UP TO THE CELESTIAL MOUNTAINS TOUR
Trekking Tour in mountains of Kyrgyzstan (Tien Shan)
TOUR DETAILS
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Tour length
15 days/ 8 days of trekking - Participant 4 - 10 pax
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Price from
$2240 / person
Tour Highlights
This 15-day trekking adventure through Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountains combines breathtaking landscapes with rich cultural immersion, starting from the lively capital, Bishkek, and extending into remote villages and pristine mountain lakes. Begin the trek through scenic landscapes such as Toru Aiygr, Kol Kogur Lake, and Kyzyl Aska, each showcasing lush valleys and alpine vistas. Explore iconic gorges like Grigorievskoe, Semienovskoe, and Jety Oguz with its red rock formations, before reaching the quiet beauty of Barskoon Gorge. High-altitude lakes such as Kol Ukok and Son Kul reveal the heart of Kyrgyz nomadic culture, where you’ll sleep in yurts and meet herders who live harmoniously with nature. Diverse landscapes, from Skazka’s red canyons to the rolling pastures of Kilemche and Kyzart, offer stunning scenery at every turn. Concluding in Bishkek, this trek provides a challenging yet unforgettable journey into Central Asia’s untamed beauty and the warmth of Kyrgyz hospitality.
SCHEDULED DATES IN 2025
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TOUR ITINERARY
We will pick you up at the airport/border point and bring you to the capital (check-in at 14:00).
After some rest, the visit to the city center is planned. We will discover the sights such as the central square Ala Too with its monuments and Oak Park.
After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market Osh bazaar. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the colourful oriental atmosphere: an endless stream of people and a big variety of goods.
Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Our journey begins with a visit to the Burana Tower. The Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle, and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient town Balasagyn founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch in Iskra village with a Doungan family, the Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine.
Then we head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people. Dinner in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse or similar)
Option: horseback riding (13 USD /person horse rental + 25 USD local horse guide service). Possible to book and pay on site
After breakfast, transfer to the starting point near the Chon Kemin River. From here we start our 4-days trek to the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
The luggage is carried by the horses (You only take the necessary things for 4 days of the trek and the rest of the luggage you leave in the vehicle with your driver).
The slopes of the mountains are covered with fir trees. We have a picnic on the way. After we continue our trek through the forest to the pastures of Toru Aigyr. We set up our tents there.
Dinner and overnight in a tent.
Trek: 10 km, +750m, 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tent
After breakfast, we start hiking towards Kol Kogur Lake at 2,500 meters. The lake is located on the northern slope of the Kungey Ala-Too mountains in a picturesque wooded area. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Northern Tien Chan. The lake has a trapezoidal shape.
On the shore of the lake, we set up tents, and we enjoy the magnificent landscapes around us.
Dinner and overnight in a tent. Trek: 11 km, +300m, -320m, 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Tent
After breakfast, we go towards the pastures of Kyzyl Aska.
We cross the 3347-meter-high pass. Coming down from the mountain pass, we set up our tents not far from the river.
Dinner and overnight in tents. Trek: 14 km, + 880m, -800m, 5-6h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Tent
Today is the last day of the trek. From Kyzyl Aska we follow our path.
We go to Achyk Tash, where our driver picks us up and brings us to the north shore of Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of the Kyrgyz land. Issyk Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world after Titicaca. Its name means “hot lake” in Kyrgyz language.
When you arrive to hotel, you take a shower and have a rest. If you want, you can swim in the lake and have a little rest on the beach.
Dinner at the restaurant. Trek: 11 km, -500m, 3-4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kapriz Resort Hotel or similar)
After breakfast, we visit the Grigorievskoe and Semienovskoe Gorge. These places are some of the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kul region. You can go for a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and spend some pleasant time in this beautiful place.
Picnic in the gorge or lunch in the cafe on the road.
As we arrive in Karakol, we visit its famous sights such as the Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque.
You have dinner in the local restaurant. After dinner, you have a rest in the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel or similar)
After breakfast, we depart to the gorge of Jety Oguz. The red rock Broken Heart located at the entrance of the mountain gorge creates a romantic ambiance in this beautiful place. You have time to walk here and enjoy the marvellous views on the rocks of Jety Oguz.
Picnic or lunch in the yurt. Then we go to the Barskoon gorge. The gorge is famous for its waterfalls. One of the best known is The Tears of a Leopard. Here you find the monument for the first cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin, who liked this place very much and was having a rest in the nearby military sanatorium of Tamga.
Dinner in the guesthouse with a Russian family.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (U Pavla Guesthouse or similar)
After breakfast in the guesthouse, we leave towards the village Kochkor. Driving along the southern shore of the lake, we visit the Skazka canyons. Its name means “fairy tale” in Russian. Here you can find objects of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal can appear in front of you. Walking in the canyons (1-2h).
In Bokonbaevo, we meet an eagle hunter with his bird. You can appreciate the alertness and speed of the bird during the hunting. It is one of the oldest traditions of the Kyrgyz nomads. Lunch in the guesthouse or cafe. Our next stop is Kyzyl Tuu village, where the local family reveals the secrets of yurt production. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation. Dinner in the guesthouse in Kochkor.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Mira Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Transfer by car from Kotchkor to Isakeev village (15 minutes). From here, you start the trek on foot towards the pastures of Ters Tor. While hiking, you can enjoy the clean air and the calm of these places.
We will stop for a picnic on the way.
We arrive in the shepherds’ yurt in Kol Ukok. You can walk around and take photos of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Dinner and overnight in a yurt. Trek: 15 km, 5 h, +1000 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp*
* To note: 4-6 people per a yurt. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp
After breakfast in a yurt, we return by the same path to the starting point of our trek. Here our driver is waiting for us.
Return to Kochkor. Lunch in the restaurant or guesthouse.
Transfer by car to Kyzart village (1 hour). Upon arrival, you can rest and take a shower/sauna.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Trek: 15km, 4-5 h, – 1000 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Maksat Guesthouse or similar)
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Transfer to the starting point.
The two-day hike to Son Kul Lake begins. We will cross the Kilemche valley which in Kyrgyz means “carpet”. A wide variety of mountain grass and alpine flowers cover all the slopes around the valley like a real colorful carpet.
Picnic during the hike is planned.
We arrive at the shepherds’ yurt camp where we spend the night. Dinner in a yurt. Trek: 4-5h, 17 km, +- 200 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp*
* To note: 4-6 people per a yurt. Toilets are outside. No shower in the camp
After breakfast, we continue our trek.
Hiking offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these places. Today, we overcome the pass of Tuz Ashu (3400 m).
From the pass the lake Son Kul seems very small, but as we go down and approach the lake, it appears in front of us in all its grandeur and beauty.
Upon arrival at the yurt camp, you enjoy the hospitality of nomads, and you discover their lifestyle. Dinner and overnight in the yurts. Trek: 5-6h, 14 km, +800 m, -400 m
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp
* Option: horse riding (13 USD horse rental + 10-25 USD service of the horse guide), horse games (100-200 USD per group). Possible to book and pay on site
* To note: 4-6 people per a yurt. Toilets and shower are outside.
We return to the capital after breakfast in the yurt.
We will return to civilization by descending from the Kalmak Ashu pass at the altitude of 3,400 meters and passing through Boom Gorge again.
Lunch in the restaurant in Kochkor.
When we arrive in Bishkek, we will have time to visit the Osh bazaar to buy gifts or souvenirs.
Farewell dinner in the traditional restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Rixon Hotel or similar)
Transfer to the airport. Departure.
Meals included: breakfast
TOUR INFORMATION
INCLUDED
- Group transfers in air conditioned and comfortable vehicle
- Group airport transfer from 3 people (day 1 & 15)
- English speaking tour guide
- Accommodation mentioned in the program
- Earky check-in on day after 06:00
- Full board
- Visits mentioned in the program
- Eagle hunting
- Tents (2. pax per tent)
- Horses for carryinf luggage during the trecks (days 3 – 6 and 10 – 13)
- Cook during the treks (days 3 – 6)
NOT INCLUDED
- Private airport transfer – 20 USD one way
- Single room supplement
- Insurance
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- International flight tickets
- Porter during the 2 day trek to Kok-Ukok and 2-day trek to Son-Kul
- Sleeping bags and mats
Price per person
| Double /twin room* | With Single supplement * |
| 2240 USD | 2575 USD |
* Except for the guesthouse in Kyzart + yurt camps
Accommodation
Bishkek – Hotel 3*
– Rixon Hotel
– Garden Hotel
– or similar
Chon Kemin – Guesthouse
– Kemin Guesthouse
– or similar
Cholpon Ata – Hôtel 4*
– Kapriz Hotel
– Karven Hotel
– or similar
Karakol – Hotel 3*
– My Hotel
– or similar
Tamga – Guesthouse
– U Pavla Guesthouse
– or similar
Kochkor – Guesthouse
– Mira Guesthouse
– or similar
Kyzart – Guesthouse
– Maksat Guesthouse
– or similar
Kol Ukok, Kilemche, Son Kul
– Yurt camp
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If you would like to customize your tour please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to organize a custom tour or to provide a modified itinerary based on one of the tours provided by the tour operators.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Money & costs
Safety
Entry & exit
Best time to go
Health
Money & costs
Money & costs
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). In the capital, Bishkek, an abundance of ATMs can be found, some of which dispense US dollars in addition to local soms. Beyond the city limits, ATMs are increasingly prevalent in few largest towns but are mostly not available in smaller towns except at the northern shore of Issyk Kul.
Mastercard is universally accepted at all ATMs but Visa is still the more widely accepted card of choice in Kyrgyzstan. Maestro or other cards might be accepted in few select machines. Demirbank with their red colored ATMs has been the best option lately for all foreign cards with moderate fees.
Currency exchange services are readily accessible in major cities, ensuring seamless exchange of rubles, US dollars, and euros into soms. It is imperative that foreign currency banknotes remain pristine, fresh, and devoid of any signs of wear. Larger banknotes from 50 USD and 50 EUR are favored by the cash exchange services and are sometimes the prerequisite for a better exchange rate.
While credit cards face limited acceptance nationwide the convenience of utilizing debit or credit cards extends to major hotels, restaurants, expansive supermarkets, and selected museums in Bishkek and Osh and rarely even in taxis. However, outside these two prominent cities and Northern Shore of Issyk Kul, the practicality of card payments remains unfeasible.
Safety
Safety
Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe for travelers, but adherence to standard precautions is crucial. The country is experiencing an active surge in tourism. Key recommendations encompass:
- Always have your passport or a notarized copy with you, as lacking proper identification may lead to arrest by the police.
- Incidents of robberies, some of which can be violent, and thefts are commonplace especially in crowded places like the bazars. Caution is advised, particularly when venturing out after dark. Instances of sexual violence and harassment have been reported in public transportation.
- Steer clear of crowds and demonstrations to ensure personal safety.
- Show respect for local traditions, customs, laws, and religious practices at all times.
- The possession or use of narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Photography of anything related to the armed forces or security services is not allowed.
- While same-sex relationships are legal, they are not widely discussed and lack public recognition.
- Avoid solitary walks or travels, especially during nighttime.
- Utilize established taxi services in advance to ensure reliability.
- The southern regions are susceptible to smuggling activities, rendering the security situation unstable and hazardous along the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- Mind where you step in the cities as there are sometimes large holes on the streets and the pavements are not in pristine condition on the pedestrian areas.
Entry & exit
Entry & exit
Kyrgyzstan extends a visa-free arrangement to travelers from 69 countries. Alternatively, others can opt for the electronic visa system or submit applications through the embassy. Comprehensive information about visas is available here. For a tourist visa in Kyrgyzstan, a majority of passport holders require an invitation letter from a tourism company. Since September 1, 2017, Kyrgyzstan has introduced an electronic visa system. Special authorization is mandated for visits to border regions in Kyrgyzstan.
Best time to go
Best time to go
The optimal time to experience Kyrgyzstan is during the summer months of July and August. Despite the temperatures reaching approximately 30°C, this period witnesses the liveliest bazaars in the country. It is also the perfect season to delve into the mountainous landscapes and trekking routes that may be inaccessible during other times of the year. In July and August, you have the opportunity to explore Kyrgyzstan’s mountains either on foot or horseback, immersing yourself in traditional yurt accommodations with local families. Additionally, this time of the year hosts annual festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
While the winters in the highlands are prolonged, limiting passage through the elevated mountain passes, it presents a captivating season for exploring Kyrgyzstan. Engaging in various activities, akin to those enjoyed in summer (with the exception of rafting), such as hiking, horseback riding, or skiing in the mountains, allows for a unique experience. Accommodations in traditional yurts are also available during this season.
Health
Health
The overall state of healthcare in this country is recognized as relatively subpar, prompting a strong recommendation for travelers reliant on regular medications to carry ample supplies. Locating necessary drugs locally might pose challenges or incur significant costs. Medical facilities are anticipated to be scarce, underscoring the importance of securing comprehensive medical and travel insurance prior to arrival. In the event of a serious accident or illness, emergency air evacuation to a neighboring country may be necessary.
It is imperative to treat tap water and other local water sources as contaminated, necessitating thorough boiling before consumption. Opting for bottled water throughout the entire duration of stay in the country is a prudent choice. Exercise particular caution when consuming unpasteurized dairy products or animal products that may be susceptible to contamination.
Before entering the country, obtaining additional vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis is recommended, and other vaccinations may also be deemed necessary. Malaria poses a risk in the country, predominantly in the southern regions.
Other tours in Kyrgyzstan
Tour updated 27.1.2024
