Following in the footsteps of the Great Silk Road, you get closer to the culture of Kyrgyz nomads. This tour goes really off the beaten track. The freshness of Kel Suu Lake and the snowy peaks of Tian Shan mountains will offer you unforgettable positive memories.

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Following in the footsteps of the Great Silk Road, you get closer to the culture of Kyrgyz nomads. This tour goes really off the beaten track. The freshness of Kel Suu Lake and the snowy peaks of Tian Shan mountains will offer you unforgettable positive memories.

Price per person: 

 2 pax (SUV)  4 pax (SUV)  6 pax (one minibus type Minibus Sprinter)  8 pax (one minibus type Minibus Sprinter)  10 pax (one minibus type Minibus Sprinter)
1980 USD 1255 USD 1070 USD 935 USD 855 USD
Emir
Trip offered by Emir - Travel Land Spoken languages: Italian, English, French, Russian Travel expert in Kyrgyzstan

Trip summary

  • Travel style Tailor-made travel
  • Departure Bishkek
  • End Bishkek
  • Countries
    • Kyrgyzstan
  • City
    • Bishkek
    • Kyzyl Oy
    • Son Kul
    • Naryn
    • Köl-Suu
    • Kochkor
    • Tamga
    • Karakol
    • Chong-Kemin
  • Theme Mountains, lakes and rivers
  • Accommodation Standard
  • Flight Excluded
  • Guide Not Included
  • The tour has met our standards

Detailed itinerary

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  • 1
    Airport – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 40 min)
    Day 1 Transfer by car

    Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to hotel situated in the capital (early check-in at hotel after 06:00).

    We start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala- Too Square. After we can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys.

    After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market Osh bazar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people, and a great variety of goods and colors.

    In the evening, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

    Meals included: breakfast (it is served at hotel until 10:00)

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

     

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • 2
    Bishkek – Kyzyl Oy (200 km, 5h)
    Day 2 Transfer by car

    Breakfast in the hotel.

    At the beginning of our journey, we will have to overcome the mountain pass Too Ashu. We cross the wonderful Suusamyr valley, a paradise for nomads.

    Picnic or lunch at a small café along the way.

    Later we change the highway to the off-road. Our road will run along the Kokemeren river.

    We get Kyzyl Oy, a mountain village located at an altitude of about 1800. Here you can take a picture of extraordinary landscapes of majestic mountains surrounding it.

    Dinner in the guesthouse. 

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (CBT Guesthouse or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
    • Kyzyl Oy
  • 3
    Kyzyl Oy – Son Kul (180 km, 4h)
    Day 3 Transfer by car

    Breakfast in the guesthouse. Departure.

    A winding mountain serpentine leads you to the gorge. We cross the pass and the coalmine Kara Keche to reach Son Kul lake. The lake is surrounded by green meadows, long used by nomads for grazing their animals.

    When we arrive at the yurt camp in Son Kul, you can appreciate the hospitality of the nomads and get to know their lifestyle.

    Dinner in the yurts.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Yurt camp  

    Note: yurt capacity 4-5 people. But during the low season, you can be accommodated 2pax per
    yurt according to the availability. Toilets and sauna are outside.

     

     

    Visited places:
    • Kyzyl Oy
    • Son Kul
  • 4
    Son Kul – Naryn (150 km, 3h)
    Day 4 Transfer by car

    In the morning you can enjoy the fresh air and a beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountain ranges.

    After breakfast in the yurt, you start riding the bikes towards the Moldo Ashu pass, located at 3350 meters’ altitude. You go down by bike and head to Naryn, an administrative center of the region. This small city is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, on the bank of the biggest river in Kyrgyzstan.

    When you join the main road, you get in the car and continue by car.

    Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Khan Tengri Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Son Kul
    • Naryn
  • 5
    Naryn – Kel Suu Lake (160 km, 5-6h)
    Day 5 Transfer by car

    After breakfast, we head towards the Chinese border to reach Kel Suu lake. This mesmerizing mountain lake is located at an altitude of 3400 meters. Surrounded by steep rocks from all sides, it has many caves, grottos, and stone islands.

    We arrive at the yurt camp, and after some rest, we will hike to the lake (2 h), or you can ride a horse (1h) (option).

    Dinner in the yurt camp.

    Note: yurt capacity 4-5 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2pax per yurt according to the availability. Toilets are outside.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Yurt camp

    Optionally: horse riding (15 USD per person horse rental + 25 USD horse guide). You can book and pay on spot.

    Visited places:
    • Naryn
    • Köl-Suu
  • 6
    Kel Suu Lake
    Day 6 Transfer by car

    We will spend a whole day in the area of the mountain lake.

    You can ride horses and explore this magical and beautiful place with breathtaking landscapes.

    All the meals are served in the yurts.

    Note: yurt capacity 4-5 people. But during the low season you can be accommodated 2pax per yurt according to the availability. Toilets are outside.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Yurt camp

    Optionally: horse riding (10-13 USD per person horse rental + 10-25 USD horse guide). You can book and pay on spot

    Visited places:
    • Köl-Suu
  • 7
    Kel Suu Lake – Kochkor (300 km, 7h)
    Day 7 Transfer by car

    Breakfast in the yurt.

    The goal is to reach Kochkor village. On the way, we pass the Kyrgyz summer pastures with yurts camps of local shepherds.

    Upon arrival in Kochkor, you can take a shower and have a rest in the guesthouse. Before dinner you have free time to walk in the village.

    Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse)

    Optionally: folk show (80 USD per group), felt show (60 USD per group). Must be booked in advance. Possible to pay on the spot. 

    Visited places:
    • Köl-Suu
    • Kochkor
  • 8
    Kochkor – Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Tamga (170 km, 3-4h)
    Day 8 Transfer by car

    After breakfast, we go towards the biggest lake in the country Issyk Kul, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan.
    We go by the south shore of the lake.

    Along the way, in Bokonbaevo we meet an eagle hunter with his bird of prey (option). Eagle hunting is one of the ancient traditions of nomads.

    Later, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.

    When we get Tamga, you will try a Russian sauna.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (U Pavla Guesthouse or similar)
    Optionally: yurt show (70 USD per group), eagle hunting (70 USD per group). Must be booked in advance. Possible to pay on the spot. 

    Visited places:
    • Kochkor
    • Tamga
  • 9
    Tamga – Jety Oguz – Karakol (150 km, 2h)
    Day 9 Transfer by car

    After breakfast, we go towards Jety Oguz gorge.

    The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

    When we get to Karakol, we will visit its famous sights, such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.

    For dinner, you can order the typical dish of this region ¨ashlan fu¨, Dungan traditional cuisine.

    Meals included: breakfast

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Tamga
    • Karakol
  • 10
    Karakol – Grigoriev and Semenov gorge – Chon Kemin (320 km, 5h)
    Day 10 Transfer by car

    After breakfast, you go towards Grigoriev and Semenov gorge.

    They are located on the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. These places are considered the most famous attractions in the Issyk Kul region. You can take a walk and enjoy the wild nature around you. 

    Then you head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You can go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people. 

    Overnight in the guesthouse.

    Meals included: breakfast 

    Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
    Optionally: horse riding (20 USD per person horse rental + 35 USD horse guide). Must be booked in advance. Possible to pay on the spot. 

     

    Visited places:
    • Karakol
    • Chong-Kemin
  • 11
    Chon Kemin – Burana – Bishkek (200 km, 3h)
    Day 11 Transfer by car

    Breakfast in the guesthouse.

    Along the way, you can visit Burana, located about 80 km from the capital. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient Balasagyn town founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century. 

    When you arrive in Bishkek, you can visit the local market and buy some souvenirs. 

    Meals included: breakfast 

    Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)

    Visited places:
    • Chong-Kemin
    • Bishkek
  • 12
    Bishkek – Airport - Departure (30 km, 40 min)
    Day 12 Transfer by car

    Transfer to the airport. Departure.

    Meals included: breakfast

     

     

    Visited places:
    • Bishkek
  • Prices and conditions

    Price includes
    • Group transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle:
      2-4pax: SUV 6-10pax: one minibus type Mercedes Sprinter
    • English speaking driver (2-4pax)
    • Russian speaking driver (6-10pax)
    • Accommodation described in the program in twin/double room/yurt 
    • Early check-in on day 1 after 06:00
    • Breakfasts
    • Visits described in the program
    • Mineral water
    • Permits for the border zone for Kel Suu Lake
    Price does not include
    • International flights
    • Personal expenses
    • Single room supplement – 265 USD per person (except the yurt camps)
    • Insurance
    • Late check-out *
    • English speaking guide – 1201 USD per group (except for 4 pax)
    • Lunches & Dinners – 415 USD per person
    • Optional activities
    • Tips for guides and drivers
    • Alcohol
    • Other services not mentioned as included

    *Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00