Complete Kyrgyzstan

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Home to spectacular snow-capped peaks, mountain lakes and rolling summer pastures, one of Kyrgyzstan’s major draws is undoubtedly its unspoilt nature. For this mountainous country, more time to explore it provides the opportunity to reach its seldom-explored, remote corners.

Beginning in the Kyrgyz capital, you’ll have a chance to soak up some of the contrasts and correlations between its Soviet past, ancient history and present-day traditions. The first few days of travel ...

Read More

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 Arrive Bishkek: City Tour

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 History Museum and the Osh Bazaar filled with aromas of freshly baked Kyrgyz bread. 

My Hotel
Breakfast

Day 2 Bishkek: Ala Archa National Park

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.

My Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Bishkek – Suusamyr – Chychkan Gorge

Day 3 Bishkek – Suusamyr – Chychkan Gorge

Leaving the capital today, it’s not long before you get into the mountain scenery for which Kyrgyzstan is so rightly famed. The route traverses two mountain passes: the dramatic Tuu Ashuu (3,586m) and the Ala Bel (3,184m) which in Kyrgyz means ‘colourful pass’. Travelling through the Suusamyr Valley, there will be several stops for some short acclimatisation walks and opportunities to hopefully meet some of the nomads who are often found here in the summer herding sheep and mare milking by their traditional yurts. Upon arrival at Chychkan Gorge there’ll be time to explore some of the area before dinner.

Oson Motel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Chychkan Gorge – Sary Chelek

Day 4 Chychkan Gorge – Sary Chelek

An early departure from Chychkan aims to arrive at Sary Chelek by mid-afternoon. This is one of Kyrgyzstan’s least visited but most striking locations which was included in the list of UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves in 1978. Centred around a spectacular lake (1,873m), Sary Chelek is almost alpine in appearance and provides some of the finest scenery in Central Asia, which you will be lucky enough to have as your base for the next two nights during your homestay.

Sary Chelek Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Sary Chelek: Lakeside Hiking

Day 5 Sary Chelek: Lakeside Hiking

Armed with a picnic lunch, today you will head out for an exhilarating hike around two of the lakes. Being home to over 1,000 species of plant, 160 species of bird and 34 different types of mammal, you can never be sure of exactly what you might see but the views all around are always spectacular.

Sary Chelek Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Sary Chelek – Arslanbob

Day 6 Sary Chelek – Arslanbob

Departing from Sary Chelek this morning, you’ll continue south towards Arslanbob village. Considered to be one of the country’s most attractive villages, it not only sits in the middle of a vast walnut forest, but it is also interestingly predominantly inhabited by ethnic Uzbeks. On arrival, you can visit the local bazaar and settle into your community-based homestay.

Arslanbob Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Arslanbob: Walnut Forest Exploration

Day 7 Arslanbob: Walnut Forest Exploration

You have the whole day to explore the surrounds of Arslanbob on foot and to see its famous walnut forests, as well as some of the waterfalls and streams which dot the region. The walnut forests are believed to pre-date the 11th century and may even date back to the times of Alexander the Great. Central Asian walnuts regularly formed part of the goods that were transported along the Silk Road, branches of which ran close to Arslanbob. As well as hiking through the forests, less active options include taking a jeep out to a nearby waterfall or enjoying strolls around the agricultural fields and taking in life in this small rural village.

Arslanbob Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Arslanbob – Kaldama Ashuu Pass – Kazarman

Day 8 Arslanbob – Kaldama Ashuu Pass – Kazarman

A long day of driving today takes you through some of the country’s most eye-catching interior scenes, over the Kaldama Ashuu Pass (3,062m) and through the central ranges of the Tien Shan to Kazarman. This remote town sits on the Naryn River, one of the major tributaries of the Syr Darya river which was known to Alexander and the ancient Greeks as the Jaxartes. Arrive at your next homestay with some time to freshen up and rest before dinner.

Kazarman Village Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Kazarman – Moldo Ashuu Pass – Son Kul Lake

Day 9 Kazarman – Moldo Ashuu Pass – Son Kul Lake

Leaving Kazarman this morning, you will drive over the Moldo Ashuu Pass (3,660m), across the Naryn River and head for Son Kul, a spectacular 3,000m-high mountain lake, to stay in a nomadic yurt camp. Arriving in late afternoon, there will be the chance to venture out and meet the local nomads who spend their summers here.

Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Son Kul Lake: Explore Life Around the Lake

Day 10 Son Kul Lake: Explore Life Around the Lake

Today provides opportunities for full or half day walks up into the hills to enjoy the impressive views over this peaceful lake. Alternatively, you can hang out at the yurt camp and enjoy some down time. 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. 
*There is also the option to explore the area via horseback, renting horses from some of the local nomads.

Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Son Kul Lake – Naryn – Tash Rabat

Day 11 Son Kul Lake – Naryn – Tash Rabat

This morning sees another beautiful drive to Tash Rabat, the famous ancient Silk Road caravanserai. A former ancient Silk Road staging post, you’ll stop for a tour of Naryn along the way, visiting its modern mosque, central square and an art gallery. Your home for the next two nights will be a remote yurt camp set up near the caravanserai in the summer.

Tash Rabat Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Tash Rabat: Ancient Silk Road Caravanserai

Day 12 Tash Rabat: Ancient Silk Road Caravanserai

After breakfast at the yurt, walk over to the ancient caravanserai, captivating for its well-preserved condition; size, being one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia; and location, set at 3,200m in isolated territory close to the Chinese border. Its interior caverns served as a resting place for merchants, ambassadors and travellers along the Silk Road between the 11th and 15th centuries. The day is free to explore the stunning mountain surroundings. The walking in the area is wonderful and options include heading up to the 3,500m Tash Rabat Pass or hiking along other scenic routes around the lush green valley sprinkled with roaming horses, yaks, sheep and the nomads who tend to them.
*There is also the option to explore the area via horseback, renting horses from some of the local nomads.

Tash Rabat Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Tash Rabat – Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul)

Day 13 Tash Rabat – Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul)

A long drive today of around six hours brings you to the lakeside village of Khadjy-Sai on the southern shore of lake Issyk Kul, the largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The beautiful drive is broken up by stops at a couple of villages along the way, firstly to meet a group of ladies producing felt. The women’s cooperative is made up of master felt makers who will gladly let you in on some trade secrets before letting you try your hand at some creative touches. Later you’ll call in to another small village to see a yurt frame being made. After more than a week of yurt camps and homestays, this evening you’ll check into a characterful little hotel. 

Art Hotel Al Hayat
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul): Eagle Hunter & Fairytale Canyons

Day 14 Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul): Eagle Hunter & Fairytale Canyons

Today may be a real highlight of your trip as you explore some of the many wonderful spots around the lesser explored southern shores of lake Issyk Kul. Start the day meeting with a local eagle hunter and the golden eagles he has raised and trained, considered one of the Central Asian people's most cherished nomadic traditions. This afternoon, head out to explore the colourful, sandstone cliffs of Skazka Valley, known in Russian as the Fairytale Canyons, taking the short, easy hikes up for fantastic views over the lake. The day concludes with a trip to the village of Barskoon (1,700m) in the Barskoon Valley where you can hike to one of three waterfalls. Alternatively, if feeling tired, you can instead opt to relax or stroll around the valley looking for some local nomads to spark up conversation with.

Art Hotel Al Hayat
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul) – Jety Oguz Canyon – Karakol

Day 15 Khadjy Sai (Lake Issyk Kul) – Jety Oguz Canyon – Karakol

This morning continue your drive along the south shore of Issyk Kul lake until you reach Jety Oguz gorge. This picturesque gorge is named after the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. Hike up the main gorge along the winding Jety Oguz mountain river, perhaps bumping into local nomadic families along the way. Afterwards drive on to Karakol, a quaint Soviet-style town for a tour of its Holy Trinity Cathedral, brightly coloured Chinese Dungan mosque and backstreets full of Russian-style cottages each shaded by white poplar trees. Then, head over to the home of a local Dungan family for a cooking demonstration of one of their traditional dishes before sitting down to enjoy it

Green Yard
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 Karakol: Altyn Arashan Excursion

Day 16 Karakol: Altyn Arashan Excursion

There’s a real adventure in store today as you pick up your Russian UAZ vehicle and head to Altyn Arashan Gorge. After manoeuvring the rocky road for two hours, you’ll reach the alpine valley area (3,000m) with views to Palatka Peak (4,260m) that form part of the Arashan State Nature Reserve, home to about 20 snow leopards and a handful of bears (though these have seldom been spotted). After a short walking exploration, you can relax in the hot mineral springs of which Altyn Arashan (Golden Spring) is named for. Natural hot water flows into a series of concrete pools here, each enclosed in a wooden shed lockable from the inside. Return to Karakol mid-afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Green Yard
Breakfast

Day 17 Karakol – Cholpon Ata – Chon Kemin Valley

Day 17 Karakol – Cholpon Ata – Chon Kemin Valley

Depart early this morning continuing to follow the lake’s shore around its northern side to your next guesthouse in the peaceful Chon Kemin Valley. Stop at the open-air museum of petroglyphs just outside the lakeside town of Cholpon Ata en route to explore ancient stone carvings, some of which are believed to date back to the 2nd millennium BCE.

Ashu Guesthouse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 Chon Kemin Valley – Bishkek: Horse Riding in the Valley

Day 18 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.

My Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 19 Depart Bishkek

Day 19 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.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

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.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

19 days from A$8,054

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 6826 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

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

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

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

Kyrgyzstan is truly the breathtaking and ‘wild’ Stan, perfect for landscape and activity lovers. Each day brings new spectacular vistas; from lakes and valleys to mountains and canyons.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN KYRGYZSTAN