Kirgisistan Natur und Nomadentour

Begin your journey with a scenic drive from Bishkek to the remote village of Kyzyl-Oi. The road passes roadside villages before climbing to the Too-Ashuu Pass (3,600 m), where you stop to enjoy the panoramic mountain views and take photos. Descend into the wide Suusamyr Valley and stop for a picnic lunch by the river, surrounded by peaceful alpine landscapes. After lunch, follow the winding Kokomeren River all the way to Kyzyl-Oi. On arrival, settle into a welcoming local guesthouse with a cup of traditional tea. Later, take a guided walk through the village for an authentic glimpse of rural Kyrgyz life. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The drive is about 200 km (140 km asphalt, 60 km dirt road), 4–5 hours. The tour can start any time until 1:00 pm, so a late-morning departure from Bishkek is possible.

Too-Ashuu Pass, Suusamyr-Tal, Kyzyl-Oi

• Bischkek → Kyzyl-Oi (200 km)

Über Nacht: Kyzyl-Oi (Guesthouse)

• Shower: Yes
• Toilet: Shared (indoor)
• Internet: Wi-Fi

Mahlzeiten: Lunch (Picnic), Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Kyzart Village. Enjoy lunch at a local guesthouse before you meet your horse and begin the ride to Song-Kol Lake. The first part of the trail crosses open fields and then climbs gradually to the Uzbek-Ashuu Pass (3,300 m). The ascent can be demanding, but the sweeping mountain views make every moment worth it. From the top of the pass you get your first breathtaking view of Song-Kol Lake. After a well-deserved rest for the horses, ride down to the lakeshore, where you stay in a traditional yurt hosted by a local nomad family. Release the horses for the night and take time to explore the peaceful surroundings. If the sky is clear, Song-Kol offers some of the best stargazing in Kyrgyzstan. The drive to Kyzart is about 90 km (2 hours) and the ride about 16 km (4–5 hours). No previous riding experience is needed – the horses are well trained and local horsemen assist you all the way. Leave your large bag at the guesthouse in Kyzart and take only a small backpack with essentials and warm clothes for the two riding days: days at Song-Kol can be warm, but the evenings are chilly.

Kyzart, Lied Kul

• Kyzyl-Oi → Kyzart (90 km)
• Kyzart → Lied Kul (16 km)

Über Nacht: Lied Kul (Yurt camp)

• Shower: No
• Toilet: Shared (indoor)
• Internet: Mobile signal only

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch, Dinner

Say goodbye to the nomad family and ride up to the Kara-Kiya Pass (3,300 m), where you enjoy a last sweeping view of Song-Kol Lake before descending to Kyzart Village. In Kyzart, have lunch and take time to rest and refresh after the morning ride. In the afternoon, continue by road to Issyk-Kul Lake and arrive in the evening at your guesthouse in Bokonbaevo Village. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The ride is about 20 km (4–5 hours) and the drive about 200 km on asphalt (3–4 hours). Bokonbaevo lies a little away from the lakeshore; if you prefer to stay closer to the lake, ask your tour manager about yurt accommodation by the lake.

Lied Kul, Kyzart, Bokonbaevo

• Lied Kul → Kyzart (20 km)
• Kyzart → Bokonbaevo (200 km)

Über Nacht: Bokonbaevo (Guesthouse)

• Shower: Yes
• Toilet: Shared (indoor)
• Internet: Wi-Fi

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day with an optional eagle hunting demonstration by a local Kyrgyz eagle hunter and experience this unique tradition first-hand. Then drive to the Skazka (Fairy-Tale) Canyon to explore its dramatic, colorful rock formations. Continue to Tamga Village for lunch at the home of a well-known Soviet-era mountaineer. Afterwards visit the Barskoon waterfalls and then head to the picturesque Jeti-Oguz Valley, famous for its striking red rock formations. In the evening, arrive in Karakol. Time permitting, take a short tour of the town before dinner at a restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. The drive is about 150 km (120 km asphalt, 30 km dirt road), 3–4 hours. The eagle hunting demonstration is staged with animal skins (real hunting on horseback takes place only in winter); it costs extra and you can skip it. Wear comfortable walking shoes for the canyon and the waterfalls.

Bokonbaevo, Skazka-Schlucht, Tamga village, Barskoon-Tal, Jeti Oguz, Karakol

• Bokonbaevo → Karakol (150 km)

Über Nacht: Karakol (Hotel)

• Shower: Yes
• Toilet: Private (in the room)
• Internet: Wi-Fi

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with a short drive to Ak-Suu Village near Karakol, where the trek begins. With a light backpack, follow a scenic trail along a clear mountain river and through lush alpine forest, with views of the surrounding peaks. Halfway, stop for a relaxing riverside picnic before continuing on a gentle uphill path toward the gorge. By early evening, arrive in the beautiful Altyn-Arashan valley and check in at a cozy guesthouse. After the day on the trail, unwind in the natural hot springs and let the warm mineral water soothe your muscles. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The drive to Ak-Suu is about 30 km (30 minutes) and the trek about 12 km (about 5 hours), easy to moderate. Leave your large bag at the hotel in Karakol or in the car and take only a backpack with essentials for the 2-day trek. Instead of walking, you can ride a horse or take a ride in a classic Soviet 4x4 UAZ for an extra fee.

Ak Suu, Altyn Arashan

• Karakol → Ak Suu (30 km)
• Ak Suu → Altyn Arashan (12 km)

Über Nacht: Altyn Arashan (Guesthouse)

• Toilet: Shared (indoor)
• Internet: Wi-Fi

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner

After breakfast, trek back to Ak-Suu Village along the river and through the alpine forest, taking in the fresh mountain air and the views one last time. From Ak-Suu, drive to Karakol for lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy a picturesque drive along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, past the towns of Cholpon-Ata and Balykchy, to Chon-Kemin National Park, a quiet mountain valley with pristine landscapes and fresh alpine air. Check in at a cozy guesthouse in the park and relax after a full day of trekking and driving. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. The trek is about 12 km (about 4 hours) and the drive about 300 km on asphalt (4–5 hours). It is a long day, so an early start from Altyn-Arashan is recommended; keep a small backpack with what you need for the trek and the drive.

Ak Suu, Karakol, Cholpon Ata, Chon Kemin

• Altyn Arashan → Ak Suu (12 km)
• Ak Suu → Chon Kemin (300 km)

Über Nacht: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)

• Shower: Yes
• Toilet: Private (in the room)
• Internet: Wi-Fi

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch, Dinner

On the last day of your Kyrgyzstan adventure, drive from Chon-Kemin back to Bishkek. On the way, stop at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. After lunch in Bishkek, enjoy a guided city tour of the capital’s main sights, including Ala-Too Square and the bustling Osh Bazaar, a good place for souvenirs. The tour ends in Bishkek in the afternoon. The drive is about 170 km on asphalt (3–4 hours). If you prefer nature to the city tour, you can take a relaxing walk in Ala-Archa National Park or a more challenging hike to Kol-Tor Lake on the way instead. The hotel in Bishkek is not included.

Burana Turm, Ala Too Square, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Bischkek

• Chon Kemin → Bischkek (170 km)

Mahlzeiten: Frühstück, Lunch