Expedition — the best of
KYRGYZSTAN in a week
Must have of Kyrgyzstan in a week: top locations, impressions, activities and unique experience
May - September
Style - Road Trip
- Hand-made program with top locations
- A lot of off-roading on confortable SUVs
- Highly saturated landscapes
- Various activities: horses, hiking, swimming
- Sleep in a yurt at the alpine lake Song Kul
- Stay at a guesthouse of farmers breeding horses
- Enjoy the hospitality of Kyrgyzstan
Shot on our expeditions
Adventure expeditions in kyrgyzstan
Highlights of expedition
We'll spend nights in yurts at an altitude of 3000m (9842 ft) at Song Kul Lake
We'll swim in mineral hot springs at Altyn Arashan
We'll go through epic passes
We'll go on horseback through the picturesque pass at Chon-Kemin valley
Off-road on a soviet car UAZ
Hike canyons: Konorchek and Skazka
We will visit
Key destinations
Itinerary
Explore our travel itinerary
- 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.
- Transfer to Ala Archa National Park, in the mountains, just 30km outside of Bishkek. We will have a walk in the Park, enjoying the nice views and fresh air. Transfer back to Bishkek for lunch in the city center.
- In the afternoon we will have a city tour in Bishkek. Dinner in a nice local restaurant.
Meals: B/L/D
- After breakfast we depart from Bishkek. We will pass through picturesque Issyk-Ata village.
- First stop is Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok, 60km east of Bishkek. The minaret from the 11th century is the only remaining building from the ancient town of Balasagun, once capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a nice view of the Chuy valley.
- We then continue driving further into the mountains to a guesthouse in the beautiful Chon-Kemin Valley. Upon arrival we have lunch at the guesthouse. In the afternoon we will go for a short horse riding tour into the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Ashu Guesthouse / Meals: B/L/D
- After breakfast transfer to Tepke village along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. We drive along the entire northern shore of the lake. Stop on half way to visit the Chon Ak-Suu and Kyrchyn gorges (Grigorievsky and Semenovskie gorges), where you can walk along the mountain river. Lunch in the Cholpon-Ata.
- 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. The farmers will present to us their horses. Dinner in the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Reina Kench Guesthouse / Meals: B/L/D
- After breakfast, we will go to the most beautiful valley of Altyn-Arashan! Part of the way we will go on foot, and the part we will overcome on the Soviet SUV UAZ/KAMAZ/Ural. The road is amazing in its beauty! In Altyn-Arashan we bathe in hot springs. Lunch in a guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan. Those who wish can walk along the valley along the river and enjoy nature.
- Toward evening we return to Karakol. Dinner in Karakol.
Accommodation: Amir Hotel Karakol
- Today we will go along the southern coast of Issyk-Kol and first of all, we will visit the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz, where we will have a short walk on foot.
- Next, we will go to the Barskoon waterfalls, where we will walk to them through the forest belt. After that, we will visit the high mountain plateau, which is located in the region of 4000 thousand meters above sea level. Lunch on the way
- After enjoying the views from the plateau, we will go to the Skazka canyons, another masterpiece of nature.
- In the evening dinner in yurt camp.
Accommodation: yurt camp
- After breakfast we will visit the Ak-Sai canyons, where we will walk to the panorama.
- Then we will depart towards another mountain lake – Song Kul. Due to bad road condition it will still be a quite long and bumpy ascent to the lake. Lunch on the way in Kochkor. 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.
- Toward evening we will reach the Son-Kol Lake through the Kalmak-Ashuu pass and enjoy the scenery on the way.
- Accommodation and dinner will be in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. You can taste "kymyz" (mare's milk) and observe the shepherd's wife preparing bread and cheese. At night, gaze at the skies like an astronomer – the nearness of the stars will take your breath away.
Accommodation: yurt camp
- After breakfast, we will descend from Son-Kol Lake through the Tuz-Ashuu pass. For those who wish, we will give you a chance for a short walk.
- On the way, we will walk along the canyons of Konorchok (2-3 hours).
- By the evening we will be in Bishkek. If we have time, we will try to make it to the Osh Bazaar. Farewell dinner.
Transfer to Airport for departure flight back home. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Kyrgyzstan and will return soon to discover more places in this beautiful part of the world!
Hotels that you will remember
Accommodations
Itinerary
ALL INCLUDED: $2245
*pack your suitcase and get plane tickets
Itinerary
ALL INCLUDED: $2245
*pack your suitcase and get plane tickets
- Transfers from/to airport
- All transfers according to the itinerary
(comfortable mini bus) - Accommodation throughout the trip, including hotels, guesthouses and yurts (based on double/twin room sharing, four people in a yurt)
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinners)
- Mineral bottled waters (1L per day)
- English speaking tour leader accompanying the group for the whole program
- All activity fees according to the itinerary
- All entrances fees and permits according to the itinerary
- Flight to Bishkek and from Bishkek back home (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Visa (if needed)
- Tips for guides, drivers and porters
- All additional deviations from the program
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Personal expenses, e.g. souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Deposit: 50% of total price
- Deposit deadline: 5 days after booking
- Payment method: Cash or Bank transfer
- Final payment: 20 days Before trip start
ABOUT THE PROJECT FROM THE AUTHOR
Who is the tour leader?
- NursExpeditions organizer
Cheerful, positive guy, love hiking and bringing not only impressions from travels, but also beautiful photos. 4 years guiding experience. - Naryn BeketaevProfessional guide
Kind, funny guy, tells about kyrgyz culture and traditions. 6 years guiding experience.
REVIEWS
The emotions of those who have already traveled with us
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which tickets to choose when I better fly in and out?It is better to arrive no later than 07:00 on the day the program starts. Departure back at any time on the last day of the trip or you can stay further to explore Kyrgyzstan. Tickets from Istanbul to Bishkek for around 300 USD round trip.
- I have no equipmentWe give all the necessary equipment. We give: a tent, trekking poles, a backpack, a sleeping bag, foam, a flashlight and dishes. Everything except shoes and clothes, in any case they need to have their own.
- Are wild animals dangerous?We can meet wild wolves, foxes, birds and reptiles. They are not dangerous for our team. First of all, they themselves are afraid of people and are completely not interested in meeting with us. The main thing is to listen carefully to the guides and follow their instructions.
- Will it be hard?Our travels are designed for both beginners and experienced travelers. All tours are suitable for family travel unless otherwise specified. But we recommend training before traveling to enjoy walks in the highlands.
- Will there be mobile communications and electricity?Mobile communications and electricity are absent in high mountain areas away from large settlements. The rest of the time, we will almost always be in touch. We recommend using Powerbanks.
- Can the travel program change?
- The program may change due to weather conditions. We all look forward to good weather. But anything can happen, for reasons beyond our control.
- All final decisions on the program are made by the team's main guide.
We create trips to places in Kyrgyzstan where it will be difficult to travel on your own
practical infornation
What is important to know about our adventure
We will send you a full list of necessary items, special travel conditions, information about the necessary documents and visa application after payment of travel
This trip is dynamic, of light difficulty level. It consists of long transfers in comfortable SUVs or minibuses, short jeep rides, if necessary, and visiting natural spots, most of them far from main roads and civilisation. We will walk a lot and endure sub-zero Celsius temperatures at night to +25 Celsius during days. We will also visit a mountain pass of 4000 meters above sea level. Accommodation in simple hotels, guesthouses and yurts, some will have hot water and wi-fi internet.
The minimum age for this tour is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.
Clothing for hiking in temperatures from +25C to -0C. A detailed kit list will be sent to you when you book on.
Most groups have 6-10 people, with a maximum of 12.
Overnights during the activity tours you will have overnight in tents but most of the overnights will be in the yurt camps and local homestays,
We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards in Bishkek cannot be compared to a home stay in an isolated valley in Kyrgyzstan. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay. The accommodation will be based on 2 people sharing a room when that is available. When we are in the mountains we will be staying in tents and in local home stays that sometimes only offer central communal areas to sleep in.
We do not and cannot offer a uniform accommodation standard on our itineraries. Even if we wanted to, the reality is that standards in Bishkek cannot be compared to a home stay in an isolated valley in Kyrgyzstan. We consider comfort, location, design, character, historical interest and whether the money we spend will go into the pockets of the local community when we make our choices of where to stay. The accommodation will be based on 2 people sharing a room when that is available. When we are in the mountains we will be staying in tents and in local home stays that sometimes only offer central communal areas to sleep in.
You can have a hot shower when you stay in the homestays and guest houses. The yurt camps around Song-Kul valley also can offer some shower facilities. But when camping stays and Kel-Suu area are not available to have a hot shower. If the group is big and has requested premium services in order to have a hot shower every day we can provide with mobile hot steam sauna and additional accompany staff for this.
- Travel insurance is required for this tour. You are free to choose any insurance company of your choice. We recommend for example using World Nomads.
- Departure for this tour is guaranteed
- During your travel time, please respect local culture, customs, traditions, and religion.
- Try to buy local products and make a benefit for the local economy.
- Always give fair prices for lodging, food and other services.
- Take off your shoes, when entering home or yurt stay.
- Smoking is prohibited at home.
- Please share your ideas on food and accommodation preferences.
- Ask people for photographing them.
- Be friendly and try to get in contact.
- Be careful during the evening and night time and aware of mass meetings.
- Be careful with your documents, money and valuable items.
- Be aware of pickpockets and strangers at bazaars and streets.
- If someone asking for documents, wallets or cameras, saying that they are from the police, ask them to go police together.
- Never give your belongings to strangers.
- Wear good hiking shoes for outdoor activities.
- Bring warm waterproof clothes even in summer.
- Have your torch sunscreen and repellent.
- Do not drink very cold water from unknown sources.
- Drinking alcohol at high altitudes is unsafe.
- If the food fat or not acceptable for you can taste a bit and say thanks.
- Do not drink cold water after eating out, better hot tea or c It helps in high altitude digestions cases.
- Wear warm clothes in the mountains, usually after eating out.
- Bring your medicines and first aid kit.
- If you feel unsafe or have issues to discuss, please share with your staff, host or tour manager.
- Collect your litter. Pack up all non-biodegradable rubbish.
- Please don't drop cigarette butts or litter.
- High altitude vegetation is very fragile. Save the environment.
- Use toilets in nature wherever available. Where are none, stay at least 40-50 m from streams and water sources and bury all waste and paper.
- Leaving footprints, take just your photographs.
Contact us and we issue the invoice for 30% payment from the net tour cost. You can send it by bank transfer. The rest of the payment you can pay in cash upon your arrival day in Bishkek (welcoming the first day with briefing ). Be informed that the bank transfer fee will be additionally 3% over the cost of the transaction and it will be on the client (For cash payment no additional costs).
Get consultation
Leave your details, we will contact you and discuss the details of the trip
By clicking the button you agree our Privacy Policy
What needs to be done to go with us?
1
Leave a request on the web-site
2
Get to know each other and get answers to your questions
3
Make a deposit,
usually 30% of the price
usually 30% of the price
4
Waiting for you to start our adventure in Kyrgyzstan!
Still have questions?
Leave a request and immediately get to the page with answers to frequently asked questions
© 2019-2023 NURS Travel LLC
CONTACTS
- Contacts
- Blog & news
- Friends & Partners
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions
- All information presented on the website is for acquainting purposes and under no circumstances is not a public offer
We use cookies to provide the best site experience.
Ok, don't show again