Kyrgyzstan cooking tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan cooking tour Highlights
Cook, taste and share recipes with local families on this culinary journey through the mountains and lakes of Kyrgyzstan. Traditional food is one of the most rewarding ways to get to know a country: you bake Kyrgyz nan bread, pull home-made noodles for lagman, fold manty dumplings and chop meat for beshbarmak, the national dish – in cooking classes in a village homestay, a yurt camp at Song-Kol Lake, a family guesthouse in Kochkor and an Uyghur home in Karakol. Modern Kyrgyz food is a mixture of nomadic, Central Asian, Russian and Western cuisine, and every region adds its own flavor.
Between the meals the route shows Kyrgyzstan at its most beautiful: the bazaars of Bishkek and the Ala-Archa Nature Park, the high summer pastures of Song-Kol where herders still live in yurts and serve kymyz, felt carpet makers in Kochkor, the colorful sandstone of Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon and the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz. On the shores of Issyk-Kul you visit a horse farm with a herbal tea ceremony and take a boat trip on the lake before the green Chon-Kemin valley and the Burana Tower on the Silk Road. Light walks, optional horse riding and warm Kyrgyz hospitality complete the trip.
Difficulty: Easy No difficult sections, but an average level of fitness helps: several long drives of 3–6 hours on mountain roads, short walks in Ala-Archa, Skazka Canyon, Jeti-Oguz and Chon-Kemin, and a night in a yurt at Song-Kol Lake (3,015 m) after crossing passes of up to 3,447 m.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Bishkek early in the morning, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the hotel for a rest and a buffet breakfast (early check-in included). Afterwards, set off on a city tour of Bishkek with a visit to the Osh Bazaar, the most popular market among the locals – a real Kyrgyz supermarket where you can buy almost anything. In the afternoon, visit Ala-Archa Nature Park in the mountains south of the city. For dinner, you are the guests of a Dungan family. Overnight in the hotel. Altitude: about 800 m in Bishkek.
Bishkek, Osh Bazaar (Bishkek), Ala Archa
- Manas International Airport → Bishkek (30 km)
- Bishkek → Ala Archa (35 km)
- Ala Archa → Bishkek (35 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the village of Kyzyl-Oi through the Suusamyr Valley. On arrival, settle in with a local host family in a community-based homestay – a way of traveling that helps to improve living conditions in remote mountain villages. In the evening, join a cooking master class and learn to prepare kuurdak, a Kyrgyz national dish of fried meat, before dinner with the family. The homestay is very simple, but the rooms are cozy and clean. Altitude: about 1,800 m in Kyzyl-Oi.
Suusamyr Valley, Kyzyl-Oi
- Bishkek → Kyzyl-Oi (270 km)
Overnight: Kyzyl-Oi (Homestay)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast with the family, drive to Song-Kol Lake over the Kara-Keche Pass. At 3,015 m, Song-Kol is one of the largest high-mountain lakes in the world. From June to September, herders live with their livestock on the summer pastures (jailoo) around the lake – here you get a taste of the freedom of nomadic life and can try kymyz, the traditional fermented mare’s milk. Picnic lunch on the way. In the late afternoon, join a cooking class to prepare beshbarmak, the Kyrgyz national dish. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp run by a women’s group from Kyzart village. Altitude: about 3,015 m at Song-Kol.
Song-Kul Lake
- Kyzyl-Oi → Song-Kul Lake (180 km)
Overnight: Song-Kul Lake (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Kochkor village over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3,447 m). Lunch in Kochkor. In the afternoon, visit a women’s felt-making cooperative that produces the traditional nomad carpets shyrdak and ala-kiyiz. Founded in 1998 by more than 200 women to earn an income from felt carpets, the cooperative designs and makes every shyrdak individually, using the traditional Kyrgyz patterns, symbols, colors and sewing techniques – and the women still work on the carpets together. In the evening, learn to make manty, steamed dumplings, at a family guesthouse, followed by dinner and overnight there. Altitude: about 1,600 m in Kochkor.
Kalmak-Ashuu Pass, Kochkor
- Song-Kul Lake → Kochkor (150 km)
Overnight: Kochkor (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way, stop in Kyzyl-Tuu village, where local craftsmen make the wooden frames of yurts, and watch them at work. Optionally, stop in Bokonbaevo to meet an eagle hunter and see a hunting demonstration with eagles (extra cost). Continue to Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, named after its incredible sandstone formations that resemble the Great Wall of China, a hippopotamus, a sleeping giant, a snake, a castle or a dragon. The colors of the rocks are as rich and varied as their shapes – a great place for photography and a short hike. Drive on to Tamga village for dinner and overnight in a yurt camp (4 people per yurt, shared European-style toilet and shower cabins next to the yurts), built to support sustainable tourism in the villages of the south shore. Altitude: about 1,670 m in Tamga.
Kyzyl-Tuu village, Skazka Canyon, Tamga village
- Kochkor → Tamga village (170 km)
Overnight: Tamga village (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the famous Jeti-Oguz Gorge with its red rock formations, the Seven Bulls and the Broken Heart. On arrival, walk to the waterfall or explore the gorge. Dinner and overnight in a yurt camp in the forest. For an extra fee, local people can show you how they cook grilled lamb. Altitude: about 2,200 m in Jeti-Oguz.
Jeti Oguz
- Tamga village → Jeti Oguz (150 km)
Overnight: Jeti Oguz (Yurt camp)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Shared (indoor)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Karakol for a city tour with the wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral and the Dungan Mosque. Lunch with an Uyghur family, including a cooking class to prepare lagman, hand-pulled noodles with meat and vegetables. Later, continue to Tepke village, where a horse farm founded by a Kyrgyz Minister of Agriculture breeds purebred Kyrgyz horses. Your host presents the horses and tells you about his life over dinner, served with a tea ceremony of herbs from the fields and mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Overnight in the guesthouse on the farm. Altitude: about 1,700 m in Tepke.
Karakol, Karakol Orthodox cathedral, Karakol Dungan Mosque, Tepke
- Jeti Oguz → Karakol (35 km)
- Karakol → Tepke (15 km)
Overnight: Tepke (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. At 1,607 m, Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world and is called the “pearl” of Kyrgyzstan. At the lake, enjoy a 1-hour boat excursion and visit the open-air museum of petroglyphs – ancient carvings in the stones. Optionally, visit the Ruh Ordo Cultural Complex (extra cost). Dinner and overnight in a hotel on the lakeshore with a private beach. Altitude: about 1,670 m in Cholpon-Ata.
Issyk-Kul Lake, Cholpon Ata petroglyphs museum, Ruh Ordo Cultural Complex, Cholpon Ata
- Tepke → Cholpon Ata (158 km)
Overnight: Cholpon Ata (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the Chon-Kemin Nature Park. On arrival, take a walk in a nearby gorge. Together with the cook of the guesthouse, you see how traditional bread is baked. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse. Altitude: about 1,600 m in Chon-Kemin.
Chon Kemin
- Cholpon Ata → Chon Kemin (180 km)
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Guesthouse)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive back to Bishkek. On the way, stop near the town of Tokmok to visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret on the site of a city of the Great Silk Road. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant with folk music. Overnight in the hotel. Altitude: about 800 m in Bishkek.
Burana Tower, Bishkek
- Chon Kemin → Bishkek (180 km)
Overnight: Bishkek (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Bishkek → Manas International Airport (30 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
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What's included
Included
- Transport for all transfers and excursions in a good air-conditioned vehicle (a jeep for 1–2 people, a Mercedes Sprinter for 3–6 people), including the airport transfers
- English-speaking guide
- Accommodation in twin rooms (10 nights); 4 people per yurt in the yurt camps
- Early check-in at the hotel in Bishkek on day 1
- Full board from breakfast on day 1 to breakfast on day 11
- Mineral water (1 liter per person per day)
- Entrance fees to museums and parks
- Cooking classes: kuurdak in Kyzyl-Oi, beshbarmak at Song-Kol, manty in Kochkor, lagman in Karakol and bread baking in Chon-Kemin
- Felt-making demonstration in Kochkor
- Visit to a yurt workshop in Kyzyl-Tuu
- Boat excursion on Issyk-Kul Lake
- Tea ceremony in Tepke village
- Farewell dinner with a folklore program in Bishkek
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Kyrgyz visa costs
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Single room supplement (225 USD; single rooms only in Bishkek, Tepke, Cholpon-Ata and Chon-Kemin)
- Eagle hunting show (90 USD per group)
- Grilled lamb cooking in Jeti-Oguz (250 USD per group)
- Horse riding in Chon-Kemin or at Song-Kol (20 USD per horse for 1.5–2 hours, plus 30 USD for a horseman per group of up to 3 people)
- Visit to the Ruh Ordo Cultural Complex
- Camera and video fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation, medical and accident)
- Personal expenses such as extra luggage charges, room service and medical expenses
- Any changes to the program
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
Freedom Hotel or similar
-
Night 2
Kyzyl-Oi
Guesthouse in Kyzyl-Oi or similar
-
Night 3
Song-Kul Lake
Yurt camp at Song Kol or similar
-
Night 4
Kochkor
Family guesthouse in Kochkor or similar
-
Night 5
Tamga village
Yurt camp in Tamga or similar
-
Night 6
Jeti Oguz
Yurt camp in Jeti-Oguz Gorge or similar
-
Night 7
Tepke
Reina Kench Guesthouse or similar
-
Night 8
Cholpon Ata
Karven Issyk-Kul or similar
-
Night 9
Chon Kemin
Kemin Guesthouse or similar
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Night 10
Bishkek
Freedom Hotel or similar
Good to know
- Fitness: There are no difficult sections on the route, but an average level of fitness helps, as some transfers on mountain roads take 5–6 hours.
- Accommodation: Twin rooms in the hotels and guesthouses. In the yurt camps at Song-Kol, Tamga and Jeti-Oguz, 4 people share a yurt, with shared showers and toilets. The homestay in Kyzyl-Oi is simple, with a shared shower and toilet, and the guesthouse in Kochkor has shared facilities on each floor. Single rooms are available only in Bishkek, Tepke, Cholpon-Ata and Chon-Kemin.
- What to bring: Warm clothes, trekking boots and a rain jacket. The weight of your luggage is not limited.
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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