Kyrgyzstan Manas Heritage Tour
Accommodation, guides, transport included.
Kyrgyzstan Manas Heritage Tour Highlights
This 6-day group tour around Issyk-Kul brings the Epic of Manas and Kyrgyz nomad traditions to life. Starting from Bishkek, you trace the footsteps of the legendary hero Manas and experience Kyrgyz culture up close: ancient crafts, horse games, eagle hunting and the stories of the epic – on fixed departures all year round.
The journey begins at the Silk Road minaret of Burana Tower with its collection of ancient stone balbals and a demonstration of Kok Boru, one of the traditional Kyrgyz games, before the first night in a yurt camp in the green Chon-Kemin Valley. Along the northern shore of the lake you visit the Semenov Gorge and spend two nights in a yurt camp in the Karkyra Valley, where you help bake boorsok bread, try nomad games such as Ordo and learn about life on the summer pastures.
In Karakol you see the Dungan Mosque, built without a single nail, the Russian Orthodox church and the Przhevalsky memorial, take a boat trip on the lake and spend an evening with a Manaschi, a storyteller who keeps the epic alive. On the south shore you explore the red rocks of Jeti-Oguz and the colorful Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, try archery and watch eagle hunting. On the last day you learn how shyrdak felt carpets are made in Bokonbaevo and how yurt frames are crafted in Kyzyl-Tuu before returning to Bishkek.
Difficulty: Easy Sightseeing and cultural activities with short walks only (optional hiking at the Karkyra camp). Drives of 120–370 km a day, the longest on day 2 (6–7 hours); one day without driving. Four of the five nights are in yurt camps (night 1 in a yurt camp or guesthouse), one in a 3* hotel in Karakol.
Guaranteed departures
Every date runs as scheduled. Same price on all departures.
Guaranteed tour dates 2026
| Dates | Days | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| – Available | Sat – Thu | $960 |
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| – Available | Sat – Thu | $960 |
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| – Available | Sat – Thu | $960 |
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Guaranteed tour dates 2027
Dates for 2027 are not published yet.
Tour Itinerary
The tour starts in Bishkek at 10 am with an introduction to the legendary Epic of Manas. In the morning you drive to the UNESCO-listed Burana Tower on the Silk Road, where a small museum shows finds from the excavations and a fascinating collection of ancient stone balbals. Next, you watch a demonstration of Kok Boru, the national horseback game. For groups of 5 or more travelers the horseback games are organized; groups of 1 to 4 travelers can ride a horse and watch a video of the games instead (a live demonstration for up to 4 people can be arranged for an extra charge). In the afternoon you continue to the Chon-Kemin Valley for dinner and the night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp. Drive: about 170 km, 3 hours.
Bishkek, Burana Tower, Chon Kemin
- Bishkek → Burana Tower (75 km)
- Burana Tower → Chon Kemin (95 km)
Overnight: Chon Kemin (Yurt camp)
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast you travel along the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul with stunning mountain views. You visit the Semenov Gorge and continue to the Karkyra Valley, where you can join the preparation of boorsok, the traditional Kyrgyz fried bread. Dinner and overnight in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp. Drive: about 370 km, 6–7 hours – the longest road day of the tour.
Karkara base camp, Semenov Gorge
- Chon Kemin → Semenov Gorge (235 km)
- Semenov Gorge → Karkara base camp (135 km)
Overnight: Karkara base camp (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast you spend the morning experiencing nomadic culture: you try traditional Kyrgyz games such as Ordo and learn about life on the jailoo, the summer pastures. After lunch you can enjoy the camp at your leisure – hiking, the sauna and steam bath, swings and movie screenings at the bar. Horseback riding is available for an extra fee. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
Karkara base camp
Overnight: Karkara base camp (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you transfer to Karakol, where you visit the unique Dungan Mosque, built entirely without a single nail, the Russian Orthodox church and the Przhevalsky Memorial Complex. Afterwards you head to the bay of Lake Issyk-Kul for a boat trip (weather permitting). In the evening, back in Karakol, you meet a Manaschi – a storyteller and guardian of the Epic of Manas – who shares this legendary tale in a captivating way. Overnight at a hotel. Drive: about 120 km, 2 hours, plus about 14 km each way to the bay.
Karakol, Karakol Dungan Mosque, Karakol Orthodox cathedral, Przhevalsky Museum
- Karkara base camp → Karakol (120 km)
- Karakol → Przhevalsky Museum (14 km)
- Przhevalsky Museum → Karakol (14 km)
Overnight: Karakol (Hotel)
- Shower: Yes
- Toilet: Private (in the room)
- Internet: Wi-Fi
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast you drive to the south shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, with excursions to the picturesque Jeti-Oguz Gorge and the colorful Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon. You also test your archery skills and watch a demonstration of hunting with an eagle. Dinner and overnight in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt camp. Drive: about 160 km, 3 hours.
Jeti Oguz, Skazka Canyon
- Karakol → Jeti Oguz (30 km)
- Jeti Oguz → Skazka Canyon (130 km)
Overnight: Skazka Canyon (Yurt camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast you transfer to Bokonbaevo village to discover the art of making shyrdaks – traditional felt carpets for yurts. In Kyzyl-Tuu you continue with yurt frame crafting. After this intense experience you return to Bishkek, where the tour ends. Drive: about 270 km, 5 hours.
Bishkek, Bokonbaevo, Kyzyl-Tuu village
- Skazka Canyon → Bokonbaevo (30 km)
- Bokonbaevo → Kyzyl-Tuu village (25 km)
- Kyzyl-Tuu village → Bishkek (215 km)
Meals: Breakfast
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Group Tour Price
Single room supplement: $65
What's included
Included
- Accommodation for 5 nights: yurt camps (a yurt camp or guesthouse in Chon-Kemin) and a 3* hotel in Karakol
- Meals as per the itinerary: 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
- Transportation as per the itinerary (jeep for 1–3 travelers, Sprinter minibus for 4 or more)
- English- or Russian-speaking guide
- Horseback games near Burana Tower (Kok Boru demonstration for groups of 5 or more; horse ride and video of the games for groups of 1–4)
- Boorsok cooking master class
- Boat trip on Issyk-Kul (weather permitting)
- Archery
- Eagle hunting demonstration
- Meeting with a Manaschi, a storyteller of the Epic of Manas
- Yurt setting-up demonstration
- Shyrdak show in Bokonbaevo village
- Mineral water (1 liter per person per day)
- Entrance tickets and ecological fees as per the itinerary
Not included
- Single supplement (65 USD per person)
- Live Kok Boru demonstration for groups of 1–4 travelers (extra charge, on request)
- Horseback riding at the Karkyra camp (extra fee)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International flights
- Tips for guide and driver
- Photo/video fees at museums
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
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
Chon Kemin
Guesthouse in Chon-Kemin or similar
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Nights 2–3
Karkara base camp
Karkara base camp or similar
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Night 4
Karakol
Green Yard Hotel or similar
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Night 5
Skazka Canyon
Yurt camp on the shore of Issyk-Kul or similar
Good to know
- Departures: fixed group departures every second Saturday, all year round. The tour starts in Bishkek at 10 am on day 1 and ends in Bishkek on day 6.
- Transport: a jeep for 1–3 travelers, a Sprinter minibus for groups of 4 or more.
- Horseback games: the Kok Boru demonstration near Burana Tower takes place for groups of 5 or more travelers. Groups of 1–4 ride a horse and watch a video of the games instead; a live demonstration for up to 4 people can be arranged for an extra charge.
- Weather: the boat trip on Issyk-Kul depends on the weather. The order of visits and activities may occasionally change because of the weather or other unforeseen circumstances – always with your comfort and overall experience in mind.
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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