Kyrgyzstan – a fascinating country that has a mix of nomadic and sedentary cultural heritage. Explore the nomadic way of life in yurts at the Song Kul lake and hear the ancient legends about cities like Osh, Uzgen, and Balasagyn.
This trip will lead you in 2 weeks on a roundtrip through the country. You will discover the main natural highlights of Kyrgyzstan: the shore of Issyk Kul lake, the alpine pastures of stupendous Song Kul lake, and the green walnut forest of Arslanbob. Throughout this trip, you will be immersed into the ancient nomadic culture and hear stories of the Silk Road that involved both the settled and nomadic cultures.
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Most flights arrive very early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel and early check in at the hotel. You can have a rest after your long flight, take a shower and have breakfast.
In the afternoon we will have a city tour in Bishkek. The tour includes Osh Bazaar, Oak Park, Ala-Too Square and monument to the national hero Manas. Dinner in a nice local restaurant.
Hotel Asia or similar (ca. 800 m altitude)
After breakfast, transfer to the National park of the valley of Chon-Kemin. On the way stop at Burana Tower. The minaret was built in the 11th century in the medieval town of Balasagun, capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can climb up the winding staircase to enjoy a nice view of the Chuy Valley. There is also an open-air museum featuring a collection of ancient balbals, carved stone figures used as monuments. After lunch at the local guesthouse, hike to the Kalmak Ashuu gorge for about 2 hours (optional). Enjoy the panoramic views and go horse riding if you like. Dinner and overnight stay in the family-run guesthouse.
Ashu Guesthouse, ca. 1800m altitude (single/ twin room with private bathroom)
After breakfast transfer to Tepke village along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Lake Issyk Kul is the second-largest mountain lake in the world, after Titicaca. Located at an altitude of 1600m, it is a slightly saline lake with no outlet, surrounded completely by the Tien Shan Mountains. Some evidence suggests that ruins of an old trade center from 2nd century BC can be found under the water. We drive along the entire northern shore of the lake and make a stop halfway, near Cholpon Ata, to visit an open-air site with many ancient petroglyphs, i.e. stone drawings.
By late afternoon we arrive in the village of Tepke, where we stay for the night in the guesthouse of farmers who breed Kyrgyz horses.
Reina Kench Guesthouse (single/ twin room with private bathroom)
After breakfast, we will set out to explore the local Sunday animal market in Karakol. After, we visit the city, making sure we allow plenty of time for its wooden Dungan mosque, built in 1904, and the Orthodox wooden church dating from 1855, proof of the ethnic and spiritual diversity of the Issyk Kul region. We will have lunch in Uighur family (small Muslim nationality migrated from China).
After lunch transfer to Tamga village (120 km). On the way visit the famous Jety Oguz valley. The road goes along the southern shore of the lake Issyk Kul to Tamga village.
Overnight in yurt – 2 people in a yurt, facilities are outside (Western toilet, shower with heated water), 1600m altitude
Today, we will continue our drive along the southern shore of lake Issyk Kul to our next destination – Kochkor, we will break the journey at Skazka Canyon. Translating from the Russian word for a fairy tale, the burnished reds, ochres and yellows of the canyon’s sedimentary rocks seem almost other-worldly. We will go for a short walk and continue to Bokonbaevo village to meet Eagle Hunters. Our next stop is Kyzyl Tuu village, where we meet yurt makers and will get to know how the wooden carcass of the yurts are made. After our exploratory stops, we continue driving to Kochkor village.
Overnight in a simple guesthouse. (ca 1750 m altitude)
After breakfast, we visit a workshop where local women produce carpets from felt. You can even try to make your own. After this felt carpet making demonstration, we depart towards another mountain lake – Song Kul. The lake is not very far from Kochkor, but due to bad road conditions, it will still be a quite long and bumpy ascent to the lake. Lake Song Kul is a mountainous lake on the altitude of 3016 meters above the sea level. The nomads pass their summer on the “jailoo” (summer pasture) with their animals. You can see herds of horses and sheep grazing on meadows full of Edelweiss. If you like, you may go for a short horse ride. Accommodation and dinner will be in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.
Overnight in yurt – 2 people in a yurt, facilities are outside (Western toilet, shower with heated water)
After breakfast in a yurt, we move on to Tash Rabat. The road goes over Kalmak Ashu Pass – 3440 meters altitude and over the Dolon Pass we reach Naryn. We will have lunch in this mountainous town and continue driving to Tash Rabat for another 120 km. On the way we will have a short stop at Koshoi Korgon fortress.
Tash Rabat is a historic stone caravanserai. These were a kind of hotel places used by merchants and their caravans on the ancient Silk Road. It is one of the best preserved of such inns in Central Asia.
Dinner and Overnight in a Yurt Camp (ca. 3300 meters altitude)
We will leave this caravansarai after breakfast and drive along Naryn river. The road from Naryn to Kazarman is not paved, gravel road, so get ready with your favorite music or audiobooks for a long shaky ride. We will arrive to Kazarman village to enjoy the local dinner.
Overnight in a simple guesthouse (ca. 1360 m. altitude)
Drive through scenic Kog Art Pass which is located at around 3300 meters above sea level. On the way, we will choose a beautiful place for a picnic and have lunch there. We arrive in Arslanbob village in the late afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight in a simple guesthouse (1600 m. altitude)
Today you can enjoy the full day at Arslanbob. Arslanbob is also the name of the largest walnut trees forest in the world. We can go hiking in the forest and walk up to the waterfall. In the afternoon we can walk around the village and take part in a cooking master class. You can help with preparing traditional dumplings called, manty.
Dinner and Overnight in a simple guesthouse.
We leave Arslanbob in the morning and drive along the Uzbek border to Uzgen. Uzgen was one of the capitals of the Karakhanid Empire during the 11th and 12th centuries. We will visit there three mausoleums and a minaret. This medieval architectural complex is unique in Kyrgyzstan and one of the few remnants of the old Silk Road.
After lunch, we drive to Osh, the 3000 years old city with UNESCO World Heritage site. We visit Suleiman mountain as well as the museum built in a natural cave. We will see the local market with its dried fruits and fresh produce.
Overnight in Sun Rise hotel 3*.
Early in the morning, we have a flight to Bishkek and it takes just around 1 hour. In Bishkek, we transfer to Ala Archa National Park, in the mountains, just 30km outside the capital city. We will have a walk in the park, enjoying the nice views and fresh air. Transfer back to Bishkek for the farewell dinner and a folklore show.
Overnight in hotel Asia mountains 3* or similar.
Transfer to Airport for departure flight back home. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan!
Currently there are no planned trips. Please contact us if you would like to know about the availability of this tour in the future.
The Kyrgyz currency is the som (KGS). In the capital, Bishkek, and in larger towns, ATMs are widely available in shopping centers, supermarkets, and along main streets. Most ATMs accept Visa cards, and some—such as Kyrgyz Commercial Bank, Demir Bank, and UniCredit—also accept other cards, including MasterCard. In the mountains and small villages, however, it’s best not to rely on ATMs. We recommend bringing some cash in new, clean USD banknotes, as they are easier to exchange. There are many currency exchange offices, some operating 24/7. Small or worn banknotes can be more difficult to exchange. Paying directly by credit card is possible in most shops and restaurants in cities and larger towns.
Kyrgyzstan is widely regarded as the most open and democratic country in Central Asia, offering a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for visitors. The political situation is stable, and everyday life is calm and peaceful. Travelers are warmly received, locals are respectful and hospitable, and the country is considered a very safe destination to explore. As with travel anywhere in the world, we recommend taking simple precautions such as wearing a money belt, keeping an eye on your belongings, avoiding poorly lit streets at night, and using official taxis. At Kalpak Travel, your safety is always our top priority. We work closely with trusted local partners across Kyrgyzstan and continuously monitor local conditions to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable journey.
Citizens of many developed countries do not require a visa for stays of up to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan. If you are unsure whether you need a visa, please feel free to contact us. Any special permits required to access locations included in your tour will be arranged by us free of charge.
Kyrgyzstan boasts a continental climate that is mostly dry across the country, including its largest cities. In the Ferghana Valley in the south and in the capital, Bishkek, summers can be very hot, with daytime temperatures ranging from 30° to 40°C (86°–104°F). Most of the country, however, sits high in the mountains—over 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) above sea level—where summer temperatures are more moderate, typically in the mid-20s°C (mid-70s°F). At elevations of 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) or higher, it can even snow overnight during the summer, so packing some warm layers is essential.
The best time for trekking and jeep tours is summer, when the mountains are accessible and the landscapes are breathtaking, while winter is perfect for skiing adventures. Keep in mind that in some mountain areas, weather can change quickly, adding a touch of excitement and unpredictability to your journey.
When traveling in Kyrgyzstan, it’s best to stick to bottled, filtered, or boiled water, and avoid using tap water for brushing your teeth or making ice. To stay healthy, enjoy only well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot, and choose cooked vegetables or peeled fruit. Following these simple precautions will help you avoid common travel ailments like traveler’s diarrhea, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.
We also recommend staying up to date with vaccinations for Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus, and ensuring you have full medical insurance, including coverage for emergencies and repatriation. While medical facilities in Kyrgyzstan are basic, being prepared ensures peace of mind so you can fully enjoy the country’s breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences.
