Classic Kyrgyzstan

Suggested Itinerary

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, ...

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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.

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

Navat 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.

Navat Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Bishkek – Burana Tower – Son Kul Lake

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. 

Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Son Kul: Life Around the Lake

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.

Son Kul Lake Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Son Kul Lake – Bokonbayevo – Jety Oguz Canyon: Felt Making & Eagle Hunting Traditions

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.

Jety Oguz Canyon Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Jety Oguz Canyon: Canyon Hiking

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.

Jety Oguz Canyon Yurt Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Jety Oguz Canyon – Karakol – Chon Kemin Valley

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.

Ashu Guesthouse
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Chon Kemin Valley – Bishkek: Horse Riding in the Valley

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.

Navat Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Depart Bishkek

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.

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

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

9 days from £1,965

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