Nomadic Kyrgyzstan

11
Days
June
-
October

It is much more than just a cultural tour; it is an opportunity to truly experience the nomadic culture, and meet with people who are ready to tell you more about their wonderful customs and traditions.

 

During this tour you will travel through the most beautiful places of Kyrgyzstan! Our guests will have a chance to encounter these nomads and chat with them! You even have the opportunity to sleep in their carefully woven dwellings - yurts! There's simply no better way to experience our country! Such experience and memories would never be forgotten... This is an unforgettable journey through the mythical land of nomads!

Program
Day
1

Bishkek

Our guide will meet you at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the Kyrgyz capital, just 30 minutes by car from the airport. Whole day would be devoted to get familiar with places in Bishkek. It includes a visit to the Victory Square, Oak Park, central Ala-Too Square, History Museum, National Philharmonic and many other attractions. But no tour in Bishkek would be completed without visiting our Asian bazaar! We'll show it to you, with a chance to take a lot of pictures of vibrant local life. Our bazaars are cheesy and colorful – tapestry, fabrics, produced right here, and crowd of people buying and selling goods. Traditional dinner will be served at 7 pm. You will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Day
2

Bishkek - Issyk -Kul

At 8:00 am, and you'd be relocated to Lake Issyk-Kul, also known as the the Pearl of Central Asia, surrounded by celestial mountains. It's the 2nd largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above the sea). Salt water of lake Issyk Kul posseses healing properties, which may have a great effect on skin bruises. On your route to the lake you'd visit Burana Tower (minaret from 11th century) and an open air museum of Balbans (which means "stone warriors"). Then you would enjoy a traditional lunch, and then we will drive to the lake. Your dinner will be served at a local restaurant nearby. Overnight is at hotel.

Day
3

Issyk-Kul - Karakol

Day begins with breakfast at 8:00 AM. After that, you will start your trip to Karakol city. Along the way, we will take a short break to give you the chance to take a look at ancient stone inscriptions (since 800 BC). These petrogliphs were made over 2000 years ago by the shamans. Then we'd continue our journey along the shore of the lake straight to the town of Karakol. You will visit the Dungan mosque. One of its amazing facts that it was designed by Chinese architects without a single metallic nail! Mosque would be followed with visiting old wooden Orthodox Church. Our guests will spend a night in the guesthouse.

Day
4

Karakol - Jeti Oguz

Today we will ride in the Jeti Oguz. It is known for its red rock formations, called Seven Bulls - Jeti Oguz . Also you will see Broken Heart Mountain. Make you sure you don’t run out of memory capacity on your camera! Also you can go to the top of the mountain (20 minutes walking) to see the panoramic view of the valley. There are yurts in the gorge, and local people are happy to offer you local drink - kumys. It is the national beverage which is made from mare's milk, and it mildly alcoholic. Your dinner and overnight will be experienced in nomadic dwellings yurts.

Day
5

Jeti Oguz - Kochkor

Then we will ride to Kochkor. We will drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. This is a great chance to see the lake from different perspectives. We will have a short break in the village Bokonbaevo, where we are going to meet the local falconers. They prey on hares and foxes using eagles and falcons (traditional way of hunting nomads). In the village of Kochkorka you will find a family that will show you the way as national woolen carpets are produced. You can even create your own carpet with them! Overnight stay will be in the home.

Day
6

Kochkor - Tash Rabat

After breakfast you will be relocated to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai, straight on the Silk Road! (Stone Castle from the 14th century). This building is very special in its kind. Tash Rabat is located in the heart of the Tien Shan. It was built completely out of stone blocks, inside a mountain at an altitude of 3200 m above the sea. In total there are 31 rooms inside. Wall thickness sometimes reaches up to 1 m. There is also underground prison cells previously used to confine the ancient thieves. Traditional dinner will be held and at the night our guests will stay in yurts right next to Tash Rabat Caravanserai.

Day
7

Tash Rabat - Son-Kul

After breakfast we begin our quest towards the 2nd largest lake in Kyrgyzstan - Son-Kul Lake. This lake is in a bowl of mountains and is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, located at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level, which makes it a noteable record in two categories. Kyrgyz nomads had started to come here, to this wonderful area, bringing along their families for rest and meditation. Shepherders from Naryn region often come to the lake to use it as pasture. After arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the pristine nature of the lake and its surroundings. Dinner and overnight in nomadic wool-woven houses - yurts. They are made of a wooden frame covered with felt coverings.

Day
8

Son-Kul Lake - Kyzyl Oi

After 9:00 am breakfast you will have free time at Son-Kul lake to explore nature at its discretion. You can ride a horse along the lake , or simply relax and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the desert side of the lake . You will also have time to communicate with the nomads and to have an insight into their way of life. Lunch will be served at 2 pm. Then we will drive to the village of Kyzyl Oi, which is located right in the gorge. Directions to Kyzyl Oi passes over one of the most beautiful passages in the upper part of the mountain. Dinner and overnight stay in the home. This is a very remote village.

Day
9

Kyzyl Oi - Bishkek

After meeting with the locals, we will travel back to the capital of Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek city. The road passes through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During your transfer be ready for the amazing views of the spectacular mountains and gorges. You’ll get a chance to see a panoramic view of Too-Ashu mountain which is more than 3000 meters! This road is one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. You will have many photo-stops, and we are going to make sure that you remembered this day! Fantastic roads, amazing views, nomads and high mountains! Your memories of Kyrgyzstan will last for a lifetime! Overnight at hotel.

Day
10

Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek

Today we visit the Ala Archa national park. In Soviet times, people required superior officer permission to go for a walk here. Ala Archa is on a spur ridge of Tien Shan. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see the panoramic view of the valley. If you want, we can go hiking a little more time to see a small picturesque waterfall. Then we go back to Bishkek. Traditional dinner will be held at 7:00. Night will be at the hotel.

Day
11

Bishkek- airport Manas

Morning is an airport shuttle.

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Included

  • Transport:

01-04 pax – Mitsubishi Delica
05-11 pax – 1 minibus Mercedes Sprinter
​11-18 pax – 2 minibuses Mercedes Sprinter

  • Full board
  • Accommodation
  • English speaking guide
  • Entrances to all museums
  • Mineral water during the tour

Not Included

  • Single rooms
  • Early check-in
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa and visa support

Notes

List of Accommodation:

Bishkek – “Grand” Hotel 3* / “Ak Keme” Hotel 4*
Issyk Kul – “Karven” Hotel 4*
Karakol – “Green Yard” Guesthouse
Jeti Oguz – Yurts         
Kochkor – Home stay         
Tash Rabat – Yurts         
Son Kul – Yurts         
Kyzyl Oi – Home stay