Classic Kyrgyzstan tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Classic Kyrgyzstan tour Highlights
See the best of Kyrgyzstan in 7 days, from the mountain gorges around Bishkek to the hot springs and red rocks of Issyk-Kul. The tour begins with a scenic visit to Ala-Archa National Park and the picturesque Chunkurchak Gorge, followed by the historic Burana Tower and a horse-riding experience in the Chon Kemin valley.
You then travel along Issyk-Kul Lake to Karakol, exploring the Grigorievka and Semenovka valleys on the way, before an adventurous off-road drive to Altyn Arashan, known for its mountains and hot springs. The striking Jeti-Oguz Gorge, the waterfall in the Barskoon Valley and the colorful Fairytale Canyon lead to a traditional yurt camp near Bokonbaevo on the southern shore, with an eagle hunting show. Finally, you return to Bishkek for a guided city tour, completing a week of natural beauty, cultural experiences and adventure.
Difficulty: Moderate Mostly easy walks with optional short hikes (Ala-Archa, Barskoon waterfall), but long drives of up to about 350 km a day, a rocky and bumpy off-road ride of about 25 km to Altyn Arashan in a Soviet UAZ 4x4, and simple guesthouses and a yurt camp with shared WC on some nights.
Tour Itinerary
Begin your journey in Bishkek and head to Ala-Archa National Park, where you can immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a leisurely riverside walk or take a moderate hike to viewpoints such as the "Broken Heart Stone". After exploring the park, continue to Chunkurchak Gorge and visit the Pigeon Waterfall and the Sky Bridge for sweeping panoramic views. At the mountain resort in the gorge you can add horseback riding, ziplining or archery (optional). Lunch is at a local café or as a picnic in nature before you return to Bishkek for dinner at a restaurant. Transfer: about 120 km, approx. 3 hours. Overnight at a hotel in Bishkek (private WC, Wi-Fi).
Ala Archa, Chunkurchak Gorge
- Bishkek → Ala Archa (35 km)
- Ala Archa → Chunkurchak Gorge (40 km)
- Chunkurchak Gorge → Bishkek (45 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast and a hotel pick-up in Bishkek, take a scenic drive through the Kyrgyz countryside to the Burana Tower, an ancient site that offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's history. Explore the tower and the nearby museum at your leisure. From there, continue to the tranquil Chon Kemin Valley. Enjoy lunch with traditional Kyrgyz dishes, then go horseback riding through the valley, surrounded by mountains and fresh air (optional). In the evening, return to your guesthouse to unwind and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Transfer: about 150 km, approx. 3 hours. Overnight at a guesthouse in Chon Kemin (private WC, Wi-Fi).
Burana Tower, Chon Kemin
- Bishkek → Burana Tower (80 km)
- Burana Tower → Chon Kemin (70 km)
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Chon Kemin and travel towards the scenic Issyk-Kul Lake. Take some time to enjoy the lakeside views, stroll along the shore or simply relax in the fresh mountain air. Continue through the picturesque villages of Grigorievka and Semenovka and their valleys, where you can admire traditional village life and stunning landscapes. Next, arrive in Karakol, a charming town at the foot of the Terskey Alatau mountains. Check in to your hotel and take a short walk through the town, with landmarks such as the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church and the Dungan Mosque. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a well-known local restaurant celebrated for its traditional Kyrgyz cuisine and warm atmosphere. Transfer: about 350 km, approx. 5–6 hours. Overnight at a hotel in Karakol (private WC, Wi-Fi).
Issyk Kul Guide, Grigoriev Gorge, Semenov Gorge, Karakol, Karakol Orthodox cathedral, Karakol Dungan Mosque
- Chon Kemin → Grigoriev Gorge (200 km)
- Grigoriev Gorge → Semenov Gorge (10 km)
- Semenov Gorge → Karakol (140 km)
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, leave Karakol with your guide and set off for Altyn Arashan in a Soviet UAZ 4×4, travelling through rugged mountain terrain with breathtaking views along the way. On arrival, check in to your guesthouse or yurt camp in the scenic valley. After settling in, unwind in the natural hot springs, renowned for their mineral-rich, therapeutic waters. Enjoy lunch with traditional Kyrgyz dishes, then spend the afternoon at leisure, either soaking in the springs or exploring the surrounding area. In the evening, have a hearty dinner and relax under the stars, around a bonfire or in the comfort of the guesthouse. Transfer: about 30 km, approx. 2 hours (about 25 km off-road; the road is rocky and bumpy). Overnight at a guesthouse in Altyn Arashan (shared WC, paid Wi-Fi).
Altyn Arashan
- Karakol → Altyn Arashan (30 km)
Overnight: Altyn Arashan (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, take an exciting 4×4 ride back down to the start of the off-road track. From there, a short drive of about 30 minutes brings you to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famous for its striking red rock formations. On arrival, check in to a cozy guesthouse with comfortable beds and a warm, welcoming atmosphere – perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. Enjoy the surrounding natural beauty and unwind for the evening. Transfer: about 60 km, approx. 3–4 hours. Overnight at a guesthouse in Jeti-Oguz (private WC, Wi-Fi).
Jeti Oguz
- Altyn Arashan → Jeti Oguz (60 km)
Overnight: Jeti Oguz (Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive from Jeti-Oguz to the Barskoon waterfall in the Terskey Alatau mountains. Take a short hike and enjoy the serene natural surroundings, followed by a picnic lunch in nature. Next, visit the Fairytale Canyon (Skazka), where vibrant, colorful rock formations create a magical landscape for exploring and photography. In the evening, arrive near Bokonbaevo and check in to your yurt camp. After settling in, watch an eagle hunting show that presents the skill of local hunters and the traditional Kyrgyz art of training eagles, together with an archery demonstration. The day ends with a hearty dinner and the peaceful atmosphere of the lakeside setting. Transfer: about 160 km, approx. 3–4 hours. Overnight at a yurt camp near Bokonbaevo (shared WC, Wi-Fi).
Barskoon Valley, Skazka Canyon, Bokonbaevo
- Jeti Oguz → Barskoon Valley (75 km)
- Barskoon Valley → Skazka Canyon (45 km)
- Skazka Canyon → Bokonbaevo (40 km)
Overnight: Bokonbaevo (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive from Bokonbaevo back to Bishkek. Begin your city exploration at Ala-Too Square, the heart of Bishkek, with the impressive statue of Manas. Continue to the Central Mosque, an important place of worship and cultural heritage, and then to the Osh Bazaar, a lively market where you can experience local life and shop for souvenirs. After a full day of sightseeing, enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant, then check in to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay at the end of your journey through Kyrgyzstan. Transfer: about 280 km, approx. 4–5 hours. Overnight at a hotel in Bishkek (private WC, Wi-Fi).
Bishkek, Ala Too Square, Bishkek Central Mosque, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek)
- Bokonbaevo → Bishkek (280 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | $1,000 |
| 4–5 travelers | $943 |
| 6 travelers | $920 |
| 7 travelers | $828 |
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What's included
Included
- 4×4 transfers with air conditioning throughout the tour
- English-speaking guide/driver
- 7 nights' accommodation in double or twin rooms: 2 nights in a hotel in Bishkek, 1 in a guesthouse in Chon Kemin, 1 in a hotel in Karakol, 1 in a guesthouse in Altyn Arashan, 1 in a guesthouse in Jeti-Oguz and 1 in a yurt camp near Bokonbaevo
- Full board (set menu) as per the program, from lunch on day 1 to dinner on day 7
- All visits mentioned in the itinerary
- Soviet UAZ vehicle for the Altyn Arashan excursion
- Entrance fees to all sites
- Horse riding and horse rental
- 1 liter of mineral water per person per day
- Eagle hunting show and archery demonstration
Not included
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide
- Breakfast on day 1
- Other water and alcoholic beverages
- Services not explicitly mentioned as included
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
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Night 1
Bishkek
Hotel in Bishkek or similar
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Night 2
Chon Kemin
Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin or similar
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Night 3
Karakol
Hotel in Karakol or similar
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Night 4
Altyn Arashan
Guesthouse in Altyn-Arashan or similar
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Night 5
Jeti Oguz
Guesthouse in Jeti-Oguz or similar
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Night 6
Bokonbaevo
Yurt camp in Bokonbaevo or similar
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Night 7
Bishkek
Hotel in Bishkek or similar
Good to know
- Accommodation: The hotels in Bishkek and Karakol and the guesthouses in Chon Kemin and Jeti-Oguz have rooms with a private WC and Wi-Fi. The guesthouse in Altyn Arashan has a shared WC and paid Wi-Fi, and the yurt camp near Bokonbaevo has a shared WC and Wi-Fi.
- Road to Altyn Arashan: About 25 km of the 30 km are off-road in a Soviet UAZ 4×4; the road is rocky and bumpy.
- Optional activities: Horseback riding, ziplining or archery at the mountain resort in Chunkurchak Gorge (day 1) and horseback riding in the Chon Kemin valley (day 2) are optional.
- Meals: Full board with set menus from lunch on day 1; breakfast on day 1 is not included.
Kyrgyzstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kyrgyzstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan before booking.
The official currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek has plenty of ATMs, but outside the larger towns and the northern shore of Issyk-Kul cash is how almost everything is paid.
ATMs and cards
Some ATMs in Bishkek dispense US dollars as well as som. Beyond the capital, ATMs are found in the few largest towns but mostly not in smaller ones, except on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul. Mastercard works in all ATMs, but Visa is still the more widely accepted card. Demirbank's red ATMs have lately been the best option for foreign cards, with moderate fees.
Exchanging money
Exchange offices in the major cities change US dollars, euros and roubles into som. Notes must be clean, fresh and without any signs of wear. Exchange offices prefer larger notes from 50 USD and 50 EUR, and sometimes give a better rate for them.
Paying by card
Cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, large supermarkets and some museums in Bishkek and Osh, and occasionally even in taxis. Elsewhere, apart from the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, paying by card is not practical.
Kyrgyzstan is generally safe for travellers and tourism is growing fast, but the usual precautions matter.
Documents
Always carry your passport or a notarised copy. Without proper identification you can be detained by the police.
In towns
- Robberies, some of them violent, and thefts happen especially in crowded places such as the bazaars. Take care after dark.
- Sexual harassment has been reported on public transport. Avoid walking or travelling alone, especially at night.
- Book taxis in advance from established services.
- Stay away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Watch where you step: some streets have large holes and pavements are often uneven.
Laws and customs
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religious practices.
- Possessing or using narcotics is strictly prohibited.
- Do not photograph anything related to the armed forces or security services.
- Same-sex relationships are legal but not widely discussed or publicly recognised.
Border areas
Smuggling makes the southern border zones with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan unstable and best avoided.
Kyrgyzstan is visa-free for travellers from many countries. Others can apply for an electronic visa or through an embassy.
Visas
For a tourist visa, most passport holders need an invitation letter from a tourism company. Kyrgyzstan has had an electronic visa system since 1 September 2017.
Border regions
Visiting border regions requires a special permit.
The best times to visit Kyrgyzstan's lower areas are May–June and September. In the high mountains, July and August are best.
Lower areas: May–June and September
In late spring and early autumn the valleys, Issyk-Kul's shores and the towns are green or golden, days are pleasant rather than hot and there are fewer visitors.
High mountains: July and August
This is when the high pastures, yurt camps and mountain passes are open, and trekking and horse-riding routes that are under snow the rest of the year can be reached. Days in the valleys can reach about 30°C, and nights at altitude can still be close to freezing. Summer is also the time of festivals celebrating Kyrgyz traditions.
Winter
Winters in the highlands are long and close the high passes, but it is still a captivating season. Hiking, horse riding and skiing are all possible, and yurt stays are available too.
Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan is basic and medical facilities are scarce, so comprehensive medical and travel insurance is essential.
Medicines
If you rely on regular medication, bring enough for the whole trip: it can be hard or expensive to find locally.
Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive. A serious accident or illness may mean emergency air evacuation to a neighbouring country.
Food and water
Treat tap water and other local water as contaminated and boil it before drinking; bottled water is the safest choice throughout your stay. Be careful with unpasteurised dairy and other animal products.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations against polio and tuberculosis are recommended before entering the country, and others may also be advisable. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.
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