In the Heart of Kyrgyzstan – 14 Days – 13 Nights

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Airport – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 40 min)

Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek.  Standard check-in at the hotel after 2:00 p.m.

A city tour of Bishkek is planned. We will visit sites such as the central Ala-Too Square with its monuments and Oak Park.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the famous Osh Bazaar. Upon entering the market, you will be immersed in a truly oriental atmosphere: an endless stream of people and a wide variety of goods and colors.

Dinner in a traditional restaurant where you can taste Kyrgyz national cuisine.

Note: It is strongly recommended to book an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 2: Bishkek – Sussamyr Valley – Toktogul Reservoir (ca. 345 km, 5-6 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure.

At the beginning of our journey, we have to cross two mountain passes: Too Achou and Alabel. We cross the magnificent Soussamyr Valley with its green pastures and the yurts of the nomads who have settled here for the summer.

On the way we stop at a cafe for lunch (not included).

The road takes us to the country’s largest reservoir, Toktogul. Upon arriving at the hotel, you can take a stroll along the artificial lake surrounded by mountains.

Dinner in a hotel (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

 

Day 3: Toktogul – Sary Tchelek (ca. 170 km, 4h)

After breakfast, we hit the road again. Our goal is to visit the unique Sary Chelek biosphere reserve.

This mountain lake is located at an altitude of 1,800 meters. Lake Sary Chelek is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia. It was formed following an earthquake. You’ll find majestic mountains with their snow-capped peaks lost in the sky.

You drive up to the lake and can take a walk along the lake shore.

Lunch on the road and dinner in a guesthouse (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Guest House.

 

Day 4: Sary Tchelek – Arslanbob (ca. 290 km, 5h)

After breakfast, we depart to Arslanbob to discover the largest walnut forest in the world.

During the transfer, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and take photos. You will drive along Kyrgyzstan’s largest river, Naryn. It resembles a blue snake following you.

On the way, we will stop for lunch (free).

In the evening we reach the small village of Arslanbob. Overnight stay and dinner in a guesthouse with a local family (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Guest House.

Day 5: Arslanbob

Breakfast in a guesthouse.

This day you find yourself in the walnut forest of Arslanbob.

We take a short walk to the first 25-meter waterfall. Then we climb to the viewing point from where you can see the entire gorge. We’ll spend some time here, so you can not only enjoy the view, but also take photos of this wonderful place.

Outdoor picnic or lunch in a guesthouse (free).

Afterwards, we take a walk in the forest. Dinner at a guesthouse (free).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Guest House.

Day 6: Arslanbob – Jalal Abad – Kazarman (ca. 235 km, 5-6h)

After breakfast we drive towards Kazarman village.

You will drive through the Fergana Valley with its endless fields. We stop in Jalal Abad for lunch at a local restaurant (free).

You will be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the locals. The people in the south of the country are known for their warm welcome and hospitality.

Dinner in a guesthouse (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Guest House.

Day 7: Kazarman – Son Kol (ca. 160 km, 5h)

After breakfast, we head to the beautiful alpine lake Son Kol, located at an altitude of 3,000 meters. There, we can see wild yaks and other animals while passing through beautiful places.

You’ll arrive at the shores of Lake Son Kol, where you’ll learn about the life of Kyrgyz herdsmen in the summer pastures. You’ll enjoy Kyrgyz cuisine and spend the night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. You’ll have the opportunity to see mares being milked and drink the traditional drink kumys, fermented mare’s milk.

Dinner in the yurt (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Overnight Stay at the Camp.

Note: 4-5 people per yurt. However, during the low season, you can accommodate 2 people per yurt depending on availability. Toilets and sauna are outside.

Day 8: Son Kol – Tach Rabat (ca. 260 km, 4h)

After breakfast, we set off on our journey. On our way, we will cross the Moldo Achou Pass (3,300 m), then head towards the former Silk Road caravan stop – Tash Rabat.

On the way we stop in Naryn to have lunch in a restaurant (free).

We arrive at the yurt camp in Tash Rabat. Tash Rabat is a historical monument founded by monks in the 10th century. During the heyday of the Silk Road, Tash Rabat lost its religious significance, and the monastery served as a hotel.

Upon arrival, we will visit Tach Rabat. Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Note: 4-5 people per yurt. However, during the low season, you can accommodate 2 people per yurt depending on availability. Toilets and sauna are outside.

 

Day 9: Tach Rabat – Kotchkor (ca. 230 km, 4h)

After breakfast in a yurt, we head towards the village of Kochkor. On the way, we pass the town of Naryn and the Dolon mountain pass (3000 m).

Upon arrival in Kochkor we have lunch in a cafe or guesthouse (free).

We’ll stay at a guesthouse. You can take a shower and relax. Later, Kyrgyz women will show you how to make traditional felt items (optional).

Dinner in a guesthouse (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Option: felt making, folk show

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 10: Kochkor – Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Tamga (ca. 170 km, 3h)

Breakfast at a guesthouse. Departure. We head towards Lake Issyk Kol.

In Bokonbaevo, we meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey. You can appreciate the bird’s vigilance and speed during the hunt (optional). This is one of the oldest traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz.

Lunch in a guesthouse or café (not included).

Later, we visit the Skazka Canyons. Here you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. You can walk there.

Dinner and overnight stay in the guesthouse (free).

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Option: eagle hunting, making and assembling a yurt

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 11: Tamga – Jety Oguz – Karakol (ca. 150 km, 2h)

After breakfast, we head to the Jety Oguz Gorge. The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz, as there are seven giant red rocks resembling angry bulls. You can walk here and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Upon arrival in Karakol, you will have lunch and visit the Orthodox Church dedicated to the Holy Trinity and the Dungan Mosque.

For dinner in the restaurant you will have the opportunity to taste the most popular dish in this place “achlyan fou”, traditional Dungan cuisine (free).

Meals included: breakfast

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 12: Karakol – Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe gorges – Cholpon-Ata (ca. 170 km, 3h)

After breakfast we set off towards Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe gorges.

They are located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kol, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. They are the most famous gorges in the Issyk Kol region. We will head towards the first lake in the gorge.

You can take a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and spend a pleasant time in this beautiful place.

Picnic for lunch or lunch in a restaurant (free).

Upon arriving in Cholpon-Ata, we visit the open-air Petroglyph Museum. There, you’ll find stones, tombs, balbals, and various petroglyphs dating from the 2nd millennium BC to the 4th century AD.

Dinner in a restaurant (free).

Meals included: breakfast

Option: boat trip

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 13: Cholpon-Ata – Bourana – Bishkek (ca. 280 km, 3-4h)

Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Bishkek.

On the way we visit the historical monument Burana Tower. The Tower

Burana is a large minaret located about 80 km east of the capital Bishkek, near the town of Tokmok. The tower, along with funerary monuments, earthworks, and the remains of a castle and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagyn, founded by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century.

After lunch (free), we will have time to visit the local market to buy souvenirs.

Dinner in a traditional restaurant (free).

Meals included: breakfast

Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 14: Bishkek – Airport – Departure (ca. 30 km, 40 min)

Transfer to the airport. Departure.