Winter Adventure In Kyrgyzstan
About this tour
Join us for a winter adventure!
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Manas Airport Road, Ak-Jol, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek – Karakol Early arrival in Bishkek, breakfast in our guesthouse and transfer to Karakol. On the way, you can relax in open-air hot springs. Visit of Karakol Dungan Mosque and Orthodox Cathedral. Night in a cozy guesthouse in Karakol
Day 2: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Chong Kyzyl - Suu Road, Pokrovka, Kyrgyzstan
Karakol – Jety Oguz – Ak Tash If Sunday, we can visit the famous animal bazar of Karakol in the early morning (around 6-7 am). After breakfast, we head to Jety Oguz, where we start a 5-6 hours horse trek to Ak Tash, through the pasturelands covered by snow. We arrive at the end of the day to our winter cozy yurt camp, where you can get a cooking masterclass from our host Albina. Night in beds in well-heated yurt equipped with wooden floor.
Day 3: Chong Kyzyl - Suu Road, Pokrovka, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzyl Suu, Kyrgyzstan
Ak Tash - FGS In the morning, we ride 2-3 hours to FGS, the chalet-like physical and meteorological station, used by Kyrgyz scientists to watch after the nearby glaciers. Lunch at the station. After lunch, we go snowshoeing to explore the upper Chong Kyzyl Suu valley. Dinner and night at the station, on toshoks, the typical Kyrgyz beds.
Day 4: Chong Kyzyl - Suu Road, Pokrovka, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
FGS Today we ride 2 hours back to our yurt camp where we have lunch. On the way, we stop at the hot springs of Jilyi Suu. After lunch, we drive on the south shore of Issyk Kul lake to Tamga. We do a 2 hrs hike to Tamga Tash, a large stone covered by Tibetan mantra, a testimony of the active spiritual exchanges that enabled the Silk Road time. We get accommodated in a cozy guesthouse in Tamga village.
Day 5: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan
Tamga – Kyzart In the morning, we leave the region of Issyk Kul and head to Kyzart village (5hrs driving). On the way, we visit Chong Tuz Salt mine, a former salt mine from the soviet time which has been rehabilitated in a kind of sanatorium/hotel, to treat people from respiratory difficulties. A kind of weird but unique experience in the world! We are accommodated on beds in the house of Ruslan in the village of Kyzart. This typical Kyrgyz house is very welcoming, as we are now in the heart of the Kyrgyz hospitality traditions.
Day 6: Kyzart, Kyrgyzstan to Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Kyzart – Son Kul We start hiking to the frozen Son Kul lake. It will take around 6hrs to reach the lake by foot, and we might meet a lof of shepherds living all - year round in small houses on the pasturelands of Kilemche. We cross the pass of Tuz Ashuu (3300m) where we discover the frozen (from December to end of march) lake of Son Kul. This tundra-like environment is totally different than in summer, temperatures are extremely cold and everything is covered by snow. We walk down to the lake and reach one on the very few yurts staying all winter at Son Kul. In these weather conditions, the yurt is a piece of heaven on an inhospitable land. We all sleep together in the warm yurt on toshoks.
Day 7: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Free day at Son Kul Today you are free to do whatever you want! Go for a walk on the deeply frozen lake, discover the surroundings, take care of the horses, build a curling ice rink on the lake, play card in the yurt, drink vodka with the local fishermen, it’s your own choice. 2nd night in the yurt
Day 8: Song-Kul, Kyrgyzstan to Kyzyl-Oi, Kyrgyzstan
Son Kul – Kyzart – Kyzyl Oi Today we hike back to Kyzart village with the snowshoes. After a late lunch in Kyzart, we drive 2 hours to Kyzyl Oi, a beautiful small village located on the bank of the Kokomeren river, with red cliffs surrounding us. Night at a local homestay.
Day 9: Kyzyl-Oi, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Kyzyl Oi – Suusamyr – Bishkek In the morning we start driving in the narrow gorge of the Kokomeren river to Suusamyr. We arrive in the large valley of Suusamyr, where we can stop for a nice walk with the snowshoes. We drive up the Too Ashuu pass (3400m) and arrive in Bishkek in the middle of the afternoon. Farewell dinner and night in our cosy guesthouse (Blue Camel guesthouse) in a shared dormitory.
What's included
Price includes: - Transport from/to Bishkek Airport - Accommodation B&B - English speaking guide - Horses and local houseboys - Snowshoes rental - Food (3 meals per day) - Organization of the trip - All activities described in the program - Your contribution to our sustainable development projects
Price does not includes: - Insurances - Rental of personal equipment (sleeping bags etc.) - International flights - Tips - Additional unplanned charged activities
What to know
Not included: Not-Included • International flights • Possible visa and passport fees • Repatriation insurance • Travel insurance • Extra drinks / alcohol • Tips (never required, always appreciated) • Personal equipment (sleeping bag, water bottles) • Any personal expense • Any paid activity not mentioned in the program. • International bank charges What to bring: Individual equipment (not exhaustive) • Travel bag (70-80L) • Lightweight backpack (20-30L max) • Sleeping bag -5 ° C • 50+ Sunscreen • Hat / cap • Scarf / shawl • Gourd • Hiking boots • Micropur tablets • Individual pharmacy • Towel • Sunglasses • A summer outfit • An outfit for cold evenings • A light fleece • Waterproof mountain jacket • Headlamp • Powerbanks • Swimsuit • Your good mood
Route & locations
Manas Airport Road, Ak-Jol, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan