14 Days Overland expedition around Kyrgyzstan

14 Days Overland expedition around Kyrgyzstan

This tour of Kyrgyzstan is designed to be a fun, interesting and culturally fascinating experience, with a big focus on outdoor adventures.

This brand new 14-day tour of Kyrgyzstan will start off in the surprisingly cosmopolitan ex-Soviet city of Bishkek, before heading into the mountains at Chong Kemin.

We’ll then drive to the high alpine lake of Song Kul, where we will have the chance to go horse trekking and hiking around the lake, and learn more about the nomadic shepherds that call this area home. Staying in a yurt is a real Kyrgyz experience that you’re sure to love.

The next stop is Tong, on the edge of Issyk Kul. We’ll spend a few days taking part in eagle hunting demonstrations, learning how to build a yurt and checking out some traditional folklore shows.

Afterwards it’s onto Karakol, with a detour through the rock formations at Fairytale Canyon and the Seven Bulls.

The next destination of Jyrgalan is sure to become one of your favourite places on the planet.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day at Bishkek city

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
Upon arrival at Manas International Airport in Bishkek you will be met by us in the terminal and transferred to comfortable, 4-star hotel in the city.

Today is a day of leisure. You can choose to relax in the hotel, check out one of the many lovely cafes, or go for Bishkek city walking tour.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-4 star hotel

Day 2: Bishkek- Kalmak Ashuu

Stop At: Chon-Kemin National Park, Kemin Kyrgyzstan
We’ll have breakfast at our hotel before leaving early in the morning for Chong Kemin, a beautiful village located in a valley. Along the way we’ll stop off at the 9th century minaret, the Burana Tower, and then continue to our guesthouse for a nice lunch. In the afternoon we will go for a mountain hike to get some beautiful views of the region. Dinner will be in the guesthouse.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Authentic type Guest House

Day 3: Chong Kemin to Song Kul

Stop At: Song Kol Lake, Song Kol lake pionerskaya 20, Kochkor, Naryn 722600 Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast in our guesthouse we will start driving towards the large town of Kochkor. Here we will have lunch with a local family known for their amazing handicrafts. After the meal we will be treated to a workshop on how to make the felt handicrafts that Kyrgyzstan is famous for. You will have the opportunity to purchase some handmade souvenirs before we continue the drive towards Song Kul, one of the jewels of the country.

This alpine lake sits above 3000m and is surrounded by nomadic shepherds, looking after yaks, donkeys, goats and horses. We will be staying in a luxury yurt camp, the best one on the lake, and isolated from the other main yurt accommodations. Once we check in to our yurts we will head

out for a short walk and enjoy a sunset photoshoot. Dinner will be prepared by the family in the yurt camp.

Duration: 2 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yurt camp

Day 4: Day at Song Kul

Stop At: Song Kol Lake, Song Kol lake pionerskaya 20, Kochkor, Naryn 722600 Kyrgyzstan
We’ll wake early to catch what will hopefully be a gorgeous sunrise, and then have breakfast in the dining yurt. In the morning the whole group will take part in a half-day horse trek to visit some ancient petroglyphs and take in a spectacular panoramic view of the landscape. Lunch will be back at the yurt camp. In the afternoon the family will put on a boorsok show, teaching us how to make this famous, doughy snack that is a staple all around the country, and then there will be free time to relax before dinner. If the skies are clear you can do an astrophotography and capture images of the Milky Way.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yurt Camp

Day 5: Song Kul-Bokonbaev

Stop At: Issyk-Kul Lake, Tian Shan Mountains, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
In the morning we’ll have breakfast at Song Kul before saying goodbye and driving down to Kyrgyzstan’s other legendary lake – Issyk Kul. Here we’ll stay in another high-end yurt camp near the shores of the lake. We’ll have lunch at the accommodation and then head off to what promises to be one of the highlights of the trip – an eagle hunting demonstration, hosted by a world champion! We’ll be given a close-up experience of how man and eagle have worked together for centuries in Central Asia, and you will have the opportunity to pose for photos holding the eagle yourself. There will also be a number of other traditional sporting demonstrations. In the evening will have dinner and a traditional folklore show.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yurt camp

Day 6: Day at Issyk-Kul lake

Stop At: Ethno-Cultural Tourist Destination South Shore of Issyk-Kul, Mambetov Street, 37B Toichubekov Culture House, 2nd floor, Bokonbayevo 722450 Kyrgyzstan
We’ll have breakfast in the yurt camp and then set off for a half-day horse trek into the mountains. The views will be amazing, and after you’ve worked up an appetite we’ll return to camp for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we’ll visit a nearby village that is famous for building yurts, the awesome domes we’ve been staying in for the last few nights. Here we’ll take part in a yurt-building demonstration from the world record holders for the fastest time to erect a yurt. We won’t be in a rush though – instead this will be a hands-on experience so you can learn how to build your own yurt! Afterwards we’ll head back to the yurt camp for dinner and another special show.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Yurt Camp

Day 7: Drive to Karakol city

Stop At: Karakol Tourist Information Center, Abdrahmanov St 130, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
We’ll hit the road on an early start and start off the day’s adventures with a visit to Skazka Canyon, also known as Fairytale Canyon. This spectacular sandstone formation is like one giant playground for adults, and we’ll spend around an hour to climb all over the gorgeous canyon and take pictures of the rainbow-like formations. Afterwards we’ll continue on our way towards Jeti Oguz to get a gorgeous view of the Seven Bulls rock formation. In the late afternoon we’ll arrive in the cool town of Karakol, and check in to our awesome 3 star hotel. Dinner will be in an excellent local restaurant.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3-4 star hotel

Day 8: Day at Karakol city

Stop At: Karakol Historical Museum, Gagarin/Jamansariev, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast we will go on a walking tour of Karakol city with a local guide and visit the famous Dungan mosque, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and other highlights of the city. For lunch we will be experiencing a traditional cooking class with a Dungan family. The Dungans are a Chinese-Muslim ethnic minority group that fled persecution in their homeland and settled in the valleys around Karakol. After learning about their history and visiting one of their mosques you will be taught how to make ashlanfu, one of their most famous dishes. Then enjoy one of the most amazing feasts you can imagine.

The afternoon is free, then we will head off on a sunset kayaking mission on Issyk Kul. This is a brand new activity, and having the opportunity to go for a paddle around the

stunning lake is definitely not to be missed. We’ll finish with dinner in a great local restaurant.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3-4 star hotel

Day 9: Karakol - Jyrgalan

Stop At: Jyrgalan Valley Trekking/Freeride Skiing, Asanbaev st., 3, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
Today we’re going to wake up before sunrise and head to the famous livestock bazaar in Karakol. Here hundreds of local farmers and herders get together every Sunday during the summer to buy and sell horses, goats, sheep and cows. It’s a manic, dusty, loud place, but is very interesting. We plan to go early as most of the trading actually starts around 3am, so this way we’ll beat the tourists and see it while it is still busy.

Afterwards we’ll head back to the hotel for breakfast and to shower before driving out to Jyrgalan, our favourite place in all of Kyrgyzstan! This mountain village proved to be everyone’s and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it. We have a couple of days jam packed with adventure for you,

and we’ll start with a hike in the afternoon before enjoying a traditional Finnish sauna and dinner with the local family.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guest House

Day 10: Day at Jyrgalan

Stop At: Jyrgalan Valley Trekking/Freeride Skiing, Asanbaev st., 3, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
As tempting as it is to simply relax around the village of Jyrgalan, the real beauty is out in the mountains, and that’s exactly where we’re headed today. We’re going to go on a full-day horse trek to a beautiful alpine lake. Lunchboxes will be provided, and we’ll return again to the guesthouse for dinner. For those that don’t want to horse trek for an entire day, there are plenty of other options to do around the village or the mountains. Options will be discussed.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guest House

Day 11: Day at Jyrgalan

Stop At: Jyrgalan Valley Trekking/Freeride Skiing, Asanbaev st., 3, Karakol 722360 Kyrgyzstan
Today we have another full-day guided hike planned, this time to a nearby mountain ridge that offers gorgeous views over the border into Kazakhstan. It’s of moderate difficulty, so decent fitness is required. Lunchboxes will be provided along the way. We’ll have dinner back at the guesthouse.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Guest House

Day 12: Jyrgalan - Cholpon Ata

Stop At: Oluya Cholpon Ata Mausoleum, Cholpon Ata Kyrgyzstan
Today we say our reluctant goodbyes to Jyrgalan and drive towards Cholpon Ata, one of the biggest towns on Issyk Kul’s north shore. For lunch we will visit a golden trout mountain farm and try our hand at a bit of fishing. For lunch we’ll have a delicious fresh fish spread, and then continue to the ancient petroglyphs spread out over hundreds of boulders in an open sky museum, and check out the new Rukh Ordo Cultural Centre. We’ll be staying in a lovely guesthouse in town, and have dinner at a nice restaurant in Cholpon Ata
Duration: 24 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 star hotel

Day 13: Cholpon Ata - Bishkek

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
It’s a short 3-hour drive to Bishkek, so we will have a leisurely breakfast and then get on the road. When we arrive back in the city we’ll check in to our hotel, and the afternoon is free to relax, pack your bags or get in a last bit of souvenir shopping. Lunch is included today, and we’ll have a final group dinner in the evening.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 14: Depart from Bishkek

Stop At: Bishkek-City, Suyumbayeva, 142/2, Bishkek 720000 Kyrgyzstan
The final goodbyes will be sad, but it’s onto the next adventure! We’ll transfer you to the Manas International Airport in time to catch your departing flights.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.