Wild Kyrgyzstan
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
Kyrgyzstan is an astonishingly beautiful country and with so much of the country sat above the high-altitude threshold, the name given to its most prized natural possession, the Tien Shan or “Mountains of Heaven”, seems fitting. Combine this with a deep nomadic tradition and a long equestrian history, it is a destination made for the wild and active traveller.
The tour starts and ends in the capital; set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, you’ll get a flavour ...
Kyrgyzstan is an astonishingly beautiful country and with so much of the country sat above the high-altitude threshold, the name given to its most prized natural possession, the Tien Shan or “Mountains of Heaven”, seems fitting. Combine this with a deep nomadic tradition and a long equestrian history, it is a destination made for the wild and active traveller.
The tour starts and ends in the capital; set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, you’ll get a flavour of what’s to come from the outset. After exploring the monuments and markets of the capital your journey into remote Kyrgyzstani territory begins with your first experience of nomadic yurt hospitality at Son Kul Lake. The next stop is the ancient Silk Road staging posts of Naryn and the 15th century caravanserai of Tash Rabat for a historic tour. Then, rest up in preparation for the next few days of blood-pumping activity around the majestic foothills of the Tien Shan Mountain Ranges at the lakeside Bokonbayevo Village.
Discover particularly beautiful areas of the region that are seldom visited via a combination of hiking, biking and horse-riding between seasonal, nomadic yurt camps and wild camps. After three nights off grid, head back to “civilisation” in the Russian-influenced town of Karakol. The red, rugged rocks of the Jety Oguz Canyon are only an hour away, which you will uncover after saddling up. Spend the last leg of the trip navigating the peaceful landscapes of the Chon Kemin and Kol Say Valleys.
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.
DAY 1: ARRIVE BISHKEK: CITY TOUR
DAY 1: ARRIVE BISHKEK: CITY TOUR
Early this morning, arrive into the capital where your guide will be waiting at the airport to pick you up from the airport and, after a chance to check in and freshen up, will take you on a tour through the city. Highlights include the main square, the State National History museum and Bishkek's Osh Bazaar, filled with aromas of freshly baked Kyrgyz bread.
DAY 2: BISHKEK: ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
DAY 2: BISHKEK: ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK
Escape the city and enjoy a full day excursion 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. The national park is a favourite getaway of the citizens of Bishkek and you can follow their lead by hiking through its unspoilt nature and a stopping for a rest by a waterfall. There is also the opportunity to pre arrange cycling if preferred to walking.
DAY 3: BISHKEK - BURANA TOWER - SON KUL LAKE
DAY 3: BISHKEK - BURANA TOWER - SON KUL LAKE
Leaving Bishkek 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, where you can enjoy local hospitality surrounded by the fresh mountain scenery and scenic lake.
DAY 4: SON KUL LAKE - NARYN - TASH RABAT
DAY 4: SON KUL LAKE - NARYN - TASH RABAT
Drive south to the ancient Silk Road staging post of Naryn. The town was founded as a fortified point on the trade route to China and is surrounded by beautiful evergreen forests. Here, you will spend some time getting to know the town’s Central Square, monuments and central blue mosque before continuing towards the Chinese border to Tash-Rabat. A 15th century caravanserai, Tash-Rabat served as a resting place for merchants, ambassadors, travellers and other wanderers and it is the largest stone building in Central Asia from this epoch. Set at an altitude of about 3,200 metres up a small, but beautiful, valley in the foothills of the Tian Shan, you may begin to notice the effect of altitude whilst you settle into your nomadic summer yurt camp.
DAY 5: TASH RABAT: HIKE OR HORSE TREK
DAY 5: TASH RABAT: HIKE OR HORSE TREK
You have a day at leisure which you may use to explore the stunning mountain surroundings as the walking in this area is wonderful. As is usual in Kyrgyzstan, there is also the option to explore the area via horseback.
DAY 6: TASH RABAT - BOKONBAYEVO (LAKE ISSYK KUL)
DAY 6: TASH RABAT - BOKONBAYEVO (LAKE ISSYK KUL)
In the morning drive to Lake Issyk Kul, the second largest mountain lake after Titicaca in South America, passing along its southern shore until you reach Bokonbayevo village, home to local eagle hunters who sometimes put on demonstrations of the art form.
DAY 7: BOKONBAYEVO - REMOTE JAILOO
DAY 7: BOKONBAYEVO - REMOTE JAILOO
Setting off on foot this morning, you head through the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains towards a remote yurt camp set up on the Jailoo (summer pastures) of the Kyrgyz nomads. These pasture lands form part of the deeply held traditions of these nomadic herders and this afternoon you will have a chance to meet a local eagle hunter and take a walk through these timeless and culturally revered landscapes.
DAY 8: HIKE TON PIRIVAL PASS (4,100M)
DAY 8: HIKE TON PIRIVAL PASS (4,100M)
Today you will embark on a full day trek over the 4,100m Ton Pirival Pass. The scenery on this walk is magnificent but it should be made clear this is a reasonably tough day trek that will take around nine hours. If you prefer not to walk, you can travel by vehicle; either way you will enjoy the beautiful views heading back down towards Issyk Kul Lake and your camp for the evening.
DAY 9: MOUNTAIN BIKE ALONGSIDE NARYN RIVER
DAY 9: MOUNTAIN BIKE ALONGSIDE NARYN RIVER
Switching from two feet to two wheels today, you'll follow a remote track that mirrors the course of the Naryn River by mountain biking through a classic scene of Asian steppe and high, snow-covered mountains. The day concludes at the camp in a narrow, forested gorge.
DAY 10: NARYN - KARAKOL
DAY 10: NARYN - KARAKOL
Following breakfast at camp, you will then head to the town of Karakol, a sleepy provincial town with Russian flavour, sandwiched between the eastern side of Lake Issyk Kul and the imposing Tien Shan Mountains.
DAY 11: KARAKOL: JETY OGUZ HIKE OR HORSE RIDE
DAY 11: KARAKOL: JETY OGUZ HIKE OR HORSE RIDE
After an hour’s drive along the lake’s southern shore you’ll arrive at Jety Oguz Valley. One of five beautiful valleys located in this eastern province, Jety Oguz is named after the ‘Seven Bulls’ rock formation which you will stop to see at a nearby viewpoint. There are various horse-riding opportunities via which you can explore the peaceful landscapes dotted with mountain pastures and grazing flock. Your guide can advise on the best route before you set off past ice-cold charging rivers and slopes shrouded with forests of Tien Shan spruce, walnut trees and wildflowers. After a stop to enjoy a picnic with a view, you will begin heading back towards the car and return to Karakol for the evening. For those that prefer, the area can alternatively be explored on foot.
DAY 12: KARAKOL - CHON KEMIN VALLEY
DAY 12: KARAKOL - CHON KEMIN VALLEY
Before departing Karakol, there will be time to tour its quaint, soviet-style streets with your guide. In addition to its Russian cottages and Holy Trinity Cathedral, built completely of wood, another point of historical interest is the brightly coloured Chinese Dungan Mosque, whose design mixes Buddhist influences into its Islamic protocol. After the tour, head back along the northern shore of the lake to the village of Ashu.
DAY 13: CHON KEMIN VALLEY - BISHKEK
DAY 13: CHON KEMIN VALLEY - BISHKEK
Spend the day exploring the Chon Kemin Valley and the Kol Say Valley, either by foot or horseback. The different routes take you through picturesque landscapes and fresh mountain waters with a stop for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. This afternoon drive for two and half hours back to Bishkek where you can enjoy a final local dinner in the capital.
DAY 14: DEPART BISHKEK
DAY 14: DEPART BISHKEK
Depending on your flight time, you may have an extra morning at leisure for some last-minute shopping or relaxation, before being transferred to the international airport in time for your onward flight where the tour ends.
SUGGESTED 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.
Bokonbayevo Guest House, Bokonbayevo
A simple guest house giving you a chance to see Kyrgyz family life, meals are home cooked and often taken with the family. Bedrooms are brightly decorated in traditional style and mattresses are laid down in the evening for guests to sleep on. Facilities are basic but well worth it for the experience.
Little Naryn River Camp, Naryn Valley Camp
Wild camping under the stars is a unique experience within Kyrgyzstan’s remote and picturesque Tien Shan Mountain Range. Pitch up in the narrow-forested gorge that the Naryn River runs through, nearby are wild hot spring. Tents, roll out mattresses, blankets and pillows will be provided. Be prepared to get back to basics and enjoy re-connecting with nature.
Hot Springs Camp, Hot Water Spring
Camp next to a hot spring within the gorgeous Tian Shan range. The conditions are very basic but the location more than makes up for it.
Asia Mountains 1, Bishkek
This charming guesthouse has been built in the style of a Swiss chalet with twelve comfortable en suite bedrooms and spacious communal areas. Just off a leafy boulevard in bustling Bishkek, the peaceful garden provides an ideal spot for resting after a busy day exploring, especially when the flowers are in bloom between late April and late autumn. The welcoming reception area is open 24 hours a day and in the back of the hotel is an outdoor pool with an accompanying sauna. The hotel’s Swiss-style bar and restaurant serves a choice of delicious breakfasts. Although the facilities are simple, we like the quieter location of this property.
Green Yard, Karakol
In the centre of Karakol, this small family-owned hotel offers nicely decorated rooms with modern facilities including flat screen televisions and en suite bathrooms. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is felt throughout the property, including its 28 rooms which are spread across the pretty gardens. There are communal sitting rooms and a nice outside terrace in which to relax, as well as a dining room where a good home cooked breakfast is served each morning. We recommend the Luxe rooms for their views over the garden.
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.
Tash Rabat Yurt Camp, Tash Rabat
Tash Rabat Yurt Camp is in the perfect location for learning more about the historic caravanserai while exploring the surrounding valley. The 15 yurts are set up in the summer months to welcome visitors to the valley. The yurts are decorated in a traditional style and are comfortable and cosy, each containing simple wooden beds, basic electricity and an oven that heats the yurt twice a day. There are shared toilet facilities and a sauna.
Jailoo Yurt Camp, Jyli Suu
This authentic yurt camp provides the ultimate adventure experience, sleeping in traditional nomadic tents in the remote countryside of Kyrgyzstan. Yurt tents have floors covered with traditional wool carpets, you will sleep on a mattress made up as a bed with bed linen, blankets, and pillows. Toilets can be found in a separate cubicle. Facilities will be basic, but the scenery and remoteness will more than make up for any lack in comfort.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
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.
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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.
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Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
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