Welcome to Kyrgyzstan — your expedition begins the moment you land. At Manas Airport, your guide meets you and takes you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we explore the heart of Bishkek: Ala-Too Square, the National Museum, and the quiet tree-lined streets of Old Bishkek, where Soviet architecture meets everyday local life. In the evening, we gather for a warm welcome dinner — your first taste of Kyrgyz cuisine and the start of a journey deep into the Tien Shan.
Today we leave the city behind and head into the mountains. We stop at the turquoise Orto-Tokoy Reservoir, then climb the winding road over Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, where endless highland pastures open before us. By afternoon we reach Son-Kul Lake at 3,016 m, the summer home of nomadic herders. After settling into the yurt camp, enjoy free time by the shore, a hearty dinner, and an evening around the campfire under a sky full of stars.
A full day immersed in nomadic traditions. In the morning, local families show how a yurt is built — from the wooden frame to the felt covers — and invite you to lend a hand. Then the steppe comes alive with traditional horse games: the fierce Kok-Boru, Oodarysh wrestling on horseback, and Tyiyn Enmei, where riders pick up coins at full gallop. The afternoon is yours to walk along the lake, take photos, or simply enjoy the silence of the high mountains.
We say goodbye to Son-Kul and descend to Naryn, a quiet mountain town on the banks of the Naryn River, where we stop for lunch. From here, the road leads into one of the most remote corners of Kyrgyzstan. With scenic stops along rugged gorges and wide pastures, we reach Kok-Kiya, a wild valley rarely visited by travelers. Dinner and a peaceful night in a yurt camp await, surrounded by nothing but mountains and silence.
Today we discover one of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular hidden gems. A hike takes us to Kel-Suu Lake, a turquoise ribbon of water winding between towering cliffs near the Chinese border. We explore the lake by boat, gliding past sheer rock walls into narrow bays that cannot be reached on foot. After lunch, we drive back to Naryn, check in at our hotel, and enjoy a well-earned dinner and rest.
After breakfast we head to Kochkor, a village famous for shyrdak — colorful felt carpets handmade by local women. Watch how this ancient craft, passed down through generations, comes to life. After lunch in a local village, we continue to Bokonbaevo on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul for an eagle hunting demonstration, where a berkutchi reveals the bond between hunter and golden eagle. The evening is free at a cozy guesthouse with a home-cooked dinner.
In the morning we walk through Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, where red rocks shaped by wind and water look like castles and dragons. We continue to Barskoon Gorge and its waterfalls cascading down the mountain slopes. After lunch, we reach Karakol and switch to an off-road vehicle for a thrilling ride up to Altyn Arashan, an alpine valley surrounded by pine forests and snowy peaks. Dinner and free time at the guesthouse.
Today belongs to the mountains. We saddle up for a 4-hour horseback ride through Altyn Arashan, following river valleys, alpine meadows, and forested slopes with stops at the most scenic photo points. After lunch, the rest of the day is free — walk along the river, rest in the fresh mountain air, or simply enjoy the peace of this untouched valley before dinner at the guesthouse.
We descend by off-road vehicle back to Karakol and drive along the North Shore of Issyk-Kul, with the snowy Tien Shan on one side and the endless blue lake on the other. Along the way, we enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Issyk-Kul, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. In the evening, we arrive in Bishkek and gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey and the memories we shared.
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to Kyrgyzstan. We transfer you to Manas Airport, taking home memories of high mountain lakes, nomadic traditions, and the warm hospitality of the Kyrgyz people.
INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
ACCOMMODATION OVERVIEW
Total Price: $1,900 per person
Reservation Deposit: $250 (non-refundable)
Remaining Balance: $1,650 (upon arrival)
The tour operator reserves the right to modify the tour itinerary and its components due to weather conditions, safety considerations, or other unforeseen circumstances. These changes may be made when necessary to ensure the safety, comfort, and overall quality of the travel experience.
Can’t wait to welcome you to Kyrgyzstan with the warmest hospitality our country is known for!
