Classic Kyrgyzstan
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Kyrgyzstan may not be your first thought for a getaway but, for the visionaries out there, it is a country ripe for exploration by those with a real sense of adventure. Hosting the spectacular peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, the fresh alpine lakes of Son Kul and Issyk Kul, and the striking valleys and canyons of Jety Oguz and Chon Kemin, these are lands rooted in the times of the old Silk Road with long-held nomadic traditions.
The itinerary begins in Bishkek, ...
Kyrgyzstan may not be your first thought for a getaway but, for the visionaries out there, it is a country ripe for exploration by those with a real sense of adventure. Hosting the spectacular peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, the fresh alpine lakes of Son Kul and Issyk Kul, and the striking valleys and canyons of Jety Oguz and Chon Kemin, these are lands rooted in the times of the old Silk Road with long-held nomadic traditions.
The itinerary begins in Bishkek, the country’s capital, dramatically located in a valley near the border with Kazakhstan. After a chance to tour the city, lose yourself amongst the meandering stalls of the Osh Bazaar and visit the nearby mountains of the Ala Archa National Park, you will head to the shores of Son Kul lake in the centre of the country. Here, you’ll get your first taste of nomadic life staying in a yurt camp amongst local nomads whilst exploring the surrounding mountain landscapes. Next, head to the country’s largest lake, Issyk Kul, stopping at local villages for insight into the Kyrgyz traditions of felt making and eagle hunting. Enjoy a day of hiking and picnicking around the striking red cliffs of the Jety-Oguz Canyon.
Then, stop at one of Kyrgyzstan’s most interesting towns, Karakol, for an opportunity to visit the country’s oldest Orthodox church and a Chinese-style mosque on your way to your final destination, where you’ll horse ride through the fir forests and fertile mountains of the Chon Kemin Valley before ending back in Bishkek.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Bishkek: City Tour
Early this morning, you’ll arrive in the capital splendidly set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Your Kyrgyz guide will meet you at the airport, ready to take you straight to your hotel where early check-in has been arranged and a comfy bed and shower waiting for you after your flight. After some time to rest and refresh, you’ll head out on an afternoon tour through the city visiting its highlights like the main square, the State National Museum and the Osh Bazaar filled with aromas of freshly baked Kyrgyz bread.
Day 2 Bishkek: Ala Archa National Park
Escape the city and enjoy a day trip to Ala Archa Canyon, part of the Ala Archa National Park. Here, you can walk one of the various routes into the mountains for amazing views over the pine and juniper-covered park. Ala Archa is a favourite getaway of the citizens of Bishkek and you can follow their lead hiking through its unspoilt nature and a stopping for a picnic at one of the many scenic spots, perhaps under a cooling waterfall.
Day 3 Bishkek – Burana Tower – Son Kul Lake
Leaving Bishkek, you’ll drive south through picturesque mountain gorges to Son Kul lake via the Burana Tower and petroglyphs, said to date from between 500 BC to 100 AD. This evening will be spent in a yurt, the traditional home of the Kyrgyz nomads, on the shores of lake Son Kul where you can enjoy local hospitality within a spectacular setting. If in luck, there may be a game of kok buru (perhaps better known by its Afghan name buzkashi) going on for some entertainment, in which riders compete to place a headless goat in a goal.
Day 4 Son Kul: Life Around the Lake
Head out from your cosy yurt to explore the remote area on foot. The meadows surrounding the lake are dotted with other nomadic yurts and provide a good opportunity to learn about traditional life in the Kyrgyz summer pastures. During your stay you are bound to be offered kumyz, the Kyrgyz national drink made from fermented mares' milk.
*There is also the option to explore the area via horseback, renting horses from some of the local nomads.
Day 5 Son Kul Lake – Bokonbayevo – Jety Oguz Canyon: Felt Making & Eagle Hunting Traditions
In the morning drive to lake Issyk Kul, the second largest mountain lake after Titicaca in South America, passing along its southern shore. Break up the long, scenic drive with a visit to see a family-run felt workshop where you can learn about this intrinsic craft in Kyrgyz culture. Witness the full felt making process and try your hand at some creative finishing touches. There’ll also be a stop to see an eagle hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo village in which the hunters demonstrate the mastered art of using these regal birds to catch hares and other small animals. The journey ends at your next yurt stay benefitting from views of the magnificent Oguz-Bashi peak.
Day 6 Jety Oguz Canyon: Canyon Hiking
A short drive brings you to the fiery red rocks of the Jety Oguz Canyon. Enjoy a full day exploring the canyon and the lovely surrounding landscape dotted with green valleys, fir forests and high glaciers. Hike along pristine trails and following crystal-clear streams, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch stop amongst the breathtaking views.
*There is also the option to explore the area via horseback, renting horses from some of the local nomads.
Day 7 Jety Oguz Canyon – Karakol – Chon Kemin Valley
After breakfast at your camp, drive to Karakol at the eastern end of the lake to visit one of the oldest Orthodox churches in Kyrgyzstan as well as a Chinese-style mosque, learning about the town’s fascinating history and cultural heritage. Then drive to the rural Chon Kemin Valley looping around the lake’s northern shore.
Day 8 Chon Kemin Valley – Bishkek: Horse Riding in the Valley
Spend the morning exploring the beautiful Chon Kemin valley the local way, on horseback. Venture as far as you like, spending as little or as long as you feel, upon your sturdy steed with the option to take a packed lunch for longer journeys or head back to your guesthouse for a homemade lunch following a shorter, leisurely horse ride. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer from the rural alpine countryside, along the valley river with the hills on either side eventually flattening out to agricultural land, arriving back to the busy capital for your final evening.
Day 9 Depart Bishkek
Depending on your flight time, you may have the morning free for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing, before you’re taken back to the international airport where your Kyrgyz adventure comes to an end.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Ashu Guesthouse, Chon Kemin Valley
Lying in a village in the Chon Kemin Valley is the delightful Ashu Guesthouse, established by a local family who wish to share their beautiful surroundings and traditional rural lifestyle. All rooms, though compact, have en suite facilities and are furnished and decorated with locally made items and handicrafts including plenty of colourful embroideries and hand carved wood. Guests can relax on day beds in the large shady gardens after a long day hiking or horse-riding. The rest of the village is on your doorstep to explore and the fertile valley is a great provider for home cooked, locally-sourced meals on the terrace.
Navat Hotel, Bishkek
The Navat Hotel opened in April 2019 and provides a colourful ambience, reflective of Tajik style whilst providing modern comfort, an excellent central location and much more character than the Hyatt found opposite. The hotel is spread over three floors and houses just 14 rooms including one single room and one triple room. The warm, English-speaking staff complement the cosy environment created by warm wood, traditional felt interior and textiles. Rooms feel more modern, but with plenty of local charm and flavour, and come equipped with air-conditioning and standard three-star amenities. Bathrooms are contemporary and higher category rooms are very spacious. Tucked away amongst tall trees and vegetation, guests of the boutique-style property can enjoy all the benefits of its great location in the heart of the city, without feeling like they are. As well as having many dining options nearby, the hotel is also linked to a restaurant. This is the perfect option for those wanting a local experience in a modern boutique hotel, with a good location to boot.
Jety Oguz Canyon Yurt Camp, Jety Oguz Canyon
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic yurts in the remote countryside of Kyrgyzstan. Each yurt comprises traditional wool carpet, full standard beds and heating facilities. Typically, each yurt houses four to five guests and there are a number of camps set across the valley. Nearby is a larger dining yurt designed in national style where guests sit on small pillows to sample hearty local cooking from low set tables. Western facilities, including showers, are usually available in a nearby separate block. Jety Oguz is one of the most scenic yurt stays in Kyrgyzstan.
Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp, Son Kul Lake
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents beside the beautiful Son Kul. Surrounded by roaming herds of cattle, horses and goats, the snow-capped peaks and an impressive alpine lake, the camp has an inspiring backdrop to the puffing yurt chimneys and nomadic life. The camp itself is comprised of ten cosy yurts with original décor and traditional Kyrgyz Felt carpets – each of which sleeps up to five people. With simple wooden beds, clean bed linen, blankets, pillows and a stove lit each night before dinner, your stay will be both warm and comfortable. Nearby there are two larger yurts used for dining where you can sample hearty local cooking and even fresh fish caught from the lake. After a full day’s activities, riding, walking and exploring the surrounding area, a session in the camp’s homemade, rustic sauna is a relaxing experience.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
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HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Natalie
Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
OTHER ITINERARIES IN KYRGYZSTAN
Check out our group tours in Kyrgyzstan
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Kyrgyzstan. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Kyrgyzstan