Full Kyrgyzstan tour from Osh

Transfer from the airport or the border to your hotel. Osh is a multicultural city with a history of some 3,000 years and is regarded as a cultural capital of the Turkic-speaking peoples. The city tour starts at the sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain in the center of Osh, the main cultural heritage site of the region. Afterwards, walk through the Central Bazaar, a famous marketplace since the heyday of the Silk Road. For lunch you can try samsy, the pastry Osh is known for. In the evening, we invite you to a welcome dinner of plov, the most popular dish in Kyrgyzstan.

Sulaiman Too, Jayma Bazaar (Osh), Osh

Overnight: Osh (Hotel)

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, drive from Osh to Arslanbob (3–4 hours). On the way, visit the historic tower of Uzgen, the "Munara", a strategic center under the Karakhanids (9th–13th century). In Arslanbob, enjoy a meal at a local guesthouse with a panoramic view over the forested mountains. In the afternoon, an adventurous ride in old Soviet jeeps takes you to the small and the big waterfall, followed by a visit to the largest natural walnut forest in the world. Dinner and overnight at a local guesthouse.

Uzgen, Arslanbob, Arslanbob Small Waterfall, Arslanbob Big Waterfall

• Osh → Arslanbob

Overnight: Arslanbob (Guesthouse)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the Sary-Chelek national park. On the way, you see the beautiful Naryn, the longest river in the country. Arrive at the hotel in Sary-Chelek in the afternoon. The hotel lies among the mountains by a river; take a walk in the area and enjoy some free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Sary-Chelek.

Arkit

• Arslanbob → Arkit

Overnight: Arkit (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early in the morning after breakfast, drive to Sary-Chelek, the main lake of the biosphere reserve, and spend the whole day hiking to the seven lakes of the area. Every lake has its own beauty – untouched wild lakes with flowers and pristine nature around them. At the last lake there is time to swim and have a picnic in nature. The hike lasts until about 5 pm. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Sary-Chelek.

Sary Chelek

• Arkit → Sary Chelek
• Sary Chelek → Arkit

Overnight: Arkit (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early in the morning, drive from Sary-Chelek to Song-Kol, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. The road takes the whole day and passes some of the most amazing parts of Kyrgyzstan: two tunnels high in the mountains and the Toktogul Reservoir, the largest water reservoir in the country. The Chychkan Gorge is famous for its long zig-zag roads with the river always following the road. Later you reach the Suusamyr Valley, which will surprise you with its high altitude and the nomads who live here with thousands of animals – a glimpse of the still very active Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle. In the afternoon, follow the Kokomeren river with its strong current and great views, and continue through a few villages and valleys to Song-Kol Lake. Dinner and overnight in a yurt at Song-Kol.

Toktogul Reservoir, Chychkan Gorge, Suusamyr Valley, Song Kul

• Arkit → Song Kul

Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A second day at Song-Kol, where there are many things to enjoy. The lake lies at 3,016 m above sea level and is surrounded by rare edelweiss flowers. After breakfast, drive to the other side of the lake, which has its own character. In the afternoon, you can ride a horse along the lake or go hiking, and in the evening watch the sunset from the top of a hill. It is also possible to swim in the lake. Dinner and overnight in a yurt at Song-Kol.

Song Kul

Overnight: Song Kul (Yurt camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early in the morning, leave Song-Kol and head for Issyk-Kul. On the way, stop at a local house to admire handmade carpets, horse saddles and many other traditional handmade items. Later, pass another water reservoir with camels grazing around it. In the afternoon, arrive at Issyk-Kul, the huge lake that fills most of the province of the same name. Stay at a yurt camp on the shore, enjoy the views of the lake, swim or relax on the beach. Dinner and overnight at a yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

Orto Tokoy Reservoir, Tamga village

• Song Kul → Tamga village

Overnight: Tamga village (Yurt camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, drive to the Barskoon waterfall and take a short hike up the mountain. Later, reach the most popular canyon in the country. In the afternoon, visit Jeti-Oguz ("Seven Bulls"), a famous sanatorium in Soviet times, with waterfalls and a valley covered with spruce trees. In the evening, arrive in Karakol, one of the main tourist towns of Kyrgyzstan and the center of winter sports. Overnight at a guesthouse in Karakol.

Tamga Gorge, Barskoon Valley, Jeti Oguz, Karakol

• Tamga village → Karakol

Overnight: Karakol (Guesthouse)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early in the morning, drive along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul to Cholpon-Ata. On the way, visit the Kyrchyn Gorge, the venue of national holidays, games, marathons and other national sports, where Kyrgyzstan has hosted the World Nomad Games. Next, continue to the Grigoriev Gorge with its beautiful mountain lake and, with some luck, horses and other animals. In the evening, arrive at the beach in Cholpon-Ata, where you can swim in the cool waters of the lake – even though Issyk-Kul translates as "warm lake". Overnight at a hotel in Cholpon-Ata.

Kyrchyn Gorge, Grigoriev Gorge, Cholpon Ata

• Karakol → Cholpon Ata

Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On the last full day, drive to the capital Bishkek for a city tour. After arriving in the afternoon, visit the Osh Bazaar, where you can buy local food, dried fruit and souvenirs. Then walk along Chuy Avenue, the main street, past the main buildings and monuments of the city. Overnight at a hotel in Bishkek.

Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Bishkek

• Cholpon Ata → Bishkek

Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer from the hotel to Manas International Airport. End of the tour.

Bishkek, Manas International Airport

• Bishkek → Manas International Airport

Meals: Breakfast