One Week In Kyrgyzstan
About this tour
Me and my team invite you to have a week in Kyrgyzstan consisting the views of high mountains, lakes and rivers, forests and deserts, the pastures where shepherds graze their cattle and live in nomadic life. In this tour you will visit 3 regions of Kyrgyzstan: Chui, Issyk-Kol and Naryn, visit 2 large lakes of Kyrgyzstan Issyk-Kol and Son-Kol, hike in 2 beautiful gorges Altyn-Arshan and Ala-Archa, dip in two hot springs Ak-Suu and Arashan, taste 5 different nationalities meals, see the hunting of Eagle and see how the eagle can be part of man’s family. All nights you will sleep in Kyrgyz National Yurts. Welcome to join our group! This tour can be done in private too.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Airport Manas – north of Issyk-Kul lake – Karakol town. The guide will meet you in Manas International Airport (FRU) and start the road trip to Karakol by the north shore of Issyk-Kul lake. After 1,5-2 hours of driving stop for meal in Boom gorge. Beautiful gorge with cafes. After during the trip you are welcome to stop for fresh lake air and photos. Issyk-Kul lake is the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan, the second largest alpine lake, the seventh deepest lake in the world. The lake is surrounded by Terskey Ala-Too in the south and Kungey Ala-Too in the north, looks like an eye from the sky . On wish possible time for a swim. Arrival to Karakol town. Karakol is small friendly multinational town with population of around 70000 people. Good opportunity to discover the ethnic groups of Kalmak, Dungan, Uighur, Uzbek, Tatar, Russian and of course Kyrgyz people. In the evening go to hot springs pool in Ak-Suu. Dinner in Dungan family for tasting dungan meals and overnight in Kyrgyz Shepherds Yurt in the garden.
Day 2: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Altyn-Arashan, Kyrgyzstan
Karakol – Altyn-Arashan valley 6am some coffee and trip to Sunday Livestock Market (Animal market). The market works only on Sundays and people bring to sell their livestock from all near villages, they start at 2-3am till 8am. After good breakfast visit the sites as Dungan mosques, Russian Orthodox Church, market then take the UAZ-450 or GAZ 66 (depending on the group size) to Altyn-Arashan hot springs valley. The road is really dumpy but beautiful, takes about 2hrs. Altyn-Arashan translates as gold springs. Good view to Palatka peak 5020 which is covered with the snow all 4 seasons. We will make hike in the gorge visit the springs and dip in some of them. Today Kalmak national meal and overnight in Kyrgyz Yurt.
Day 3: Altyn-Arashan, Kyrgyzstan to Tong, Kyrgyzstan
Altyn-Arashan – Barskoon – Ton village After breakfast and another dip in the hot springs by same cab get to Karakol town where you start the road trip to the popular red rocks Jety-Oguz (Seven Bulls), visit the Barskoon waterfalls and Skazka canyons. Dinner for Russian local meal and overnight in a Kyrgyz Yurt near the lake.
Day 4: Tong, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Ton village - Kochkor village – Son-Kol lake. Eagle hunting demonstration. Some of the Kyrgyz tribes use hunting birds to hunt from the beginning up to now keeping this incredible tradition from generation to generation. Southern shore of Issyk-Kol lake is rich with Eagle hunters and Yurt makers. So chance to see one of the Eagle hunters demonstartion how they teach the Golden eagle for hunting. After make stop in Kochkor village for a short break in market. Arrival to calm, out of civilization lake Son-Kol. It lies at an altitude of 3016 m. Dinner and overnight in Yurt.
Day 5: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Song Kol lake. Day filled with calmness and the fresh air of high mountain and lake, we will get on horses and ride around the lake. Those who don’t want to ride can walk. Go to panoramic view to the lake. Overnight and meals in same Yurt.
Day 6: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Son-Kol lake – Bishkek After calm night when you are filled with calmness and energy start the trip to Bishkek. On the road visit the Burana tower The tower was built in the 11th century and was used as a template for other minarets. An external staircase and steep, winding stairway inside the tower enables visitors to climb to the top. It is one of the oldest architectural constructions in Central Asia. Excursion in Bishkek. Dinner out in restaurant for an Uzbek meal.
Day 7: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Ala Archa National Park, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek – Ala-Archa gorge – Bishkek – flight. Day trip to Ala-Archa gorge. Small hike in the gorge. Arrival to Bishkek Dinner out in restaurant for local meal and leave for flight.
What's included
Yurt stay 3 to 4 person in one Yurt. Shared outood bathrooms.
- Flight - Visa - Travel insurance - Single/Double stays extra charge - Lunch and Beverages other then tea and coffee - Last days dinner in Bishkek
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan