The Route Of Nomads
About this tour
Route: Bishkek-Burana Tower-Chon Kemin National Park-Son-Kul Lake-Koshoi Korgon Fortress-Kara Suu Village-Acha Kayindy Village- Bishkek
The people of Kyrgyzstan are the best in the world to preserve their nomadic traditions and culture. It is a way to experience the spirit and life of the Kyrgyz people, who remember and respect the ancient traditions until today. It will be a seven-day tour where you can experience and take part in the various life events of nomads from birth to death.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
Burana Tower is an observatory built by the Kara-Khanids who ruled the region in the 10th century, and it is nicknamed as ‘a lighthouse of the meadow’ due to the height of the top. Looking on the surrounding on the top of the observatory in spring and summer time, you will be amazed by the mountain covered with snow, meadow with beautiful yellow flowers. Chon-Kemin National Park is a place where you can enjoy not only walking or horse-riding, but also rafting. You can also have dinner with residents in the cultural village of Shabdan, and experience the Kyrgyz rural culture by staying in a neatly decorated local house.
Day 2: Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Song-Kul Lake, in the height of 3000m above sea level, can only be accessed from June to September due to its high altitude, but most people who already have visited there want to go to the lake again because of its beautiful scenery. On the way to the lake, tourists will drop by the salt mine to take a look on how the precious salt is obtained. This salt is really helpful for people with respiratory problems. You can take a horse-riding along the Song-Kul lake, stay in a Yurt, the traditional Kyrgyz mobile house, watch a beautiful night sky full of stars, and think about the meaning of our lives.
Day 3: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Koshoy Korgon, Kara-Suu, Kyrgyzstan
Kara-Suu village in Naryn Region, in the height of 2000m above sea level, is the place where you can experience the lifestyle of the nomads thoroughly. Most men are shepherds so they go out to meadows in spring and summer time and herd their livestock. Women and childrens do handcraft works with wool in home. In winter, Men enjoy kokboroo, wild sports of nomads. In a patch of the village, there is a ‘Koshoy Korgon’ fortress which was used to rule this county in 10th century, and a village museum where you can see the ancient daily supplies. Travelers can watch the traditional nomadic wedding and eat food. Men, who return from the pastures sometimes spend their winters by gathering up in order to play the Kok Boru, the game of the nomads. The village is located right next to the Koshoi Korgon Fortress, which was used to dominated the area after the 10th century. Next to Koshoi Korgon there is a museum, where you can see the 3D model of the fortress and learn about the life of that time by examining the displayed items which were found in the ancient era. It is a village where travelers can take part in the traditional nomad wedding and enjoy local food.
Day 4: Koshoy Korgon, Karasu, Kyrgyzstan to Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan
The accommodation buildings for the merchants from China were located all over the Silk Road. Tashbat, one of the accommodations, is made out of stones and considered to be the best preserved form of caravanserais in nowadays. Inside Tashrabat, there are not only small rooms, but also several rooms which were able to hold many people and a special 20 meters-deep pit that worked as a prison. You can hike or use horses in order to go the meadows where the yaks are grazing. During the night you may stay in the guesthouse at an altitude of 3200 meters and watch the falling stars in the Milky Way.
Day 5: Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan to Acha-Kaiyndy, Kyrgyzstan
Shyrdak, made by processing wool, is the traditional Kyrgyz carpet, and it is completely hand-made. The method is passed down from mother to daughter, then daughter to granddaughter, and it is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage. Acha-Kayindy village is where this tradition is preserved and maintained thoroughly, so you can visit there and make Shyrdak. You may purchase one with qualified designs. Chech-Dobo, the village nearby Achakyindy village, was the place for Kultarai(patriarchal meetings) in the past. You can walk watching the sunset. You will be treated with a nice dinner in well remodeled house of local people.
Day 6: Acha-Kaiyndy, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzyl Tuu, Kyrgyzstan
Yurt is a traditional and valuable mobile house for Kyrgyz nomads. Over the centuries, the yurts have preserved their original functions. Most of the herdsmen stay in yurts in meadows as they take care for livestock. Kyzyl-Tuu is a village which specializes on making yurts. You can experience the process of making and the assembling yurts together and take a break by the nearby Salt Lake.
Day 7: Kyzyl Tuu, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The Kyrgyz nomads used to hunt animals by using dogs or golden eagles. People in these days still maintain the tradition, so you can take picture with eagles and watch a hunting with them. Bishkek, the number one city, the capital of Kyrgyzstan is the complex city with the population of 1.2 million. It is quite different with other cities in the tour program. You can see people walking busily, traffic congestion, and exhaust gas. Despite of these, the traditional market is a really good place to experience Kyrgyzstan. You can buy honey, dried nuts, a bottle of conaq in there. Then, it’s time to go home.
What's included
: Guide service, transportation, meals, entrance fees, 5 overnights at the quest houses and 1 in the yurt camp
Personal expenses, tips
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan