livestock.
Why Sary Oi yurt camp?
This is the most scenic spot located between rugged Asan Korgon and Kumbell mountains. The views falling into the yurt are spectacular. The sound of flowing water and birdsong provides a serene environment for hiking along ancient nomadic trails.
Escape the heat of Fergana valley. Osh is it too hot in summer. Just pack your things and go to this yurt camp. Relax in solitude surrounded by the cool evergreen juniper forests of Sary Oi.
What to do around Sary Oi summer camp?
Sary Oi has so many hiking or trekking options. You can either stay near your yurt and walk around or do multi-day treks taking to different villages. A day trek “Kumbell Mountains” can take you to Chyyirchyk pass wherefrom you can take a shared taxi to Osh city. Two days trek “Best Short Trek Outside Osh” city starts in Sary Oi summer camp and ends in Murdash valley with one overnight under crazy and picturesque Ak Tor pass. Also 3 days “Rolling Hills” and 5 days “Truly Nomadic Land” horseback tours go through Sary Oi. Come and enjoy crazy mountain sceneries surrounding this summer camp.
How to get there?
Arrange your private transport with us. Or you can take a shared taxi heading to Gulcha village. This road is a part of Pamir Highway starting from Osh city. Drive 70 km on and get off your car when it reaches the point called Ak Tam with some walnut trees on the right where you can also see CBT sign with directions. Get into this gorge and walk along the river on the unpaved road all the way to yurts, 3hr.
Price in USD:
B&B in a yurt: 30 USD per person per day
Lunch in a yurt is 10 USD per person.
Transportation: 120 USD to/from
